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.)
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].
Flashback 100: Future Olympian Piper Leads Grosse Pointe North to Historic Height
December 20, 2024
Grosse Pointe North High School has won one girls swimming & diving team Finals championship—an impressive feat achieved in Class A in 1999.
The key to the Norsemen’s success that year was junior Carly Piper.
After a standout sophomore season during which Piper claimed the 200-yard freestyle title and GPN finished third overall, she delivered a dominant performance at the 1999 Finals. Piper secured first place in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events and contributed to victories in both the 200 and 400 free relays. Her outstanding individual and relay performances propelled Grosse Pointe North to the top of the team standings, as it edged Farmington Hills Mercy for the title.
Total for her high school career, Piper won three individual MHSAA Finals titles and was part of three champion relay teams.
Piper’s success continued on the world stage when, at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, she won a gold medal as part of the 800 freestyle relay team. Alongside teammates Natalie Coughlin, Kaitlin Sandeno, and Dana Vollmer, the U.S. set a world record that stood for two years.
In recognition of her Olympic achievement, the city of Grosse Pointe Woods declared December 20, 2004, as "Carly Piper Day."
A standout athlete at the University of Wisconsin, Carly earned 18 All-American honors and twice won the Big Ten "Swimmer of the Year" award. Today, she and her husband Shane Ryan run the Madison Aquatic Club.
Previous "Flashback 100" Features
Dec. 13: The Other Mr. Forsythe in Michigan School Sports - Read
Dec. 6: Coleman's Legendary Heroics Carry Harrison Through Repeat - Read
Nov. 29: Harbaugh Brothers' Football Roots Planted in Part at Pioneer - Read
Nov. 22: 8-Player Football Finals Right at Home at Superior Dome - Read
Nov. 15: Leland Career Helps Set Stage for Glass' International Stardom - Read
Nov. 8: Future Baseball Pro Led Escanaba's Legendary Football Title Run - Read
Nov. 1: Michigan High School Baseball Trio Provide World Series Voices - Read
Oct. 25: Before Leading Free World, Ford Starred for Champion GR South - Read
Oct. 18: Mercy Links Legend Becomes World Golf Hall of Famer - Read
Oct. 11: Fisher Races to Finals Stardom on Way to U.S. Olympic First - Read
Oct. 4: Lalas Leaves High School Legacies on Ice & Pitch - Read
Sept. 27: Tamer's History-Making Run Starts in Dexter, Continues to Paris - Read
Sept. 20: Todd Martin’s Road to Greatness Starts at East Lansing - Read
Sept. 13: James Earl Jones, Dickson High Hoops to Hollywood Legend - Read
Sept. 6: Pioneers' Unstoppable Streak Stretches 9 Seasons - Read
Aug. 30: Detroit dePorres Rushes to 1995 Class CC Football Championship - Read
PHOTOS Clockwise from top left: (1) Cassy Miller, Kristen Shelden, Melissa Jamerino and Carly Piper make up the 200 freestyle relay state team. (2) The 1999 team celebrates its championship. (3) The 1999 team photo from the MHSAA Book of Champions. (4) Piper wears her gold medal in a photo displayed at the school. (Celebration photo courtesy of Ashley Piper. Relay photo courtesy of Grosse Pointe North High School.)