The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Reel sports
stories that made the highlight reel in '07
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: January 3, 2008
It was a year to remember for Chelsea prep sports in 2007. The Bulldogs not only made their mark at the state level, but also in the Southeastern Conference White Division this past year.
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Here are seven of the top stories from the 2007 Chelsea sports year.
03-15-07
Chelsea volleyball participated in the Class B state regional semifinal match last Saturday at Eaton Rapids.
The Bulldogs faced Coldwater, a team led by 6-foot-1 junior middle blocker Kristi Sexton, falling to the Cardinals in three games 22-25, 23-25, 13-25.
Chelsea coach Laura Cleveland said her squad couldn't take advantage of their opportunities against Coldwater.
"We had our chances in the match, but we did not execute offensively as we have been doing or with our serving," she said.
Cleveland was pleased with her squad's effort, but hoped for a better outcome.
"I was proud of our team for advancing (to regionals), but I know we would have liked to have had a better showing at the regionals," she said.
Leading the Bulldogs on the day was senior outside hitter Ann Kendzicky (5-11), who's signed with Grand Valley State University, with 11 kills.
Sophomore standout Carolyn Olsen (6-0), a middle blocker, paced Chelsea with four aces.
Senior setter Katie MacFarlan (5-5) led the Bulldogs with 21 assists.
Coldwater ended up losing to Lake Odessa Lakewood in the regional final 16-25, 26-24, 25-19, 26-24.
Lakewood beat Haslett 25-21, 25-19, 25-21 in the other regional semifinal match.
The Class B state final is 6 p.m. March 17 at University Arena on the campus of Western Michigan University.
The Class D state final is noon, followed by the Class C final at 2 p.m. and the Class A title match at 4 p.m. All finals are at WMU.
03-22-07
Detroit Southwestern used strong team defense and timely offense to defeat Chelsea 53-39 last Friday in a Class B state regional final at Milan.
The Prospectors (13-12) are a legendary Public School League program, winning three Class A state titles and finishing as runner-up seven times since 1970. Southwestern, under Perry Watson (now head coach at the University of Detroit-Jesuit), was state runner-up an unprecedented six consecutive years from 1982 through 1987.
The Prospector program has produced such NBA and college standouts as Jalen Rose, Antoine Joubert, Voshon Lenard, Howard Eisely, Anderson Hunt and Leslie Rockymore.
While Southwestern has seen quite a few lean years since the glory days of the 1980s and early '90s, the Prospectors appear to have turned the corner under coach Brian Arnold.
"Believe it or not, we've been hurt all year," Arnold said. "No. 23 (senior guard Lloyd Harrison) broke his thumb, No. 22 Keith Arnold missed eight games and my big kid (6-foot-8 junior Bruce Watson) missed five games with a scope on his knee. We just got healthy the game before districts.
"We all brought it together and they made a commitment to each other and this is the end result."
The end result was a regional championship over favored and No. 3 state-ranked Chelsea (23-2). The Bulldogs had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night, finishing the game 10-of-49 from the field for a season-low 20 percent. What made the outcome even more surprising was the Bulldogs shot a school record 54 percent from the floor during the regular season.
"We had open looks, lay-ups, it didn't make a difference, the ball wasn't falling," said Chelsea coach Robin Raymond. "The kids played their hearts out. They never gave up. We kept working to get good shots, but there was a lid on the basket.
"We tried different offensive sets, backdoor cuts, inside, nothing was falling. It was frustrating."
06-14-07
It was a history-making year for Chelsea's girls' soccer team in 2007.
The Bulldogs (15-3-2, 6-2-2 Southeastern Conference) set multiple team and individual records this past season.
As a team, Chelsea's 15 wins tied a school record, while its three losses also tied a school mark. Its .800 winning percentage this year set a school record. This season's Bulldog squad scored the most goals, with 84 (4.2 per game), in school history and allowed the fewest goals, with 12 (0.60 per game), than any previous Chelsea team.
Defensively, the Bulldogs posted a school record 11 shutouts.
Individually, senior midfielder Sarah Reinhardt concluded her career as Chelsea's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals, 29 assists and 125 points. She was chosen as the Bulldogs' Offensive Player of the Year.
"No one else is even close to her in these categories," said Chelsea coach Chris Orlandi. "This year she broke the old school record of 16 goals scored in one season, a record she set last year, by scoring 24. Her 61 points this year is also a program record shattering the record she set last year (41 points)."
Senior keeper Maggie Manville ended her outstanding career as the Bulldogs' all-time best in games played, with 76, goals against per game, with 0.93, shutouts started, with 35 and save percentage with 84.3. She also set a school record this year for goals against per game in a season with 0.60.
Manville, who'll play next season for Eastern Michigan University, was named Chelsea MVP for the fourth consecutive year.
Named the team's Most Improved Player was forward Brooke Ehman. The sophomore finished with seven goals and five assists.
Selected All-Southeastern Conference White Division first team were senior midfielder Kaitlin Ehman, junior midfielder Ellen Stewart, Reinhardt and Manville. For Manville, the selection to the league's first team was her fourth straight, while Ehman and Reinhardt earned the recognition for the second time.
