No slowing Stander

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Staff Writer

Photo by Erin Sanchez Grosse Pointe North’s Olivia Stander put in plenty of hard work this past school year, leading the soccer team to the state final following a basketball season in which the Norsemen won the state championship. Although the soccer team fell in the final, Standers’ efforts were rewarded with a spot on the Dream Team.

Grosse Pointe North athlete voted to soccer Dream Team

It’s been nearly a month since the Grosse Pointe North girls soccer team played in the Division 1 state soccer final, and forward Olivia Stander may finally be able to catch up on some much-needed rest.

Stander kept busy this past year at North, her junior year.

Over the winter season, she helped the basketball team win the state title March 8. A week later, she was out on the pitch as the soccer squad kicked off its season with some scrimmages. Eventually, she led the Norsemen to the June 14 title game, which they lost to Ann Arbor Huron.

“Right now, I’m just running on adrenaline,” Stander said following North’s 5-4 overtime victory against Utica Eisenhower in the state semifinal soccer game.

“It was a huge transition,” she said following the final, referring to changing from the basketball season to soccer. “It was very hard, and I’m very tired. I just want to (go rest).”

Exhausting as they were, her efforts were recently rewarded when Stander was voted to the girls soccer Dream Team — a squad picked by the coaches association honoring the best 11 players throughout the state, regardless of division.

“I think she was a little (physically) tired, but … she wasn’t tired mentally,” North soccer coach Chip Stencel said. “Olivia’s always in the game; she’s a gamer. Our team is designed around getting the ball to her.”

While the school year has ended with the start of summer, Stander hasn’t exactly gone into hibernation, as a full slate of club soccer was awaiting her soon after the high school soccer season ended. In fact, Stander had club tryouts the day after the state title game and had planned to play in a tournament a week later. She also said she planned on keeping up with summer swimming commitments.

While the constant, high-level physical pounding can take a toll, the competitive athlete in her won’t let her slow down.

“I need a break, but I’m excited,” she said following the state final.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1040.