Take a look at the Gaylord golfers and soccer players to watch this spring

GAYLORD ― It may not feel like it yet, but spring is coming to Northern Michigan.

Area high schools are wrapping up their respective holiday breaks and returning to classes this week, meaning the true beginning of the spring high school sports schedule will be right around the corner.

While the first games of the season technically could've started back on March 18, most teams tend to wait until after spring break, hoping early April will treat them better than the chill of late May. We've covered athletes to watch in baseball, softball and track and field; now it is time to get to know the top returning players for the remaining sports and teams, Gaylord girls soccer and boys golf:

Girls soccer players to watch

Claire Gorno, Senior, Forward

For the last two seasons, Gaylord soccer has been Claire Gorno's team.

A two-time all-state honoree, Gorno led the Big North Conference in scoring last season (nine goals, eight assists) and, now a senior, is looking to lead Gaylord to their bigger team goals.

The Blue Devils finished fourth in the final BNC standings with a 5-3-2 conference record but fell in a penalty kick shootout to Cadillac in the first game of districts. Now, without last year's seniors Sydney Deer, Emma Ross, Alivia Zaremba, Aida Freeman, Cadence Cooper and Maddie Gohl, expect Gorno to be the driving force behind Gaylord's offense this season.

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Mariah Turner, Senior, Forward

With all those seniors departing after last season, the opportunities are there for other players to step into larger roles on the 2024 squad. If anyone is set to take a step into a bigger role, it's likely fellow forward Mariah Turner.

Turner was involved in the attack as a junior last season, logging the first team's goal in the district quarterfinal loss at Cadillac, but expect her to be relied on even more this season. Gorno will likely be the focus of opposing defenses, meaning Turner will likely have some open opportunities as a result.

Gaylord golf

Luke Sommerville, Junior

Gaylord golf will be adjusting to life without Kole Putnam this season. The third-place finisher in last season's Division 2 state finals and now a Ferris State golfer, Putnam was the driving force behind a lot of Gaylord's success last season.

This season, it'll be more on the team collectively.

It'll start with junior Luke Sommerville, the most veteran member of the team and the team's No. 2 guy for most of last season. He helped Gaylord take third at Cadillac's BNC Invite last season, finishing with a score of 79 to go along with Putnam's team-low 70.

He was also usually who needed to step up when Putnam wasn't available, leading the team with an 83 at Alpena's BNC Invite while their top guy competed at the Michigan Medal Play.

If Gaylord hopes to stay competitive in one of Northern Michigan's most talented golfing conferences, they'll need Sommerville to be a consistent leader for the new-look Blue Devils.

Brandt Hogerheide, Sophomore

Gaylord had three freshmen on the varsity squad last season and, hopefully for them, that early experience has set them up for success as they become key members of the team.

One underclassman who may be set to take that leap is Brandt Hogerheide.

Hogerheide had an up-and-down season last year, but when he was on, he was among the team's best golfers. His efforts last season were highlighted by a 94 at The Nightmare in West Branch to open the season while closing the year with a 93 at the D2 regionals at Timber Ridge Golf Course in East Lansing. Both those scores were third-best among Gaylord golfers behind Putnam and Sommerville.

It'll take more consistent play, but Hogerheide is in the mix for the No. 2 spot in the Gaylord golf lineup.

Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord girls soccer, boys golfers to watch in Spring 2024