This week The Clarkston News continues to look at some of the highlights from the past year. Check out our archives on www.ClarkstonNews.com to see all the stories from the past year.
Camps bring talent out
The summer began with future high school athletes invading the fields and gyms to learn techniques in their favorite sport from the Clarkston coaching staffs and varsity players. Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Dan Fife saw a lot of potential from the incoming freshman class. Kurt Richardson, head coach for the Wolves varsity football team saw the same potential and talent in his campers in the last week of July.
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July 2
All Star Popp hits high school football field one more time: Running back Jimmy Popp took to the field one more time in the Michigan High School All Star Football game on July 19. “It will be my last good-bye to football,” said Popp.
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July 9
Local runner places fifth at nationals: Kristen Smith made ‘All-American? in the 5K event at the Nike Track National in North Carolina, timing 17:43, five seconds faster than her run the previous year.
Coates makes top 20 in country: Jenna Coates represented the best volleyball players from southeast Michigan when her team played against the top teams in the country.
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July 16
Riverdawgs undefeated in league: Riverdawgs 13U team were the first team in the Riverdawg organization to complete an undefeated season, 19-0.
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July 23
Going the distance: Young athletes gave the newest camp a try as they jumped, ran, and hurdled at the Track and Field Camp started by Coach John Yorke.
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July 30
Tournament leads with a success: Clarkston Community Education held their first annual Clarkston Schools Golf Tournament and had 34 participants, ages 14 and under, competing in the event.
Creator’s Image wins championship: Creator’s Image Photography defeated Clarkston Medical Group in Independence Township Parks and Recreation championship to win the youth baseball season.
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August 13
Lewandowski leads Little Caesars to win: Mitch Lewandowski helped his team stay in the game during the semifinals during the 19th Annual Brick Invitational Super Novice Hockey Tournament. He capped off the game scoring his third goal, winning the game for his Little Caesars ?98 team.
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August 20
Win marks quarter century of soccer: Kickers opened the season against Waterford Mott and won, 3-2. Twenty-five years earlier the soccer program started in Clarkston and lost their first game to Rochester Adams, 9-1. They never lost by that much again.
Back for another year of Blue-and-Gold gridiron action: Wolves hit the field for their annual inter-squad Blue and Gold game to show fans what they had practiced and to show coaches and themselves what needed more work before the season opener the next week.
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August 27
Football food drive: Together the Clarkston football program and the community raised 4,000 pounds of food for Lighthouse Emergency Services.
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September 10
Lopsided game, but still lots to learn: Wolves defeated Troy-Athens for their first win of the football season, 56-26. While the scoreboard reflected a win, Coach Kurt Richardson saw a few things that needed tweaking in the next week’s practice.
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September 17
Ahead in the Red: A tough game against Troy did not slow Kickers down from continuing their control of the OAA Red with an undefeated 5-0 in the league.
Leaders on the links: The girls varsity golf team also had the lead in their league after beating Troy-Athens.
Riders advance: Heavy rain and mud were a few variables the Equestrian riders and their horses had to work around as they won the District 2 meet and move on to the regional round.
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September 24
Scarlett’s run breaks double OT tie for win: The ball was snapped to quarterback Tyler Scarlett during the second overtime period against West Bloomfield. Scarlett held onto the ball for a keeper play and rushed from the 10-yard line into the end zone, winning the game, 41-38.
Serving up some medals: The JV tennis team took second place at the Fenton JV Tennis Invitational.
Homecoming week begins: Girls from the junior and senior classes took to the football field for the Annual Powder Puff game to start Homecoming week. The game ended tied, 12-12.
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October 1
Cross country success: The boys team took first place at the Hansons Invitational meet against 13 teams. The girls placed third in their Midwest Meet of Champions in Ohio in the same weekend. The boys and girls teams both placed third in their second OAA Jamboree of the season.
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October 8
Gridiron gane shuts down Ravens in shut-out: The Wolves didn’t let Royal Oak score any touchdowns during the game and moved their way through the defense to won, 42-0.
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October 15
Second shutout paves way for season ender: The Wolves went for one more shutout. This time it was on Oak Park’s football field, 35-0.
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October 22
Gridiron gang off to playoffs after Friday’s game: The boys secured their spot to play in the first round playoffs after their win against Farmington Hills Harrison. The win kept the Hawks from getting their spot in the playoffs.
Digging up a league championship: Spikers went into the OAA tournament in first place which helped them after they placed in third after their matches. They had scored enough points to boost them into first place for the league.
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October 29
Horse riders exceed expectations with championships: For the Clarkston Equestrian team, the year was suppose to be a rebuilding year. Instead the girls rode their way into fifth place at the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association State Championship.
And they’re off…to states: The gun sounded and the runners were off and going in their regional meet. The end result for both of the boys and girls teams were they would be going to the state finals. The girls were named Regional Champs and the boys were in third place.
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November 12
Spikers bound for regionals: Kelley Croll sent the ball over the net and out of reach of Oxford players. It was the last point the girls needed to win the final round of the Class A District playoffs and become District Champs.
Three Chief teams unstoppable at Super Bowl IV: Hot cocoa and winning the Super Bowl IV at Brandon High School warmed the hearts of Clarkston Chiefs players of Freshman White, JV White and Varsity teams and their fans.
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November 29
Swimmers set to take on state championships: Swimmers heading to the state finals were calm and excited as they practiced beating their times for the upcoming state championship. The girls team sent swimmers to compete in five individual events and two relay events.
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November 26
Fiteny leads icers to victory with early goal: Icers skated into their new season with two wins in the first week of competition. They beat Stoney Creek, 4-2, and shot out Birmingham United, 1-0. Goalie Neeko Muniz saved 21 shots during the shut out.
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December 10
Lyons leads Wolves to victory over Flyers: Sophomore Conner Lyons second goal against Farmington helped Icers hold onto their lead. They beat the Flyers, 4-3.
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December 17
Broughton brought two wins in dual meet win: Grapplers won their dual meet they hosted against Avondale and West Bloomfield. They shut out the Lakers, 65-0.
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Wolves continuing after June
Seniors Lauren Gardner and Nicole Janek were the first Wolves to sign their letters of intent on Nov. 5.
Gardner will be playing volleyball at Shepherd University and Janek will play tennis at Cleveland State University.
The Clarkston News will keep you updated in the new year as more Wolves sign to colleges.