GAYLORD — Maybe kids from northern Michigan are being overlooked in recruiting. You wouldn't know it if you follow Gaylord sports these days.
Athletes from Otsego County have recently committed to competing at the collegiate level on a weekly basis, with standouts from Gaylord, St. Mary's and Johannesburg Lewis Universities finding new homes.
The Gaylord women's soccer star recently joined a number of college-bound players from the Blue Devils' 2024 graduating class and committed to Albion College in Lower Michigan.
The youngest of four children, Gorno watched all of his siblings go on to big universities, so when it came time to look for a place to call home, he appreciated what a mid-sized or smaller university like Albion had to offer. I realized that I like it. .
“When I visited Albion, I really liked the campus and the athletic facilities. The coaching staff was very open and honest and made me feel very comfortable. It just felt like a great fit,” Gorno said.
Gorno has been Gaylord's best player for the past three seasons, earning all-state honors as a sophomore and leading the Big North Conference in goals this season. She has scored 45 goals in her career (as of April 27), and she has already scored four goals this season. Despite battling her ankle injury in her offseason, Gorno remains one of the most feared players on a team with postseason dreams this season.
She is a leader off the field as well, representing Gaylord and all of Northern Michigan as a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Board during her sophomore and junior years.
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Gorno moved from forward to midfield this season, but said it took him some time to get used to the style of play, which emphasizes playmaking and passing rather than shooting. But with her team off to a good start (4-2-3 through nine games), she has hopes of accomplishing more before heading to college, namely winning conference and district championships. is holding.
“Our team is starting to play really well and getting better every game,” Gollno said. “Coach Chris (Adams) is a great coach and he knows each player's strengths and what adjustments need to be made during the game.”
Gorno also said that once she arrives at Albion, she would like to study psychology with a focus on elementary education and become a teacher or coach in the future.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on his X (@dylanjespersen), formerly known as Twitter, and his Instagram (@dylanjespersen).
