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STURGIS — When Sydney Bir started looking around for potential college destinations, she felt like a late start was okay. It was a bit different for her, but in the end it all worked out in her favor.
The process, which ended on her enrolling at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, left her pleased and also looking forward to what potential may be on the horizon. Bir graduated from Sturgis High School this year.
She is also the recipient of the 2026 Corky Emrick & Tom Mielcarek Female Athlete of the Year award. The honor, presented by Sturgis Journal Sports Editor Brandon Watson, is a yearly one for a local graduating senior who played multiple sports throughout their high school tenure in addition to being a solid student and a strong member of the community.
Each year, a panel is put together by Watson and votes are cast for nominated senior student athletes.
During her final year at Sturgis, Bir was able to narrow down what she wanted out of her college experience. She also planned to compete in sports — she will run both track and cross country at Oshkosh — and her new opportunity provided that experience.
"There were a lot of schools, but Oshkosh had all the pros for me," Bir said. "I'm happy with where I landed. I want to someday come back and coach/teach in Sturgis when I'm older. But it will be nice to get out for a while, find myself kinda thing. I still want to come back, but I also want to experience other places."
When Bir was on her collegiate visit in Oshkosh, she felt the click many student-athletes describe when choosing a school to attend. While it's six hours away, the distance does not appear to be a problem at this point. It may never become a problem, either.
She plans to major in education and minor in Spanish. Bir will meet new people, develop new friendships and do what she really enjoys — compete. She was a major member of the state championship Trojan track and field team from 2025 and graduated from Sturgis holding four records as well.
Three of those four records are relays with teammates, something Bir said she will always cherish, even if they do someday get broken by another group. Bir is a part of the record-holding 800, mile and two-mile relays. Individually, she holds the record for the 400 run. Her growth was a big part of the high school journey and Bir thanked coach Lesley and J.B. Starkey for continuing to push her to be her best.
"Track was a great experience, the Starkeys are great and I love them so much. I feel like I am a very relationship-oriented person and my relationship with them has been a big part of my life," Bir said. "As far as the records, I think the four-by-two (800 relay) will stay up there a while, but I think the others will get broken eventually. And that's great."
Bir graduated with a 3.9 GPA, but rated her time management skills when it came to school as a seven out of 10. It's not a bad thing, she said, but she knows putting off papers in college until the due date is probably not a good practice. Earning good grades was instilled in her at a younger age.
And while running has always been a key part of her athletic career, Bir said playing basketball for Sturgis was also a true highlight. It helped her win this year's Outstanding Senior Athlete award for the orange and black.
"I'm gonna miss high school. I feel like there wasn't that much pressure from the outside. I enjoyed being myself," Bir said. "When I won the outstanding athlete award, I was just so happy. I remember going to those banquets and eating and seeing people I knew win the awards. I always wanted to win it."
The Titan cross country program begins its season on the road Sept. 12 when it travels to the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay for the Phoenix Open.
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis grad Sydney Bir tabbed as Emrick/Mielcarek Female Athlete of the Year
Continue reading...
The process, which ended on her enrolling at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, left her pleased and also looking forward to what potential may be on the horizon. Bir graduated from Sturgis High School this year.
She is also the recipient of the 2026 Corky Emrick & Tom Mielcarek Female Athlete of the Year award. The honor, presented by Sturgis Journal Sports Editor Brandon Watson, is a yearly one for a local graduating senior who played multiple sports throughout their high school tenure in addition to being a solid student and a strong member of the community.
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Each year, a panel is put together by Watson and votes are cast for nominated senior student athletes.
During her final year at Sturgis, Bir was able to narrow down what she wanted out of her college experience. She also planned to compete in sports — she will run both track and cross country at Oshkosh — and her new opportunity provided that experience.
"There were a lot of schools, but Oshkosh had all the pros for me," Bir said. "I'm happy with where I landed. I want to someday come back and coach/teach in Sturgis when I'm older. But it will be nice to get out for a while, find myself kinda thing. I still want to come back, but I also want to experience other places."
When Bir was on her collegiate visit in Oshkosh, she felt the click many student-athletes describe when choosing a school to attend. While it's six hours away, the distance does not appear to be a problem at this point. It may never become a problem, either.
You must be registered for see images attach
She plans to major in education and minor in Spanish. Bir will meet new people, develop new friendships and do what she really enjoys — compete. She was a major member of the state championship Trojan track and field team from 2025 and graduated from Sturgis holding four records as well.
Three of those four records are relays with teammates, something Bir said she will always cherish, even if they do someday get broken by another group. Bir is a part of the record-holding 800, mile and two-mile relays. Individually, she holds the record for the 400 run. Her growth was a big part of the high school journey and Bir thanked coach Lesley and J.B. Starkey for continuing to push her to be her best.
"Track was a great experience, the Starkeys are great and I love them so much. I feel like I am a very relationship-oriented person and my relationship with them has been a big part of my life," Bir said. "As far as the records, I think the four-by-two (800 relay) will stay up there a while, but I think the others will get broken eventually. And that's great."
Bir graduated with a 3.9 GPA, but rated her time management skills when it came to school as a seven out of 10. It's not a bad thing, she said, but she knows putting off papers in college until the due date is probably not a good practice. Earning good grades was instilled in her at a younger age.
You must be registered for see images attach
And while running has always been a key part of her athletic career, Bir said playing basketball for Sturgis was also a true highlight. It helped her win this year's Outstanding Senior Athlete award for the orange and black.
"I'm gonna miss high school. I feel like there wasn't that much pressure from the outside. I enjoyed being myself," Bir said. "When I won the outstanding athlete award, I was just so happy. I remember going to those banquets and eating and seeing people I knew win the awards. I always wanted to win it."
The Titan cross country program begins its season on the road Sept. 12 when it travels to the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay for the Phoenix Open.
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis grad Sydney Bir tabbed as Emrick/Mielcarek Female Athlete of the Year
Continue reading...
