Girls Soccer

Written by: Mason Villanueva '13

Though many sports cancel their games due to poor weather, but the Girls Varsity Soccer does not. Through the rain, wind, and storms the girls have persevered and have enjoyed a decent start to the season.

The Greyhounds’ Girls Varsity Soccer Team currently has a record of 3-4-1. So far not a bad season the girls won against East Lansing (1- 0), Portland (3 - 1), and Corunna (2 – 1). The girls lost to Holt, Mason, and Dewitt twice. They also tied with Jackson Northwest.

Annie Ford feels that, “The season has been going ok, we have gotten a lot better and have been working very hard. Lots of conditioning!” She laughs, she believes that to have an even more successful season that, “We just need to work on being a team and working together now.”

The team has several returning Varsity players are Annie Ford ’13, Leah Fast’13, Jessica Reinecke ’12, Michela Dilernia ’12, Brooke Benton ’12, Hannah Gellis ’12, Brittany Parker ’12, Erica Bartley ’12, Molly Salisbury ’12, Sam Gemalsky ’12, and Stephanie Scott ’11. The Team added two freshman, three juniors, and one senior to their team since last year. Erin Stevins ’12 says that throughout the season, “We have gotten better but we could still use some work as a team.”

If you cannot make it out to the soccer games you can review these games on the internet on MHSA.tv/eatonrapids.

Baseball

Written by: Cameron Warner '11

       The 2011 Varsity Baseball Season started with opening day on April 2^nd at Carelton - Airport High School for back to back to back games against Airport, Southgate Anderson, and Pinconning. The greyhounds started the day against Airport where they played very well for their first game of the season it was tied until an inning where mental mistakes and inconsistent pitching took its toll on the team. The final ended up 14-4 Airport winning. The greyhounds would eventually drop 2 more that day but with a lot of positive things coming out of it.

        The following Thursday a game at Alma was canceled and a week later it was time for the home opener against Lansing Eastern. Eaton Rapids won both games in that doubleheader 6-3 and 5-1, with dominant pitching in game one by Tommy Hollandsworth and game two by Zach Laginess.

       In the nine days following three straight doubleheaders were canceled due to rain and cold. The Greyhounds picked it back up in the Jeff Rochester Tournament where the team showed up at 7:30 in the morning to get the flooded field ready by using water pumps and shop vacs to clear water off the field. 3 teams backed out of the tournament due to the conditions but Eaton Rapids was still able to play against Bay City John Glen and Troy, losing both games to the very talented teams.

       The Greyhounds backed up the losses with a sloppy 10-7 win over Everett but a win none the less. The nightcap game of the doubleheader was called due to darkness after the 4^th inning so therefore it didn’t count, E.R was up 2-1 when it got called.

       The Greyhounds are young but very talented and with a little more consistency from their pitching staff they are sure to make a run in districts at the end of the season. “I told myself at the beginning of the season that this was one of the most un-team teams I’ve ever coached” said Coach Zubal. Meaning that this particular group of guys haven’t played a whole lot together over the years.

       Coach Zubal also stated “It’s my job as a coach to bring the guys together as a team and it’s going well so far, This team will go as far as the five seniors will take it.” The five seniors being, Trent Pell, Mitch Smith, Cameron Warner, Matt Althouse, and Andrew Benkovsky.

        Eaton Rapids next home game is May 5^th against Portland High School

Boys Golf

Written by: Matt Krakowiak '11

            This season the Eaton Rapids Boys Golf team is carrying 15 players. There are 6 Varsity, 6 Junior Varsity, and 3 developmental players. In the Lansing State Journal Prep Preview, the Hounds were projected to take 6^th in the Capital Area Activities Conference Gold Division. The golfers and their coaches feel they are capable of doing much better than that, and could take as high as 2^nd.

The returning Varsity players are Matt Krakowiak ‘11, Conner McCreery ‘12, Shane Zimmer ‘12, and Jacob Malcangi ‘13. The team added two first year Varsity players in Ryan Tomlinson ’12 and Gavin Crawford ‘12. This year is the first year that the Hounds are experiencing a lot of depth throughout the entire varsity squad.

The team has been practicing since March 14^th. However, they did not have their first outdoor practice until March 28^th. This was a factor that hurt the Hounds but did not seem to effect them in their first scrimmage against Portland; which they won by 1 stroke. The teams home course; where they practice and play their home meets is Branson Bay, on

Columbia Road

.