Receiving All-SEC White Division honorable mention were senior forward Leah Morrison, junior defender Colleen Cottrell and junior defender Alison Beatty. Beatty also was named Chelsea's Defensive Player of the Year.
Earning All-District honors were senior midfielder Amanda McKenzie, senior defender Lee McLaughlin, Kaitlin Ehman, Manville, Reinhardt, Stewart, Morrison and Beatty.
The Bulldogs finished second in the SEC White Division behind rival Dexter this season. The Dreadnaughts, who have advanced to the state semifinals this year, defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the Division II state district final ending the Bulldogs' season. Of Chelsea's three losses, two came against Dexter. The Bulldogs' third loss came against Ann Arbor Pioneer.
Besides Reinhardt's 24 goals and 13 assists, other top Chelsea offensive players this past season included Morrison with 11 goals and a school record 16 assists, junior Emily Rabbitt with 10 goals and four assists and senior Mackenzie Lake with seven goals and three goals and Stewart with seven goals and eight assists.
McKenzie finished with four goals and four assists, while Manville had three goals, senior Tiffany Goetz two goals and five assists, freshman Cara Johnson with two goals and three assists and Kaitlin Ehman with two goals and four assists.
Senior Liz Gunden had one goal, while junior defender Codie Barron had one goal and one assist, senior Melissa Perry one goal, Alexa Petoskey one goal and McLaughlin one goal and one assist for the Bulldogs.
In net, junior keeper Jenna Jarvis played in five games with a goals against average of 0.60 and a save percentage of 77.
Offensively, Chelsea scored seven or more goals in six games this year, with a high of nine goals in a 9-1 win over Adrian. The Bulldogs were shut out twice in losses to Dexter (1-0) and Pioneer (3-0).
Captains on this season's record-breaking squad were Kaitlin Ehman, who'll play at EMU next year, Reinhardt and Manville.
In the last two seasons, Chelsea has an overall record of 30-7-2.
06-21-07 - Chelsea baseball lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary's 3-1 in a Division II state quarterfinal match up at Livonia Ladywood June 12.
The Eaglets (28-12) avenged a 5-0 loss to the Bulldogs (28-10-1) in last year's Division II state semifinals.
This season, St. Mary's advanced to the Division II state final before losing to Mt. Pleasant (39-1) 7-4.
Against the Eaglets last week, Chelsea had multiple opportunities to break the game open.
"We just couldn't get the big hit," said Chelsea coach Wayne Welton. "We couldn't get it done. That's the way the game goes. We were just one big hit away from winning. The breaks didn't go our way.
"St. Mary's was able to pitch out of trouble. They were able to hold us down."
The Eaglets scored early in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead.
In the third inning, St. Mary's increased its advantage to 2-0.
The Bulldogs answered in their half of the third inning, as senior Ben Bradburn forced a walk with the bases loaded, cutting the Eaglets' lead to 2-1.
Despite threatening in the fourth and fifth innings, Chelsea was unable to gain control of the game.
In the fourth frame, Bulldog seniors Dan Augustine and Chad Nielsen recorded consecutive singles putting runners at first and third base with no outs. As it had the entire game, Orchard Lake was able to wriggle out of trouble, pitching out of harm's way.
In the fifth inning, Chelsea loaded the bases with one out. Once again, the Eaglets pitched out of trouble, holding the Bulldogs scoreless.
In the sixth inning, St. Mary's added an insurance run for the contest's final margin.
Augustine started the game for Chelsea throwing the first three innings. Nielsen closed out the contest tossing the final four innings.
"They both pitched well enough to win," Welton said. "It was a very good performance."
Both clubs finished with seven hits apiece.
"We came up just a little short," Welton said.
Despite losing in the state quarterfinals, Welton remained upbeat.
"We had an outstanding season," he said. "We were SEC (Southeastern Conference White Division), district and regional champions. We were one hit away from going to Battle Creek (site of state semifinals and finals). This is a good group of guys who can play with anybody. We accomplished a lot with these guys.
"I'm very proud of the team. The seniors have been a special group. It's always sad to see it end."
11-08-07 - Chelsea's girls' golf team was the total package this season. The Bulldogs excelled not only on the links, but also in the classroom this year.
Chelsea was one of the Southeastern Conference's best teams all season, finishing third in the White Division. Individually, junior standout Krystin Schwarze was selected first team All-State in Division II.
In the classroom, the Bulldogs were just as impressive, earning Academic All-State honors this year.
Chelsea coach Andrea Bareis said Schwarze's postseason honor was well-deserved.
"This is the first time a Chelsea junior has been named to the Division II girls' golf All-State team," she said. "We have had several seniors selected to the All-State team, but never a junior.
"I've said all season that Krystin is one of the best in the state and her selection proved it. Her hard work and dedication paid off with the honor of this selection."
Schwarze finished 11th overall individually at last month's Division II state match at Michigan State University's Forest Akers West Golf Course. For the two-day tournament, Schwarze shot a 176 (88-88).
