Gaylor gets pro soccer league tryout
      Roscommon High School graduate Jenn Gaylor has been selected as one of 128 players to participate in the W-League Combine from Sept. 4-7 in Tampa for the new WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) League. Gaylor, a standout at Roscommon who graduated in 2001, will attend the tryout to try to make one of seven teams.
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ROUGH LANDING
     Shenanigans shortstop Scott Bates (top) lands on F & T Roofing base runner Greg Manor after hitting the bag first and trying to jump out of the way during a game at Roscommon Township Park Monday. The roofers ended up coming out on top 16-5. (Photo by Thomas Reznich)
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Houghton Lake cheerleaders to host clinic Aug. 25-27
      The Houghton Lake High School varsity cheerleaders will host a cheerleading clinic/camp Aug. 25-27 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the high school. The camp is open to all girls in grades second through eighth. The cost is $25 and includes a T-shirt for each participant.
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CLEAN SWEEP
     Nicole Korbinski won four events at the Houghton Lake Kart Speedway Aug. 1. After last minute adjustments to her engine by her dad, Eddie, and Kevin Kosielecki, she earned the fast qualifier slot. Korbinski's engine gave her problems during qualifying, only running well for two laps but enough for her to qualify. After some more fine tuning by her dad, she won the Four Car Dash and her dad said he figured the adjustments must have worked. The rest of the night was "in Nicole's hands," her dad reported as she won all four events. "It's hard to count Nicole out. Even when I can't get the Kart to perform the way she wants it to, she still does well," he said. Following her feature victory, she did a "Polish" victory lap for her grandfather, Ed Korbinski. Nicole Korbinski has been racing for five years, winning the Super Dirt Series Championship last year and placing second in points at the Houghton Lake Kart Speedway. She also raced a pro truck last year at Mt. Pleasant Speedway for Dick Stout of Houghton Lake. She hopes to find a car owner looking for a driver and is working toward racing and modeling careers. She is also enjoying racing as part of a team with her cousins, the Lezottes. (Courtesy photo)
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Bobcat gridders start Monday
      Houghton Lake High School football practice will begin Monday at the high school. Players in ninth through 12th grades should meet behind the school at the practice field at 4 p.m. Monday for a team meeting. Practice will follow from 5 to 8:45 p.m.
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Booner's bounces Pressure Crack
      Coming off a 41 hit performance the week before, Pressure Crack was unable to get their offense going as Booner's banged Pressure Crack 18-4 in Houghton Lake Men's Slo-pitch Softball League action Monday night. Also adding victories were Budweiser, Funky Turtle I, Long Branch and F&T.
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Practice times slated for football, volleyball at RHS
      High school sports gets into full swing Monday with the start of football, volleyball, boys soccer and cross country practices. Girls golf is also underway, with practice in the sport having started today Thursday). Roscommon High School football players will begin practice at 5 p.m. Monday. Coach Don McKindles said practice will run from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
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Volleyball starts Aug. 11 at HLHS
      Try-outs for the Houghton Lake High School volleyball squads will begin Aug. 11. Freshman and junior varsity players will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 11-13 while the varsity's initial meeting will be held Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. For information, contact JV coach Shawna Trahan at (989) 387-0352 or 422-2620.
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Younger Marcoullier wins fourth of 2008 at Merritt
By Bob Steele
      With the dog days of summer here, fans flocked to the home of "Michigan's fastest dirt track," Merritt Speedway, for a "Saturday Night Special" Aug. 2 and what a night they saw. The track crew had Mother Nature's help preparing the track causing qualifying speeds to be up 0.8 seconds on the average for the five divisions of racers.
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YOUNG CHAMPIONS AT NATIONALS
     Members of the Houghton Lake Young Champions Elite (Level 5) teams competed in the small group category July 26 in St. Louis, MO. This was the first time the group had been to nationals. "They did a really great job," Coach Patty Straub said. "No mistakes." Assisted by Chris Cota, the team competed against 23 other Level 5 teams from several states. While the team did not place, each team member received a trophy to take home. Pictured are (back row, left to right): Krista Wilson, McKenzy Goowin and Julia Hallauer; (middle row): MacKenzie Straub, Megan Cota and Sarah Garrett; and (front row): Vanessa Wallace and Lauren Hooper. Coach Straub expressed her appreciation to parents and other donors who helped the team get to St. Louis. (Courtesy photo)
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AJD win secures second place
      With Division 1-leading Mid- Michigan on a bye week, AJD Forest Products and Navigator Wireline met for a second-place battle in the Houghton Lake Womens Slo-Pitch Softball League July 31. AJD improved to 7-2 with a 14-10 win over Navigator as Navigator fell to 7-3. In other Division 1 action, Limberlost beat Sergeant's 19-14 and Hodges beat Shenanigan's.
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