10 to Remember: Spring 2015
June 25, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The close of June officially ends of another school year. And this season’s MHSAA Finals provided another strong finish with a number of memorable moments sure to be recalled for years to come.
Below is one person’s list of the 10 most significant, drawn from the title-earning performances of 129 teams and hundreds of individuals this spring.
10. Rockford Holds On for Third Straight Girls Lacrosse Title
The Rams saw an 8-1 lead dissolve to a one-goal advantage after Bloomfield Hills Marian scored in the 22nd minute of the second half of their Division 1 Final. Rockford goalie Katie Elwell turned away a shot to tie the game with 55 seconds left, and her team won a jumpball deep on its side of the field with 36 seconds to play to hold on to a 10-9 victory – and claim a third straight MHSAA championship. Rockford is one of three programs to win four MHSAA titles during the 11 seasons of tournament sponsorship. Marian is a two-time runner-up.
9. Hartland Baseball Goes 10 Innings to Win First MHSAA Title
Hartland scored in the first inning of the Division 1 Final in pursuit of its first MHSAA championship in the sport – but then didn’t score again until the bottom of the 10th inning. Junior pitcher John Baker threw all 10 innings for the Eagles, allowing only five hits and striking out 11 batters, and he also had two hits and drove in the game’s first run. Portage Northern also was making its first MHSAA Final appearance in baseball.
8. Northville Girls Tennis Joins First-time Champs; Nguyen Joins Elite
The Northville girls tennis team was one of 32 teams over all sports that won their first MHSAA championships during the 2014-15 school year. The Wildcats finished an impressive five points ahead of Midland Dow, winning three doubles and two singles flights. Utica’s Davina Nguyen, meanwhile, finished as one of the most accomplished champions in MHSAA history, becoming only the sixth player to win at least three titles at No. 1 singles. Nguyen also won in Division 1 as a freshman and junior.
7. Cranbrook Kingswood Regains Boys Lacrosse Title on Last-Second Winner
Johnny Wagner scored 177 goals over his three-season varsity career for Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, but his last had to be the most spectacular. Three days after sending the Cranes to the Final with an overtime game-winning goal, Wagner scored in the Division 2 championship decider with 10.5 seconds to play to give his team the final edge in a 10-9 victory over Okemos. The winner was his fifth goal of the game.
6. Gull Lake Girls Soccer Wins Again on Shootout Success
The only shots to find the net in the Division 2 Final came during an overtime shootout won by Gull Lake to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 victory and their third straight MHSAA championship. That’s not to say the game lacked for excitement, with the teams combining for 37 shots. Gull Lake had also won its Regional Semifinal in a shootout and finished the spring 25-1-1. Fenton was making its first MHSAA Finals appearance in the sport, seeking its first title in any sport since 1993.
5. Warren Regina Softball Stuns After Slow Start
Teams that open 3-11 usually don’t finish as championship contenders – but those teams don’t have the MHSAA’s winningest coach, Diane Laffey, running the show to go with a strong group of upperclassmen who emerged from a competative Detroit Catholic League Central. Regina won its sixth MHSAA title and first since 2007 by downing favored Caledonia 5-0 in the Division 1 Final. Senior Marissa Tiano struck out nine batters in giving up only two hits after giving up only four hits in a 7-1 Semifinal win over Mattawan.
4. DeWitt Boys Golf Sticks Winning Shots; Carlson Goes All-Time Low
DeWitt senior Geoffry Croley birdied off the flagstick on the No. 18 hole at Forest Akers East to help the Panthers edge Cranbrook Kingswood 594-595 and claim the Lower Peninsula Division 2 title, its first since 2011. His younger brother, freshman Joey, made par on his final hole (No. 16) to also help secure the win. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s Nick Carlson finished his high school career with a second individual title and the all-time low 36-hole score in MHSAA Finals history, a 134, to edge Matt Harmon’s 135 for East Kentwood in 2001.
