SAC Sound-Off: One Team, One Community
December 3, 2012
By Matt Freeman
Owosso senior
OWOSSO, Michigan (population 15,000) – To our town, the high school football program had been in a tailspin since its first playoff appearance in 2001.
A group of 24 seniors, 11 juniors and one sophomore decided to change that direction this fall.
Owosso, 3-6 in 2010 and 5-4 in 2011, had tasted success during the previous two years – especially considering our four straight 1-8 finishes from 2006-09. Although the program had not returned to the level of competitiveness set by teams of the mid-1990s, there was hope leading into this fall.
So naturally, during the spring and summer leading up to the beginning of practice, my teammates and coaches were bombarded with questions about this year’s team. It was simple; if we played the way we knew we could, then we would have a great opportunity in front of us. And as the season rolled on, I came to understand just how much our town was cheering us on.
Growing up in a rural community in a family that has lived here since the turn of the 20th century, if I don’t know someone, someone else in my family knows that person. So I was tied in some way to many of the people packing the stands and hoping for us to achieve our lofty expectations.
Splitting the first two games and winning a nail-biter against Haslett, we landed ourselves at 2-1 to start. After two losses and a win, we found ourselves at 3-3 with three games to play: against Ionia, Birmingham Groves and Eaton Rapids. We had to win all three to make the playoffs for the first time in 11 years – and we pulled it off, with three of our four biggest wins of the entire regular season.
Next up was the Sunday Selection Show and more backing from our neighbors. For the event, the whole team and lots of fans went to one of our local restaurants that had supported us throughout the season. The show came on at 6 p.m., and we were pretty sure we were going to be in Division 3; we just didn't know who our opponent would be.
Finally it came across the screen: CADILLAC. We were going to play Cadillac that Friday at 7 p.m. We were excited, but also a bit disappointed; the game was so far away. To us, this meant that we would not have a good crowd – just the die-hard parents would be willing to make the trip.
Soon, I learned just how much our team meant to the rest of our fans.
Our football team was the buzz of the school that week, but we tried to stay all business. We knew we had the opportunity to do what no football team in the history of our school had done before – actually win a playoff game. That thought alone drove us. We had the best week of practice since the beginning of the season. Everyone was sharp and focused on one common goal. But we still knew it was going to take a lot more than a couple good practices to win this game.
I stop at our local Speedway station, north of town, to get a coffee almost every day on my way to school. That Thursday, Nov. 1, was no different. Yes, it was the day before a game, but I was not about to break my routine.
I was standing in line with my large coffee waiting to pay when I heard a voice next to me. An older man, wearing old jeans and an old coat that had seen more winters than I had, looked at me and said, “Very proud of what you boys are doing.”
“Thank you,” I said, not expecting the conversation to go further.
“I've been to every home game this year, and I’ll be making the drive to Cadillac tomorrow too. Keep it up,” he then added.
I said thank you again, paid for my coffee and left. I then realized what had just happened
Suddenly, I was hit with a lot of questions. Who was this man? How did he know me? Did I know him and just forget? I then realized that I was wearing my varsity jacket, and that solved how he knew I was on the football team.
After stewing on it for a while, I came to the conclusion that no, I didn't know him, nor did he know me. But yet, he felt like he knew me, because of the jersey I was putting on every Friday at 7.
I posted about it on Facebook and told my team, but no one felt what I felt. He didn't know me from Adam. We very easily could have passed by, not knowing each other, and not caring much about it. But he didn't pass by; he stopped because I had on a blue and gold coat, and he was blue and gold in his heart.
To this day I don’t know his name, and I probably never will. But I know he was in the stands come Friday, cheering us on.
When Friday rolled around, the nerves set in. In fact, that day from 8 a.m. until the end of school was a blur. But 2 p.m. did eventually roll around, and we got on the bus and started our 2-hour, 30-minute ride north to Cadillac. We had a police and fire truck escort to the outskirts of town, which was so amazing. As we neared the city limits, our coach stood up and told us to look out the window. Lining both sides of the street were our player signs, with everyone’s names and numbers on them. A local resident had done this so we could see them as we left town. That was our first hint that this was going to be different than any game we’d played in before.
With a few stops we rolled into Cadillac at 5 p.m. Chomping at the bit to play the game, we went into the locker room and came out about 6 to see the visitor stands already half full, while our two student buses hadn't arrived. We warmed up and went in the locker room with 15 minutes until game time.
