Did you see that? (9/3-9/9)
September 10, 2012
School is back in session, and MHSAA teams should be hitting their best strides as league competition gets underway in most sports.
Here's a look at some of the highlights from the first full week of September, with links to additional coverage.
Volleyball
Spikes under the sun: Muskegon Mona Shores finished 3-0 in its home invitational Wednesday against a strong field of Grand Haven, Fruitport and Spring Lake. That's reason to celebrate on its own. But the best part of this story is where the Sailors did their damage -- on two portable courts stretched across the school's football field. (Muskegon Chronicle)
St. Philip takes Cereal City: Despite being one of the smallest schools in the state, it's rare that Battle Creek St. Philip doesn't leave a tournament as champion -- especially in its home town. But the Tigers hadn't won the Cereal City Invitational since 2007, until it did so with a two-set win over Class A honorable mention Temperance-Bedford this weekend. (Battle Creek Enquirer)
FHE is No. 1: Ada Forest Hills Eastern more than justified its ranking as best in the state in Class B by besting many of the best from the Grand Rapids area at the East Kentwood Invitational. Among others in the field were Class A No. 8 East Grand Rapids and reigning MHSAA Class A champion Rockford. (Grand Rapids Press)
Put them in the book: Johannesburg-Lewiston swept Gaylord St. Mary on Tuesday, thanks in part to 10 aces by junior Brittany Cherwinski, a total which will qualify for the MHSAA record book once documentation is submitted. In the team's previous match, junior Julia Nieman qualified for most assists in a match. (Gaylord Herald Times)
Cross Country
Harbor Springs rules the mud: Both the Harbor Springs boys and girls teams won their Charlevoix Classic Mud Runs on Saturday on a course that featured standing water and hay bales among other obstacles. It was the 21st year of the race. (Charlevoix Courier)
Running to records: Sault Ste. Marie has a freshman to watch in Parker Scott, who won his school's Bill Lynn Trails race Saturday in a time of 16:36 -- at least 26 seconds faster than any of the three first-place times from last season's MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals. The time was a school record. (Soo Evening News)
Swimming and Diving
West Ottawa wins West Michigan: Facing many of the biggest and best from that side of the state, Holland West Ottawa won the West Michigan Relays after finishing third in the event each of the last three seasons. Among those also in the field was reigning MHSAA Division 2 champion Holland. (Holland Sentinel)
Tennis
Dow rises again: The Division 2 top-ranked Midland Dow tennis team remained perfect this season by winning its third tournament of the fall, at Grosse Pointe North. Among others in the field were No. 2-ranked Portage Central and No. 3 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (Midland Daily News)
Onsted's Ross Chooses Memorable Finish, Olivet Girls Earn Unforgettable Title
By
Tom Lang
Special for MHSAA.com
May 31, 2025
KENT CITY – Emmry Ross wanted her senior year at Onsted to be filled with memories, perhaps as much or more than filled with state championships.
Coming into Saturday’s Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals at Kent City, Ross was the reigning champion in the 400 meters (winning it three times prior), 800 meters (twice prior), 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters – and she was seeded first in all four this weekend.
But Ross decided to scratch the 3,200 race to join the team’s 1,600 relay, with her sister Hadley – for what turned out to be a seventh-place finish.
“There were many factors, but ultimately, it was because my sister was running in the relay and I wanted to run my last race at Onsted with my sister and the incredible team that has been with me the last four years,” Emmry Ross said. “Yes, I won the 3,200 last year, but I wanted to do the relay more – for my sister and just to have some fun in my last race.
“I think those are quite memorable moments. All the wins are great, but the memories are what you’re going to remember most. And so, I think those are some great memories I’ll have forever.”
She also will know forever – as she heads off to the University of Michigan and maybe the Olympics one day – that as a senior she capped her career with Finals championships in the 400 (54.81), 800 (2:07.03) and 1,600 (4:45.44), the latter by a margin of more than 17 seconds.
Ross will become a Wolverine with big goals ahead.
“Michigan is definitely the best option for me,” Ross said. “They have great academics, as well as athletics, and when I talked with the coaches, they talked a lot about the Olympic trials in 2028, which is ultimately a goal of mine. The team atmosphere there was amazing, and the girls were so welcoming. All the colleges I went to were that way, but U-M just really stood out to me.”
Also standing out Saturday were Olivet’s five runners, who combined to win the team title with 46 points, five ahead of runner-up Erie Mason.
“We felt most of the year we had a shot,” said Olivet coach Brian Lincoln. “Two years ago, we were second, and last year we were third. So, if things worked out and we were a little lucky, maybe things could work out (for a win).
“Their grit and their guts all year showed, and they did everything you could ask as a coach.”
Olivet sealed the win during the last race of the day, the 1,600 relay, taken by Cassie Coleman, Sophia Pell, Celina Sinclair and Emily Peters – who also earned her third individual Finals title in the 300 hurdles.
“We ran pretty well at the Lansing Honor Roll Tuesday night,” Lincoln said. “It’s such an awesome event. It really gets us ready, because you’re running against some of the best teams in the state, regardless of class. And we got a lot of kids on the podium that night, so we knew we had good shots today.
“Just so proud of these girls for doing what they do.”
Another multiple-event winner was sophomore Addyson Stiverson of Montrose. She took both the shot put and discus titles, after winning shot put last year as well.
“I think it was me developing from last year,” Stiverson said. “I was only a freshman, barely even 15 (years old). My confidence was about the same, but I think I just matured more.
“I prefer the shot put. But I like how it’s more just you. You against you. You can only do what you can do. Nothing else changes what you do.”
Giuliana Nastale, a junior at Erie Mason, won the 100-meter dash in 12.47 seconds and the 200 in 25.68.
“I was very nervous going into this today,” she said soon after stepping off the podium. “I saw everyone’s times, and I was seeded first but it was all so close. So, I was thinking all the time, I’ve got to go, just go. I was so happy, but a little surprised, honestly. Winning meets with my team is a lot more fun. I love this, being here, but I’d rather it be a team win.”
PHOTOS (Top) Onsted's Emmry Ross pulls away during one of her race championships Saturday in Kent City. (Middle) Olivet's Emily Peters clears a hurdle on her way to a third championship in the 300. (Click for more from RunMichigan.com.)