3. Saline Unbeatable in Claiming First Girls Soccer Title
The Hornets compiled one of the most impressive seasons in MHSAA girls soccer history in making their first Final and then winning it. Saline gave up a mere four goals – tied for third-fewest in MHSAA history – in 25 games and finished with a 22-0-3 record capped by a 4-0 win over Grand Blanc in the Division 1 championship game. The team’s 22 shutouts also rank tied for third in MHSAA girls soccer history. Senior Taylor Mulder set a school record with 43 goals this season with her second of this game.
2. Legend of Beaubien Grows with Monroe St. Mary Softball Title
Meghan Beaubien already was known by those who follow softball statewide – not many sophomores get a chance to commit to the University of Michigan so early. But what she and the Kestrels did in winning the program’s first MHSAA championship was pretty legendary. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central outscored its postseason opponents by a combined 29-0 over seven games, beating Bronson 2-0 in the Division 3 Final with Beaubien taking a perfect game into the seventh inning and hitting a two-run homer.
1. Fisher, Saline Finish Strong in Boys Track and Field Final
The Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final was filled with notable finishes – including a pair that will be listed in the national record book next month. Saline won its second MHSAA title in the sport and first since 2006, finishing ahead of East Kentwood – champion five of the last six seasons. The Hornets were keyed by a 3,200 relay of Logan Wetzel, Josiah Humphrey, Austin Welch and Kevin Hall that finished in 7:38.97 to rank among the best all-time in U.S. high school history Grand Blanc senior Grant Fisher posted the second-fastest 1,600 time in U.S. high school history, going 4:00.28.; he graduated with five individual MHSAA Finals titles. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills’ Donavan Brazier also re-set the all-Finals record in the 800, running 1:48.98.
PHOTO: Grant Fisher, far right, set an MHSAA all-Finals record in the 1,600 that also ranks as the second-fastest in U.S. high school history. (Click to see more from RunMichigan.com. Photos by John Brabbs.)
Preview: 1st-Time Contenders, Familiar Favorites Seek History-Making Finishes
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 17, 2022
In a sport often dominated by powerhouse programs, we could see new contenders emerge during this weekend’s Lower Peninsula Girls Swimming & Diving Finals.
True, Ann Arbor Pioneer looks tough to beat as it seeks a third-straight championship in Division 1. But even with Birmingham Seaholm pursuing a fourth-straight title in Division 2, it appears Jenison is the team to chase at Calvin University as the Wildcats seek their first Finals team victory in this sport.
In Division 3, the top-two ranked teams have won before – but neither this century. Holland Christian and Milan lead those with championship aspirations.
Competition begins at noon for Friday’s preliminaries and Saturday’s championships. Friday’s action will begin with swimming, with divers taking the pool approximately 3:30 p.m. at all three sites.
A spectator limit of two tickets per Finals qualifier will be in place in Division 2, but all three Finals will be streamed live on MHSAA.tv both days. Click for information on purchasing tickets, plus schedules and qualifiers for all three meets.
Lower Peninsula Division 1 at Oakland University
Reigning champion: Ann Arbor Pioneer
2021 runner-up: Saline
2022 top-ranked: 1. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2. Northville, 3. Farmington Hills Mercy
Pioneer has won the last two LPD1 championships, last season with 405.5 points and a 158.5-point margin over the rest of the field. It’s tough to imagine that streak not growing as the Pioneers enter this weekend with 16 swim entries seeded to score (among the top 16) with eight top seeds – including favorites in all three relays – and two competing divers. Northville finished fifth a year ago and is seeking its first team championship in this sport, entering this weekend with 13 swim entries seeded to score and two divers as well. Mercy was seventh last season but champion three straight from 2017-19, and enters with 10 swim entries seeded to score.
