Vote Now: Patch Athlete of the Week, March 5-11
Vote for your favorite prep sports athlete in Oakland County or write in an athlete you think deserves recognition. You have until Friday at 9 a.m. to register your vote!
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Vote here to help choose the Patch Athlete of the Week of Oakland County for the week ending March 10. Last week’s poll winner was Nick Gajdzik, a member of the Stoney Creek varsity wrestling team.
Vote for one of the following or write in your own candidate in the comments:
Nate Stepney – Ferndale High School (Basketball): Ferndale senior forward Nate Stepney’s monstrous third quarter powered his team to a 66-52 win on Friday night in the district finals over city-rival University. He went of for 16 of his 28 points in the third quarter. During the stretch, he turned a six-point deficit into 49-39 lead. Earlier in the week, the senior had 14 points, four assists and six rebounds in a 53-43 win over Highland Park in the district semifinals.
Scott Crosthwaite – Groves High School (Swimming): At the Division 2 swim finals at the Holland Aquatics, Scott Crosthwaite had quite the weekend. The senior won two individual titles and helped his team win a championship in the 400 freestyle relay. He finished first in the 200 yard freestyle and the 500 yard freestyle. With Noah Zamler, Tom Power and Steven Curry, the Falcons placed first in the 400 yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:07.93.
Matthew Wolkhamer - Seaholm High School (Swimming): Matthew Wolkhamer finished in seventh place at the Division 2 state swimming finals in the 200 yard IM. He won an individual title in the 100 yard breaststroke with a time of 58.19. As part of the Maples 200 yard medley relay, he finished in fourth place.
Ashley Moskal – Avondale High School (Gymnastics): Troy Athens/Avondale senior Ashley Moskal finished second all-around at the Division 1 state finals with a score of 38.375. She finished in third place last season. Her best event was the floor exercise, she had the best score with a 9.8. The senior is co-captain of the Troy Athens and Avondale varsity gymnastics team.
Attention Coaches: Nominate Your Athletes
Email nominations to Patch sportswriter Mike Niziolek. Nominations must be received by noon Friday for consideration for the next week's poll. Please include a photo or photos of your nominee and detailed information on why he or she is a deserving candidate for the weekly award. Weekly winners are eligible for Patch Athlete of the Season recognition.
Ferndale Resident
3:52 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012
I wish Patch would have a Scholar of the Week feature. Afterall, that's what school is for- learning. Not sports.
Ferndale_1986
4:38 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012
I agree with you, but what you're saying is blasphemy in this country.
In fact, I wonder if it could be characterized as "hate speech"?
LOL.
Ed Lambert
9:26 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012
I don't think we can find athletic departments in the public schools and higher education institutions outside our own country. While I favor good physical education programs as part of schooling, I don't see anything but a financial "need" for programs such as we have. Only students with athletic ability get built-in special programs. What has that to do with education?
TV networks have "sports and entertainment" divisions.
Nancy Hanus
5:23 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012
Patch does have a Whiz Kid feature that we run regularly. If you have anyone you'd like to nominate, please message the local editor of your regular Patch. We love to feature students doing extraordinary things, and we've done so hundreds of times across Metro Detroit this year.
Ed Lambert
9:29 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012
While I'm at it: Someone explain the rationale behind spelling bees. The rules call for error-free vocal spelling, no corrections permitted; but the only time spelling comes into play is when we write.
Royal Oak Parent
7:08 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
School at this level IS about learning This includes life lessons such as balancing schoolwork with interests. The student who maintains an excellent GPA while honing their sports, musical, and social skills is far better off 20 years from now than the child who is not encouraged to focus on anything other than academics. Shame on you for marring this honor for these 4 incredible kids with your comment.
Charese Monroe
12:46 am on Thursday, March 15, 2012
Totally agree with Royal Oak Parent! Some people just have a way of making anything good seem like something bad?? Congrats to all four students on a great job:)
Ferndale Resident
2:51 am on Thursday, March 15, 2012
Relax. I'm not saying these four students didn't do a good job, I simply wish the focus were more on the academic portion of their schooling. I find it silly that you think I am "marring their honor", since I am in no way disrespecting these students. I don't doubt that they're good kids, but I'd like to see more news about academics, rather than sports.
Royal Oak Parent
12:43 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012
When these kids, who I'm sure are watching this article closely, scroll down the 1st post they see basically diminishes the accomplishment because it is not academic. Intentional or not, poor forum for your comment in my opinion.
Ferndale Resident
3:50 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012
People in life are permitted their opinions, whether others agree with it or not. It's not my intention to offend anyone. There is a comments section on this site for every article, for people to post their opinions and comments about the article. I have every right to post my opinion. I welcome others to do the same- even the students if they take issue with it. But I'm not going to refuse to post out of fear that I may offend people.
Royal Oak Parent
6:02 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012
This is an article praising the accomplishments of 4 students. Great job Nate, Scott, Matthew and Ashley!