Performance of the Week: Sterling Heights Stevenson's Olivia Buford
October 9, 2026
Olivia Buford ♦ Sterling Heights Stevenson
Senior ♦ Swimming
Buford was named Swimmer of the Meet at the Macomb County Championships after setting meet and Macomb L'Anse Creuse North pool records in the 50-yard freestyle (23.95 seconds) and also winning the 100 butterfly (58.75) by more than five seconds. Her 50 time ranks fifth on the state's top times list this season, and her butterfly time ranks 17th for that race.
A two-time MHSAA Finals racer, Buford finished 10th in the 50 a year ago in Lower Peninsula Division 1 and also qualified in the butterfly in 2025. She's qualified for both races again this fall and is about a second off securing a Finals cut time in the 100 backstroke as well. Buford is deciding where she'll attend college but would like to continue swimming and intends to pursue a degree in pre-medical studies with aspirations of becoming a doctor.
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Past 2026-27 honorees
Oct. 2: Sophia McCollum, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer - Read
Sept. 25: Jenna Middleton, Kingsley volleyball - Read
Sept. 18: Caden Livermore, Grandville cross country - Read
(Photos courtesy of the Sterling Heights Stevenson athletic department.)
In Memoriam: Ryan Fischer (1996-2014)
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 7, 2014
Grandville senior Ryan Fischer, a three-sport athlete, straight-A student and member of the MHSAA’s Student Advisory Council, died in his sleep overnight Thursday.
Fisher was co-captain of Grandville’s ice hockey team and set to join his teammates at Compuware Arena for tonight’s Division 1 Semifinal against Detroit Catholic Central. Fischer also was to receive an MHSAA Class A Scholar-Athlete Award later this month and recently had gained acceptance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he planned to study aerospace engineering.
“Our staff enjoyed knowing Ryan as an engaging member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council for two years, and we grieve his loss with the entire Grandville community,” MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts said.
Fischer was to turn 18 on April 10.
He also served as captain of his football team this fall and had lettered in baseball. A three-year member of the hockey team, he was named to its leadership council and earned all-league honors as a junior.
Fisher held roles in a number of additional leadership initiatives. He served four years on Grandville's student government executive board and also on the school's Leadership Team and his church’s youth leadership council. Fischer was selected to attend both the U.S. Military Academy Summer Leadership Experience and the U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar after his junior year.
A decision to play tonight’s hockey game as scheduled was made after conversations between Fischer’s family and Grandville’s administration.