Hudson's "Boys of Winter" Have Fun On Rink

Hudson Adult Hockey Players Pat "Hugger" Wollet, Greg Bailey, Dr. Corey Borck and Steve Borck.

 
By Bill Mullaly

The term "the boys of summer" is used quite often these days to talk about men playing the grand ole game of baseball. Well, this past winter a quartet of Hudsonian gentlemen went to Adrian and these men might have earned themselves the title of "the boys of winter." Adrian College, as many of you know, has a brand, shiny new ice rink called Arrington Ice Arena the home to the very successful Adrian College men's hockey team that gained national attention this past winter. The arena just opened this past fall and was used this winter for the college men's and women's teams. Others in the Lenawee and surrounding areas got a chance to use the facility and one of the groups was the adult hockey league.

Over 30's have some fun

For the first time an adult hockey league in the area was started and four Hudson men went down and played in the inaugural season on ice. The adult hockey league was sponsored by the Adrian Recreation Department and Hudson was well represented with Greg Bailey, Pat "Hugger" Wollet, Steve Borck and Dr. Corey Borck all participating in the fledgling league that began play in early January and ended in early March. These four didn't just pay a fee and go play as they actually had to try out and make a team. "We had to go skate and shoot the puck and show we had a few fundamental skills," said Hugger about the tryout session. "We did a couple of drills and we all made the cut. Three of us had played adult hockey in Jackson a few years back and Greg has always been around hockey so we all made it through the tryout. They took 56 players overall and divided us into 4 teams of 14 players."

The league officials used an actual drafting process to place the players on their respective teams. The Hudson players were split up but both Bailey and Steve Borck wound up on the Blue team, while Wollet went to the White team and Dr. Borck was put on the Red team. The fourth team was the Orange. Each team played an eight-game schedule as they played each other twice and then had two more games at the end when the teams were seeded one-four. The games were played on Sundays usually in the late afternoon or early evening but sometimes they had to play late on Sunday night and the times were based on the college teams and their schedules. The games were long enough to give the old-timers a good workout as they played three 13-minute periods with a stopped clock. "It was a great cardio-vascular workout for us," said Hugger. "Also, this was as fun of an activity as I have ever done in all my adult years. I just had a great time and it was just plain fun playing hockey and skating around."

Wollet, 47, met one of the first requirements to play as the league was only for those 30 and over and he was one of the elder statesmen but certainly not the oldest or even close to oldest players. "This was a blast to be out there playing hockey again and I can still remember playing as a kid down behind CR Motors on the old Sauerkraut Pond," said Wollet. Bailey, 50, was the oldest Tiger from Hudson to play in the adult recreation league. "It was a fun time and I'm looking forward to playing again next year," said Bailey. At just 33 Dr. Borck was a youngster and he loved the experience as well. I had a blast and it was so much fun and it was good exercise," said Borck. "I met a lot guys in the area and the games were competitive. It was a very worthwhile experience and the guys I played with became friends and not just teammates. I am looking forward to playing again next season and they are hoping to make it a longer season."

More about the pucksters

To play in this fun but competitive league was not a real costly experience but it wasn't cheap either as each player had to pay a participation fee of $120 per player. This fee didn't include the necessary gear like skates, pads, helmet, pants and the stick among other required necessities. The fee mostly covered the use of the facility and to play the referees but each player did get a team jersey and socks as part of their uniform. "It was well worth the expense and we didn't have to drive very far and that was one of the best things," Hugger said. "We used to play in Jackson during weeknights a few years back and we also had games in Monroe and there was a lot more driving. This is nice and convenient and it is a great facility they have in the Arrington Ice Arena."

The league didn't allow all-out hockey play as the icemen couldn't check or knock each other around and they didn't allow any slap shots. Wollet noted the league was pretty strict on enforcing the rules for safety and they had penalty boxes for things like tripping with the average time being a two-minute penalty. "I spent some time in the penalty box," admitted Wollet.

The White team that Wollet was on ended up in first place with an overall final mark of 6-2. Occasionally, some of the teams had to play short-handed due to players not being able to make the games but Wollet noted that for the most part the attendance was very good for most of the teams. The teams played six-on-six hockey but having a full team of 14 players to sub in and out was a key to success. A lot of the players came from Adrian with several being city of Adrian police and fire personnel. The oldest player had to be close to 60 according to Wollet who is trying to round up some more local players for next year. "We had Ron Haber and Andy "Goober" Marry out skating with us the other day and I think both of them might be interested in playing next year," Hugger said.

