Did you see that?
April 2, 2012
Check out our must-know scores and news from March 26-31.
(Click on links for coverage.)
Girls lacrosse
Marian takes early advantage: In a match-up of 2011 Division 1 contenders, Bloomfield Hills Marian edged Ann Arbor Pioneer 10-9 in the second game of the season for both teams. Marian advanced to the Semifinals last season before falling to eventual champion Brighton by one, while Pioneer then fell to Brighton in the Final by two in overtime.
East Grand Rapids wins battle of D2 powers: In another game between regular MHSAA title favorites, East Grand Rapids got a big win downing Okemos 16-7. The Chieftains won the 2009 and 2010 Division 2 championships before falling in a Regional Final in 2011. East Grand Rapids ended last season with a one-goal loss to eventual champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Girls soccer
Troy remains tops in town: Last season’s Division 1 runner-up got a solid March win, 2-0 over rival and returning District champion Troy Athens. The match-up had a little bit different feel this season, with Athens coach Todd Heugh running the show in his first season after taking over for longtime great Tim Storch. (The Oakland Press)
Baseball
State coaches release preseason polls: The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association released its preseason polls, and three of four reigning MHSAA champions have top rankings in their respective divisions – Rockford in Division 1, Madison Heights Bishop Foley in Division 3 and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett in Division 4. Reigning Division 2 champion St. Clair comes in No. 2 behind Grand Rapids Christian. (Click for full rankings.)
Softball
Best of 2011 expected to be best of 2012: The Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association also released its preseason rankings, and all four reigning MHSAA champions are starting out in the top spots – Mattawan in Division 1, Stevensville Lakeshore in Division 2, Clinton in Division 3 and Petersburg Summerfield in Division 4. (Click for full rankings.)
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Did you see that? (10/1-10/7)
October 8, 2012
The first MHSAA championships of the 2012-13 school year highlight the best of non-football events from the last week.
Tennis
Titles for three: Kingsford and Negaunee shared the Upper Peninsula Division 1 girls tennis championship, and Ishpeming Westwood won the Division 2 title as the first MHSAA Finals of 2012-13 were played. Escanaba’s Codi Jenshak won her second straight championship at No. 1 singles. (Marquette Mining Journal - D1) (Marquette Mining Journal - D2)
Country Day tops the top-ranked: Division 1 No. 2 Ann Arbor Huron, Division 2 No. 1 Midland Dow, Division 3 No. 1 Detroit Country Day and Port Huron Northern met for a boys tennis quad that ranked among the most competitive in the state this season. Country Day finished 3-0, while Huron was 2-1 and Dow was 1-2. (Midland Daily News)
First in 60: The Otsego boys tennis team claimed its first league championship since 1952. Otsego edged Allegan by a point after also beating Allegan for the first time ever during the dual season. (Grand Rapids Press)
Swimming
LaDuke swims on: Seventy stitches and a broken leg from a boat propeller couldn't keep Marysville senior Ally LaDuke out of the pool this fall. She's recovered from those serious injuries to contribute to the top team in the Macomb Area Conference White. (Port Huron Times-Herald)
Cross country
Saline girls repeat: Saline, ranked No. 3 in Division 1, won the Portage Northern Invitational for the second straight season against a field that included five the top 10. (Mlive.com)
Multiple records fall: The small-school boys and the large-school girls race records were set at the Hudson Booster Cross Country Invitational. (Monroe Evening News)
Honors
The Animal returns: Jim Myers, also known as George "The Animal" Steele of professional wrestling fame, returned to Madison Heights Madison for a ceremony honoring the namesake of the school's stadium. Myers was a teacher and coach at Madison while also pursuing his wrestling career. (The Oakland Press)
Former Howell, Hartland coach honored: Jim Downs has coached swimming for 46 years, and was honored by the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association with its Matt Mann Award for his leadership in the sport. (Livingston County Daily Argus & Press)
Story of the Week
Bellevue plays for Coach: The Bellevue co-ed soccer team has only 14 players and had just one win midway through last week. But the Broncos have major inspiration this fall. Bellevue has dedicated its season to former volunteer head coach Larry Denniston, who was shot and killed in March. (Battle Creek Enquirer)