Performance of the Week: Grand Haven's Seth Norder
October 13, 2023
Seth Norder ♦ Grand Haven
Senior ♦ Cross Country
Norder has run among the state’s elite over the last three seasons, finishing as the runner-up at the Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final the last two years – and last fall by only 1.63 seconds. He likely became the runner to chase at Michigan International Speedway next month by winning Saturday’s Division 1 race at the prestigious Portage Invitational with a time of 14:57.3, which was more than nine seconds faster than the rest of the star-studded field.
That field included the reigning LPD2 champion, Chelsea’s Connell Alford (who finished third), the only other Michigan racer to clear 15 minutes this season in Freeland’s TJ Hansen (who placed fourth), and the reigning Ohio Division 1 runner-up in Samuel Ricchiuti of Dublin Jerome, who was second at Portage. Grand Haven as a team finished second to only top-ranked Brighton after entering the race ranked No. 3 in LPD1. Norder, who will continue his running career next year at Michigan State, also is the reigning LPD1 Finals track champion in the 3,200 meters, and he’s broken nine minutes in that race with a personal best of 8:46.33.
@mhsaasports 🏃POW:Seth Norder #crosscountry #grandhaven #letsgo #running #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🏃POW: Seth Norder #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #stafford #theoffice #Arbys #milkshake #emoji #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.
MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
Past 2023-24 Honorees
Oct. 5: Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29: MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22: Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15: Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8: Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Grand Haven athletic department.)
Performance of the Week: Flat Rock's Sarah Giroux
October 2, 2025
Sarah Giroux ♦ Flat Rock
Junior ♦ Volleyball
Flat Rock defeated Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central on Sept. 22 for the first time in program history, and Giroux played her usual lead role. The 5-foot-10 outside hitter had 24 kills, 15 digs and three aces in the five-set win over the Division 3 top-ranked Kestrels. A Division 2 all-state honorable mention earner last fall as a sophomore, Giroux this week also became the first in Flat Rock history to reach 1,000 career kills.
The Rams are up to 20-4 this season and have won 17 of their last 18 matches. Giroux also is an all-stater on the softball diamond, having made the Division 2 first team at second base in the spring, and she could become the third sibling from her family to play at the college level as older sister Kayla plays volleyball at Wayne State, older brother Michael is a freshman baseball player at Grand Valley State, and additionally mother Dawn (Pelc) Giroux starred for the Madonna University women’s basketball team from 1994-98.
@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Sarah Giroux #flatrrock #volleyball #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Sarah Giroux #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.
MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
Previous 2025-26 honorees
Sept. 25: Sam Schumacher, Portage Central tennis - Report
Sept. 18: Kaylee Mitzel, Saline field hockey - Report
Sept. 11: Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
Sept. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Flat Rock athletic department.)