From Korbin Sulitis and Sadie Corey at Petoskey, to the Charlevoix crash, EJ's Ski Valley start and more, here is what stood out in 2024-25.
When it comes to high school sports, July is always a weird month.
We’re right in the middle of nowhere.
In June, the past school year of sports is wrapping up, then in August, a brand new season is right on the cusp.
It’s hard to know whether to look back or look forward in July. That's also why it’s a great time to take a vacation and just be in the moment. Who doesn’t love a northern Michigan summer after all?
But, on a recent staycation enjoying my time around here, I couldn’t quite turn my mind off the past school year of sports.
What were the moments that stuck with me? The stories, the athletes and teams or events. So, without even looking back – to truly make them the memorable moments – these are what stayed with me from the 2024-25 school year.
Online, you can find links to most of the moments as well.
Charlevoix Boys Golf
This is a tough one. I truly wish this wasn’t one of the moments in my mind.
Hearing the news that the Charlevoix boys golf team was in a crash and that the status of everyone, including head coach Doug Drenth, was unknown at the time was pretty tough to take in.
I knew all the players on that van, knew Doug well and it really pained me to hear what they were – and still are – going through.
I was happy to see some return to the course, then others just return to a bit of normalcy, but I know some still have a ways to go.
Korbin Sulitis’ season
I did a lot of work leading into the 2024 football season about Korbin Sulitis taking over the quarterback positon with the Petoskey’s football team.
The more I did and attended practice, the more I believed they would be just fine.
I was wrong. They were far better than just fine.
Sulitis was unbelievable. It was the best high school football season I’ve seen in 14 years here. And it’s not even close.
Sulitis became must-see for football fans, running for 1,949 yards and 27 touchdowns on a 9.1 average. He threw for 1,509 yards and 17 touchdowns, completing 60 percent of his passes. He totaled 44 touchdowns, a PHS record, then also made 52 tackles and two sacks.
He’ll go on to play defense at Northwood, but you will never convince me otherwise that he’s not a Division I college athlete.
Football season
The more I thought about Sulitis, the more I thought, ‘What a heck of a fall football season it was.’
We had Petoskey, Boyne City, Charlevoix, East Jordan and Inland Lakes make the playoffs and almost all of them earned at least one postseason win.
Petoskey made it to regionals behind an 11-0 start, then Boyne City pulled off eight straight wins, three by the skin of their teeth, to earn their way into the semifinals.
This was definitely a football season that’ll stick with me. I spent much of the year covering Petoskey, in some amazing atmospheres, though everywhere I went was a joy.
Flynn Situation
I wasn’t sure what to call this, but what happened took up my conversations with people for about three months straight.
Heading into the 2024-25 basketball season, I was really excited to watch both the Harbor Springs girls and boys basketball teams compete, notably Braeden and Olivia Flynn. The brother and sister all-state duo didn’t disappoint and neither did the Rams on the court.
Which, did indeed make it shocking to hear that head coaches, John and Amy Flynn, would not be renewed for another season.
The situation brought me to three school board meetings and brought the Rams two new coaches in June, a new athletic director and new superintendent.
East Jordan in the Ski Valley
I have to admit, I was kind of relieved when I heard East Jordan would be heading to the Ski Valley Conference.
The Red Devils had great athletes and teams for a while – and competed in the Lake Michigan Conference well – though it always felt like an uphill battle as often the smallest program.
They found a home in the Ski Valley at the start of 2024-25 and it paid off with some hardware and competitive seasons.
The Red Devils earned Ski Valley titles in baseball, basketball and boys and girls cross country, then fielded competitive teams in both girls basketball and softball, among other sports.
It was good to see EJ compete against an even field.
Sadie Corey’s career
I have to admit, this one snuck up on me. I should have known.
When I was first approached and told that Corey would be finishing out her Petoskey High School athletic career with a program record 16 varsity letters, I was kind of shocked.
Then, it hit me. But I don’t know why it hadn’t before. Maybe it’s because math isn’t my strong suit or four years of covering Corey just flew by.
But what a career for Corey. She finished with four varsity letters each in basketball, volleyball, track and soccer, earning at least a conference, district or regional title in each.
One of the coolest stories that I felt came out of Corey’s final year was hearing about how Corey – who will head into cosmetology ahead – did the entire PHS girls basketball team’s hair before games. They all came out with the same style. Everyone on the team. What a great way for everyone to be included and build chemistry I thought.
Sault’s Johnny Osborne
One of the moments and stories that became most memorable for me was having the chance to talk to Sault Ste. Marie’s Johnny Osborne.
A senior at Sault Ste. Marie with cerebral palsy, Osborne didn’t let it get in the way of competing throughout his high school career, as he became a standout adaptive athlete with the Sault track program.
He began as a child racing in a basketball wheelchair, to finally a top of the line racing chair.
He’ll head to the University of Michigan at the next level and compete for the Wolverines’ adaptive team.
I enjoyed the brief conversation with Osborne and was blown away by his drive and inspired by his attitude.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: The memorable moments of the 2024-25 school year in Petoskey Area
Category: General Sports
