Soccer championship, overall athletic excellence honored at Greenhills
Mother Nature may have made them wait a little longer, but there was no denying the Greenhills boys soccer team its first state soccer championship in Greenhills history Nov. 4.
The Gryphons defeated Hackett Catholic, from Kalamazoo, in the state finals at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, but not before a series of nearby lightning strikes forced an 88-minute weather delay.
No matter. Once play resumed Jerry Tucker ’18 scored the game’s lone goal, securing Greenhills’ first state soccer championship after the team fell just short and finished as runners-up three times, twice since 2009.
The team was honored at an athletics assembly Monday morning in the West Gym. The team jogged onto the floor with members holding their coveted trophy high before the team captains thanked students and faculty for their support.
A special guest at the assembly was Jack Roberts, executive director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, who presented the school with the Exemplary Program Award for its efforts in building an exceptional – and exceptionally well-balanced – athletic program. Roberts said the award, co-presented by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, demonstrates Greenhills’ emphasis on keen competition in the context of academic excellence, safety, and sportsmanship.
Only 25 schools have been honored with the award since its creation, Roberts said.
Other sports and athletes also were honored at the assembly following a busy post-season at the school. The boys cross country team finished strong at the state finals at the Michigan International Speedway. Girls golf, meanwhile, also went to the state finals, and Gryphons field hockey made it to the quarterfinals, where they were beaten by the eventual champions. Boys tennis ended their season as state runners-up.
Can winter sports be far behind? Seven Greenhills students are skating on the Gabriel Richard/Greenhills cooperative ice hockey team, while girls and boys basketball and swimming starts are gearing up for their seasons, as well.
Go Hills!