For her efforts this season, Schwarze was named Chelsea's MVP.
While Bareis was happy with the Bulldogs' performance on the course this year, she was even more excited with the team's effort in the classroom.
"I'm extremely pleased with our Academic All-State regional team of Stephanie Everard, Sarah Shrosbree, Lindsey Keyes, Hannah Harwood and Krystin Schwarze," she said. "We had the fifth-best average team GPA (grade point average) in Division II."
Bareis said Chelsea received Academic All-State accolades by combining the GPAs of all five members of the Bulldogs' regional squad.
"It's quite an accomplishment to achieve Academic All-State recognition," Bareis said. "I'm extremely proud of how hard the girls work both on the golf course and in the classroom."
11-08-07 - Chelsea's boys' cross country team finished eighth in last Saturday's Division II state meet at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
The Bulldogs recorded 241 points.
"Basically, we ran an incredible race," said Chelsea coach Eric Swager. "Coming into the season we were underdogs to even make the state meet, let alone finish in the top 10. These guys worked hard all last winter, spring and summer for this day. The fact that this team put in more mileage than any other team I have coached was the main reason for our success. We were simply stronger than most other teams."
Swager said Chelsea went out last Saturday and controlled pace and passed people the entire race.
"Our top three runners were barely in the top 100 places at the mile, but all three finished in the top 40," Swager said. "That's amazing."
Winning the state title was Fremont with 105 points. The Packers dethroned five-time state champion Dexter, who finished second with 138 points.
Linden placed third with 147 points, while Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern was fourth with 157 points and Grand Rapids Christian fifth with 201 points.
Individually for Chelsea, freshman August Pappas finished 20th overall in the state with a time of 16:16.2. With his placing, Pappas earned All-State honors.
"August continues to surprise everyone with his maturity and toughness," Swager said. "To make All-State as a freshman is an extremely rare feat. His 16:16 time is not only another Chelsea freshman record, but makes him one of the top 10 Chelsea runners ever."
Pappas was the fastest freshman, regardless of division, at the state meet.
"He deserves a ton of credit for handling the pressure and just competing hard," Swager said.
Crossing the line 27th was junior Peter Wilke in a lifetime best 16:24.4, while senior Teddy Eyster was 28th in a lifetime best 16:25.4 for the Bulldogs. With their performances, both Wilke and Eyster received All-State accolades.
11-15-07 - It's over.
Chelsea's dream of a trip to Ford Field and a state championship were dashed last Friday by visiting East Lansing. The Trojans, behind Issac Harper's 248 yards rushing and three touchdowns, defeated the Bulldogs 24-16 in a Division 3 state regional final at Jerry Niehaus Field.
Chelsea (11-1), which entered the game ranked No. 1 in the state in Division 3, fell behind 24-0 before rallying late in the fourth quarter. Despite a furious comeback, the Bulldogs were unable to pull out the victory. It was Chelsea's second straight loss in the regional final. Last year, the Bulldogs fell to Fowlerville 28-25.
"At this time of year, you have to bring your A game," said Chelsea coach Brad Bush. "I don't think we brought our A game tonight. We made a lot of mistakes and got ourselves in a hole. East Lansing is a good team. They played very well."
Indeed.
The Trojans have been playing very well since the season's fourth week. At that point in the year, East Lansing was 1-3. Since that period, the Trojans (9-3) have reeled off eight straight wins.
"We keep improving," said East Lansing coach Bill Feraco. "Chelsea defended us well. Our defense played very well. We were able to put great pressure on their quarterback. We were able to get some turnovers and capitalize on them."
Feraco said East Lansing's strategy going into the game was to harass Chelsea quarterback Jeff Adams all night long.
"We wanted to put pressure on him," Feraco said. "Our defensive staff did a great job. We were able to stop them. Plus, our running back is pretty good."
Harper (6-0, 190), the Trojans' senior speedster, is the best running back in the Lansing area and one of the top backs in the state. He finished second in the state 100 meters last spring and runs a 4.3 40. Michigan State, Indiana and most Mid-American Conference schools are currently recruiting him.
Harper made his presence known early, scoring on a five-yard touchdown scamper around left end in the opening quarter. Senior Chris Bracken booted the point after touchdown kick giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead with 1:24 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Harper showed his speed and explosiveness, finding a crease and sprinting for a 52-yard touchdown. With Bracken's PAT, East Lansing increased its advantage to 14-0 with 8:08 remaining in the first half.
With 1:23 left in the second quarter, Bracken kicked a 33-yard field goal, upping the Trojans' lead to 17-0 at the break. The halftime deficit was the largest Chelsea faced all season.
In the third quarter, Harper broke free for a 57-yard TD jaunt. Bracken split the uprights and East Lansing led 24-0 with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter.
It's not often the Bulldogs find themselves trailing at Jerry Niehaus Field. And the 24-point second half deficit might have been one of the largest ever in the Bush-led era at home.
In true heroic fashion, however, Chelsea refused to quit. While the Trojans were celebrating on the sidelines, the Bulldogs were tightening their chinstraps and preparing themselves for one final push.
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