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.)
Watch NFHS Network on Roku
September 14, 2020
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
The excitement of high school sports hits living rooms this fall as the NFHS Network has released a Roku channel, joining the availability of games on computers and handheld devices.
Once on the Roku channel, typing “Michigan” into the search box will display lists of live, on-demand and upcoming events involving MHSAA member schools. You can also bookmark your favorite schools.
Nearly 600 events fill the coming week’s schedule for the NFHS Network and MHSAA.tv, as football joins the boys soccer and girls volleyball activity.
More games than ever before will be available online beginning this season, with approximately 270 MHSAA member schools taking part in the School Broadcast Program with Pixellot units being installed at their athletic facilities or with student crews producing games using a traditional format.
Pixellot is the NFHS Network’s automated production solution. Nearly 500 Pixellot units are already installed or about to be installed in high school stadiums and gymnasiums around the state. The NFHS Network has been offering schools up to two free Pixellot units since early July – with the schools only needing to cover the installation costs.
Additionally, MHSAA regulations regarding live video broadcasts and streaming have been relaxed during the pandemic to allow schools to use their choice of means to distribute games to fans who are unable to attend because of government-imposed spectator limits. Third-party broadcasters – like local television stations and cable television outlets – are also allowed to originate games live.
In the coming week, nearly 275 events 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 can also type their school name into the search field on the MHSAA.tv page to search for events. Here is a list of varsity sports events being broadcast over the coming week:
Football (Home team listed first):
Thursday - Sept. 17
White Lake Lakeland vs. Walled Lake Northern - 7 PM
Friday - Sept. 18
Lowell vs. East Grand Rapids - 6:50 PM
Petoskey vs. Gaylord - 7 PM
Saline vs. Ypsilanti Community - 7 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Portage Northern - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. South Lyon - 7 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Flint Carman-Ainsworth - 7 PM
Brighton vs. Novi - 7 PM
Ithaca vs. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central - 7 PM
Macomb L'Anse Creuse North vs. Detroit Country Day - 7 PM
Marquette vs. Gladstone - 7 PM
Fowlerville vs. Williamston - 7 PM
Calumet vs. Kingsford - 7 PM
Portage Central vs. East Lansing - 7 PM
Riverview Gabriel Richard Catholic vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett - 7 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Port Huron Northern - 7 PM
Plainwell vs. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix - 7 PM
Clare vs. Detroit University Prep - 7 PM
Bad Axe vs. Sandusky - 7 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 7 PM
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Harper Woods - 7 PM
Manchester vs. Addison - 7 PM
Saginaw Heritage vs. Detroit U Of D Jesuit - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Warren Lincoln - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Frankenmuth - 7 PM
Suttons Bay vs. Brethren - 7 PM
Mayville vs. Atherton - 7 PM
Cadillac vs. Alpena - 7 PM
East Kentwood vs. Hudsonville - 7 PM
Lake Orion vs. Oxford - 7 PM
Rockford vs. Jenison - 7 PM
New Lothrop vs. Mt. Morris - 7 PM
Saturday - Sept. 19
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Sault Ste. Marie - 1 PM
Boys Soccer (Home team listed first):
Tuesday - Sept. 15
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Battle Creek Central - 6:30 PM
Petoskey vs. Cadillac - 6:45 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Cedar Springs - 6:45 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s - 7 PM
Clare vs. Plymouth - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Birmingham Brother Rice - 7:30 PM
Wednesday - Sept. 16
Plainwell vs. Vicksburg - 6 PM