Stella Chapman, Ann Arbor Pioneer junior: The top seed in the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.13) and 100 backstroke (56.07) will be looking to add to individual titles won in the backstroke as a freshman and IM as a sophomore. She’s also swam on four relay champions and is part of two top-seeded relays this weekend.
Elizabeth Eichbrecht, West Bloomfield freshman: She’s burst onto the scene this fall and provided plenty of anticipation as she enters her first MHSAA Finals with top seeds in the 200 freestyle (1:48.87) and 500 freestyle (4:54.65).
Lucy Mehraban, Ann Arbor Pioneer senior: After swimming on two championship relays as a freshman, Mehraban could close her high school career with a few more titles as she’s set to swim on two top-seeded relays and enters with top seeds in the 50 freestyle (23.04) and 100 freestyle (50.31).
Emily Roden, Northville senior: She won the 100 butterfly as a freshman and was second in that race and the IM last season. She enters this weekend with the top seed in the butterfly (55.17) and fourth seed in the 200 freestyle (1:51.86).
Victoria Schreiber, Brighton senior: She’s the fourth seed in the 500 freestyle (5:01.22) and fifth seed in the 200 (1:51.94) after winning the 500 and finishing fourth in the 200 in 2021.
McKenzie Siroky, Livonia Stevenson senior: She’ll chase the all-Finals record of 1:00.48 she set in the 100 breaststroke last season with a top-seed time this weekend of 1:00.77, and she’ll also swim the 50 seeded third (23.49).
Rosalee Springer, Grand Haven junior: The reigning 100 freestyle champion is seeded fourth in that race (51.46) and sixth in the IM (2:10.07).
Ann Arbor Pioneer 200 medley relay: Chapman is likely to be joined by sophomore Ursula Ott, senior Sophia Guo and freshman Kate Van Ryn as they pursue the LPD1 Finals record of 1:42.40. Pioneer has a seed time of 1:43.52.
Alice English, Saline senior: After finishing second at last year’s Final, less than 19 points off the lead, English will pursue her first championship coming off the highest Regional score (426.90) in Division 1.
Lower Peninsula Division 2 at Calvin University
Reigning champion: Birmingham Seaholm
2021 runner-up: Grosse Pointe South
2022 top-ranked: 1. Jenison, 2. East Grand Rapids, 3. Grosse Pointe South
Seaholm is seeking to become the sixth Lower Peninsula girls swimming & diving program to win a fourth-straight Finals championship, but this one might be the toughest to earn as the Maples enter ranked No. 6 – although they will bring 10 swim entries seeded to score and a competing diver. Jenison is seeking its first team championship after finishing sixth a year ago and enters with an impressive lineup including six top seeds, 10 more also seeded to score and four divers. East Grand Rapids is back in Division 2 after claiming three championships in Division 3 – and most recently winning Division 2 in 2017. The Pioneers have nine swim entries seeded to score and three divers competing. Grosse Pointe South finished runner-up last season for the second time in three years, and will make a run at its first team title this time with 14 swim entries seeded to score and a diver competing.
Grace Albrecht, Jenison junior: She’s won the 50 freestyle twice (including last season in a tie) and also was the 100 free runner-up last fall. She enters this weekend seeded first in the 50 (23.31) and second in the 100 backstroke (54.26) and also likely will swim on two top-seeded relays.
Lily Cleason, Ann Arbor Skyline senior: The reigning backstroke champion is seeded first in that race again (53:00) and second in the 200 freestyle (1:50.77) after finishing sixth a year ago.
Samantha Clifford, Birmingham Seaholm senior: She swam on her fourth and fifth champion relays last fall and also won her first individual title in the 100 free while finishing second in the 200. She’s seeded fourth in the 200 free (1:53.32) this weekend and second in the 100 (51.76).
Ella Roberson, Midland Dow senior: After finishing fourth in the 200 free and third in the 500 a year ago, Roberson is a favorite to win multiple individual titles entering the weekend seeded first in the 200 (1:49.56) and 100 free (49.82).
