Preview: Classic Clashes and Broken Records Expected
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 5, 2021
The attention that will be paid to one of the Lower Peninsula Boys Track & Field Finals on Saturday will go past usual interest in just a local school or single division.
Many eyes will be turned to the Division 1 meet, featuring among many Ann Arbor Skyline senior Hobbs Kessler, who has made national news over the last few weeks by setting the national high school record in the 1,500 (3:34.36) and qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the event.
But he’ll be facing some familiar competition in his distance races at East Kentwood – including Hartland junior Riley Hough, who edged Kessler by two seconds in the Division 1 cross country final this past fall.
Their matchup is just one of many stories worth tuning in for this weekend. Events at all four sites begin at 10 a.m. (EDT) and tickets to attend can be purchased online only at GoFan. The meets also will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv and viewable with subscription. Click to watch each division: LPD1 | LPD2 | LPD3 | LPD4.
Below is a glance at team contenders and individuals to watch in all four divisions.
Division 1 at East Kentwood
Top Regional scores: Macomb Dakota 160, Traverse City West 145½, Northville 136, Novi 136.
Team forecast: East Kentwood won the last three championships before COVID, with Ann Arbor Pioneer finishing runner-up in both 2018 and 2019. Dakota is an interesting possibility this time with qualifiers throughout the meet. Fenton has top-three seeds in six events, and Zeeland West is another team with scoring opportunities in a variety of events.
Trey Gardette, Ann Arbor Huron: The senior sprint star has taken amazing strides over the last two years and may be on the verge of an unforgettable finish to his high school career. Gardette’s top-seed 10.5 in the 100 is a blink faster than the LPD1 Finals record of 10.53, and he’s second-seeded in the 200 and also will run on the 400 relay.
Riley Hough, Hartland: The I-96 corridor has been the center of distance running this school year, and Hough hopes to follow his Division 1 cross country championship in the fall with titles in the 1,600 and 3,200. He’s seeded first in the former with a 4:13.93.
Hobbs Kessler, Ann Arbor Skyline: He’s slated to run the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 and on the top-seeded 3,200 relay (7:53.30) Saturday. He won all three of those open races at his Regional, and so while he isn’t top-seeded in any that likely means little as he could drop major time.
Tamaal Myers II, Detroit Cass Tech: The Technicians standout junior has the top 110 hurdles seed time (14.06) by nearly a second and is tied for the top seed time in the 300 (39.32). He’ll also run the 400 and on the 1,600 relay.
Brandon Miller, Fenton: He finished fifth in the 200 as a sophomore in 2019, but he can take a massive leap Saturday as his top seed time in that race (21.25) is five hundredths of a second off the meet record. He’s also the second seed in the 100 with a seed time of 10.60 that is seven hundredths of a second off that meet record. And he’ll also run on contending 400 and 800 relays.
Division 2 at Zeeland
Top Regional scores: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 216½, Dearborn Divine Child 186, Frankenmuth 164.
Team forecast: Four teams have won this championship over the last four seasons. Flint Powers Catholic is a possibility to make it five as it runs for its first team title led by sprint standouts and relays. Frankenmuth with top qualifiers in the sprints, relays and field events is another to watch in what lines up to be a low-scoring team race. A total of 10 schools won championships in this division over the previous 11 seasons before 2020 was canceled.
Ryan Brenner, Frankenmuth: The senior Eagles hurdler is the top seed in the 300 with a time of 40.1 and also will run on the top-seeded 1,600 relay (3:28.44) and high jump.
Jamal Hailey, Berrien Springs: The standout junior sprinter has the top seed time in the 100 (11.04) and the third-fastest in the 200, and he’ll also run on the second-seeded 400 relay.
Austin Hamlin, Flint Powers Catholic: The Chargers sophomore would play a major role in any team title pursuit, entering with the top seed in the 200 (22.5), third-fastest in the 100 and as part of the top-seeded 400 relay (43.3) and fourth-seeded 800 relay. That 400 relay time is a second off the meet record.
