Pitcher Bruz Copping—Alpena ∫ All-Big North Conference first team ∫ Voted Alpena’s pitching co-MVP ∫ Finished with a 10-2 record and a 2.09 ERA ∫ Struck out 58 batters and walked 18 batters in 69 innings pitched Pitcher Keegan Spomer—Alpena ∫ All-Big North ...

For the past two years, a lot of questions surrounded Alpena High School’s all-time scoring leader Chris DeRocher. There was never a question of whether DeRocher could play basketball at the collegiate level. It was a question of where DeRocher was going to continue his athletic career if ...

Alpena Community College softball coach Christin Sobeck has been busy in her first full offseason since being named head coach. Sobeck has brought in plenty of talent so far this summer with the hopes of those talented athletes helping the Lumberjacks turn the program around on the softball ...

2019 All-Alpena News Softball Team In an exciting year of softball, 10 local players proved to be among Northeast Michigan’s best. Ten players—four pitchers and six position players (regardless of position)—have been chosen to represent the 2019 All-Alpena News softball team. After a ...

Hillman’s Little League softball team won the District 8 tournament Wednesday night, defeating Gaylord 16-2. Nicole Barbeau pitched a gem for Hillman allowing one hit with 16 strikeouts in six innings. At the plate, she was 2-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBI. Gretchen Weiland was ...

Cindy DeRocher has been named the new athletic director at Alpena Community College, replacing longtime AD Frank McCourt, who announced his retirement as of July 1. DeRocher, who has previously served as the assistant director at ACC as well as the assistant women’s basketball coach, steps ...

Eric Mitchell has seen a lot during his time with the Alpena High School football program and has watched the Wildcats go through ups, downs and a lot of changes. Now after five years as an assistant, Mitchell is getting a promotion. Mitchell was announced as Alpena’s new coach on Wednesday ...

The Alpena High School and Alpena Community College volleyball programs went back to basics this week. Players from both programs held their first ever joint volleyball camp during a three-day stretch at Thunder Bay Junior High School. The camp began on Thursday and will continue through ...

It’s hard for Catheryn Hart to decide which sport she’s more passionate about, volleyball or softball. Lucky for Hart, she won’t have to choose one over the other at the next level. Hart signed her letters of intent to play both volleyball and softball for Alpena Community College on ...

Several local softball players earned all-state honors from the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association for their play during the 2019 season. After a run to the Division 4 semifinals, senior shortstop Taylor Fleming and junior pitcher Kyrsten Altman both earned first team all-state ...

Growing up, Annah Folkema fell in love with baseball and softball watching her older brother play in high school and in Pony League baseball. Eventually, she got to see him sign his letter of intent to play college baseball. On Wednesday, Folkema got her chance to follow in his ...

Hillman’s girls Little League team opened pool play with a win on Tuesday, defeating Gaylord 10-8. Nicole Barbeau got the win for Hillman after pitching four strong innings and going 3-for-4 at the plate with three singles. Gretchen Weiland also saw time on the mound for Hillman and was ...

Over the past several years, gymnastics in Alpena has enjoyed a resurgence. Young athletes who are interested in gymnastics have plenty of opportunity to become a part of what has become a successful gymnastics program in Alpena. On Monday, the Alpena APlex was host to a three day ...

The Alpena High football program’s revolving door of head coaches needs to be slammed shut. With the recent resignation of Aaron Sims, Alpena High School is in search of yet another head coach and their next hire will mark the school’s sixth varsity football coach in the last 10 ...

When John Kuzewski took over as Hillman girls basketball coach in 2007, he did so wanting to build and sustain a successful program. Kuzewski did just that, turning Hillman into one of Northeast Michigan’s most consistent programs. After 12 seasons Kuzewski has resigned, citing a desire ...

GREENSBORO, North Carolina—Members of the Alpena High track team broke a national distance medley relay record during the New Balance National Outdoor track and field championships this past weekend in North Carolina. The quartet of Josh Smith, Aden Smith, Jadon Duncan and Drew Seabase ...

EAST LANSING — Throughout the postseason, the Rogers City softball team has had an answer for every challenge thrown its way. But the Hurons met their match on Friday and didn’t have enough answers to stop Unionville-Sebewaing in a 8-3 loss during a Division 4 semifinal at Michigan State ...

This year is going to be different. Amanda Wirgau can feel it. Even if she can’t explain it. “The team, you can just feel the difference in the games,” Wirgau, Rogers City’s senior catcher, said. “I don’t know how to explain it.” Whatever it is—be it good vibes, good ...

Sometimes all it takes is a head nod or a finger point for Krysten Altman and Amanda Wirgau to know what the other is thinking. When that happens, it usually means good things for the Hurons and a long day for their opponents. Rogers City’s battery—junior pitcher Altman and senior ...

Rogers City softball coach Karl Grambau said his team had saved him a trip to the hospital for a stress test after it won a district title a few weeks ago. Grambau was joking then, he might as well have been describing the bulk of the Hurons’ postseason run. Close games have been the ...