Tennis star Allison Range is "all" of that and much more. The Edsel Ford junior played her way to all-city, all-league and is the regional champion in her flight at No. 1 singles. "Allison is one of the hardest workers on our team," Edsel Ford varsity tennis coach Guy DelGuidice said. "She is constantly trying to improve her game." Range is a three-year varsity player and just finished captaining her second year for the Thunderbirds.   "She is very motivated to succeed and plays tennis year-round," her mother, Brenda Range said. "In addition to tennis, Allison is also in the top of her class …

The combination of speed and creativity is deadly in soccer. And Kristi Grden's got it. The Divine Child junior has scored seven goals and seven assists so far in the season and has already been named to the all-league team. Grden has been a valuable member of the varsity team for three years, last year receiving all-state honorable mention.  "Kristi is a very dynamic front runner," Divine Child soccer coach Katie Rozum said.  "She creates many opportunities for herself and her teammates. Her speed has allowed her to get in behind every back line that we have played against." The speedy …

Sara Stassen is one smart cookie when it coming to running. The Dearborn High senior decided last fall to forego the cross-country season to allow herself time to heal after running summer outdoor track and go into the indoor season fresh. Instead of sitting around, she joined the school's swim team and earned a varsity letter through her dedication and hard work. Her cross-training paid off big time. Heading into the indoor season with fresh legs, as well as a new way to cross-train during the season, she had her best indoor season yet.  She ran season best times at indoor nationals in New …

This week's Dearborn Patch Athlete of the Week is the entire Divine Child varsity softball team.  The team participated in a doubleheader game against New Boston on April 7 and each Falcon collected pledges toward the cause, which was raising money for a family in need of help to pay medical bills. The team collected more than $500 in donations from teachers, family and friends. "We wanted to help on a personal level," softball coach Tedi Belisle said. "I'm a firm believer that when you know better, you do better. For our girls to be recognized for doing something good will help promote good …

Ali Farhat is beginning to show his stuff on the basketball court. The skilled guard had two electric performances for Dearborn High School last week and as his confidence grows, he’s beginning to turn heads. In the Pioneers’ 77-64 win over Dearborn Heights Annapolis on Feb. 22, Farhat scored 22 points and had six assists, five rebounds and four steals. He was consistent all night long in a game that was much closer than the final score reflects. On Feb. 25, in a 64-46 victory against Redford Union, Farhat scored 26 points—22 in the first half. He added nine rebounds, six steals and three …

It’s been nine years in the works, but Dearborn's Edsel Ford High School finally has their district wrestling champion. Senior Lucas "Lucho" Luchonok is now an official state qualifier at 215 pounds in just his second year competing. “Lucas is my first State qualifier ever as a head coach,” Edsel Ford varsity wrestling Coach Mike Zimnicki said. “He has accomplished this great feat which no other wrestler has done in almost a decade. Ten years ago we had three state qualifiers; my brother was one of them.” Luchonok placed second at regionals, losing in the finals to the No. 1 ranked, returning…

Though you may not know Hassan Safieddine, you will be proud of this young man for his sportsmanship and honesty after reading the letter below. Safieddine is a sophomore at Dearborn High School and plays on the junior varsity basketball team. The Pioneers took on Thurston on Feb. 8 and this letter was written to Dearborn’s principal, Charles Baughman, by the official after the game. Good morning Mr. Baughman, Please accept my congratulations of one of your student athletes who displayed great sportsmanship this past Tuesday, February 8, 2011 as participant in the junior varsity basketball …

Alex Green is learning that minor changes can lead to major results. The Dearborn sophomore has posted his lifetime best times in the 100-yard butterfly, 200 individual medley, 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle this year and his coach believes it’s due to small tweaks in his strokes and his serious work ethic. “Alex has made minor changes in his strokes this year which has lead to major time drops. He has always been the hardest worker on the team, even last year as a freshman,” said Dearborn boys swim coach Dawn Polk. “He rarely misses a practice and when he is there he’s often the first in …

Not only is Josh Hamet a leader on the Dearborn High basketball court, he’s also a translator. “Josh is able to take what we work on in practice and put it into motion on game day,” Dearborn basketball coach Kevin Barkoff said. “He’s a great leader and an essential coach on the floor for us.” The senior point guard is in his third year of varsity play for the Pioneers, this year as captain.  “Josh makes our team go,” said Barkoff.  “When he’s doing well, whether it’s shooting or passing, our whole team pretty much does well.” Hamet is putting up impressive numbers for the Pioneers this season…

Marie Gaedke is one passionate Thunderbird. The Edsel Ford captain is averaging 18 points and six steals per game for the varsity girls basketball team. In the Jan. 25 game against Annapolis, she scored 31 points and had seven steals. Against Dearborn High on Jan. 21, she tallied 18 points with seven steals. “Marie’s passion for the game shows every time she steps on the court, whether it is in practice or a game,” Edsel Ford coach Janet Smith said. “She is a competitive and dedicated player and gets along well with her teammates. She leads them by example.” Gaedke is a passionate student as …

Paul Pallas has ruled the Dearborn High pool and pitch for the last four years. The two-sport standout has been a workhorse and leader for the swimming and soccer teams during his career as a Pioneer. He juggles swim practices with soccer practices and puts in extra sessions in the weight room when he has the chance.    In the pool, Pallas most recently led his team to a victory over Grosse Pointe North on Tuesday night. When morale was down, he lifted his teammates’ spirits with what Dearborn swim coach Dawn Polk called “an amazing finish in his 100 freestyle against one of the best teams in…

Edsel Ford High School senior Bradley Ash has a lot of irons in the fire, and it suits him well. For starters, the Thunderbird swimmer has performed strong for his team at the beginning of the 2010-11 season and shows no signs of slowing.  “Bradley has done an outstanding job in the last couple of weeks,” said Dearborn Edsel Ford swim coach Bill Parker. “He made two state cuts in the 200 individual medley and in the 100 butterfly along with helping the relays achieve MISCA cuts.” Ash is a four-year varsity swimmer and has been all-conference for his first three years. In 2010, he was the WWAC…

Justin Crites gets down to business. The  Edsel Ford freshman has worked hard for a varsity spot on the Thunderbirds’ wrestling team this season. He attended the team’s summer camp prior to entering high school and has wasted no time in proving his dedication and importance to the team. “Justin always puts in the extra time,” Edsel Ford coach Mike Zimnicki said. “He went to two extra full practice sessions to assist the coaches in training other wrestlers who could not make the normal practice. Wrestling is his passion. He is very dedicated, and his hard work is starting to show.” Is it ever…

Put your Yaccobi jerseys on. This kid is going places. Dearborn High School's Feerooz Yaccobi has been a three-year starter on the varsity football team and has made a great impact on his team and teammates along the way. "He is a hardworking and quiet leader," Dearborn coach David Mifsud said. "He leads by example. He is humble, unselfish and a great team player." Statistically speaking, the senior's numbers this season speak for themselves. Yaccobi had 93 tackles, 26 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception, one blocked kick, one blocked punt and a tackle for a …