Alex Mansfield, Monroe Jefferson: The junior thrower is another who has made a major move over the last two years. He enters Saturday with the top seed in the shot put (56-3) by two feet and the top seed in the discus (163-11) by nearly 10.
Luke Stowasser, Edwardsburg: The junior Eddies jumper also is top-seeded in both of his events, with a 22-6½ in the long jump and 6-10 in the high jump. That high jump is six inches better than the field and two off the meet record. He was the high jump runner-up as a freshman.
Division 3 at Jenison
Top Regional scores: Grass Lake 132, Caro 129, Pewamo-Westphalia 126 1/3.
Team forecast: Grass Lake will be pursuing its first team title since 1970 and has six top-four seeds leading the way. Figuring the next few contenders is difficult with points looking to be spread among a number of teams.
Brennan Bargesser, Grass Lake: A drive for the team championship would include significant points from Bargesser, who is seeded first in the 200 (21.98) and 400 (49.34) and second in the 100 for his final high school meet. He’ll also run on the top-seeded 400 relay (44.14) – that seed time is one second off the meet record.
Hunter Jones, Benzie Central: The sophomore standout has two Division 3 cross country championships to his credit and will make his Track Finals debut as the top seed in the 3,200 (9:37.42) and a likely contender in the 1,600 and 800 as well.
Josh Jones, Harrison: He’ll close his high school career running the 800, 1,600 and 3,200, with his 1,600 seed time (4:19.84) topping that event list.
Brenden Quackenbush, Chesaning: He’s set to establish himself in both throws at this level Saturday, with the top seed in the discus (143-0) by nearly two feet and the third seed in the shot put.
Derrick Voltz, Carrollton: A qualifier in the 100 as a freshman in 2019, he could cap his junior season as a two-event champion. He’s seeded first in the long jump (23-2) by nearly a foot with that leap only five inches off the meet record. He’s also the top seed in the 100 (11.11) just ahead of Bargesser.
Division 4 at Hudsonville
Top Regional scores: Lutheran Westland 171, Reading 170, Carson City-Crystal 147.
Team forecast: Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep was the back-to-back champion before COVID, and Saugatuck was the Division 3 runner-up in 2019 but is back in Division 4. Saugatuck won’t run a relay this weekend but has favorites in the hurdles and distance events, and Breckenridge’s strengths in the sprints and relays should make it a team title contender as well as it seeks its first championship.
Coleman Clark, Carson City-Crystal: The lone returning champion in this division won the 3,200 as a sophomore in 2019 and will run that race along with the 800 and 1,600 and as part of the top-seeded 3,200 relay (8:19.40).
Benny Diaz, Saugatuck: The junior sprint/hurdles standout could make a run at four individual titles Saturday or next season. He’s the top seed in both hurdles races this time (15.01 in the 110 and 40.59 in the 300), and the fourth seed in the 200 and seventh in the 100. He was third in Division 3 in the 300 as a freshman.
Zane Forist, Carson City-Crystal: He was the runner-up in the discus and eighth in the shot put as a freshman two years ago, and he’s aiming for much more this time. His top-seed throws of 196-8 and 64-4, respectively, would both set LPD4 championship meet records – both by roughly six feet.
Nik Pettinga, Saugatuck: A top distance runner in cross country the last few seasons, he is looking to finish as a champion in his last high school meet and enters as the top seed in the 1,600 (4:26.99) and second seed (to junior teammate Max Sharnas) in the 3,200.
Charlie Steinhaus, Breckenridge: The speedy senior would help lead any charge for a team championship, entering as the top seed in the 100 (11.01) and second in the 200. He’ll also run on the top-seeded 400 relay (44.51) and second-seeded 800 relay.