When the time came for the National Anthem, we gathered two by two and trotted our way to the field. We quickly noticed our visitor stands were over-flowing with people, with the Cadillac stands not 60 percent full at kickoff. Owosso, a town 130-plus miles away, had more people in its stands than the home team. We were all so proud of our team, our coaches and our community. It was then that we realized just what this team meant to our town.
We won that game with a dominating second half; the Trojans of Owosso finally had their first-ever playoff win. Without a doubt, the mass of fans in the stands was remarkable, as was the way the team played that night.
I've been around Owosso football ever since I can remember, and the volume and energy that night rivaled our best home games. I don’t think there is a guy on our team who will forget that night, ever. I know I won’t, and I do not think our community will either.
Matt Freeman, Owosso senior
- Sports: Football and basketball.
- Non-sports activities: Hunting and fishing.
- Favorite class: Mythology
- Up next: Freeman is considering multiple college football scholarship offers. He intends to study business.
- Shining moment: Freeman was a significant contributor this season as Owosso made the football playoffs for the second time ever and won its first playoff game in school history. The Trojans beat Cadillac 27-14.
- Pump-up jams: Anything classic rock; bands like Journey, Boston and Van Halen.
- Must-see TV: "MythBusters," "Pawn Stars," and ESPN "SportsCenter."
- Favorite films: "The Italian Job," "Remember the Titans," and "S.W.A.T."
PHOTO: Owosso senior Matt Freeman begins emerging from his defensive stance during his team's playoff win over Cadillac this season. Freeman, a two-way lineman, was recently named Division 3 all-state by the Detroit Free Press and earned Division 3-4 all-state honorable mention from The Associated Press. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Scholars and Athletes 2015: Class C, D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 2, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class C and D member schools to receive scholarships through its Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 26th year of sponsoring the award, will give $1,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees which can come from any classification.
Each of the scholarship recipients will be honored at halftime ceremonies of the Class C Boys Basketball Final game March 28 at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Maggie Belcher, Springport; Ryan Karapas, Clinton; Mallory Munderloh, St Louis; Emily Elizabeth Steffke, Beal City; Connor Thomas, Marlette; and Pierce Vreeland, Gobles.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are: Margo Brown, St. Ignace; Kevin Greenman, Battle Creek St. Philip; Travis McCormick, Mason County Eastern; and Rachelle Trafford, Lansing Christian.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Maggie Belcher, Springport
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will play her fourth of soccer and run her fourth of track and field this spring; played first season of varsity basketball this winter. Named captain of soccer team as a sophomore and earned all-league academic honors in cross country and track and field. Served on school’s student council for three years including as executive president this year, executive vice president as a junior and class treasurer as a sophomore. Also served as a delegate and then regional and state co-host for Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies. Named marching band’s drum major from 2012-14 and founded the school’s debate team in 2013. Competed in Destination Imagination regional and state competitions and in multiple Future Farmers of America state competitions. Attended Mercy College Business Leadership Academy in New York. Remains undecided on where she will attend college, but will study cultural anthropology.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is knowing there’s a larger picture, that there is a reward more valuable than the greedy pursuit of trophies/titles. Sportsmanship is a code that distinguishes the good players from the excelled athlete.”
Mallory Munderloh, St. Louis
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will run her fourth of track and field this spring. Qualified for the MHSAA Cross Country Finals as a freshman and senior and also served as team captain this fall; earned all-league honors all four years and academic all-state in her final season. Qualified for MHSAA Track and Field Finals two seasons in distance events and the last three as part of her school’s 3,200 relay. Earned all-state recognition when her relay finished fifth at the 2013 Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals. Participating in National Honor Society for second year. Participated in Business Professionals of America three years and qualified for state competitions in 2012 and 2013. Served on school’s Youth Advisory Council the last two years. Will attend Alma College and study pre-medicine.
Essay Quote: “In his determination, the sportsman is quiet. He doesn’t put down his opponents when he wins. The sportsman respects the work and toil of his competitors and considers it an honor to compete with them. In the same way, he doesn’t ridicule his opponents when he is beaten. The sportsman accepts his defeat and remembers it when he is training.”
