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High 5s: 11/7/12

November 7, 2012

This past Saturday saw eight teams and eight individuals crowned MHSAA champions, and this week we feature a few who will be listed among the best for all time. 

Erin Finn
West Bloomfield senior
Cross country

Finn won her second straight MHSAA individual Lower Peninsula Division 1 championship, this time in 17:07.9. Her finish was the fastest from any of the four divisions that raced Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, and gave her the victory in hers by 27 seconds. Finn’s time was the fourth-best ever at an MHSAA Final. She has three of the top 15 times ever run at MIS, more than any other runner.

On track for more: Finn also won an MHSAA Track and Field championship last season, setting an all-division/class record in the 1,600 with a time of 10:17.86. That time was nearly five seconds better than the previous best.

Maize and Blue: Finn will run next season at the University of Michigan. The Wolverines cross country team is ranked No. 7 nationally heading into Friday's NCAA Great Lakes Regional. 

Scientifically speaking: Finn intends to study biomechanical engineering at U-M. "My junior year, I found out I love physics, and I already knew I loved bio and chemistry. So, what's better than to combine those?"

Runners to chase: “I looked up to Megan Goethals (of Rochester), number one, and Shannon Osika (of Waterford Mott). They’re people I competed with. I know that one day I can be like that. It’s more real to me.”

Click to read more.

Nick Raymond
Erie Mason senior
Cross country

After dashing to the lead last season and finishing fourth, Nick Raymond dominated the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Final at MIS with a time of 15:05.1 – the second-fastest time for a Division 3/Class C MHSAA Final to only Maverick Darling's 14:52.8 for Ovid-Elsie in 2007. Raymond is the first individual cross country champion from Erie Mason (not counting another who finished first among individuals before team and individual placers were combined for one race beginning in 1997) and also placed in both the 1,600 and 3,200 at the spring's Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Final. 

A long drive: "I've been working hard, since the first time (I ran) in sixth grade. Working hard and training hard over the summer and during mandatory practices too." 

Brotherly influence: Raymond began running cross country in the footsteps of his older brother Andrew Raymond, a 2010 graduate. "He told me, 'If you just keep working hard, just look forward at your dream, your goal, you will achieve it.'"

Now the pool, then the track: Raymond swims during the winter, specializing in butterfly and breaststroke. Then it's on to track. Raymond finished fourth in the 1,600 (4:21.84) and seventh in the 3,200 (9:44.91) at last season's Lower Peninsula Division 3 Final. 

Looking up to Pre: Like many in the running community, Raymond considers former Oregon and international star Steve Prefontaine a major influence. "I liked how he had a lot of faith in himself."

Click to read more. 

East Kentwood soccer

The top-ranked Falcons edged Grand Blanc 1-0 at Troy Athens to claim their fourth Division 1 championship in six seasons. They finished 22-1-4, their seventh with at least 20 wins in the last eight years. 

Click to read more. 

Previous 2012-13 honorees:

Marquette’s Sam Dehlin passes a gate during the Division 1 Ski Finals on Feb. 24 at Nub’s Nob.

Dehlin Closes Marquette Ski Career Celebrating Team Title with Individual Sweep

By Nick Cooper
Special for MHSAA.com

March 13, 2025

MARQUETTE – Few high school athletes have gotten as comfortable on the MHSAA Finals medal stand as Sam Dehlin.

The Marquette senior and was crowned Division 1 champion in both the slalom and giant slalom Feb. 24 at Nub’s Nob.

“There really isn't a ceiling to how good you can be at something. It's just the amount of effort you're willing to put in,” Dehlin said.

The driven Dehlin repeated in the slalom, blazing the slopes at a combined 70.16 seconds. Dehlin’s giant slalom first place was his first championship in that event.

His performance also helped Marquette secure its first team championship since 2020.

“I think being part of a team is a really good motivator because you're not just training to make yourself better, but to support your team,” said Dehlin.

With all that Dehlin achieved throughout his career, he cites narrowing his focus as a key factor in his success.

“You can’t view everything in one big lens because then it looks pretty daunting,” Dehlin said. “But if you break it down (into) small parts it’s a lot easier to manage.”

Dehlin, right, receives his second medal of the day after sweeping event championships.The Marquette slope star also has dominated north of the Mackinac Bridge as he has been the Upper Peninsula skiing champion as well the last three seasons.

Dehlin also credited being in the right headspace as an important contributor to his achievements.

“If you can get a smile on your face and get excited for (skiing), I found that I ski a lot better,” said Dehlin.

He also believes a major reason for his individual success was the totality of his team's efforts.

“The importance of having good teammates that push each other to be better is what led to our team success this year,” Dehlin said. “Having a good group of guys that are all pushing each other to be better helps everybody individually and also as a team.”

As Dehlin’s high school career comes to an end, he plans to join a collegiate ski team or club but will focus on something other than athletics.

“I’m going to focus on academics, and I still want skiing to be part of my life,” Dehlin said, “but I don't necessarily want it to be like all of my life.”

PHOTOS (Top) Marquette’s Sam Dehlin passes a gate during the Division 1 Ski Finals on Feb. 24 at Nub’s Nob. (Middle) Dehlin, right, receives his second medal of the day after sweeping event championships. (Click for more by Tori Burley.)