Mercy's Mruzik Adds National Accolade
April 15, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Farmington Hills Mercy senior Jess Mruzik has been awarded as Gatorade’s national “Player of the Year” after earlier earning the state award for the second-straight season.
Mruzik – who missed the start of the high school season while leading the U-18 Team USA squad to a world championship in Egypt – returned to Mercy and led the Marlins to the Division 1 championship, their first MHSAA Finals title in volleyball.
A 6-foot-1 outside hitter, Mruzik totaled 495 kills, 209 digs, 47 aces and 19 blocks with .635 kill and .540 hitting percentages. Mercy finished 59-1.
Mruzik also carries a 3.47 grade-point average and has participated in her school’s community clean-up effort and provided youth volleyball instruction as part of her club and local grade school programs. She has begun her studies at University of Michigan, where she will continue her volleyball career.
PHOTO: Farmington Hills Mercy’s Jess Mruzik winds up for a kill attempt during the fall’s Division 1 Final.
Rivals & Wrestlers Show Military Support
October 26, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Wrestling practice begins two weeks from Monday. But planning for a special military appreciation event at Coopersville is well underway and promises to be memorable.
The Broncos host an annual six-team tournament, which will take place this season Dec. 28. For this winter’s event, the school’s wrestling program has raised money to buy six uniforms – honoring the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and MIA/POW(s) – one set of 16 shirts and shorts for each competing team.
None of the uniforms will bear a school name or symbol, only those of the armed service branch or troops the shirts support. Organizers are planning to begin the event with a grand march with veterans leading each team. All veterans and active military will be admitted free of charge, and Coopersville will be inviting residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
Hastings, Kent City, Grand Rapids Northview, Ravenna and Zeeland West also will be competing and taking part. The shirts are designed by Addix, a sponsor of the MHSAA.
Rivals Team Up to Support Military Families
Neighboring volleyball programs Birch Run and Frankenmuth came together Oct. 10 to give their match as a fundraiser for the I Support the 1% Food Pantry for Veterans of Michigan, which serves local military families.
The teams wore shirts supporting the cause with names on the back of family members who had served or are currently serving in the military.
The match alone was worth the price of admission, as the Panthers won in five sets. The previous week, Birch Run’s football team also supported the pantry as part of Homecoming against Bridgeport.
The Panthers’ volleyball match with the Eagles was just the latest effort between the two schools from the Tri-Valley Conference. The cross country teams also continued their annual joint “fun run” maze competition during a practice this month.
(Photos courtesy of the Birch Run athletic department.)