L’Anse Creuse North welcomes five to Athletic Hall of Fame

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — It was all smiles for the five honorees as they stood at the 50-yard line at halftime during Macomb L’Anse Creuse High School North’s football game against Port Huron Northern on Sept. 9.

It was a long time coming for some of the athletes, but they finally received not only a plaque that commemorated their profound accomplishments, but the recognition for everything they’ve done for the athletic program at North.

As halftime ensued during North’s football game, the school honored Steven Olesky, Meghan Hartwig, Melissa Hartwig, Robert Giles, and Emily Nieman into North’s 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame class.

“The way I view it is it’s just a wonderful way to end my sports career,’’ Nieman said. “It’s just a beautiful feeling.”

Nieman, a 2013 graduate, was the youngest honoree of the class and made a name for herself at North with her dominant volleyball play. Nieman was named All-Region from 2010 to 2012, First Team All-County in 2012, and Macomb Area Conference Division MVP in 2012.

Nieman etched her name in the North record books with 2,152 career digs before having a successful four-year volleyball career at Saginaw Valley State University.

While Nieman didn’t have a long wait for her induction, it was a much-awaited moment for 1998 graduate Robert Giles.

“It was a long time coming,” Giles said. “It’s been a big honor, and I appreciate and am grateful for it.”

From 1994 to 1998, Giles made an everlasting impact on the field, track and court for North.

Giles was a three-time All-State selection in track, three-time All-MAC and All-County in football and track, and two-time team MVP in football (1997) and track (1998). He continued his football career at Ferris State University.

Giles currently holds two school records for most rushing yards in a game (358) and for his 200-meter dash time (22.2).

Giles said his return to the North football field for the halftime honor was going to be a memorable one.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Giles said. “It’s going to take me back to the Friday night lights where you’re one of the stars and they’re chanting your name; it’s gonna give you goosebumps.”

A professional athlete always gives a high school’s hall of fame class an extra boost, and former National Hockey League player Steven Olesky did just that.

“It’s a huge honor,” Olesky said. “I tell all the high school students that the most important decisions are made during high school.”

Olesky, a 2004 graduate, was equally as dominant in baseball as he was in hockey during his time at North. Olesky was named All-MAC, All-District and team MVP in 2003 and 2004 for baseball. Olesky opted to play travel hockey during high school, which ultimately led to his hockey career at Lake Superior State University. He went undrafted before working his way up from the IHL to the Washington Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

Olesky would play for the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins during his time in the NHL, which included his 2016 Stanley Cup Championship win with the Penguins.

While being honored for your accomplishments is always a special moment and feeling, there was an added element for twins Melissa and Meghan Hartwig.

The 2007 graduates were inseparable on and off the field during their time at North as they dominated in their respective ways.

“We’ve spent a lot of moments together and accomplished something in our life, and this is definitely a big one,” Melissa Hartwig said. “It’s like coming back to something you’ve always known.”

Melissa was North’s team MVP for basketball in 2005 after she led the state in three-point percentage. In soccer, Melissa was a four-time All-MAC, All-District and All-MAC academic selection.

Meghan was equally successful on the field, as she was a three-time All-MAC and four-time All-District selection. She was also named All-Region and All-State honorable mention in 2007 for North.

“It just kind of makes you realize that all those years of hard work were really worth it,” Meghan Hartwig said. “It’s home away from home; we’d come here and be here until 7 o’clock at night.”

Like at North, both Melissa and Meghan continued their soccer careers at Oakland University together.