Following Olling's Championship Run

December 16, 2011

The MHSAA Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals were run Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. We followed Breckenridge sophomore Kirsten Olling as she won her second straight Division 4 championship.

She won in 18:02.7, giving her four MHSAA championships so far in her high school career. She also won the 3,200 and 1,600-meter races at last spring's Divsion 4 Track and Field Final.

Finally, a few "By the Numbers:"

--1,973 total runners at this fall's Finals

--Breakdown by class: 641 seniors, 591 juniors, 418 sophomores, 321 freshmen, two 8th graders (8th graders can compete on high school teams for schools with enrollments below 100)

 

Wes Leonard, Remembered and Honored

February 12, 2012

Nearly a year after his unexpected and tragic death, Wes Leonard's memory lives on as his story continues to touch many on a national level. 

Fennville High School added to his legacy Friday, inducting the former all-state basketball standout into its athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony one Michigan sportswriter described as both somber and proud. 

Check out his report and links to additional coverage of Friday's induction by clicking the links below, and also one for the Wes Leonard Heart Team and its efforts in preventing sudden cardiac arrest:

Wes Leonard's Fennville Hall of Fame induction one of 'deep sadness' and 'deep pride' (Kalamazoo Gazette)

Wes Leonard inducted into Fennville Hall of Fame (Holland Sentinel)

Wes Leonard inducted into Fennville Hall of Fame (The Associated Press, via Detroit Free Press)

Wes Leonard Heart Team (blog most recently updated Jan. 31)

Our MHSAA Network cameras were there for the ceremony and a feature with thoughts from his mom, coach and teammates.


 

Also, check out this ESPN video from May.

PHOTOS courtesy of Al LaShell Photography