As the final buzzer sounded on another thrilling winter sports season, it's time to recap our talented student-athletes triumphs and memorable moments.
The Royal Oak High School swim team has had a standout season, with notable achievements across various competitions. Oakland County qualifiers Max Podmokly, Johnny McKellar, Nolan Till, Andre Terrana, Nolan Kaiser, London Murray, Dylan Dowdell, and Leonello Savona demonstrated their talent, while Nolan Kaiser and Dylan Dowdell secured spots in the state qualifiers. Notably, Nolan Till set a new school record in the 100 Breaststroke, and Nolan Kaiser emerged as an OAA Champion in both the 200 Free and 100 Free events, earning All OAA honors in the latter. The team also excelled academically, earning the 2024 NISCA Scholar Team title and showed their community spirit by contributing to Toys for Tots, showcasing their commitment both in and out of the pool.
Royal Oak High School's wrestling team has shown grit and determination throughout the season, finishing with an 8-11 overall record and a solid 3-3 record in the OAA League. The team's hard work and dedication were evident as they produced standout performances, leading to several athletes receiving All-League honors. Andy Allen, Liam Pattison, Connor George, Robbie Godau, Chris Walters, and Aidan Tesch showcased their skills and commitment, earning recognition for their exceptional contributions to the team.
The team saw success on the regional stage, with Andy Allen and Aidan Tesch qualifying for Regionals. Their achievements highlight the team's talent and competitive spirit, as they continue to represent Royal Oak High School with pride and excellence on the wrestling mat.
In the competitive cheer arena, Royal Oak High School's team has demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the season. They achieved a commendable 5th place in the OAA White division, showcasing their dedication and teamwork. Furthermore, their performance at Districts earned them a spot in the Top 10, underscoring their competitive spirit and determination. Jenevieve Kostecke's outstanding contribution to the team did not go unnoticed, as she received All-District Honorable Mention, recognizing her talent and commitment to excellence.
Royal Oak High School's boys bowling team has had a standout season, boasting an impressive 9-5 overall record and securing a tie for 1st place in the competitive OAA Blue division, narrowly missing out on the title due to a tiebreaker. The team's success was underscored by individual achievements, with Oliver Harris earning 3rd team all-OAA honors and Carter Harris claiming the coveted 1st team all-OAA designation, in addition to achieving the high average in the OAA Blue division.
Carter Harris further solidified his position as a standout athlete by setting two school records: one for the highest individual game with a perfect score of 300, and another for the highest two-game series with an impressive total of 556. At the regional level, the team delivered a commendable 9th place finish overall, with Carter Harris securing a 15th place individual finish and Oliver Harris following closely behind in 22nd place. These achievements reflect the team's talent, dedication, and competitive spirit, making them formidable contenders in the realm of high school bowling.
Royal Oak High School's girls bowling team has demonstrated their prowess on the lanes this season, boasting a commendable 5-2 overall record and securing the title of Undefeated OAA Blue Champions. Their dominance was further highlighted by a notable 2nd place team finish at the Tri-County Invitational, showcasing their skill and competitive spirit.
At the regional level, the team delivered a solid performance with a 7th place finish overall. Individually, Alice Mahar displayed her talent with an impressive 18th place finish, while Layla Prokurat also contributed to the team's success with a commendable 23rd place finish. These achievements underscore the team's commitment to excellence and their ability to compete at a high level.
Royal Oak High School's boys varsity basketball team has completed the season with a record of 9-13, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit on the court. Camden Clark's exceptional performance earned him recognition as OAA Blue All-League, while Nicholas Hofmann received Honorable Mention in the same category, highlighting their contributions to the team's success.
In addition to their league accolades, the team celebrated a significant milestone as senior Camden Clark broke the school's individual scoring record, cementing his legacy as the All-Time Leading Scorer. This accomplishment reflects Clark's dedication and skill, as well as the team's collective effort and support throughout the season.
Despite the challenges faced, the boys basketball team demonstrated perseverance and determination, leaving a mark of excellence on and off the court. As they reflect on the season's achievements, they can take pride in their hard work and accomplishments, setting the stage for future success.
The girls' basketball team at Royal Oak High School has had a remarkable season, achieving a record of 19-7 and tying the school record for most wins in a single season. Their outstanding performance led them to become District Champions and Regional Finalists, showcasing their talent and determination on the court.
In addition to their success in competition, the team also excelled academically, earning recognition as an Academic Team All State with an impressive GPA of 3.79. Furthermore, five seniors—Ceci Irwin, Megan Haun, Kat Malinich, Emmy Walden, and Anna Waterstredt—received the BCAM Outstanding Senior Award for their exceptional contributions both on the court and in the classroom.
Throughout the season, the team shattered records, both as a collective and individually. Team records for wins, rebounds, assists, and 3-pointers made were broken or tied, underscoring their collective effort and skill. Individually, Lucy Freytag tied the record for 3-pointers in a game, while Anna Waterstredt set a new record for assists in a game. Additionally, Lucy Freytag broke the record for 3-pointers made in a season, further highlighting her prowess as a sharpshooter.
Overall, the girls' basketball team's accomplishments reflect their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to excellence, making them a source of pride for the Royal Oak High School community.
The M-1 Griffins Varsity Hockey team had an impressive season, finishing with a league record of 7-3 and securing 2nd place in the OAA Red division. Their overall record of 17-9-0 highlights their strength and skill on the ice. In Division 1 Region 6, they clinched 2nd place, reaching the Regional Finals before narrowly missing out to Catholic Central.
Several players earned well-deserved recognition for their contributions. Logan Eland and Kyle Paswater from Royal Oak, along with Charlie Price and Zach Steiner from Berkley, were honored as OAA Red All League Players. Additionally, Charlie Price achieved 2nd Team All State recognition, while Kyle Paswater received All State Honorable Mention, showcasing their talent and impact on the team's success throughout the season.
