Did you see that? (11/5-11/11)
November 13, 2012
Upsets all over the volleyball Regional brackets were among the most stunning highlights from the week’s non-football action across the state.
Volleyball
Upset of the week: In arguably the biggest surprise in any sport last week – football included – Class A honorable mention Grand Rapids Christian downed No. 1 and seemingly unstoppable Richland Gull Lake in five games to claim the Regional title at Portage Northern. The Eagles trailed two games to one before winning the final two. (Grand Rapids Press)
Upset, part II: Unranked Birmingham Seaholm added to its previous elimination of No. 4 Bloomfield Hills Marian by finishing a Class A Regional title by beating No. 2 Clarkston in three games. The Maples didn’t allow the Wolves to score more than 18 points in any of the three games. (Oakland Press)
Vikings sail on: Lakewood, the No. 1 team in Class B, trailed No. 3 Ada Forest Hills Eastern after three games. But the Vikings again finished strong to claim their fourth win over a ranked opponent of this tournament run. (Ionia Sentinel-Standard)
USA, all the way: Unionville-Sebewaing also pulled off a sizable upset, in Class C, claiming its second Regional title ever by defeating No. 2 St. Louis. The Patriots, an honorable mention in the poll, dropped the first game before coming back to win the next three. (Bay City Times)
First-time title: Powered by 6-foot-5 middle Abby Cole, Grand Haven claimed its first Regional title by sweeping Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in Class A. Cole also was a star on the Buccaneers’ Class A Final basketball championship team last winter. (Grand Haven Tribune)
Swimming and diving
Milan tops in SMISL: Most swimming and diving leagues finished up conference competition two weekends ago. But Milan – an honorable mention in Division 2 – claimed one of the final meet titles, in the Southeasterm Michigan Independent Swimming League. Milan took only two first places, but edged Division 2 honorable mention Temperance Bedford, with Division 3 No. 7 Adrian finishing third and Division 3 No. 8 Tecumseh coming in fourth. (Monroe Evening News)
Soccer
Mr. Soccer is Mr. Lewis: Rockford’s Dewey Lewis was named this season’s Mr. Soccer by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association. Lewis was a four-year varsity player for the Rams, and will play next season at Michigan State. (Grand Rapids Press)
Lumen Christi Flips 2024 Result to Finish on Top, Crockett Makes Shepherd History
By
Dean Holzwarth
Special for MHSAA.com
June 7, 2025
ALLENDALE – This year’s Lower Peninsula Division 3 Boys Golf Final figured to be similar to last year’s with two experienced teams battling for top honors.
And the emerging rivalry between Jackson Lumen Christi and Traverse City St. Francis was on display once again Saturday – but this time the final outcome was flipped from a year ago.
Lumen Christi outdueled St. Francis with two stellar rounds at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University and clinched its first Finals championship since 2017.
The Titans shot a two-day total of 626 (310-316), while the runner-up Gladiators finished 13 strokes back with a 639 (315-324). Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian was third. Shepherd senior Christopher Crockett won the medalist honor.
St. Francis had won last year’s Final by 18 strokes over Lumen Christi.
“Going in, the mindset was that we came close last year and we knew (St. Francis) had everybody back from last year, and so we knew it was going to be another tight one with them,” Lumen Christi coach Dave Swartout said. “So that was the focus all year long. Everything was practice, and every tournament we played led up to these two days.
“I was very proud of what they did and the decisions that they made. Mentally they played very well, and that was a huge difference. We talk so much about course management, and you have to know where to hit it. This is a very nice victory for them.”
The Titans, who returned four of their top five golfers from last year’s Final, was paced by sophomore Brandon Kulka’s 152 (75-77), which was good for a tie for third individually.
Senior Charlie Saunders placed 10th with a 155 (77-78). He was followed by sophomore Gabe Cooper (159) and seniors Adam Fuller (163) and Anthony Kulka (168).
“Last year we knew we were good enough to win it, but we just got outplayed the second day so it was nice to come back and win,” Saunders said. “This year we knew we were going to be good all year, and we were hungry to win. We knew if we kept playing well and had two good days that it would be hard to beat us.
“(Today), we just wanted to go out and play another good round, treat it like another round because five strokes is nothing. We were good across the board, and any one of us could go out and post a good number.”
The Titans held a slim five-stroke lead entering the final round before pulling away.
“Having a good rivalry like we’ve had with St. Francis the past two years is so much fun, and it’s someone to push you,” Anthony Kulka said. “It feels so good to win, especially with my brother being on the team and my dad as a coach. I’ve just been thinking about today since last year and a lot of work in the summer, fall and winter led us to this point.”
Shepherd’s Crockett, who finished with a 145 total, fired a 1-under-par 70 on Friday to grab the lead and added a 75 to become the school’s first individual Finals champion in boys golf.
He bested Midland Bullock Creek’s Colton Lower by three strokes.
“It was very nerve-racking because you know what’s on the line, but this was obviously the goal since I started golf and it almost feels surreal, like it hasn't clicked yet that I won,” Crockett said. “I just wanted to give myself a decent first day so I could go on out the second day and have a chance of winning it.
“My goal coming into the weekend was to have fun because it was my last tournament. I won't have the chance to play high school golf again, so I just wanted to enjoy it.”
St. Francis was led by David Ansley, who finished with a 153 (74-79) and tied for sixth individually. He was followed by Casey Jackson (75-85-160).
Gladiators coach Jim Hornyak said a poor start to the round thwarted any thoughts of a repeat.
“They got off to a rough start and they got down,” he said. “But I was proud of them because midway through the round they started to make a little push. We got it back within striking distance, but just couldn't pull it off.
“I’m proud of these boys. It is not easy to defend, and they put a lot of pressure on themselves and that was part of the problem.”
(Click for more photos from High School Sports Scene.)