By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
Allen Park Cabrini's softball team has won 74 straight games and coach Debbie Norman's girls aren't planning on losing any time soon if they can help it.
Cabrini won its second straight Division 4 title last year with a 35-0 record. It was 39-0 in winning the 2006 state championship.
“Last year, we were peaking at the right time,” Norman said. “We had three seniors from the year before. They were focused on winning the league and doing well in the playoffs.”
Amanda Chidester, a catcher, and Katie Osburn, a pitcher, are among the key players coming back for Cabrini.
“We moved up to Division 3 this season,” Norman said. “That will make it tougher. During the regular season, we'll play a lot of B and C schools. In non-league, we play a lot of Class A and B schools. So we're pumped for that.
“Our main goal is that we're competitive in our conference and that we make it back in the Catholic League playoffs.”
Staying undefeated won't be easy, Norman admitted.
“It will be challenging playing against teams we're not familiar with,” she said.
More Softball
Harper Woods Regina is now Warren Regina High School after switching locations, but coach Diane Laffey's softball team will be defending its Division 1 state title after ending last season with an 38-5 record. A 2-1 victory in the title game over White Lake Lakeland gave Regina its fourth straight state championship.
“We have a lot of good players who put in a lot of hard work,” Laffey said. “We have six starters back. We lost an All-State second baseman and a good pitcher. We'll have some key spots to fill. We'll be solid defensively. When the weather gets warmer. Our batting will be OK.”
The three best hitters back from last season are Paige Shields, Cory DeLamielleure and Hannah Sabol.
“We'll be playing Allen Park Cabrini during a regular-season game,” Laffey said. “That will be a good test.”
Boys Track
Greenville was undefeated in the O-K White Conference last year and appears to be among the top track teams in the Grand Rapids-area last season.
“We have good depth with 65 athletes,” Greenville coach Tim O'Brien said. “We have a good work ethic in getting ready for the season. We have set solid team and individual goals.”
Among the key athletes for Greenville are senior Jake Sanders, an all-state sprinter along with Marty Rogers, a standout in the shot put and discus.
“There are only a couple of areas where the team needs to fill holes,” O'Brien said.
More Track
Kyle Lund of Lakeview thinks he can be the one to break Michigan's state record in the pole vault.
Lund won the Division 3 pole vault state championship at Comstock Park last spring with an effort of 14 feet, 9 inches. He returns for his senior season.
“The state record for all classes is 16 feet, 5 inches,” Lund said. “I can hopefully get it if I work hard.”
Working on his form will be critical, Lund said.
“I have to keep doing everything and work on my repetitions,” said Lund, who has been offered a spot at Michigan State University as a pole vaulter.
Lund will also compete in the 200-meter dash and 300-meter hurdles for Lakeview, a power in the Central State Activities Association. He was a state qualifier last season in the 300 hurdles.
Meanwhile, Stanton Central Montcalm defends its title in the CSAA. The Green Hornets have 14 letterwinners back this season.
"This conference will be strong from top to bottom," Central coach Kris Kolbe said. "I believe the conference title can be won by anyone. I am looking forward to an exciting season."