Rhian Russell, Rochester Adams senior: She’s seeded first in the 100 butterfly (54.95) by more than a second and fourth in the backstroke (56.41). She previously was part of Adams’ 200 medley championship relay in 2020.
Layla Umstead, Jenison freshman: She enters her first Finals with a top seed time in the 500 (4:58.81) and seventh seed in the IM (2:09.69), plus she’s expected to swim on two top-seeded relays.
Sophia Umstead, Jenison sophomore: She’s also swimming in her first Finals and with an opportunity to make a historic impact with her top seed times in the IM (1:59.01) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.96) faster than the current Division 2 Finals records.
Jenison 200 medley relay: The expected combination of Albrecht, her freshman sister Emma and the Umstead sisters enters with a top seed time of 1:42.81, which is 1.8 seconds off the Division 2 record but would be the second-fastest time on the list.
Lily Witte, Dexter senior: She’s twice set the Division 2 Finals record for diving and won the event three times, with her 503.55 last season just under six points shy of the all-Finals record. She scored 513.35 to win her Regional by nearly 90 points.
Caroline Li, Okemos senior: Like Witte, she’s one of the nation’s top high school divers – but has finished second to Witte all of her first three seasons. She also won her Regional, with her 463.30 nearly 42 points better than the field.
Lower Peninsula Division 3 at Holland Aquatic Center
Reigning champion: East Grand Rapids
2021 runner-up: Bloomfield Hills Marian
2022 top-ranked: 1. Holland Christian, 2. Milan, 3. Bloomfield Hills Marian
With East Grand Rapids competing in Division 2 again, we’re guaranteed a new champion in Division 3 – and Holland Christian is hoping for its first team title since 1996, while Milan last won in 1977. The Maroons finished fourth a year ago and present a strong lineup this weekend with 13 swim entries seeded to score including two top seeds, plus four divers. Milan is right there with 13 swim entries seeded to score as well, one being a top seed, and two divers competing. Marian’s most recent championship was in Division 2 in 2014, and it will look to take that step again with 10 swim entries seeded to score and a diver this weekend.
Kiera Danitz, Ogemaw Heights senior: She has a chance to sprint to multiple championships as she enters with the top seed in the 50 free (24.15) and second seed in the 100 (53.41).
Ella Dziobak, Dearborn Divine Child freshman: She’ll enter her first Finals as the top seed in the 200 (1:52.99) and 500 (5:06.77) freestyles, both by at least three seconds.
Julijana Jelic, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood junior: After finishing fourth in both the IM and backstroke last season, Jelic is the top seed in the backstroke (59.60) and fifth in the IM (2:15.14).
Scarlet Maison, Standish-Sterling sophomore: She left her first Finals last season with a championship in the IM and 11th place in the backstroke, and she returns as the top seed in the IM (2:08.76) and second seed in the breaststroke (1:07.56).
Lauren McNamara, Flat Rock junior: The reigning champion in the butterfly is seeded first in that event (56.46), and second in the IM (2:11.46) after finishing sixth in that race last season.
Ella Schafer, St. Johns junior: She’s the top seed in the breaststroke (1:06.48) and ranked fifth in the 100 free (54.36), after finishing sixth in the 200 free and ninth in the breaststroke last season.
Laney Wolf, Wayland freshman: Another standout freshman, Wolf enters her first Finals seeded first in the 100 free (53.09) and fifth in the 50 (24.88).
Alicia Viaches, Haslett junior: Viaches posted the highest Regional score in Division 3 (367.75), more than 45 points higher than the rest of the competitors at her site.
Kaitlyn Molnar, Grosse Ile junior: She should build significantly on last year’s 10th-place Finals finish after winning her Regional by more than 60 points with a 366.10.
PHOTO: Dexter’s Lily Witte dives during last season’s LPD2 Finals; she won the diving competition for the third time. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)