"We got a lot of guys around Hudson who would play but the only problem is they are too young."

Next year the league is hoping to expand and have at least two more teams and the league plans to start a whole lot sooner like perhaps in the fall and go to a much longer season. "I heard them say maybe start in late September and play a 24-game schedule and it sounds good to me," Hugger said. "I can't think of anything better than playing hockey and the whole thing was just a lot of fun. The guys that made the teams this year won't have to tryout next year but the league will have tryouts again."

Nobody else from Hudson played in the new league except these four gentlemen but a part-time paramedic that works in Hudson named Brett White was on one of the teams. A former Hudsonite who many may remember is well-known in the adult hockey ranks with that person being Pat Timms. Many of the players told Wollet they knew about Timms' playing days.

The 2008 adult hockey league is in the books for this year and none of the four "Hudson boys" suffered any serious injuries so they all can say they were winners. And at that age playing hockey and not getting injured sounds like "a miracle on ice." Of course, if any of them had any aches or pains their fellow puckster Dr. Borck, a local chiropractor, most likely could have cured whatever may have ailed them.

Boy's Track Team gets set for 2008 season

By Bill Mullaly

The boy's track and field team will be a small squad this spring as veteran boy's coach Ron Randolph has around 20 athletes out for the team in his fifth year as head coach at Hudson High School. "We do not have the numbers that I would like that's for sure," said Randolph, who has not been too thrilled about the early spring weather either. "We are doing what we can indoors but it's doesn't make for the best type of practices but overall the boys are working hard and staying upbeat until we can get outside on a regular basis."

Why the numbers are down is a mystery to Randolph who like any track coach likes to have some depth besides his main performers. "It's going to be tough to win dual meets with not a lot of depth but we are going to work hard to get the points wherever we can," Randolph said. "We could struggle at times but we do have some talent and we will work to build our depth the best that we can."

The team will have to be ready to go this Saturday as they venture to Clinton to participate in the Redskin relays to start the 2008 campaign. With a team short on numbers the Tiger thinclads will have to stay healthy and some athletes will have to do as many events as needed. "We will make things work and I think we can be competitive," said Randolph. "My goal is always to get as many kids to the state meet as possible and to be as competitive as we can in the dual meets. We will see what happens but I'm used to working with a larger squad."

Field Events

One of the team's leader and top performers in the field events will be senior Kyle Hillard fresh off an individual state championship in wrestling. Hillard will throw the shot put and discus and has plenty of experience having been on the team for all four years of his high school career. Freshman Jacob Enerson will help out with the shot and discus also. Sophomore Brad Kirkendall will also help with the throwing events as will freshman Brandon Snead. In the pole vault will be sophomore Derick Clark and Randolph wants to try and get Hillard involved with the pole vaulting as well. The main high jumper will be junior Greg Gose and in the long jump will be speedster Joey Rodriguez who is hoping to have a big senior year on the track and in the field events. Randolph likes his field events people and knows he can get some points from this area but he just wishes he had more bodies to work with for additional points that help win meets.

Sprints and Hurdles

In the races that require speed the Tigers will have junior Keith Walworth who is back out for his third season of track and he brings plenty of experience and speed with him. Rodriguez will also play a key role in scoring points for the team in the 100 and 200-meter races. With these two Hudson has some real burners on the track but finding a few others to score points in the sprints will help.  Look for Gose to be a key hurdler and he will get help from junior Ryan Roys as those two will be called on to run the hurdle races.

Enerson leads Middle Distances

When you have a four-year runner with the talent and leadership of Sabin Enerson that is a real plus for any team. The hard-working Enerson who ran pretty much every day over the winter despite the often cold and snowy conditions is ready to go and Randolph is expecting big things from him. "Sabin is our captain and leader and he leads by example as nobody works harder than him," Randolph said about his talented runner, who is headed to Siena Heights University in Adrian to keep running next fall and spring. "Sabin cares about the team and he was a big help this winter trying to recruit kids to the team. He wants to do well individually, which is why he works so hard but he also cares about the success of the team."

Enerson was a standout in cross country and he also has done very well on the track for himself the past three years. He excels in the 800-meter run and he is very capable of perhaps going under two minutes for the former half-mile race. The school record is 1:58.8 held by Ben Bloom, who just happens to be the team's assistant coach this year. "I have been telling Ben that it would be kind of neat to help coach the runner that breaks your record, if Sabin is able to do that and Ben agrees," said Randolph, who is hoping to see the record fall. Enerson can also run the 1600 or 3200-meters and will help in the relays as well. "Sabin is looking to have a big year and I expect that he will," Randolph said.

Also, helping out in the middle distances will be Walworth who can run the 400-meters. Sophomore Stephen Tennis does well in the 800-meters and up.

Longer Distances

In the 1600 and 3200-meter runs it will be Enerson and Tennis at times but look for names like senior Brett Merillat, junior Zachary Pearce and Clark to score a bunch of points in what will be the strength of the team as many of these boys were standouts on Hudson's very successful cross country team this past fall. "We should get plenty of points in the distances races and these same boys will help with our distance relays," said Randolph, who works during the day as a teacher over in the Adrian area. "This is where we have the most depth and some of our most talented kids so the distances are an area I'm not concerned with at all."

Relays

Randolph won't have the luxury of experimenting with a lot of kids in the relays as his lack of numbers won't allow it. However, he does know one thing for sure and that is he hopes to get the 3200-meter relay team back to the state meet. Three of the four runners return as Enerson, Pearce and Tennis are back. John Koser is gone but Randolph expects Merillat to fill that spot without much of a drop-off in production. "I want to see this unit get back to the state meet and I believe they will," said Randolph, who lost the services of former assistant coach Brian Evenson who is helping out up north at Addison this spring. Randolph also likes the look of his 1600-meter relay team that will have Enerson, Tennis and Walworth but he needs to find that fourth winner to complete that team. Finding runners for the 400 and 800-meter speed relays maybe a bit more challenging for the coach.

Season Outlook

Hudson competes in a very tough conference with Erie Mason and Blissfield always fielding strong teams, especially the Eagles. The Tigers are fortunate to have four of their five LCAA dual meets at home with just a trip to Blissfield being on the road. "That will help not having to take all of those long trips," said Randolph. "We would love to finish in the top three or to half of the league but that is going to take a lot or work," said Randolph. Hudson will open at home on the 17th against Onsted and the first dual meet is at Columbia Central on the 10th with Napoleon also competing. 

Good prospects for Girls Track team

By Bill Mullaly

The girl's varsity track season at Hudson High School is set to begin this Saturday as Hudson heads to Clinton to participate in the Redskin Relays. Veteran girls head coach John Enerson is working hard to get his team ready for the upcoming season. He has one of the largest teams in recent memory as about 30 girls are out for the program for the 2008 season. Enerson always look to get each and every girl involved as much as possible and he is big on team unity and participation from all the girls. "We have a real good group and they are working hard but it has been slow going so far with the weather like it has been," said Enerson, who has had his team out on the track for just a limited number of days. "We are going to be a really young team and with that unknown it can be a good thing because you just never know how the sophomores and freshmen are going to do at this level. We want to be a competitive team and I'm excited about the prospects we have this year."

Enerson knows he faces a challenge with a shortage of seniors having only four and just two with much experience. Five juniors will help but the numbers are with the sophomores having 13 of them to go along with nine freshmen. Here is a look at the girl's track team that will represent the Lady Tigers this spring that is if spring ever arrives.

Field Events

Aleah Reese is the team's veteran, the team's leader and the team's captain and hopefully she will be the squad's top point producer. "We are expecting a lot of good things from Aleah," noted Enerson, about his speedster who has been a state qualifier in the past in the long jump. "She is a four-year athlete with our program and she knows what to do and we want her to continue to be the leader she is. Aleah will help us in the long jump and the sprints and relays. She was injured last year and missed the state meet with a pulled hamstring but she is healthy again and we are looking for her to have a big year." Liz Austin, a sophomore, will do the pole vaulting, while another sophomore Jamie Grob will be the leading high jumper. Look for yet another sophomore Katarina Gibson to be the leader in the shot put and discus events. Senior Beth Court will also help in the throwing events. "We are not going to be real deep in the field events with a lack of depth but I like the number ones we have in those areas," said Enerson, about how his team will fare in this area that starts every track and field meet.

