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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.)

Editor's note: Did we miss something? Comment below and tell us about it. Is there an event coming up that we should make sure to note? Comment or e-mail [email protected].

High 5s: 10/3/2012

October 3, 2012

This week's honorees are some of Michigan's best on the golf and cross country courses and volleyball court. 

Each week, Second Half recognizes two athletes and a team for their successes during the current season. To nominate a candidate, email editor Geoff Kimmerly at [email protected].

Below are this week's honorees. Check back later this week for details plus links to stories on each.

Jacqueline Setas
Lansing Catholic junior
Golf

Setas earned all-state honors in Division 4 as part of MHSAA championship teams her first two years of high school, but likely has put herself in contention for the Miss Golf Award this fall as one of the state's elite, regardless of division. She's won five tournaments this season, finished second twice and sixth in her team's first event this season, and is averaging 74.3 strokes for 18 holes and 35.9 for nine-hole matches. She shot a 68 on Thursday to win the Capital Area Activities Conference White championship at Wheatfield Valley in Williamston. She also plays basketball and softball, but hopes to play Division I college golf and is down to a list of five or six schools from which she'll likely choose.

Brother knows best: Setas' older brother Ben Setas played on Lansing Catholic's 2005 Division 3 championship team. "If I needed a quick swing change, without my coach (there), he's a scratch golfer and he can spot things really quickly. ... I beat him for the first time this summer, and that was not a happy day for him."

Still in the swing: "A lot of people told me that softball screws up your golf swing. (This spring) was the first time I've played in five years, and I was hitting my best this summer. I don't think it screwed up my golf swing too badly."

My favorite golfer is: "Probably Morgan Pressel, because she's sponsored by Polo. Luke Donald too; he's got a picture-perfect swing."

Pearly whites: "I'd like to study pre-dental. I just really liked going to the dentist growing up. Not a lot of people did, but I found it fascinating. If I had a loose tooth, I always pulled it out."

Click to read more.

Nathan Burnand
Waterford Mott senior
Cross country

Burnand, last season's sixth-place finisher at the MHSAA Division 1 Final, has been arguably the top runner in the state this fall and won the Sept. 14 Spartan Invitational elite race at Michigan State in 15:21 -- 17 seconds faster than his time at Michigan International Speedway last November. He opened this season with a second-place finish at the Oakland University Golden Grizzly Invitational and last weekend won the Waterford Mott Fall Classic.

My toughest opponents: "There can be so many. There are so many good people. I've raced (Lake Orion's) T.J. (Carey) a lot. (Milford's Brian) Kettle, (Cody) Snavely. (Mason's) Tanner Hinkle. 

XC for me: "I like being in control, and cross country allows me to be in control of my own destiny. It's what I do, not others, and of course I've been helped by my team and coaches. I (also) like the measured improvement I can constantly see."

My favorite runner: "Galen Rupp over the summer was amazing. That was a highlight."

Race thoughts: "It's definitely a challenge to keep negative thoughts out of your head. (When I'm running) I'm thinking things about my form and what I can do to make my race good as possible. I'm thinking about making my race as perfect as possible. (Mental focus) is definitely something I'm constantly improving on."

Click to read more.

Beal City volleyball

The Aggies are 26-5-1 under first-year coach Kelly David, a former standout on the team who graduated in 2010. Beal City is ranked No. 3 in Class D, and last weekend won the St. Louis Invitational with wins over the Class C No. 2 Sharks and No. 7 New Lothrop.

Click to read more.

Previous 2012-13 honorees: