No. 1–Mitchell Day’s senior cross country season

Throughout his career at Alpena High, success bred more success for cross country runner Mitchell Day. In 2016, Day finished his high school career on several high notes and furthered cemented his place as one of Alpena’s greatest runners.

Entering the season as one of the best runners in the state, Day showed all year why he among the best. He earned Big North Conference and regional titles with ease and set his sights on a state title; one of the few things that eluded him in his career. Day finished second for the second straight year at the state finals in November, but he was just beginning to prove his running prowess.

At a regional race later in November, Day finished eighth and was one of two runners from Michigan to qualify for the Foot Locker National Championships in San Diego. In his quest to become an All-American, Day finished 17th among the best runners in the country and ended his high school career on a high note before he heads to Wake Forest to run collegiately.

In addition to his individual exploits, Day served as an important mentor this season for Alpena’s up-and-coming runners and helped the Wildcats qualify for the state finals as a team after winning the program’s first regional title.

No. 2–Elaine LaBarge leads Cleary to national title

Throughout her cross country career, Elaine LaBarge has had to overcome a marathon of obstacles.

In her senior year at Cleary University, LaBarge overcame more obstacles to lead her team to its first ever United States Corporate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship. LaBarge took third overall and the Cougars ultimately were the top team.

“I went into the race with the goal of going out hard and hold it as long as I could,” LaBarge said. “Looking back at the race, I would not change anything I did.”

The team national title was the icing on the cake for LaBarge. who is a four-time national champion, three-time Academic All-American and 2015 Student of the Athlete of the Year for cross country.

“After years of training and a determined team, we were able to make a team goal happen,” LaBarge said.

No. 3–Ami Milligan finishes volleyball career at Albion

Four years ago, Alpena volleyball alumnus Ami Milligan set herself apart from a group of freshman to become the starting setter for Albion College.

Four years later, Milligan ended her career with quite a legacy.

In her senior season Milligan led the Britons to 18 wins, their most since 1986. She also became Albion’s all-time assists leader, finishing with 2,899 and is also the Britons’ all-time leaders in double-doubles with 38.

Along with earning her second team MVP award, Milligan was chosen as the MIAA Speciality Player of the Week three times this season and earned the Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Player of the week honor once. She ended her career with an average of 9.1 assists per game.

No. 4–Rogers City volleyball team’s season

The Rogers City volleyball team has been an up-and-coming team for the past several seasons and in 2016, the Hurons took a big step forward.

After a run to the quarterfinals in 2015, the Hurons followed with a stellar encore by reaching the Class D semifinals in Battle Creek.

The Hurons went 34-11-1 overall and earned district and regional titles as well as a win in the Presque Isle Championships. The Hurons also won the North Star League’s Big Dipper division title after going 15-0 in league play. Along the way, every player on the Hurons’ roster seemed to have a big moment. Sophomore Taylor Fleming emerged as a dominant player in the front row and Kayla Rabeau, Hannah Dittmar, Erika Peacock, Mary Brege, Saige Wagner and Hannah Fleming were among those that stepped up in crucial moments.

Rogers City fell to Auburn Hills Oakland Christian in the semifinals in four sets, but the Hurons were able to win the first set and keep pace with Oakland Christian.

The Hurons will lose five seniors from their semifinal run, but Rogers City is in a good position to have success next season as Taylor Fleming and Rabeau are among those who will return next season.

No. 5–Karina Cole sets new ACC scoring mark

For her two seasons at Alpena Community College, Karina Cole was the backbone of the women’s basketball team and an offensive force. Whether the Lumberjacks needed scoring, passing or even rebounding, Cole was a do-it-all kind of player who remained focused on her team and its goals, even as she put up huge scoring numbers.

On Feb. 20, Cole cemented her place in ACC basketball history when she became the women’s program’s all-time leading scorer. With her 29-point effort in a game against Oakland, Cole passed Diane Flakes’ previous mark of 964 points.

Cole struggled early in the game, but found her rhythm later in the first half and finished the period with 12 points. Cole matched Flakes with a pair of free throws in the third quarter and claimed the mark for herself with a three-pointer a short time later. She was mobbed by her teammates and recognized for her accomplishment after the game.

Cole went on to finish her ACC career with 1,024 points.

Cole, who graduated as Alcona High’s leading scorer after four years of high school basketball, now plays for Algoma University in Canada.