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High 5s: 11/7/12

November 7, 2012

This past Saturday saw eight teams and eight individuals crowned MHSAA champions, and this week we feature a few who will be listed among the best for all time. 

Erin Finn
West Bloomfield senior
Cross country

Finn won her second straight MHSAA individual Lower Peninsula Division 1 championship, this time in 17:07.9. Her finish was the fastest from any of the four divisions that raced Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, and gave her the victory in hers by 27 seconds. Finn’s time was the fourth-best ever at an MHSAA Final. She has three of the top 15 times ever run at MIS, more than any other runner.

On track for more: Finn also won an MHSAA Track and Field championship last season, setting an all-division/class record in the 1,600 with a time of 10:17.86. That time was nearly five seconds better than the previous best.

Maize and Blue: Finn will run next season at the University of Michigan. The Wolverines cross country team is ranked No. 7 nationally heading into Friday's NCAA Great Lakes Regional. 

Scientifically speaking: Finn intends to study biomechanical engineering at U-M. "My junior year, I found out I love physics, and I already knew I loved bio and chemistry. So, what's better than to combine those?"

Runners to chase: “I looked up to Megan Goethals (of Rochester), number one, and Shannon Osika (of Waterford Mott). They’re people I competed with. I know that one day I can be like that. It’s more real to me.”

Click to read more.

Nick Raymond
Erie Mason senior
Cross country

After dashing to the lead last season and finishing fourth, Nick Raymond dominated the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Final at MIS with a time of 15:05.1 – the second-fastest time for a Division 3/Class C MHSAA Final to only Maverick Darling's 14:52.8 for Ovid-Elsie in 2007. Raymond is the first individual cross country champion from Erie Mason (not counting another who finished first among individuals before team and individual placers were combined for one race beginning in 1997) and also placed in both the 1,600 and 3,200 at the spring's Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Final. 

A long drive: "I've been working hard, since the first time (I ran) in sixth grade. Working hard and training hard over the summer and during mandatory practices too." 

Brotherly influence: Raymond began running cross country in the footsteps of his older brother Andrew Raymond, a 2010 graduate. "He told me, 'If you just keep working hard, just look forward at your dream, your goal, you will achieve it.'"

Now the pool, then the track: Raymond swims during the winter, specializing in butterfly and breaststroke. Then it's on to track. Raymond finished fourth in the 1,600 (4:21.84) and seventh in the 3,200 (9:44.91) at last season's Lower Peninsula Division 3 Final. 

Looking up to Pre: Like many in the running community, Raymond considers former Oregon and international star Steve Prefontaine a major influence. "I liked how he had a lot of faith in himself."

Click to read more. 

East Kentwood soccer

The top-ranked Falcons edged Grand Blanc 1-0 at Troy Athens to claim their fourth Division 1 championship in six seasons. They finished 22-1-4, their seventh with at least 20 wins in the last eight years. 

Click to read more. 

Previous 2012-13 honorees:

Brighton’s Charlie Burchfield nearly flies over the goal after getting stopped during the third period of his team’s win over Hartland.

Story in Photos: 2023 Ice Hockey Semifinals

March 10, 2023

PLYMOUTH – This season’s MHSAA Hockey Finals will include a Division 1 rematch of last season’s deciding game, a Division 2 rematch of the 2021 finale and a Division 3 championship game guaranteed to produce a first-time title winner.

All three Finals are Saturday at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena:

Division 2 – 11 a.m. – Byron Center vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice
Division 3 – 3 p.m. – Flint Powers Catholic vs. East Grand Rapids
Division 1 – 7 p.m. – Detroit Catholic Central vs. Brighton

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured plenty of action from the Semifinals – all photos and text below are by John Castine. Click for more as they are posted.

Evan Wohlart (8), who later scored the game winner in Brighton’s 4-3 triple-overtime win in Division 1 on Friday, has a shot blocked by Hartland goalie Colin Babcock.

Evan Wohlart (8), who later scored the game winner in Brighton’s 4-3 triple-overtime win in Division 1 on Friday, has a shot blocked by Hartland goalie Colin Babcock.

Detroit Catholic Central gets a breakaway goal from John Rocco despite being shorthanded two players on the way to a 2-0 Division 1 win Friday over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.

Detroit Catholic Central gets a breakaway goal from John Rocco despite being shorthanded two players on the way to a 2-0 Division 1 win Friday over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.

DCC goalie Kyle Moore makes a save during his shutout performance.

DCC goalie Kyle Moore makes a save during his shutout performance.

Byron Center goalie Carson MacKenzie turns away a shot during the second period against U-D Jesuit on Thursday.

Byron Center goalie Carson MacKenzie turns away a shot during the second period against U-D Jesuit on Thursday.

Byron Center players celebrate their 8-4 Division 2 Semifinal win Thursday over Detroit U-D Jesuit.

Byron Center players celebrate their 8-4 Division 2 Semifinal win over the Cubs.

Brother Rice’s Luke Sacca scores during the first minute of the third period of his team’s 11-3 win over Saginaw Heritage in Division 2.

Brother Rice’s Luke Sacca scores during the first minute of the third period of his team’s 11-3 win over Saginaw Heritage in Division 2.

Jack Cassidy (21) and teammate Peter Rosa celebrate Cassidy’s game-ending goal Thursday.

Jack Cassidy (21) and teammate Peter Rosa celebrate Cassidy’s game-ending goal Thursday.

East Grand Rapids' Charlie Hoekstra (16) fires the game-winning overtime goal with 1:11 left to play in the first extra period to give his team a 2-1 win over Houghton.

East Grand Rapids' Charlie Hoekstra (16) fires the game-winning overtime goal with 1:11 left to play in the first extra period to give his team a 2-1 win over Houghton.

EGR players rush to the glass in front of their fans Friday to celebrate the comeback win.

EGR players rush to the glass in front of their fans Friday to celebrate the comeback win.


Mason Czarnecki scores Flint Powers Catholic’s fifth goal of a 6-0 win Friday over Riverview Gabriel Richard in Division 3.

Mason Czarnecki scores Flint Powers Catholic’s fifth goal of a 6-0 win Friday over Riverview Gabriel Richard in Division 3.

Chargers goalie Nicholas Kurtiak makes one of 25 saves in his shutout performance.

Chargers goalie Nicholas Kurtiak makes one of 25 saves in his shutout performance.

TOP PHOTO Brighton’s Charlie Burchfield nearly flies over the goal after getting stopped during the third period of his team’s win over Hartland.