Sprint Races and Hurdles

In the 100 and 200-meter races the Lady Tigers will have Reese who has quality speed. Sophomore Meaghan Price is fast and she will also try the pole vault according to Enerson. Sophomore Mariah Kelley is a sprinter and like Price she is in excellent condition after spending the winter doing competitive cheerleading. Junior Rachel Pawson is back for her third year as a sprinter where she has been successful in the past. "The sprints are an area where perhaps one of the new girls that is an unknown will show she has the speed to help us in that area," Enerson said about his freshmen and sophomores.

Junior Mara Lyons will be the headliner in the hurdles and Grob will also score points for the team in the low and intermediate hurdle events. Bocks with her sprinter's speed can be asset in the hurdles if needed there.

Distance Runs

The 400-meter race will see junior Mary Bocks as the Tiger to watch. Junior Cassie Bailey can also do the 400 or the 800-meter race in what is called the middle distances. Enerson, of course, will need more than those two and he will be experimenting with his newcomers to find the right mix to help the team. One freshman standout that he knows will make some noise in her first spring on the track is Sarah Luma. She has speed and quickness to run the 400-meters and Enerson thinks she has the strength and endurance to compete in the 800-meter run. "I have seen enough of Sarah already to know that she will help us but I'm not sure yet what will be her best race," said the veteran coach, who has forgotten more about running and racing than most coaches know. It's a good bet Enerson will find the right spot for Luma and that she will excel where placed due to her athletic ability. In the longer distance runs it will be sophomore Jennifer Adams as one of the leaders in the 1600-meters (one mile) and in the 3200-meters (two miles). Freshman Emily Frantz is a solid distance runner who golfs in the fall instead of running cross country but she will use her distance running ability to help this spring.

Relays and Newcomers

Enerson always likes to have successful relay teams and with four relay events he will need plenty of bodies, which he has but it's finding the right ones that are the key. Hudson has been known for years for its very fine relay teams and look for some of that success to continue. Enerson is still learning what most of his young performers can do but he knows Luma will help. "She is going to do well for us," said Enerson, but he likes some of the other neophytes just as well.

Sophomore Emily Grubbs is expected to make an impact in the distance races and freshman Wendy Cox will help out in the field events with the shot and discus. The next newcomer is simply new to track and field but not to Hudson athletics as junior Aubrey Laughlin, due to health reasons, has made the switch from the diamond to the track. "Aubrey is a hard worker and a good kid with plenty of athletic ability and she will help the team in some way," said Enerson.

Season Outlook

Enerson will be assisted by veteran helper Dave Briggs yet again this season. The team is shooting for a spot in the top half of the always-tough LCAA conference. Blissfield and Erie Mason as usual are the teams to beat. "We would be thrilled to finish in the top half of our league," said Enerson, who likes his squad's home schedule. "We have four league meets of the five at home. That keeps us from having to travel to the long away meets over in Monroe County so that is nice." Enerson always likes to get each girl a medal but that will be hard to do with such a large number. "We shoot for that each year but I'm going to have my work cut out for me in accomplishing that goal this year," said Enerson, who is always upbeat and optimistic. The highlight to the home portion of the schedule is the annual Hudson Booster meet on May 3rd, which is always held the first Saturday of May. The home opener will be on April 17th versus Onsted. The first dual meet action will be a three-way meet at Columbia Central on Thursday, April 10th, with Napoleon also competing. It should be an exciting year for the girl's track team as they youngsters learn all about what high school track and field has to offer.

Strong season seen for Softball Team

By Bill Mullaly

The second season for Hudson High School head varsity softball coach Mike Sprow will be a successful one if his optimism equals the playing ability of his team. Sprow is coming off an initial 22-19 season in 2007 that ended in excruciating fashion in the district championship game. The Tigers fell to Sand Creek in extra innings just one pitch away from winning the district crown. The 2008 edition of Lady Tiger softball will be a younger version with a few new faces and several that are lacking experience but not talent. The team was also hurt by a couple of no-shows that didn't choose to play this season. "We are going to have a winning season and I don't see winning 20 games as out of reach," said Sprow, who will again be assisted by his faithful sidekick Scott Reincke. "We will definitely be a better team in June than we are in April because of the experience we will gain throughout the season. I have a group of girls, albeit a small one, that is hard-working and they have great attitudes. The coaching staff loves coming to practice to work with these girls and we see a lot of positives coming from them during the year. We are going to have a successful season."