Emily Elizabeth Steffke, Beal City
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will run her fourth of track and field this spring. Earned all-state honors in cross country all four seasons and academic all-state honors her last three while leading the team to MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 championships in 2013 and 2014. Earned athletic and academic all-state honors for track and field the last two seasons; her 3,200 relay won at last spring’s LP Division 4 Final. Named a semifinalist for National Merit and Coca-Cola Foundation scholarships. Participating in her marching, concert and jazz bands for the fourth year and earned multiple state competition awards for piano and flute performance. Participating in National Honor Society for second year and served on student council four years. Participated in Youth in Government three years and MyLead Michigan Youth Leadership in 2013. Will attend either Yale University or Michigan State University and is considering studying pre-medicine.
Essay Quote: “After finishing a race, I turn to the runners around me. … The fellowship I feel with these girls is born of conquering a race’s and each other’s demands better together, and it can spark lasting friendships.”
Ryan Karapas, Clinton
Played two seasons of varsity football, three of varsity basketball and expects to play his fourth of varsity golf this spring. Served as captain of all three teams, earning all-conference honors in football and basketball and tying for league scoring lead in golf. Helped football team to 2013 MHSAA Division 6 Final, the basketball team to multiple District titles and the golf team to a league championship. Participated in National Honor Society the last three years, including as president this school year, and is on pace to finish as his class’ valedictorian. Also participated in local “Relay for Life” for three years and as a peer tutor as a junior, and was selected for a Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Remains undecided on where he will attend college, but will study business.
Essay Quote: “Whether it’s on the court, in the classroom, or somewhere where no one is looking, we will all run into situations where we are faced with doing the right thing or something that we know is less. Learning and demonstrating sportsmanship here and now is a great stage for the challenges and opportunities
Connor Thomas, Marlette
Played three seasons of varsity football, two of varsity basketball and will run his fourth of track and field this spring. Earned all-state honorable mention and all-conference honors in football this fall, all-conference honorable mention in basketball and all-conference honors as a sprinter and middle distance runner in track and field – while also earning all-league scholar-athlete recognition in all three sports. Served as captain of both the football and basketball teams; helped the basketball team to a District championship and the track and field team to a Regional title. Served on his school’s student council all four years and as his class’ president the first three; he’s serving as his National Honor Society chapter’s president this school year. Also is serving his second year as a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council. Will attend Oakland University and study business.
Essay Quote: “Many people think it’s strange that I can uphold a friendship with multiple rival athletes and still maintain my competitive edge in the best interest of my team. … Their perception of me as a fair opponent is what encourages them to pursue a friendship with me.”
Pierce Vreeland, Gobles
Expects to finish with nine varsity letters – three each in football, basketball and track and field – and he also played junior varsity baseball as a freshman. Served as captain of football team the last two seasons and was named all-conference after both, and also second-team all-conference in basketball as a junior. Placed sixth in long jump and seventh in high jump at last season’s Lower Peninsula Division 4 Track and Field Finals and was named academic all-state in that sport. Participating in National Honor Society for third year and is his chapter’s vice president. Volunteers as youth basketball official and coach and as a mentor as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Will attend the University of Michigan and study nuclear engineering.
Essay Quote: “In January, I was given the opportunity to co-coach a fourth grade basketball team with my father. Along with the opportunity came an enormous responsibility of teaching and mentoring 14 energetic 9 and 10-year-olds. Working with the players on a regular basis, I saw first-hand how teaching fair play is just as important as showing them how to execute a lay-up correctly.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Nicole Gross, Beal City; Skyler Sobeski, Bronson; Marti Ann Pirkola, Iron Mountain; Mary Grace Fries, Jackson Lumen Christi; Lauren M. Skidmore, Oscoda; Jami Hubbard, Reading; Katie Burmester, Roscommon; Erica Treiber, Unionville-Sebewaing; and Bridget Dewan, Wixom St Catherine.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Deontay Walker, Bath; Nicholas Pung, Beal City; Blaine Michael Stowe, East Jackson; Cole Rossato, Iron Mountain; Mark Holmgren, Ishpeming; Jason Bell, Negaunee; Jacob Dibbet, Roscommon; Daniel Brown, Springport; and Aaron J. Watson, Union City.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Margo Brown, St. Ignace
Intends to compete in fourth varsity seasons this spring of golf and track and field. Also has played four seasons of varsity basketball, joining that team during the postseason as a freshman, and three of volleyball after joining that varsity during her sophomore season. Served as captain of volleyball and basketball teams; contributed to basketball teams that won the MHSAA Class D title in 2013 and finished runner-up in Class C in 2014, volleyball teams that won two District titles and track and field teams that won three MHSAA Finals championships. Won MHSAA Finals individual golf titles the last two years and earned all-state track honors. Serving as class president for fourth year and carries a 4.0 grade-point average. Participated in marching, concert and jazz band and on the robotics team. Will attend Ferris State University to study accounting and has signed a letter of intent to play basketball.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is all about enjoying participating in the sport(s) you are in. When an athlete displays they are having fun playing the game, it shows their heart and love of the game.”
