CARLETON – Airport is looking for a new boys soccer coach.
Goran Cepo, who has coached the team for the past two seasons after stints at Bedford, Monroe and St. Mary Catholic Central, recently tendered his resignation.
Cepo, 57, retired two years ago and since then has been splitting time between Michigan and Florida.
He has decided to stay in Florida year-round
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“For the last two seasons, I’ve been in Michigan from July to October,” he said. “I came to the realization that it’s too hard to be away from my wife (Jill) that long and go back and forth on weekends.”
It wasn’t an easy decision to walk away from a promising program he has built at Airport.
“I wish I had a video of it,” Cepo said. “I sat down and typed up my resignation at 8:15 in the morning and I couldn’t hit send until 11:45.
“My wife asked me why it took me so long to send it and I said, ‘I hate to disappoint the kids.’”
Cepo had a 23-17-3 record in his two seasons at Airport, including a 16-6-1 mark last fall when the Jets set school records for wins, goals scored (98) and least goals allowed (56) with a roster dominated by sophomores.
“For the next two years, Airport soccer is going to be tremendous for whoever takes over,” Cepo said. “They are great kids, not only on the field but off the field as well.”
Prior to taking the Airport job, Cepo was the head coach for seven years at Bedford (71-60-20), one year at Monroe (16-3) and eight at SMCC (131-45-14). He earned Monroe County Region Coach of the Year honors in 2003 at Bedford, 2007 at Monroe and 2015 and 2016 at SMCC.
At SMCC, he had the opportunity to coach his son, Zach Cepo, who is the only four-time winner of the Monroe County Region Player of the Year award.
His career record is 241-125-36.
Cepo may not be finished with soccer coaching. He has been offered a job as an assistant girls coach at a high school near his home in Fort Walton Beach.
“I may do that,” he said. “That would give me the soccer fix I need.”
Airport already has begun the search for Cepo’s replacement. Anyone interested can send their resume to mbeaudry@airportschools.com by June 7.
“Coach Cepo was tremendous for the boys soccer program,” Airport athletic director Matt Beaudry said. “His leadership and vision were outstanding. He really moved our soccer program forward.”
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Summerfield grad shines
TUCSON, Ariz. – Summerfield graduate Derek Clark was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tuscon Regional during the weekend.
Clark helped West Virginia to the Regional championship by earning a win Friday and a save in the finals Sunday. He also hit a two-run home run in the championship game.
The Mountaineers (36-22) will play in the Super Regional against North Carolina on Friday.
PREP SOFTBALL
Milan quartet honored
CARLETON – Leila Daniels, Mariah Stines, Reese Knox and Georgia Linzell of Huron League champion Milan lead the All-League team selected by league coaches.
They are joined on the first team by RaeAnn Drummond, Olivia Tilley and Jillian Baker of Airport, Jenna Kuzara, Marissa Jackson and Emma Sic of New Boston Huron, Faith Dean and Tori Busen of St. Mary Catholic Central, Sarah Giroux of Flat Rock, Julia Perry of Jefferson, Ella Vinco of Riverview and Katie Antosiewicz of Grosse Ile.
The second team includes Hailey Knox, MacKenzie Chrysler and Virginia Heikka of Milan, Raschel Weaver and Breanna Baker of Airport Maria Robbins and Rylie Greggo of Huron, Callie Cousino and Camryn Gee of SMCC, Addi Kopp and Ryen Clair of Flat Rock and Lindsey Gennoe of Jefferson.
Milan’s Tierra Ronayne of Milan, Airport’s Peyton Zajac, Huron’s Erin Newman, SMCC’s Hannah Williams, Flat Rock’s Avery Mack and Jefferson’s Alivia LeBrun received honorable mention.
PREP SOCCER
Ida duo first team
IDA – Clair Allen and Reagan Horn of Ida has earned spots on the All-Lenawee County Athletic Association team picked by the conference coaches.
Rilee Weatherholt, Aislyn Waggoner and Brooklyn Swanbeck made the second team along with Ryan Straub, Griffin Knapp and Rylee Shaffer of Dundee.
JUNIOR HIGH TRACK
Trinity takes first, third
ANN ARBOR – Trinity Lutheran’s boys were first and the girls third Saturday in the Michigan Lutheran State Finals.
Gavin Rohr won the high jump (5-7) and the 800 meters (2:15.32) and was second in the 1,600 to lead the boys. Other champions were Kaden Canupp (:55.05 in 400), Harrison Becker (33-0.5 shot-put) and the 1,600 relay of Becker, Thomas Vallade, River Quint, and Cole Butler (4:34.92).
For the girls, xixth-grader Grace DePalma set a state record in the high jump (5-0) and also won the 200 (:29.96). Other standouts were Delanie Sikes, Kelsie Sikes, Emma Jondro and Charity Frank-DeRoch.
ADULT SOCCER
Just Furious wins opener
Ashley Lore, Josh Lovell and Tyler Caruso scored two goals each to lead Not Fast, Just Furious to a 7-2 win over Athletico on opening day of the Monroe Indoor Summer Coed Soccer League at LevelUp Training Sunday night.
Bre Kuehnlein and Jaeden Vega scored for Athletico.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Local Sports: Cepo steps down; Summerfield grad Most Outstanding
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