The players are looking forward to a successful season. “I feel that we can have a very good season, we just need to stay strong and play our best,” says Conner McCreery.

The Hounds first league match was played on April 19^th at the Charlotte Country Club. They took 4^th out of 6 teams in the jamboree format of play, and only lost to Charlotte by a single stroke. Impressive scores were shot by both Matt Krakowiak and Ryan Tomlinson, with a pair of 43’s under some tough playing conditions.

Wrestlers become District champs

Eaton Rapids wrestlers beat out Waverly with a technicality to become District Champs! Good job ER wrestlers!

Winter Sports Preview

Boys Swimming

“The team’s goal is to place 2nd or 3rd in the league and score more points at the league meet than we did last year,” said Coach Dave Jackson. This year there are a lot of new, inexperienced swimmers who need to be trained in the various strokes and techniques involved in swimming. Luckily, there are quite a few strong swimmers that returned from last year’s team and tons of new potential. Top contributors this year will be Robert Baker (‘11), Andrew Benkovsky (‘11), Nicholas Mead (‘13), and Caleb Brinson (‘11).

Wrestling

“This year we are very inexperienced in the lower weight classes, as the season progresses, we expect to improve and hope to be a contender for the League and District titles in February” Warriner said. The lack of depth in the lower and middle weight classes is a major problem. However there is experience in the upper weight classes. Key contributors for this season’s team include Randy Rowley, James McCormick (‘11), Nick Yerden (‘11), Blake Marsh (‘11), Trent Hurd, and Jason Kibiloski (‘11).  

Boys Basketball

Coach Luke Brown is not shy about setting his sites on a league title in his first year. He believes that this year’s version of the boy’s basketball team has the ability and desire to contend for the top spot in the CAAC Gold Division. Coach Brown believes that his team has a lot to offer this season. “Our strengths for our new team are transition offense, quickness, and rebounding,” says Brown. Unfortunately with every team there are weaknesses as well. The Greyhound may struggle due to their size and with their outside shooting (though if they get hot from the outside, it may aid them in winning games). The key contributors for the Greyhounds are expected to be Travis Wells (’11), Derek Morris (’11), and Kyle Price (’11).

Competitive Cheer

“Our goal is receive higher scores than in the past, and improve on our skills as a team and as individuals,” says one of the fellow Eaton Rapids competitive cheer girls. Their strengths are getting along well and being able to push each other to work hard, improve, and do their best. Their weaknesses are talking too much and not taking criticism well. Key contributors this year are Becca Ford (‘11), Jessica Dormer (‘12), Alisa Bennett (‘11), and Chanel Baldwin (‘11).

Former Greyhound Basketball Player Goes Big

Written by: Devin Gauna '13



Former Greyhound, Alex Gauna proves that hard work pays off.

            No one would have thought that 6’5” Alex Gauna would be an asset to the Eaton Rapids Varsity Basketball team as a freshman. The talk about Gauna jumping up to varsity his freshman year all started when he was in the 8^th grade.

Alex himself wasn’t quite sure how he felt about it; he thought maybe he should just play for the junior varsity team for his first year. After a lot of thinking he decided to take the chance and see if he could help out the Greyhounds.

Being on the Varsity team didn’t come easy. After hard practices and lot of overtime, Gauna eventually became a superstar for Eaton Rapids fans. During Alex’s junior year, 2008-2009, the Varsity Greyhounds were invited to play in the Holiday Hoops Classic at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University. This, coupled with the fact the Hounds played in the Holiday Hoops Classic again Alex’s senior year, enabled Alex to be viewed on an elite stage.

While sporting his famous #1 jersey with the Greyhounds, Alex set many lofty goals for himself.  He wanted to beat the Single Season Block Record by the end of his senior year. This was one record Alex did not achieve by the end of his senior year. However, he broke six other records for the Eaton Rapids Boys Varsity Basketball team, one of them being the career record for Blocked Shots at ERHS, with 218 blocks.

The other school records he broke were Field Goals made in a career, with 505 shots; Three Point percentage in a season at 51% in 2010; Three Point percentage in a career with 38.6%; Free Throws made in a career at 288 free throws; and career Free Throw percentage at 75.2%.

But Greyhound basketball was not the only team Alex could be found playing for. Alex also played AAU basketball for the Mustangs. The Mustangs is the top elite basketball team in Michigan, which requires a difficult try-out period to become a member. It is an honor to be handed a jersey for this team, and Gauna was gifted enough to have the opportunity to be on the court with that team. The Greyhounds were glad to have a Mustang wearing their uniform every Friday night to help bring in a couple more wins, and many more fans, for the team.

