Is there a better state for sports than Michigan? We all know about the pro sports in our state, save for the Lions (who I have hope for), and the top-notch collegiate athletics throughout Michigan, but I'm amazed at the caliber of talent produced by our high schools. Case in point -- last week's NFL draft. Jake Long, the draft's No. 1 overall pick graduated from Lapeer East High School, while the draft's No. 6 overall pick Vernon Gholsten prepped at Detroit Cass Tech. Two players from the state of Michigan in the top six picks in the NFL draft. No other state this year can claim that fact.
In college hockey, the University of Michigan's Kevin Porter, from Northville, won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top player. The Hobey Baker Award is equivalent to college football's Heisman Trophy. In fact, two of the three Hobey Hat Trick finalists were from Michigan. The second player for our state in the final three was Oxford's Nathan Gerbe of Boston College. Pretty impressive for Michigan to have two of the top three collegiate hockey players in the nation.
In college wrestling, Michigan had one national champion in Davison's Brent Metcalf (Iowa) and one national runner-up in Wynn Michalak (CMU). Besides Metcalf and Michalak, six other Michigan wrestlers earned All-American honors including Grandville's Bubba Gritter (CMU), Allen Park twins Christian Sinott (CMU) and Brandon Sinott (CMU), Davison's Jonathan Reader (Iowa State), Novi's Josh Churella (U-M) and Davison's Paul Donahoe (Nebraska).
In college volleyball, Michigan had four players (out of 36 total) selected for the three NCAA All-American teams. Only California, with six players, had more. Named second team All-American were Leland's Alisha Glass (Penn State) and Fraser's Angie McGinnis (Florida). Earning third team All-American accolades were Monroe's Ashley Schatzle (MSU) and Saline's Lauren Paolini (Texas).
All in all, Michigan has shown itself very well in the world of sports.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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