Robotics teams duke it out at state competition

From the County Press
Teens from the Lapeer area got to mix it up with the big time last weekend, when the country’s most competitive statewide FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics effort held its competition at Eastern Michigan University.

Lapeer County was well-represented with not one, but two, teams at the state competition. Kids from Lapeer East and West High Schools went as members of the Chimeras team, coached by Tony Diodato. Students from Lapeer County Education and Technology Center formed Galak Tech 3535, coached by Jeff Beatley.

It was the first time for either local team to compete at the state level, and Galak Tech’s rookie year as a team.

The Lapeer area teams held their own in the intense competition.

“Both the Chimeras and Galak Tech battled valiantly in their 12 matches sometimes with and sometimes against the powerhouse teams. The 68 teams are randomly mixed in 3 on 3 matches over the 3 day competition,” said Diodato.

Team Galak Tech picked up 79 points overall, placing 56th, and the Chimeras scored 67, placing 62nd.

“There is no doubt that Michigan is the epicenter of high school and professional robotics in the country,” said Diodato. “In no other concurrent regional event in the country could you score 110 points and still lose the match.” He points out that typical scores outside of Michigan are in the 30s.

“The students were very pleased in that they and the robot had done everything possible to win,” said Diodato of the Chimeras.

Although the hometown teams gave it their all and made an impressive showing, the St. Louis national competition remained out of reach this year. A very supportive Grand Blanc team, the Enginerds, placed 11th in the event, racking up the highest score at the state tournament. They’re among the teams headed to the nationals, as are students from Goodrich High School.


The state competitions mark the end of a frenzied season of non-stop thinking and doing that launched in January for the robotics team members.

“Our season has ended but we are ecstatic about our growth and success this year,” said Diodato. “None of it would be possible without the support of the schools, the community, the parents, local business and our generous sponsors.”

Diodato said there are some off-season events in coming months, and that the teams will be launching their fundraising for the next competition right away “in hopes of having the resources to be one of the power-house teams who make it all the way!”

The state competition finals will be broadcast on television on April 16 at 1 p.m. on ABC.

Lapeer East Boys advance to state soccer semifinals

THe Lapeer East Boys Soccer team will make its first trip to the state semifinals when it takes on Bloomfield Hills Lahser at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School.

East downed Dearborn Divine Child Friday, 1-0, in the Division 2 Regionals to advance to the state semis.

The Eagles scored the only goal of the Regional final game Friday afternoon at St. Clair’s East China Stadium when Nate Kolvek took a cross from Alex Podolski with three minutes to go in the first half and put it past the Divine Child goalkeeper.

"It was obviously a huge emotional lift going in 1-0. We knew they would really bring it in the second half," East coach Chad Kenny told the Flint Journal after the team victory.

The Eagles are now 18-4-1 on the season and will meet ninth-ranked Bloomfield Hills Lahser (19-4-1).

"We're thrilled to be there," Kenny said after the game. "Our kids have come together and played hard. They wanted to do something the program had never done, and I'll be darned if they didn't do it."

East keeper Colin Owen made 10 saves and notched his 13th shutout of the season for the Eagles.

"It speaks volumes about our league," Kenny said of Friday's win. "We finished second in our league and here we are in the final four in Division 2."

Lapeer East, Lapeer West High School wrestlers compete at State Finals

Lapeer West High School wrestlers and a wrestler from Lapeer East High School represented themselves well at the recent State Wrestling Individual Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

West wrestler Dean Somers, took fifth place in the State in the 103 weight division.

Other members of the West team who wrestled at the State Finals were Adam Nichols (103), Dakota Carie (112), and Nate Irelan (135). Dakota and Adam each won matches in their weight divisions at the meet.

“I’m proud of the work these young men put into the sport during the recent season,” said West Coach Matt Nowak. “It takes a lot of dedication to end up in the State Finals.”

East wrestler Isaac Joseph (145), a junior, also won one of his matches in his weight division, but missed placing in the top eight by one point in his last match, said East Coach Al Lalonde.

Lapeer East girls cross country team, West runners post good individual scores at State Meet

The Lapeer East High School girls' cross country team, who made the State Finals for the first time ever as a team, finished 27th in Division 2, but posted some good individual scores at the meet.

