EAGLE RIVER—In its only indoor meet this year, West Iron’s girls track team finished first in the team standings at the Northland Pines Indoor Invitational, held at the fieldhouse here March 26.

CRYSTAL FALLS—For the second straight year, Forest Park junior Lexi Gussert was selected U.P. Class D girls player of the year during the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association annual basketball meeting, held March 27 at Northern Michigan University.

IRON RIVER—Registration is still open for this summer’s Iron River youth soccer league. “This is a great team sport where everyone plays,” said a spokesman, “a great way for your child to stay fit and prepare themselves for fall sports.”

Wykon distance runners ran through the slush, past huge snowbanks, as they get ready for track season. From left: Nolan Raab, Mike Barker, Brandon Clifford, Colton Pangrazzi and Brandon Olson.
IRON RIVER—Winter showed few signs of backing down last week, so West Iron County’s track team mostly stayed indoors as it got ready for its first event of the season.
Barring one more major snowstorm, the season will start Tuesday, March 26, at Northland Pines’ indoor fieldhouse in Eagle River. Think of it as the first robin for area spring sports.

LANSING—School classifications for the 2013-14 school year were announced last week by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. While both West Iron County and Forest Park remain in their long-time enrollment classes—West Iron in Class C and Forest Park in D—both are affected indirectly by other schools.

ESCANABA—St. Ignace had the upper hand on Forest Park all night March 12, ending the Lady Trojans’ season with a 68-45 win at the Class D state quarterfinals here.
The Saints, unbeaten and ranked the top Class D team in Michigan—Forest Park was No. 3—moved on to the state semifinals and then the finals, defeating Waterford Our Lady on March 16 in the state championship game.

NEGAUNEE—Forest Park’s best boys basketball season in years ended March 13 when North Central defeated the Trojans 59-50 at the Class D regional title game here. FP reached the regional finals March 11 by eliminating Chassell 49-47 in a tension-packed semifinal game.

For the second straight year, Forest Park’s girls basketball team has won the Class D regional championship. This week, they travel to the state quarterfinals in Escanaba March 12 … and maybe to the state finals in East Lansing after that. Front row from right: Adel Isaacson, Maria Stankewicz, Gina Graff, Sierra Robarge, Kelsi Hendrickson, Ronnie Jaeger, Melina Doering, Susie Toivonen. Back row: Coach Jeff Syrjanen, team manager Hannah Cross, Samantha Nylund, Jessica Bawyn, Kendra Campbell, Lexi Gussert, Rachel Roose, Mary Grandahl, Kaitlyn Bradley and Assistant Coach Jackie Giuliani. Full details in sports.
KINGSFORD—The Lady Trojans’ tourney journey continued at top speed last week, as Forest Park’s girls team made short work of the field at the Class D regional tournament here, defeating Lake Linden-Hubbell 65-25 on March 5 and North Central 73-38 on March 7.

Forest Park’s boys basketball team celebrates their District 127 title with their loyal cheerleaders after the trophy presentation March 8. Team members are Austin Snell (3), L.J. Burns (4), Mitch Bal (10), Hank Steiro (14), Zach Painter (in civvies), Jeff Johnson (23), Raymond Tomasik (25), Lee Graff (30), Cameron Davis (32), Chris Hilberg (33), Derek Aberly (35), Brett Smithson (42), Austin Carlson (44) and Jeff Willman (50). In back are Coaches Chris Nocerini, Dave Graff and Jason Price.
BESSEMER—After two wild nights of action at the aptly named House of Noise, meet your new District 127 boys basketball champions: the Forest Park Trojans!

NORWAY—A strong third quarter and a steady parade to the free throw line in the final minutes gave Norway all it needed to defeat West Iron 50-45 in the championship game of the boys District 95 tournament here March 6.