Kyle Gavulic’s basketball career did not work out. Nor did a future in high school football.
However, he can run. Very well, actually.
So stellar was his running that last week the 17-year-old Martian senior was named as one of 120 finalists for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2015-16 school year. He was recognized at the Goodrich Board of Education meeting on Monday.
‘I’ve really never been the athletic type,? he said. ‘I did not even start cross country until I was a freshman in high school.?
Despite Gavulic’s rather late start as a runner, his finish has been stellar.
The program will honor 32 individuals from MHSAA member schools who participate in at least one sport in which the association sponsors a post-season tournament. The scholarship includes a $1,000 scholarship to each recipient from Farm Bureau Insurance. Gavulic was selected from 1,425 applications from 374 schools statewide. In February, 32 of the 120 finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award will be selected and recognized in a ceremony during halftime of the Class C Boys Basketball Final, March 26, at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
‘I was teased growing up not being like the other students when it came to sports,? laughed Gavulic. ‘I really wanted to get the school cross country record before I graduated, but came up a little short.?
Gavulic’s best time in a 5K or 3.1 miles was 16:28 the school record was 15:45.
His cross country career included First Team All-Conference; four times First Team All-Country; two times State Qualifier; Goodrich’s Cross Country Top Ten Best Performances; 82nd at the state finals and Top 40 State Finisher. As a member of the Goodrich track team he was two times All Conference in the 3,200 meters and All Conference in the 1,600 meters.
To be eligible for the award, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale), and previously have won a varsity letter in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament. Students also were asked to respond to a series of short essay questions, submit two letters of recommendation and a 500-word essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.. The applications were judged by a 58-member committee of school coaches, counselors, faculty members, administrators and board members from MHSAA member schools.
Gavulic has a gpa of 4.0 and was recently accepted at Vanderbuilt University for a dual major in pre med and French. His past and present accomplishments also include president of the student council; president of the National Honor Society; chair of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; Friends of Rachel Club leader; cross country boys? varsity captain; vice-president of student council; vice-president of the National Honor Society; vice-president of the Class of 2016 and president of the Class of 2016.
He is the son of Michele Pfeiffer and Kevin Gavulic.