By JEROME MURPHY Argus-Press Sports Writer Sep 24, 2023 CHESANING — Four-year varsity soccer player Zac Garno has played an instrumental role in kick-starting Chesaning to a 12-1 record and a perfect 6-0 mark in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference. The center midfielder’s vision of the field and decision-making process has been crucial for the Indians, according to head coach Tom Dempsey. “Zac does a really good job of surveying the field and distributing east and west,” Dempsey said. “He’s really good at seeing what the defense is giving us and being able to put the ball there.” Defensively, Garno helped Chesaning post a key 1-0 victory over visiting Byron Tuesday at home. Both teams entered the game with 4-0 league records. Garno helped neutralize Byron standout scorer Mason Stark. The win gave Chesaning sole possession of first place in the MMAC standings and the teams shared the MMAC title last season. “When they put Mason in the midfield, Zac was in charge of making sure he wasn’t touching the ball and still being a part of our offense,” Dempsey said. “And I thought he did a fantastic job.” Garno has also helped Chesaning’s balanced offensive attack this season with five goals. Not lacking in modesty, Garno says that Chesaning’s success is a true team effort. “I think our midfield is playing well, both are forwards and our defense are playing really well,” he said. “We lost our good senior last year (Codey Harlan, who graduated) and we thought our defense was not going to fulfill our expectations for the position. “But we have had a junior who has really stepped up — Eli Keck. So, it’s awesome. He played outside mid for us a little bit last year and now he plays center back to step in for Codey’s role.” Garno, an all-MMAC selection last season, said his best game so far came in an 8-0 victory over Durand, when he had two goals and an assist. While Chesaning is unranked in the boys state soccer poll, Garno said the team hopes to not only win the MMAC title this fall but also end a district hex that has haunted the school in its soccer history. “We’re hoping to go undefeated in conference and then win districts,” Garno said. “We’re hoping to get through districts and make a pass on regionals … We haven’t won a district game ever in our history.” Garno has also competed in track and field and basketball while at Chesaning. He helped Chesaning finish 11th in the state in Division 3 in track and field last spring. Garno teamed with Caleb Walker, Corbin Walker and anchor runner Levi Maier to place 11th in the state in the 4x400 meter relay. They clocked a time of 3:33.44. Garno also joined forces with Corbin Walker, Cole Maier and Levi Maier to finish 13th in the state in the 4x800 relay. The foursome finished in 8:26.11. Garno also competed in the 400 dash, the 800 run and the high jump for the Indians during the season. In basketball, Garno has played the small forward position. He’s undecided as to college at the moment, but the three leading schools are Central Michigan, Grand Valley State University and Northwood University. Wherever he goes, Garno said he plans to major in actuarial science. He maintains a 3.95 cumulative grade point average at Chesaning. He is a member of the National Honor Society.