Here are the accolades Gaylord soccer players earned after a succesful 2024 season

GAYLORD ― For the past three years, Gaylord's Claire Gorno has had a lot asked of her.

The Class of 2024 graduate has been one of the staples in the GHS girls soccer lineup since the 2022 season, changing up her style of play as the Blue Devils roster has changed around her over time. She was also a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council during her sophomore and junior years in 2022 and 2023, one of 16 members from across the state chosen to give feedback on issues impacting high school sports from the student's perspective.

In her final season on the GHS roster in 2024, she changed more than her style of play, she switched positions entirely, moving from forward to midfield to take on more of the passing than the goal-scoring responsibilities in her season as a high school soccer player.

No matter what was asked of her during her high school career, Gorno took it in stride.

The Albion College signee had to fight through an offseason injury, but still turned in one final memorable season in a GHS uniform, earning all-state and all-conference honors after helping the Blue Devils win their first district title in 20 years.

Gaylord's Claire Gorno (left) wrapped her GHS soccer career with 16 assists and 8 goals in 2024, earning all-state and all-conference honors.
Gaylord's Claire Gorno (left) wrapped her GHS soccer career with 16 assists and 8 goals in 2024, earning all-state and all-conference honors.

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Gorno's move to midfield and change in her style of play was reflected in her stats, going from the Big North Conference's top scorer in 2023 to more of a distributor in 2024. Still, her final numbers stacked up against the best in the BNC, tallying eight goals and 16 assists at the end of her final season. She wrapped her high school career with 49 total goals and 85 assists.

Her skills on the ball combined with her leadership and ability to keep her teammates involved were critical down the stretch for what was a successful season for her and her team, culminating in a 2-1 district-title-clinching victory in penalty kicks over Petoskey.

She was part of the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association Division 2 all-state team for the third consecutive season, earning third-team honors for her play in 2024. She was also one of two All-BNC first-team members, joined by fellow senior Haiven Gautreau, and one of five all-conference selections overall, joined by senior forward Mariah Turner (second team), junior Kaitlyn Panosso (honorable mention) and freshman Lilly Willbee (honorable mention).

Gaylord's Mariah Turner was a second-team all-conference honoree, one of five Blue Devils on the All-BNC lists.
Gaylord's Mariah Turner was a second-team all-conference honoree, one of five Blue Devils on the All-BNC lists.

ALL-BNC

First team

Nora Buttleman, TC West; Claire Gorno, Gaylord; Lauren Cole, Petoskey; Annika Gandhi, Petoskey; Sadie Wares, TC West; Calla Behrmann, TC Central; Avery Mickelson, Cadillac; Beatrice Rooks, TC West; Abigail Yonts, TC Central; Haiven Gautreau, Gaylord; Amelia Jordan, TC Central.

Second team

Mariah Turner, Gaylord; Jordyn Kelly, TC Central; Haidyn Wegmann, Petoskey; Kyah Narovich, Cadillac; Mariah Turner, Gaylord; Reese Wisniewski, Alpena; Avery Plummer, TC West; Sydney Hoffman, Petoskey; Alison Borowski, Alpena; Faith Dragiewicz, Alpena; Onalee Wallis, Cadillac; Sadie Corey, Petoskey.

Honorable mention

Lily Willbee, Gaylord; Kaitlyn Panosso, Gaylord; Lia Czarnecki, Petoskey; Quinn Matthews, Petoskey; Kaydence Culver, TC West; Lily Smith, TC West; Lila Warren, TC West; Sofia Bird, TC Central; Lali Rodenroth, TC Central; Sophia Clough, Cadillac; Taylor Pennoni, Cadillac; Sophia Kindt, Alpena; Annabelle LaCross, Alpena.

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: Claire Gorno earns MIHSSCA all-state honors, one of five GHS soccer players on All-BNC teams

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