PHOTO: Carrollton’s Derrick Voltz, right, breaks across the finish line during the 100-meter preliminaries at his Division 3 Regional at Shepherd last month. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
Soccer Playoffs Come to MHSAA TV
October 19, 2020
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
District Semifinal and Final games in the 2020 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Boys Soccer Tournament highlights another full week of activity on the NFHS Network and MHSAA.tv.
Play runs Monday through Saturday this week. Here’s the schedule:
Boys Soccer District Semifinals
Monday – Oct. 19
Warren De La Salle Collegiate vs. Sterling Heights – 4:30 PM
East Lansing vs. Grand Blanc – 5 PM
Ithaca vs. Bad Axe – 5:30 PM
Niles vs. St. Joseph – 5:30 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Warren Woods Tower – 6 PM
Fenton vs. Okemos – 7 PM
Paw Paw vs. Three Rivers – 7:15 PM
Tuesday – Oct. 20
Hazel Park vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood – 4 PM
Freeland vs. Alma – 4:30 PM
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Brighton – 5 PM
Hudsonville Unity Christian vs. Fennville – 5 PM
Mattawan vs. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix – 5 PM
Melvindale vs. Dearborn Divine Child – 5 PM
Sterling Heights Stevenson vs. Troy Athens – 5 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Center Line – 5:30 PM
Midland vs. Traverse City Central – 6 PM
East Grand Rapids vs. Wyoming Godwin Heights – 6 PM
Adrian Lenawee Christian vs. Ann Arbor Greenhills – 6:30 PM
Hemlock vs. Shepherd – 7 PM
Northville vs. North Farmington – 7 PM
Portage Central vs. Portage Northern – 7 PM
Saline vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer – 7 PM
Troy vs. Utica – 7 PM
Watervliet vs. South Haven – 7 PM
Wyoming Lee vs. Grand Rapids South Christian – 7 PM
Allen Park vs. Detroit Cesar Chavez – 7:15 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Clawson – 7:30 PM
Boys Soccer District Finals
Wednesday – Oct. 21
At Fenton – 6 PM
Thursday – Oct. 22
At Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood – 4 PM
At Warren DeLaSalle Collegiate – 4:30 PM
At Brownstown Woodhaven – 5 PM
At East Grand Rapids – 6 PM
At Grand Rapids South Christian – 6 PM
At St. Clair Shores Lake Shore – 6 PM
At Vicksburg – 6 PM
At Waterford Mott – 6 PM
At Pontiac Notre Dame Prep – 6:30 PM
At Dearborn Divine Child – 7 PM
At Novi – 7 PM
At Saline – 7 PM
Saturday – Oct. 24
At Clare – 11 AM
At Portage Northern – 6 PM
In the coming week, more than 550 events at all levels in a variety of sports will be available on the NFHS Network/MHSAA.tv. Monthly subscriptions are $10.99. Click for a complete list of upcoming games, and for a complete list of on-demand games.
Fans also can type their school name into the search field on the MHSAA.tv page to search for events. Varsity games being streamed also have links from the MHSAA Website’s Score Center, and from the schedules on individual school pages. Clicking on the green TV set icon listed next to an event will take you directly to a game. You can also watch on Roku enabled devices.
