Spring Sports Preview

Tennis

Mallory Benkert ’16

Staff Writer

As spring is just around the corner, the tennis girls have been working on their A-game. With two new coaches this year, Meghan Lawler Aird and Kelsey Lawler, the girls are expecting great things. The two coaches, cousins, both graduated from Nouvel. In fact, Coach Meghan’s father founded the girls tennis team at Nouvel in 1999, and she had to privilege to play on the first team.

There are a plethora of girls returning this year including seven seniors and two juniors. There are also three new sophomore girls that will be joining the team this year: Grace Dobis, Marcella Fabiano, and Allyson Sova. With these new additions, the grand total of girls on the tennis team is twelve. Returning senior Alexa Wright says, “Usually the best amount of girls to have on a varsity tennis team is twelve, so we have the perfect number.”

Due to the cold weather, , the girls have held most practices at the Saginaw Athletic Club. They are working hard to look good in their season opener on April 5th at Hemlock High School. All of the girls expect to have a great season this year, and they are very excited to play for their new coaches.

Track

Nicole Vogelpohl ’16

Staff Writer

For many students, spring break and prom are the key events that mark the nearing of the end of the school year; however, there are a handful of students that still participate in the spring sport of track and field. There are some new coaches this year and there are some coaches from the past years who have returned to coach this great group of kids. Aside form being the head coach for the cross country team, this is Mr. Bartels’ first year as the long distance track coach. There is also a new throw coach who is a senior at  SVSU currently, named Nick Hallabicky. Returning coaches are Pat Meter for middle distance, Coach Kyle for sprints, long jump, and pole vault, Coach Geiger is the head coach for the girls, as well as Jenna Sikorski, a returning student who is the girls assistant coach. Returning seniors to look out for this season is Lauren Nowasatka, Jacob Gray, and Jason Russell, as well as Robi Stuart, who is a returning junior to look out for! Lauren, Jacob, Jason, and Robi went to States last year, and Lauren, Jacob, and Robi placed in States as well! The team says that they are looking forward to this upcoming track and field season and they hope for more people to go back to States this year to represent Nouvel. The first meet this year is on April 6th at 4 pm at Coleman High School. Good luck to the track and field team this year and have fun this season!

Soccer

Carlos Arroyo ’16

Staff Writer

After a disappointing loss in the first round of Regionals last year, the Lady Panthers are looking for redemption. The girls are welcoming back a few powerhouse seniors : Maddie Graham, Ryan Fila, Erica Vandeheart, Ally Gregory and the newest member of the team, goalie Mallory Benkert. The team is also filled with young talent of sophomores, juniors and three freshman. Taking over the helm as head coach this year is former assistant coach, Mr. Solek. Assisting Solek is Mrs. Walker the new Algebra I teacher. Last year,  the girls had a tough season, but managed to conquer adversity and win a district title. Hopefully the girls are ready to go get another one this year and work together as a team to achieved all of their season goals. Their first game is April 5th away, with their first home game on April 7th against Standish Sterling . Kickoff is at 4:30 pm. Be there to support your lady Panthers!

Baseball

Patrick Shabluk ’16

Staff Writer

There are high hopes for this years baseball season. “We are going to win the district title” both returning seniors Cam Fluder and Mitch Morley say. This season there are seven returning seniors which include Cam Fluder, Mitch Morley, Aaron Dise, Kane Bourbina, Payton Hirschenberger, Joe Moskal, and Bryar Proctor. The team is also adding a new coach to the staff, Kyle Henris, Kyle is a 2007 nouvel graduate who played on the 2006 state championship team, he was also a walk-on at Central Michigan University. After last seasons season ending loss to Hemlock in the district finals the panthers are looking to take this season by storm and go all the way.

Softball

Laurel Jacqmain ’16

Staff Writer

The start of softball season has finally arrived as well as welcoming Nouvel’s new head Coach Ms. Lemon assisted by Coach Jill Elliott and Mallorie Stewart. “I hope to improve from where we are now to the end of the season and have fun while doing it”, Coach Lemon states her goal for the team this season. Returning seniors for the softball team are Esperanza Zelle, Breghan Klein, and Destiny Smith as well as new members joining.  “I’m looking forward to the season starting and to win games,” says senior Esperanza Zelle. The lady Panthers will begin their season on April 5th against Bay City All Saints at Nouvel beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Golf

Megan St. Pierre ’16

Staff Writer 

This year, our boys varsity golf team has big hopes to improve their achievements from last year, including the seventh place spot at golf states. Although the team had three talented players graduate last year, they will have seniors Blake Heinz and Alex LaFave to lead the team to another successful season. “We’re really looking forward for another chance to place even higher at states this year,” says Blake Heinz. Jack Grant and Tom McCarthy are among other returning underclassmen, aiming to improve their golf skills with the help of head coach, Timmy Drumhiller.