SE Oakland News

School athletic recognition was a topic of discussion during the March 20 meeting of the Hazel Park Board of Education.

Eric Gregory, who coached the boys and the girls bowling teams, was on hand as the board recognized the girls for qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in history. The boys team was Gold Division champions and also qualified for the state tournament. One of the boys, Myron Pickett, bowled his first perfect 300 game this year.

Gregory celebrated the fact that the girls are now back-to-back division champs, two years running. He commended how hard the teams worked and how they competed at the state competition as well as the support they received from the district.

“First of all, I want to say thank you for the invitation,” Gregory said in the meeting. “These girls worked extremely hard during the season and like Tom said, during the summer. So, they deserve every recognition they can get. First league title since 2008. That required a whole lot of work from these girls, and I know I appreciate it. I'm sure when they're old like me, they'll appreciate a little bit more. But I had some great memories and I just want to say thank you to you guys.”

The board then honored the girls basketball team, which won their first conference tournament since 2008. Coach Dakota Ogles was chosen as Coach of the Year, and the team was congratulated by the board and given certificates honoring their season.

Two student representatives from the high school gave the board an update on the spring sports season with golf, baseball, soccer and track underway. Additionally, juniors are preparing for SAT and college testing, and the high school is getting ready to open up their spring musical performances. Their symphonic and concert bands both recently attended Festival where the symphonic band received a 1 rating, the highest possible score.