SAC Sound-Off: Seniors Say Good-Bye

June 13, 2012

All over Michigan during the last three weeks, seniors have been finishing up their high school athletic careers -- some to next play at the college level, most to continue as students only, but armed with a book full of memories and lessons learned on the field.

Our SAC seniors are no different. Here's what they'll miss most as they too move on to the next level.

I'm going to miss ...

"...everything about high school sports -- competing, winning, hanging out with my friends and meeting new people." -- Benzie Central's Travis Clous

"... the atmosphere of growth and learning, with others around encouraging me to always strive for greatness as I do the same for them." -- New Buffalo's Lena Madison

"... the butterflies in my stomach before every serve-receive and cheering for my teammates when they make a mistake." -- Detroit Country Day's Maria Buczkowski

"... the team unity the most. In high school sports, I've been friends with most of my teammates ever since kindergarten. Sports in college aren't the same because your teammates aren't your lifelong friends." -- Rudyard's Tyler Wilson

"... supporting my fellow students while leading our student cheering (section) for football. Those were some of the most fun nights of my life in high school." -- Grand Blanc's Bailey Truesdell

"... the support that my community gives to all of the sports teams." -- Muskegon Catholic Central's Alissa Jones

Performance of the Week: Ann Arbor Pioneer's Natasza Dudek

September 11, 2025

Natasza Dudek headshotNatasza Dudek ♦ Ann Arbor Pioneer
Sophomore ♦ Cross Country

Dudek, who finished third at last season’s Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final as a freshman, opened her sophomore season with a win at the Shepherd John Bruder Classic in a race that also included last year’s Division 2 and 4 champions. Dudek won the race by more than 35 seconds in a time of 17:05.50 – 1:17 faster than when she won her race at Shepherd a year ago.  

Natasza is following in the footsteps of oldest sister Zofia Dudek, who won the LDP1 Final in 2019 and has since gone on to earn All-America honors at Stanford and set Polish national records. In addition to Natasza’s stellar cross country debut last season, she also finished second in the 3,200, fourth in the 1,600 and ran on the fourth-place 3,200 relay at the LP Division 1 Track & Field Finals to conclude the spring.

@mhsaasports 🏃‍♀️‍➡️POW: Natasza Dudek #annarborpioneer #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA

@mhsaasports 🏃‍♀️‍➡️POW: Natasza Dudek #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA

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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. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report

(Action photo by Nina Moore.)