Hudson was fourth last year in the always-tough LCAA and Sprow is hoping to move up a notch or so now that perennial nemesis Clinton has moved to the Tri-County Conference (TCC), The schedule is full of contests with 36 games set, that is if the weather ever breaks and cooperates, which we certainly hope it will. The season opener is set for Tuesday, April 8 at home versus Jackson Western at 4:00 for a twinbill. Then on Saturday the 12th the Tigers will host the annual CR Motor Sales Early Bird Invitational. Five teams along with Hudson are entered in that event. The highlight to the season very well could be that Hudson is hosting the division 3 district in late May on Tuesday the 27th and Saturday the 31st. If Hudson progresses like Sprow thinks they will then his team will be playing in June but it will be for a regional crown not a district. Here is a look at the Lady Tiger softball team as it gets set to kickoff the new season.

Pitching and Catching

Hudson will go as far as senior ace and right-hander Sheila Komarynski can take them. She is back for her fourth year on the team as its number one pitcher. She shared pitching duties as a freshman but the last two years and now this season she will be the one responsible for getting people out. She has four pitches she can go with according to Sprow and he likes what she has been doing in the pre-season practices. "She is looking really good and she has impressed me with her pitching so far," said Sprow, who is not one to be easily impressed. "Sheila has good command of her pitches and can throw all of them for strikes. She has good control so the fear of her walking batters is not really an issue. Her knee is fine and she is healthy and ready to go. She was first team all-league last year and she is all set for another great year." If Sprow sounds upbeat about his ace hurler he had ought to be as she is almost as good at the plate as she is on the rubber in the circle. She will hit in the cleanup spot after leading the team in batting average and runs batted in a year ago. "She can pound the ball and she will knock in plenty of runs," said Sprow about one of his two captains.

Sprow will throw to sophomore first-year catcher Megan Gunn who will be back behind the plate at a new position. "Megan is looking good and is doing a nice job and I have total confidence in her," said Sprow, about his transfer from Onsted who can also pitch when needed. Backing her up will be junior Jessica Jackson. Boyoung Kim can also catch if needed. Gunn looks like the number two pitcher but if Sprow needs another thrower he will look to junior Mykahla Frayer.

Infielders look for experience

At first base will be senior returner Jenna Borck who played this spot late in the year in 07. She is solid defensively and will hit either third or fifth in the lineup. "Jenna is athletic and her cheerleading ability will help her stretch and move around at first," Sprow said. Frayer will take over at second base after playing in the outfield a year ago. She looks real good so far and has made a huge improvement from last year. She will hit near the bottom of the batting order. "She is going to do well at second," assured Sprow.

A freshman will play third base as Katie Butts will take over at the hot corner. "This is her spot and she will be there for all four years or at least that is my plan," said Sprow. "She can hit, bunt and has a good arm and we are going with her."

The shortstop will be four-year player Emily Austin who moves in from the outfield. "She is fast and talented and has the arm to play this spot and I know she will get the job done," said Sprow, about the other captain on the team. Austin with her blinding quickness will bat leadoff and she will find a way to get on base as she bunts, slaps and gets walked a lot.

Outfield has speed

Senior leader and veteran Kellee Wonders is in her third season with the team and heads back to centerfield where she ended up last year. She has quickness giving her good range and she is a big force on offense where she will hit third most of the time. "She will do well in center and she has been working hard with a great attitude wanting to have a real good final season," said Sprow.

In left will be Kim, who is a sophomore, out for the team for the first time. "She will be fine and she can bunt and has great speed," said Sprow about the youngster. In right will be junior Jessica Varney who is on the team for her second season. "She can play well on defense and we will look to get her going at the plate," Sprow said. Jackson will be a substitute playing catcher or infield and outfield as needed.

Season Outlook

The team is short on bodies with just ten on the team. Sprow will move one off of the 14-member junior varsity squad to help with his numbers. Andy Paulsen will return to handle the JV team. Noticeable by their absence are senior outfielder Janet Verdon who decided not to play and junior shortstop Aubrey Laughlin who switched to track. Also, two players that could have helped didn't go out as seniors Tasha Waltz and Sarah Dempsey will not be able to provide depth. "We are young and short on numbers but we will be fine," said the always-optimistic Sprow. "We are going to improve and get better as the season moves on and I see a lot of good things happening this season."

The annual Hudson Booster tournament on Saturday, May 3rd is always a highlight to the home portion of the schedule and by then the team should be gaining the experience it will need to compete well in the districts that it will also host.

                                               To Index