MI Army National Guard Presents MHSAA Events
February 24, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Sharing in the values of leadership, sportsmanship and ethics emphasized by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, the Michigan Army National Guard is serving as the official military branch supporting MHSAA events and digital initiatives through the 2015-16 school year.
The Michigan Army National Guard provides trained and ready forces in support of the National Military Strategy, and responds as needed to state, local, and regional emergencies to ensure peace, order, and public safety. Guardsmen typically train one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer, and soldiers are eligible for educational benefits including state and federal tuition assistance programs, the G.I. Bill and grants at Michigan colleges and universities that combined usually exceed the total cost of tuition, books and fees at most Michigan post-secondary institutions.
The Guard adds value to our communities through continuous interaction. National Guard soldiers are part of the local community. Monthly and annual summer training maintains readiness when needed, be it either to defend our nation's freedom, or protecting lives and property of Michigan citizens during a local natural disaster.
“The National Guard provides opportunities for young men and women to mature into productive citizens,” MHSAA Executive Director John E. “Jack” Roberts said. “The emphasis the Guard puts on physical fitness, leadership and doing things the right way parallels what we strive to teach in school sports.”
The Guard has served as presenter of the MHSAA Cross Country Regionals and Finals and Football Playoffs during the fall, and this winter of the MHSAA Wrestling Tournament, which will conclude with the Team Wrestling Finals hosted Feb. 26-27 at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena and the Individual Wrestling Finals scheduled for March 3-5 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Guard recruiters also have been on-site attending numerous District, Regional and additional Finals events during the first half of the 2015-16 school year.
The Guard also is featured prevalently as part of the MHSAA’s online presence on both MHSAA.com and the MHSAA mobile app, and supports the “Michigan National Guard Performance of the Week” honoring a successful student-athlete on the MHSAA’s Second Half website.
“The Michigan Army National Guard is proud to support the MHSAA and student-athletes across Michigan,” said Lt. Col. Scott L. Meyers, who serves as recruiting and retention battalion commander for the Guard. “The Guard not only plays a key role in our national defense; we have a responsibility to serve our communities during times of state emergencies. As individuals, we are stewards in our communities and have an inherent responsibility to support our community in that role. One way to do this is to encourage student-athletes to live up to the ethics, values, and positive life choices common to the MHSAA and the Michigan Army National Guard.
“The National Guard is actively seeking these student-athletes to join our team. Their dedication combined with our education benefits and leadership training will provide the tools needed for them to become future leaders of Michigan’s communities.”
Click for additional information on the Michigan Army National Guard.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,400 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.
Holland Christian's Morgan Finishes Unforgettable Career in Net
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 18, 2023
In guiding Holland Christian to the Division 3 championship last fall, senior keeper Daniel Morgan capped a three-year varsity career among the most accomplished in state history at his position.
He posted 16 shutouts in 22 games last season – including six straight at one point – and finished with 34 for his career. Holland Christian actually had 10 straight shutouts from Sept. 19 through Oct. 20, 2022, and 18 total over 24 games, giving up only seven goals for the season.
See below for more recent record book updates in boys soccer.
Boys Soccer
Henry Plumstead became the first Maple City Glen Lake player to be added to the record book, thanks to a stellar 2020 season. He was added for both 47 goals and 67 points over 20 games. He’s a sophomore now playing at Kalamazoo College.
Adrian Lenawee Christian’s Zach Riordan completed his four-year varsity career in 2019 among the highest-scoring players in MHSAA history. His 181 career goals continue to rank second, and he’s also listed for 61 as a junior and 52 as a senior. He’s also on the points lists for 79 as a junior, 61 as a senior and 221 over his career.
Senior season was filled with highlights for Okemos’ Jack Guggemos, as he helped his team to the 2021 Division 1 championship and won the Mr. Soccer Award. He’s also entered into the MHSAA record book for his 46 goals and 62 total points over 24 games. Okemos’ run to the championship included a streak of 40 straight games without a loss that began with the team going 20-0-4 that season and 12-0-4 to start the fall of 2022. Okemos was a combined 32-0-8 during the stretch. Additionally, Brian Guggemos was added for his 306 win over 21 seasons of coaching. He retired after last season with a 306-85-47 record. Jack Guggemos is continuing his playing career at Michigan State.
Mason Garcia’s major performance for Shelby last Aug. 22 netted him a spot among the highest-scoring players in MHSAA history. His seven goals in a win over Newaygo tied him for 10th-most in one game. He was a senior last fall.
Two of the most notable seasons in Macomb Lutheran North history were added for their defensive achievements. The 1987 team had 16 shutouts in 23 games on the way to winning the Class B title, while the 2002 team also had 16 shutouts over 21 games on the way to winning a District championship.
Wyoming Lee’s league championship season last fall also included the program’s first entry in the record book. Lee didn’t allow a goal from Sept. 12-Oct. 6, a stretch of 10 games that tied for the ninth-longest shutout streak all-time.
Berkley finished a combined 38-6-3 over the last two seasons, and defensive strength certainly played a part. The Bears started the 2021 season with seven straight shutouts and the 2022 season with eight shutouts in a row, both making the record book. They also earned entries with 17 shutouts and giving up only 10 goals total last season over 24 games.
Muskegon Oakridge then-junior Arturo Romero created statewide buzz at the start of last season when he put together hat tricks (three or more goals) in seven straight games from Aug. 20-Sept. 7. He had a high of six goals in a game and finished the season with 40 goals over 22 games total.
Josh Pugh finished his career at Marshall last fall with a pair of entries for ace goal-scoring. He made the single-game list with six Oct. 12 against Charlotte, and he tallied 110 goals over 81 games and four seasons.
Longtime St. Joseph coach Steve Lohrke also was added to the all-time wins list in this sport. He put together a 313-155-24 record leading the Bears from 1985-2008.
Austin Townsend tied Alpena’s single-game goals record and made the MHSAA record book with six in his team’s win over Oscoda on Sept. 28, 2022. He was a senior.
Fruitport’s Justin Laus finished up his career last fall on the career shutouts list with 25 total over 75 games and four varsity seasons. He became the second from his school to make the individual record book for boys soccer.
PHOTO Holland Christian keeper Daniel Morgan, center, pulls in the ball in front of his net during his team’s Division 3 Final win over Grosse Ile.