Rachelle Trafford, Lansing Christian
Playing fourth varsity season of basketball and will play second full varsity season of soccer this spring after joining that top team during her freshman and sophomore seasons; also played two full seasons of varsity volleyball after joining that varsity as a sophomore, and ran varsity cross country as a junior. Helped the soccer team to MHSAA Semifinals in 2013 and 2014, the basketball team to two Regional titles and the volleyball team to two District titles. Earned all-area soccer honors in the spring. Participating in National Honor Society for the third year. Volunteered and served as teen leader in a variety of Stepping Stone Foundation projects. Also served as teen leader during outdoor adventure trips to Tennessee and West Virginia and a mission trip to Mississippi. Will attend Michigan State University or Grand Valley State University and study pre-veterinary medicine.
Essay Quote: “When we make situations in life about ourselves and our achievements, the result can be devastating for everyone involved. … I work hard to be the best I can be, to play with the best, against the best, and walk away knowing I treated my teammates, coaches, officials and opponents with the utmost respect.”
Kevin Greenman, Battle Creek St. Philip
Played four years of varsity football, three of varsity basketball and will run his fourth of track and field this spring. Captained all three teams including the football and track and field teams both for the three seasons. Earned all-conference honors in both of those sports; helped the football team to Regional Finals three seasons, the basketball team to league and Regional titles and the track and field team to a league title while qualifying for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 Finals in two events. Participating for second year as part of the Battle Creek Community Foundation’s Youth Alliance Committee and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society. Volunteered at his school’s football and basketball camps and for the Special Olympics. Participated in the international Conrad Foundation Spirit of Innovation Challenge and with his partner was selected as a semifinalist. Will study materials science and engineering at the University of Michigan.
Essay Quote: “I discovered personal meaning behind the old adage, “Winning isn’t everything.” … In all that I do, I must respect what I am doing, respect everyone around me and remember that success is not all about winning.”
Travis McCormick, Mason County Eastern
Expects to graduate with 11 varsity letters earned over four sports: four for baseball, one for basketball, three for soccer and two for cross country. Earned all-conference recognition his first three seasons of baseball and in soccer as a junior; also earned second-team all-area honors in basketball last season. Served four years on his school’s student council including as secretary, three years on his school’s Youth Advisory Council including as treasurer and three years with his school’s chapter of National Honor Society including as vice president. Received a Good Citizen Award from the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Participated in church mission trips to Georgia and New York and volunteers at his vacation Bible school. Remains undecided on where he will attend college, but intends to study business.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is treating the players, coaches, refs and fans around you with respect. Being gracious when you win or lose. The game isn’t about going there to physically and mentally destroy a player; it’s to have fun and enjoy the moment. You want to be that person or that team that people remember as good sportsmen.”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Danielle Piggott, Fowler; Taylor Richards, Fruitport Calvary Christian; Anissa Keeler, Marion; Kelsey Rambo, Pickford; Hunter Branstrom, Rock Mid Peninsula; and Jane Hursey, Suttons Bay. Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Thomas Gallagher, Peck; Chantz Owens, Burr Oak; James Thibodeau, Clarkston Everest Collegiate; Gideon Rea Mulka, Hillman; Aaron Van Horn, Kingston; Connor Patrick Cappaert, Stephenson. Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics. The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced on Feb. 10, and the Class A honorees will be announced on Feb. 17. Farm Bureau Insurance, one of Michigan's major insurers, has a statewide force of 450 agents serving nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders. Besides providing life, home, auto, farm, business and retirement insurance, the company also sponsors life-saving, real-time Doppler weather tracking systems in several Michigan communities. The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,400 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.