Here is a list of football and girls volleyball varsity events taking place over the coming week on the NFHS Network/MHSAA.tv (Home team generally listed first):
Football
Thursday - Oct. 22
Negaunee vs. Ishpeming Westwood - 7 PM
Friday - Oct. 23
Hartland vs. Brighton - 6:45 PM
Kingston vs. Whittemore-Prescott - 6:55 PM
Bay City John Glenn vs. Freeland - 7 PM
Bloomfield Hills vs. Auburn Hills Avondale - 7 PM
Brethren vs. Onekama - 7 PM
Cadillac vs. Gaylord - 7 PM
Calumet vs. Marquette - 7 PM
Caro vs. Burton Bendle - 7 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills - 7 PM
Chesaning vs. New Lothrop - 7 PM
Clare vs. Gaylord - 7 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Detroit Central - 7 PM
DeWitt vs. Stevensville Lakeshore - 7 PM
Durand vs. Montrose - 7 PM
East Grand Rapids vs. Byron Center - 7 PM
Erie-Mason vs. Pittsford - 7 PM
Fenton vs. Ortonville Brandon - 7 PM
Flint Powers Catholic vs. Flint Carman-Ainsworth - 7 PM
Fowlerville vs. Pinckney - 7 PM
Frankenmuth vs. Bridgeport - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Remus Chippewa Hills - 7 PM
Gladstone vs. Escanaba - 7 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Saline - 7 PM
Grand Rapids South Christian vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central - 7 PM
Grass Lake vs. Addison - 7 PM
Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South - 7 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Unionville Sebewaing - 7 PM
Hopkins vs. Wyoming Kelloggsville - 7 PM
Houghton vs. Hancock - 7 PM
Ithaca vs. Standish-Sterling - 7 PM
Kinde North Huron vs. Mayville - 7 PM
Kingsford vs. Menominee - 7 PM
Kingsley vs. Benzie Central - 7 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Whitmore Lake - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Hazel Park - 7 PM
Manistee vs. McBain - 7 PM
Maple City Glen Lake vs. Charlevoix - 7 PM
Midland vs. Midland Dow - 7 PM
Munising vs. Lake Linden-Hubbell - 7 PM
Niles vs. Dowagiac Union - 7 PM
Northville vs. Howell - 7 PM
Novi vs. Salem - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. TBA - 7 PM
Portage Central vs. Richland Gull Lake - 7 PM
Reed City vs. Grant - 7 PM
Rockford vs. Grandville - 7 PM
Saginaw Heritage vs. Mount Pleasant - 7 PM
Saginaw Swan Valley vs. Birch Run - 7 PM
South Lyon East vs. South Lyon - 7 PM
St Johns vs. Alpena - 7 PM
Sturgis vs. Plainwell - 7 PM
Summit Academy North vs. TBA - 7 PM
Troy vs. Troy Athens - 7 PM
Vermontville Maple Valley vs. Belleville - 7 PM
Vicksburg vs. Otsego - 7 PM
Walled Lake Northern vs. Romeo - 7 PM
Walled Lake Western vs. Walled Lake Central - 7 PM
Warren Woods-Tower vs. Detroit U-D Jesuit - 7 PM
Wayland Union vs. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills - 7 PM
West Bloomfield vs. Lake Orion - 7 PM
Norway vs. Niagara, WI - 8 PM
Saturday – Oct. 24
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Redford Union - 3 PM
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Jackson Lumen Christi - 3 PM
Girls Volleyball
Tuesday - Oct. 20
Dearborn Heights Robichaud vs. Melvindale - 4 PM
Durand vs. Montrose - 4:30 PM
Marcellus vs. TBA - 5 PM
Southfield Christian vs. Brighton Charyl Stockwell - 5:30 PM
DeWitt vs. Williamston - 6 PM
East Lansing vs. Lansing Waverly - 6 PM
Kinde North Huron vs. Carsonville-Port Sanilac - 6 PM
Mayville vs. Dryden - 6 PM
Merrill vs. Ashley - 6 PM
Munising vs. Rapid River - 6 PM
Norway vs. Carney-Nadeau - 6 PM
Peck vs. Genesee - 6 PM
Vermontville Maple Valley vs. Lansing Christian - 6 PM
Chesaning vs. New Lothrop - 6:15 PM
Grand Rapids South Christian vs Ada Forest Hills Eastern - 6:15 PM
Mt Morris vs. Byron Area - 6:15 PM
New Lothrop vs. Chesaning - 6:15 PM
Otisville LakeVille vs. Ovid-Elsie - 6:15 PM
St Johns vs. Haslett - 6:20 PM
Blanchard Montabella vs. Vestaburg - 6:30 PM
Frankfort vs. Suttons Bay - 6:30 PM
Highland Milford vs. TBA - 6:30 PM
Howell vs. Salem - 6:30 PM
Negaunee vs. Hancock - 6:30 PM
Northville vs. Hartland - 6:30 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. St. Clair - 6:30 PM
Watervliet vs. Lawton - 6:30 PM
Whitmore Lake vs. Novi Christian Academy - 6:30 PM
Garden City vs. Dearborn Heights Annapolis - 7 PM
Gladstone vs. Marquette - 7 PM
Hemlock vs. St. Louis - 7 PM
Hopkins vs. Comstock Park - 7 PM
Kingsley vs. Buckley - 7 PM
Macomb Lutheran North vs. Yale - 7 PM
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest - 7 PM
Saginaw Heritage vs. Grand Blanc - 7 PM
St. Charles vs. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart - 7 PM
Kingsford vs. Escanaba - 7:15 PM
Cass City vs. Caro - 7:30 PM
Wednesday - Oct. 21
Grandville vs. Caledonia - 5 PM
Holly vs. Flushing - 5:15 PM
Dollar Bay vs. Ontonagon - 5:20 PM
Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. TBA - 6 PM
Pentwater vs. Baldwin - 6 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Clinton Twp. Clintondale - 6 PM
Warren Regina vs. TBA - 6 PM
Corunna vs. Clio - 6:15 PM
Fenton vs. Flint Kearsley - 6:15 PM
Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Laingsburg - 6:30 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. TBA - 6:30 PM
West Bloomfield vs. Walled Lake Northern - 6:30 PM
Traverse City West vs. Cadillac - 6:45 PM
Bridgeport vs. Bay City John Glenn - 7 PM
Frankenmuth vs. Freeland - 7 PM
Grandville vs. Grand Haven - 7 PM
Linden vs. Swartz Creek - 7 PM
Morley Stanwood vs. Hesperia - 7 PM
Saginaw Swan Valley vs. Essexville Garber - 7 PM
Harrison vs. Clare - 7:30 PM
Thursday - Oct. 22
Dearborn Heights Robichaud vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep - 5 PM
Multi-team Event @ Whitmore Lake - 5 PM
Ortonville Brandon vs. Goodrich - 5:15 PM
Grand Rapids Christian vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central - 6 PM
Kinde North Huron vs. Caseville - 6 PM
Mason vs. Eaton Rapids - 6 PM
Munising vs. Stephenson - 6 PM
Peck vs. Kingston - 6 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate - 6 PM
Sturgis vs. Plainwell - 6 PM
Vermontville Maple Valley vs. Owosso - 6 PM
Vicksburg vs. Otsego - 6 PM
Montrose vs. Mt Morris - 6:15 PM
St Johns vs. Williamston - 6:20 PM
Chesaning vs. Otisville LakeVille - 6:30 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Livonia Churchill - 6:30 PM
Erie-Mason vs. Monroe Jefferson - 6:30 PM
Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South - 6:30 PM
Mancelona vs. Elk Rapids - 6:30 PM
New Lothrop vs. Byron Area - 6:30 PM
Novi vs. Howell - 6:30 PM
Oakland Christian vs. Southfield Christian - 6:30 PM
Ovid-Elsie vs. Durand - 6:30 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Memphis - 6:45 PM
East Lansing vs. Potterville - 7 PM
Garden City vs. Riverview Gabriel Richard - 7 PM
Hopkins vs. Belding - 7 PM
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Grand Rapids Covenant Christian - 7 PM
Marquette vs. Kingsford - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Rochester Adams - 7 PM
Saginaw Heritage vs. Mount Pleasant - 7 PM
Houghton vs. Hancock - 7:15 PM
Brethren vs. Onekama - 7:30 PM
Dryden vs. Genesee - 7:30 PM
Unionville Sebewaing vs. Bad Axe - 7:30 PM
Saturday – Oct. 24
White Lake Lakeland vs. TBA - 8:30 AM
East Kentwood vs. Caledonia - 9 AM
Fremont vs. Cedar Springs - 9 AM
Midland vs. TBA - 9 AM
Millington vs. TBA - 9 AM
Niles vs. TBA - 9 AM
Part 1 | Multi-team Event @ Pentwater - 9 AM
Rockford vs. Holland West Ottawa - 9 AM
Saline vs. TBA - 9 AM
Part 1 | Multi-team Event @ Calumet - 10 AM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Bloomfield Hills Marian - 10 AM
Williamston vs. TBA - 10 AM
Grand Rapids Christian vs. Traverse City West - 11 AM
East Kentwood vs. Grand Haven - 11:30 AM
Rockford vs. Jenison - 11:30 AM
Freeland vs. TBA - 12 PM
Part 2 | Multi-team Event @ Calumet - 1 PM
East Kentwood vs. Grandville - 2 PM
Part 2 | Multi-team Event @ Pentwater - 2 PM
Rockford vs. Hudsonville - 2 PM
Monday - Oct. 26
Freeland vs. TBA - 5 PM
Kingsley vs. TBA - 5 PM
Troy vs. Hartland - 5 PM
Troy Athens vs. Grosse Pointe South - 5 PM
Flint Kearsley vs. Holly - 5:15 PM
Flushing vs. Swartz Creek - 5:15 PM
Linden vs. Fenton - 5:15 PM
Mason vs. Haslett - 6 PM
Corunna vs. Brandon - 6:15 PM
Otisville LakeVille vs. Millington - 6:15 PM
Dollar Bay vs. Chassell - 6:20 PM
Clare vs. Grayling - 7:30 PM
Tuesday - Oct. 27
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian vs. Montague - TBA
Dearborn Heights Robichaud vs. Hamtramck - 4 PM
Vicksburg vs. TBA - 4 PM
Burton Bendle vs. Genesee - 5 PM
Fremont vs. Ludington - 5 PM
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian vs. Grant - 5 PM
Multi-team Event @ New Lothrop - 5 PM
Multi-team Event @ Plainwell - 5 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Holly - 5 PM
Cass City vs. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker - 6 PM
Eaton Rapids vs. Portland - 6 PM
Fowlerville vs. Charlotte - 6 PM
Multi-team Event @ Grand Rapids Christian - 6 PM
Munising vs. Norway - 6 PM
Vermontville Maple Valley vs. TBA - 6 PM
Williamston vs. Lansing Catholic - 6 PM
Montrose vs. Ovid-Elsie - 6:15 PM
Mt Morris vs. New Lothrop - 6:15 PM
Stockbridge vs. Grass Lake - 6:15 PM
Warren Woods-Tower vs. Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley - 6:15 PM
St Johns vs. Portland - 6:20 PM
Bloomfield Hills Roeper vs. Novi Christian - 6:30 PM
Erie-Mason vs. Sand Creek - 6:30 PM
Grosse Pointe North vs. Fraser - 6:30 PM
Ishpeming vs. Gwinn - 6:30 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Southfield Christian - 6:30 PM
Oakland Christian vs. Lutheran Westland - 6:30 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep - 6:30 PM
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian School vs. Huron Valley Lutheran - 6:30 PM
Gladstone vs. Negaunee - 6:45 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Marlette - 6:45 PM
Chesaning vs. Durand - 7 PM
Garden City vs. Dearborn Heights Crestwood - 7 PM
Grand Rapids South Christian vs. Lansing Catholic - 7 PM
Hopkins vs. Allegan - 7 PM
Marquette vs. Escanaba - 7 PM
St Charles vs. Blanchard Montabella - 7 PM
Kingsford vs. Crystal Falls Forest Park - 7:15 PM
Bad Axe vs. Caro &