Prior to Alex Gauna’s senior year, he began getting numerous letters from different colleges from all over. However, the one he really wanted to attend was the NCAA Division I school closest to home, Michigan State University. After multiple meetings and a period of weighing his options, Gauna received and offer he could not refuse.

The Spartan coaching staff offered Gauna a full-ride scholarship to play on the Michigan State Men’s Basketball team. Graduating at 6’10” with a four-year varsity plaque, Alex was ready to play at the next level. After meeting his new team, getting his shoes, and his dorm room, Gauna received his new jersey, #2. Alex was now officially a part of the team.

Gauna was introduced by Tom Izzo at Midnight Madness as the first Mexican to ever play for Michigan State Men’s Basketball. Now living his dream at MSU, Alex receives assistance from a personal tutor, like all MSU freshmen athletes, to keep his grades in line, a personal trainer to keep him in shape, five hundred dollars a month for food, and shoes for whenever he needs them.

Gauna’s hard work and dedication is now paying off. Gauna played 8 minutes and scored 6 points during his first exhibition game as a Michigan State basketball player. Though it appeared Gauna may have won a spot in the playing rotation, Coach Izzo informed him after the second exhibition game that he had the opportunity to be red-shirted this year, as the coach did not envision Gauna getting much playing time. 

When a player is red-shirted, he is not allowed to play in games during that season, but in return earns an fifth year of eligibility while still maintaining all of the benefits of being a member of the team.

Gauna took that opportunity with no hesitation. Now Alex has a 5 year, full-ride scholarship and courtside seats to every MSU basketball game. Alex Gauna fans can see the old Greyhound superstar on television when he shoots around in the beginning of each game sitting on the sideline supporting his team.

But don’t worry Eaton Rapids; look forward to next season when our former Greyhound, Alex Gauna, can be seen on the court making slam dunks for a national television audience.

Above and Beyond

Written by: Izzy Bellville '12
          Sophomore Kenny Wherry ('13) finished 15th in the Division 2 State meet last Saturday, with a time of 15:57, the second best time in all of Eaton Rapids High School history. Only a Sophomore, we can be sure that Wherry will be running circles around the competition by his Senior year.

Girls Swim Banquet

Written by: Izzy Bellville '12
          To celebrate their wonderful season, the girl's swim team will be holding a banquet Thursday, November 11th. Among all of their other accomplishments this seasons, the 200 free relay team (Courtney Boomer ('13), Jenna Beemer ('13), Malzie Kineman ('14), and Sam Rock ('12)) achieved a new school record of 1:51.23. For more information on the banquet, contact Mr. Bos.

Good Luck Hounds!

The ERHS Bark Newspaper would like to wish our Varsity Soccer boys good luck in their match against the Bloomfield Hills Lahser Knights. The game is tomorrow night at 6:00pm at Mason High School.
Go Hounds!

ERHS Soccer Team Advances to Regional Finals!

Written by: Izzy Bellville
          The Greyhound Varsity Soccer boys were victorious against Goodrich in their regional match last night at Mason High School. Bryce Richards ('12) tied the game for the Hounds as the clock dwindled away the last few minutes, and the Hounds outscored Goodrich in a shootout; with Conner McCreery ('12) netting the deciding goal in the shootout. Jacob Masteller ('12) continued his stellar play in goal for the Greyhounds. Next up for the Greyhounds is the regional finals Saturday, 6:00 p.m. at Mason High School.

ERHS Boys Soccer Regionals

Written by: Izzy Bellville
          Hey Greyhounds! Come support your Varsity soccer team in their game against Goodrich as they fight for the regional title tonight at Mason High School! The game starts at 5:00 p.m. Make sure you wear maroon and white to show your greyhound pride!

Homecoming Game

Written by: Izzy Bellville '12
Pink Out tonight for Homecoming as the Greyhounds take on Fowlerville.

Greyhound fans make sure to wear pink tonight in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month as the Greyhounds face the Fowlerville Gladiators. Once again the Hounds are looking for their first win under the lights at Alumni stadium. Tonight is the Greyhounds Homecoming, and they will be wearing their traditional pink and black jerseys. The parade begins at 6pm and will run up State Street. The game begins at 7pm. The Homecoming King and Queen will be presented at halftime.