Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
While the Owosso football team finished short of its main goal, the Trojans still turned in a special season.
With a 40-0 win against Eaton Rapids in the season finale, Owosso finished the regular season with a 5-4 record. That 5-4 record was the first winning season in 10 years for the Trojans. The team was happy with a winning season, but it still fell just short of its main goal of qualifying for the playoffs.
“I have mixed emotions about the season,” Owosso coach Tom Harkema said. “Going into the season, I knew we had a pretty good group of kids. We lost two real tough games this year to Haslett and St. Johns. I did like the way we pulled together after losing those two heartbreakers. We came back and beat Birmingham Groves. They finished 6-3 and that was a real big win for us.”
Harkema was also pleased with how hard the team played from beginning to end.
“The kids played hard,” Harkema said. “They came together good as a team. I was happy with the way we rebounded, but it was disappointing that we did not come out with a win against either Haslett or St. Johns. If we had won one of those games, we would’ve made the playoffs.”
After finishing 3-6 last year, the Trojans were happy to go 5-4 this year. That winning record also gave the entire football program a winning record for the season.
“The junior varsity team went 5-4, and the freshmen went 5-3-1,” Harkema said. “That’s the first time all three teams had winning seasons in over 10 years. I was glad that we won the last game, and that the seniors were able to go out as winners. Overall, the program continues to get better and is improving.”
Harkema and the players are looking forward to next season and picking up where this team left off.
“We lose some real good seniors, but we should still be tough,” Harkema said. “We’re not over the hump yet, but we are getting better.”
CROSS COUNTRY
The Owosso cross country teams are rounding into shape heading into the regional meets.
On the boys’ side, sophomore Dakota Brasseur is leading the way with a team-best time of 17:19.7 that he turned in at the CAAC Red jamboree at Haslett. Junior Eli Jenkinson turned in a time of 17:22.2 at that event. Junior Caleb Hess has turned in a top time of 17:39 this season.
Freshman Dillon McClintock has been leading the way for the Owosso girls. McClintock won the small-school title at the Goodrich invitational with a season-best time of 19:28.
Freshman Jessica Brown turned in a top time of 20:19.8 at the Haslett jamboree, while junior Claire Gilbert has turned in a top time of 20:35.5.
BOYS SOCCER
The Owosso boys soccer team ended the season with a record of 6-11-2. The Trojans reached the semifinals of the Division 2 district tournament at Kearsley High School, where they dropped a 1-0 decision. Cody Greger led the Trojans with 10 saves in goal.
Owosso defeated Flint Northwestern 10-0 in opening-round action. Luke Lindquist and Greger both scored two goals apiece, while Adam Stowe, Jon Baker, Nick Owens, and Dylan Edwards also scored goals.
GIRLS GOLF
The Owosso girls golf team ended the season with a seventh-place finish at the Division 2 regional tournament at Milham Golf Course in Kalamazoo.
Junior Kailey Grubb paced the team with a 94. Senior Becca Jones carded a 101, while senior Courtney Carson shot a 103.