Two Lapeer West girls cross country runners, who qualified as individuals, also posted good times in the State Finals held Saturday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Here are the local runners, times and place of finish:

Lapeer East: Ariana Donahue, 21:39.6, 170; Jamie Caminiti, 21:43.4, 175; Hillary Davlin, 21:44.2, 176; Alexis Whatcott, 21:56.4, 198; Katie Davis, 22:37.1, 220; Dayna McIntyre, 22:57.5, 227; Allyssa Mazur-Batistoni, 23:14.3, 234.

Lapeer West: Tori Peet, 20:35.1, 86; Hayley Schroeder, Lapeer West 21:03.0; 126.

Lapeer East girls' cross country team qualifies for State Finals at Michigan International Speedway

For the first time in the the history of Lapeer East High School, the girls’ cross country team has qualified for the State Meet at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, November 7th.

The girls placed third at the Regional competition on Saturday, October 31st at Delta College. (Regional photos - East girls are in the center front - taken by Colleen Davlin)

Conditions at the Regional were less than ideal with high winds and rain, but the team fought through those conditions and worked towards the team focus of achieving a personal record at each race.

Although the sport often recognizes those who finish at the head of the pack, often forgotten is the contribution of those who also run and accumulate team points.

“We are proud of this team not only for its accomplishments on the course, but in school and in practice,” said head coach Duane Machesney.

Members of the team are: Jamie Caminiti, Hillary Davlin, Ariana Donahue, Allyssa Mazur-Batistoni, Dayna McIntyre, Jenni Putz and Alexis Whatcott. Mr. Machesney is assisted in his coaching duties by Ms. Noelle Grignani and Mr. Manny Schmitt.

Jenni Putz also qualified individually for the State Finals.

This from an anonymous parent about the girls' team:

"Lapeer East Girls Cross Country Team qualified to compete at the state meet, the first in the history of school. The team has had little press coverage, as there is no single runner on which the spotlight has shone. Yet, amid gale force winds and sputtering of rain, each girl ran her own race, as they have been trained to do. The focus of this unique set of coaches was to encourage each runner to achieve a PR (personal record) at each and every race. On Saturday Oct. 31, at Delta College, it paid off, as collectively the team qualified to compete at the State meet on Nov. 07 at Michigan Speedway.

The sole runner that qualified individually was not running at a varsity level, until the season was half over. The runner, who was the team’s first place runner in September, did not place first for the team, but she runs her own race every day. She runs a race against Cystic Fibrosis and on Saturday, she beat it again. You may recognize a face or two on this team, but it is not for their work on the trails, but for other sports that they are highly acclaimed for. They hold the team’s middle together and are willing to run mile after mile, in races and training, even if they don’t have the glory of scoring the winning goal.

Cross County may only be known for the individual competition at each race and the attention given to the few gazelles that that cross the finish line first. What may not be known is how the individual runners accumulate points for the team. Even less is known is the role that those runners who do not emerge in the front of the pack play for the team. This is a sport that fellow team mates encourage each other to never give up, as the last runner is cheered in and provide the statistics that they have also won, “a PR”. Cheers come from cross town rivals Lapeer West, as they all just keep running their own best race.

Good Luck to the team! Regardless of the outcome, they will take away a valuable life lesson that they have learn from their coaches. Life, like mile two of the race, can fill you with despair but if you keep running toward that PR, collectively you may be part of a greater accomplishment."

Lapeer West Girls' Golf team finishes 7th at State Finals, finishes "magical" season

The Lapeer West High School girls’ golf team finished an incredible season with a 7th place finish at the State Finals this past weekend at Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing.

On Saturday, the team shot a combined 364, a school record score.

“It was a magical season with the team going undefeated in the Flint Metro League, winning the Regional Tournament and then placing 7th at the State Finals,” said Coach Mike Ogg.

Andy Serrels competes at State diving finals

Lapeer West High School senior Andy Serrels, a member of the combined East and West high school boys' swimming and diving team made history Friday by being the first Lapeer diver to make the State finals.

Serrels competed against the 36 best high school divers in Michigan. While he didn't place, he performed well and we are proud of Andy and his accomplishments.