Clare vs. Gladwin - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Chesaning - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Marysville - 7 PM
Hemlock vs. Midland Bullock Creek - 7 PM
Thursday - Sept. 17
Warren De La Salle Collegiate vs. TBA - 6 PM
Petoskey vs. Traverse City Central - 6:45 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Grand Rapids South Christian - 6:45 PM
Brighton vs. Salem - 7 PM
Novi vs. Hartland - 7 PM
South Lyon East vs. Milford - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. White Lake Lakeland - 7 PM
Troy vs. Bloomfield Hills - 7 PM
Hemlock vs. Pinconning - 7 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood - 7 PM
East Kentwood vs. Rockford - 7:15 PM
Friday - Sept. 18
South Lyon East vs. North Farmington - 7 PM
Saturday - Sept. 19
Vicksburg vs. Coloma - 10 AM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Holly - 11:30 AM
Brighton vs. Birmingham Brother Rice - 12 PM
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Fenton - 12:30 PM
Novi vs. Howell - 1PM
Warren De La Salle Collegiate vs. Romeo - 1PM
Monday - Sept. 21
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley - 6PM
White Lake Lakeland vs. South Lyon East - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Alma - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. Walled Lake Western - 7 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill - 7 PM
Tuesday - Sept. 22
East Grand Rapids vs. Grand Rapids Northview - 6:45 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern - 6:45 PM
West Bloomfield vs. Bloomfield Hills - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. Auburn Hills Avondale - 7 PM
South Lyon East vs. South Lyon - 7 PM
Howell vs. Novi - 7 PM
Clare vs. Taylor Prep - 7 PM
Troy Athens vs. Troy - 7 PM
East Kentwood vs. Grandville - 7:15 PM
Girls Volleyball (Home team listed first):
Tuesday - Sept. 15
East Grand Rapids vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern - 6 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Marine City - 6 PM
Peck vs. Bay City All Saints - 6 PM
Kinde-North Huron vs. Kingston - 6 PM
Williamston vs. Eaton Rapids - 6 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Dearborn Henry Ford Academy - 6 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 6 PM
Wayland Union vs. Lansing Catholic - 6 PM
Mayville vs. Akron-Fairgrove - 6 PM
Chesaning vs. Durand - 6:15 PM
Lowell vs. Grand Rapids Christian - 6:15 PM
Gladstone vs. Ishpeming - 6:30 PM
Westland Huron Valley Lutheran vs. Bloomfield Hills Roeper - 6:30 PM
Northville vs. Canton - 6:30 PM
Painesdale Jeffers vs. Dollar Bay - 6:30 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Flint Powers Catholic - 6:30 PM
Negaunee vs. Escanaba - 6:30 PM
Novi vs. Hartland - 6:30 PM
Brighton vs. Salem - 6:30 PM
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian vs. Away - 6:30 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Ubly - 6:45 PM
Calumet vs. Hancock - 6:45 PM
Marquette vs. Wakefield-Marenisco - 7 PM
Big Rapids vs. Newaygo - 7 PM
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Clarenceville - 7 PM
Bear Lake vs. Mason County Eastern - 7 PM
Cass City vs. Vassar - 7:30 PM
Wednesday - Sept. 16
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Kalamazoo Central - 6:30 PM
Niles vs. South Haven - 6:30 PM
Waterford Our Lady vs. Allen Park Cabrini - 7 PM
Frankenmuth vs. Bay City John Glenn - 7 PM
Bridgeport vs. Freeland - 7 PM
Riverview Gabriel Richard Catholic vs. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic - 7 PM
Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard - 7:15 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Farmington Hills Mercy - 7:15 PM
Thursday - Sept. 17
Ovid-Elsie vs. Carrollton - 4:30 PM
Manchester vs. TBA - 5 PM
Zeeland West vs. Grand Rapids Union - 5 PM
Big Rapids vs. Whitehall & Ludington - 5 PM
Flushing vs. Holly - 5:15 PM
Flint Kearsley vs. Fenton - 5:15 PM
St Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Roseville - 6 PM
Wayland Union vs. Cedar Springs - 6 PM
Grand Rapids Christian vs. Grand Rapids Northview - 6 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 6 PM
Kinde North Huron vs. Bay City All Saints - 6 PM
East Grand Rapids vs. Byron Center - 6 PM
St Johns vs. Eaton Rapids - 6 PM
Peck vs. Dryden - 6 PM
