Howell Puts Heart Into Memorial Meet
August 29, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
An online tribute to Mackenzie Watts describes how she “made the people and world around her better.”
The Howell swimming and diving community continues to work so that her memory makes those who come after her safer as well.
Watts died in 2005 after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia. She was a 15-year-old sophomore and key cog on her high school team.
This past weekend, for the sixth straight season, the Highlanders hosted the Kenzie Classic, an invitational that served as a fundraiser for the Howell program and annual Mackenzie Watts scholarship – plus served to promote heart screenings by local National Diagnostic Services in their “HeartMobile” parked outside the pool.
NDS, which also has held screening events at Northville, Canton and Middleville Thornapple Kellogg schools among others, screened 20 students during this Kenzie Classic, said Wellness Director Heidi Enders.
Tests are ultrasound-based and non-invasive, and include an EKG to examine the heart’s electrical system for arrhythmias and an echocardiogram to examine the heart’s structure in case there is a thickening of the muscle (known as hyperthrophic cardiomyopathy). Adults were charged $199 and students $75, with discounted rates for adults in groups and children.
Click to check out coverage of the event from the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus.
Records Revamp
While tracking down 660 football schedules (give or take a few) took up most of the summer, there still was time for a few additions to the MHSAA record book – with more to come.
Track and field fans will notice records from retired yardage events (pre-1982 or earlier depending on the MHSAA class) have been added to the online records here for boys and here for girls.
Cross country fans should check out our lists of top MHSAA Finals times for every division and every class, plus overall top 10 lists for both boys and girls since the race was set to five kilometers in 1980. Click here for girls and here for boys.
Also added or updated were team championship counts for both cross countries, volleyball and girls golf. Click to check out girls golf here and volleyball here.
Fond Football Memories
It has been 30 years since former Genesee all-state running back Don Robinson became the fourth player in Genesee County history to run for more than 300 yards in one game – which he did in gaining 317 on Sept. 23, 1983.
High school football and those memories remain close to his heart even after going on to play at Eastern Michigan University, a stint in the U.S. Navy and a move to Georgia.
He’s paid attention over the years as that “300 club” has grown to 22 players including current New Orleans Saints back Mark Ingram, Jr., and the University of Michigan’s Thomas Rawls.
He’s also a regular reader of Second Half, and asked to send along some words of wisdom to those who will be taking the field to begin the season this weekend:
“When you run out onto the field this season, do me a favor. At least once, pause.
“Look around you. Look at the lights in the sky. See the faces of those that have come to see you play. Listen to the band and the cheerleaders. Look into the eyes of your teammates ...
“Take it all in. When you’re older and miss this amazing game that you are playing, you’ll be glad you did.”
PHOTOS: (Top) A swimmer takes the lead during a race at Saturday's Kenzie Klassic at Howell High School. (Photo courtesy of Howell High School.) (Middle) Genesee graduate Don Robinson runs the ball during the 1983 season. (Photo courtesy of Don Robinson.)
Seniors Lead Again as Marquette Boys Claim 4th-Straight UP Finals Title
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
February 19, 2023
MARQUETTE — The Marquette boys captured their fourth consecutive Upper Peninsula swimming & diving title in convincing fashion here Saturday with 376 points.
They were followed by Houghton with 216, and Kingsford edged Sault Ste. Marie 133-132 for third place.
Marquette senior Andrew King collected three firsts, taking the 100-yard backstroke in a personal-best 57.73 seconds and swimming a personal-best one minute, 57.9 seconds while taking runner-up honors in the 200 freestyle. He also helped the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
“This was really a great day,” said King, who swam all four years of high school. “This is the first time I got under a minute in the 100 backstroke and under two minutes in 200 freestyle. I’ve been shooting for those all season. It feels great to swim those times and finish strong and who knows, there’s always a chance I might swim in college. I’m very happy for both of our teams.”
Classmate Liam McFarren added a first in the 200 individual medley (2:08.18) and helped the 200 medley and freestyle relays.
Senior Maverick Baldwin won the 50 freestyle (22.67) and took second in the 100 butterfly (58.22), and helped the medley and 400 freestyle relays. Sophomore teammate Evan Balko earned top honors in diving Friday with 215.35 points.
“I’ve been working with our seniors since they’ve been 9-10 years old,” said Marquette coach Nate McFarren. “It’s a pleasure to see them become fine young men right before my eyes. You see them do all the training for all the big events, and all of a sudden it’s over. It’s kind of bittersweet. It’s kind of a letdown after the season ends.”
Houghton senior Johannes Myhre, an exchange student from Norway, earned top honors in the 100 butterfly (56.21) and 100 freestyle (50.07) and helped the Gremlins place second in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
“I’ve always lived on the water and since I’ve been a little kid I loved being on the water,” he said. “I started competitive swimming four years ago. I think I had a pretty good backstroke today, and having Liam McFarren on my side really helps. He’s definitely a good swimmer. We’ve gone back and forth all year. I think it was decided after 75 yards. I used all my reserves.”
Kingsford sophomore Joey Lundmark claimed the 200 freestyle (1:56.85) and 500 (5:27.07), and senior teammate Zane Cahee added a first in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.47). They also helped the Flivvers place third in the 200 medley relay, and Cahee was fourth in the 200 IM (2:26.91).
Manistique senior Grant Mason set a school record while placing third in the 100 backstroke (1:02.43).
“I definitely ate a little better today and yesterday and managed my diet, which gave me a little more energy,” he said. “I also stayed in a hotel in Marquette and was able to sleep in a little. I beat my previous best time by about two seconds, and our medley relay placed second. We swam real strong and beat our best time by about seven seconds.”
(PHOTOS by Randy Ritari – Click to see more.)