Lowell vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central - 6:15 PM
Westland Huron Valley Lutheran vs. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist - 6:30 PM
Suttons Bay vs. Benzie Central - 6:30 PM
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Parchment - 6:30 PM
Galesburg-Augusta vs. Constantine - 6:30 PM
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian vs. Roeper - 6:30 PM
Painesdale Jeffers vs. Chassell - 6:30 PM
East Kentwood vs. Grand Haven - 7 PM
Troy vs. Auburn Hills Avondale - 7 PM
Brethren vs. Pentwater - 7 PM
West Bloomfield vs. Rochester Adams - 7 PM
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Southfield Christian - 7 PM
Grandville vs. Rockford - 7 PM
Escanaba vs. Manistique - 7 PM
Maple City Glen Lake vs. Leland - 7 PM
Warren Regina vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley - 7:15 PM
Bad Axe vs. Reese - 7:30 PM
Caro vs. Vassar - 7:30 PM
Lake Orion vs. Oxford - 7:30 PM
Friday - Sept. 18
Pentwater vs. Cadillac Heritage Christian - 5:30 PM
Dollar Bay vs. Hancock - 6:20 PM
Rochester Hills Lutheran North vs. Allen Park Cabrini - 7 PM
Saturday - Sept. 19
Waterford Our Lady vs. TBA - 8:15 AM
Cadillac vs. Lakewood Lake Odessa - 8:30 AM
Frankenmuth vs. Tawas Area - 8:30 AM
Flushing vs. Davison - 8:30 AM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. TBA - 10 AM
Monday - Sept. 21
Multi-team Event @ Saginaw Swan Valley - 5 PM
Williamston vs. Lansing Eastern - 6 PM
Ann Arbor Greenhills vs. Detroit Cristo Rey - 6 PM
Mason vs. Williamston - 6 PM
Frankenmuth vs. Millington - 7 PM
Harrison vs. Shepherd - 7:30 PM
Clare vs. Beaverton - 7:30 PM
Tuesday - Sept. 22
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Hazel Park - 6 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Cedar Springs - 6 PM
Holt vs. DeWitt - 6 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Detroit Community - 6 PM
Stockbridge vs. Lakewood Lake Odessa - 6:15 PM
New Lothrop vs. Montrose - 6:15 PM
Ovid-Elsie vs. Byron Center Charter - 6:15 PM
Otisville LakeVille vs. Durand - 6:15 PM
Chesaning vs. Mt Morris - 6:15 PM
Galesburg-Augusta vs. Parchment - 6:30 PM
Brighton vs. Novi - 6:30 PM
Riverview Gabriel Richard Catholic vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate - 6:30 PM
Frankfort vs. Onekama - 6:30 PM
Flint Powers Catholic vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill - 6:30 PM
South Lyon vs. Waterford Kettering - 6:30 PM
Bloomfield Hills Roeper vs. Whitmore Lake - 6:30 PM
Petoskey vs. Alpena - 6:30 PM
Suttons Bay vs. Maple City Glen Lake - 6:30 PM
Oakland Christian vs. Plymouth Christian Academy - 6:30 PM
Howell vs. Northville - 6:30 PM
Manistique vs. Ishpeming - 6:30 PM
South Lyon East vs. Lakeland - 6:30 PM
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Delton Kellogg - 6:30 PM
Cadillac vs. Traverse City West - 7 PM
Bear Lake vs. Walkerville - 7 PM
Hart vs. Montague - 7 PM
Saline vs. Ypsilanti Community - 7 PM
Escanaba vs. Gladstone - 7 PM
Troy Athens vs. North Farmington - 7 PM
Grand Rapids South Christian vs. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Warren Regina - 7 PM
Marcellus vs. Mendon - 7 PM
St Charles vs. Coleman - 7 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Brighton Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy - 7:30 PM
Lake Orion vs. Birmingham Seaholm - 7:30 PM
Now in its 12th year, the School Broadcast Program gives members an opportunity to showcase excellence in their schools by creating video programming of athletic and non-athletic events with students gaining skills in announcing, camera operation, directing/producing and graphics. Pixellot – The NFHS Network’s automated streaming solution – is used by schools wishing to live stream games, but lacking the ability to staff the events. The program also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.
NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $10.99 a month. Subscribers will have access to all live video and streaming statistics across the country. All content becomes available for free, on-demand viewing 72 hours after being shown live. A portion of every subscription sold by an SBP school goes to benefit its program.
A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.