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.)
Cranbrook Completes 4-Peat; Farner, Smith & Higgins Double Up Again
By
Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com
March 14, 2026
HOLLAND – Liam Smith never takes winning for granted.
Not even after the Otsego senior added two final championships to an impressive swim resume at Saturday's Lower Peninsula Division 3 Swimming & Diving Finals at the Holland Aquatics Center.
Smith won the 200-yard individual medley (1:47.38) and the 100 butterfly (47.80) to run his four-year run of individual Finals titles to seven.
It wouldn't be a stretch to wonder if all the championships would seem to blend together in Smith's mind, but nothing could be farther from the truth, he said. Being an annual target for other swimmers combined with not wanting to let teammates down have left Smith, headed to the University of Florida next season, savoring all of his four butterfly and three individual medley championships.
"That's part of it," Smith said of shrugging off being the competitor others are chasing. "When you're at the top everyone wants to beat you, and that's okay. But all those early-morning practices, the late ones and working in the summer and offseason, that all comes with sacrifice. If you want to be good, you face that sacrifice. It all pays off."
While Smith finished off his individual career with a bang, so did Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, which collected its fourth-straight team title by amassing 261 points. Holland Christian was second with 214 points, East Grand Rapids third with 196, Spring Lake fourth with 165 and DeWitt fifth with 141 points.
Much like Smith who believes each Finals win is a different story, Cranbrook Kingswood coach Paul Ellis said each of his last four teams has been different. The current team has only two swimmers – A.J. Farner and Blake Schwab – who've been on all four teams. This Cranes team graduated seven seniors from a year ago, is a bit on the younger side, and also will lose seven seniors from the roster.
"I was a little worried (Friday), but we set ourselves up for today," he said. "Our seniors four years ago were an example to our younger swimmers, and now our seniors this year were, too. They set an example for others. All the teams have been very different in personality, talent, preparation and how they conduct themselves.
"All teams have their ups and downs, but keeping your focus and honing in are everything and they did that right."
Farner had a big meet for the Cranes, winning the 200 free (1:39.12) and 100 breaststroke (55.83). Headed to Georgetown next season, he has been swimming since he was 8. He said each of his first places has presented different challenges, ranging from being a challenger to having to defend titles.
"Maybe a little because of experience and performing for the team and coach," he said. "At the end of the day you're excited. The main goal is to win so you help the team. That's always the main focus."
Cranbrook Kingswood's 200 medley relay team also took a first (1:33.13).
One of the most interesting stories from the Finals came from Adrian senior Kade Opsal, who broke his wrist in a soccer accident last fall, underwent surgery, and wound up missing the first third of this season. He finally returned and proceeded to go unbeaten in the 100 backstroke, including capturing that event (49.20) on Saturday. He had finished second and ninth in that event as a junior and sophomore, respectively.
"I didn't know how it was going to work out, only that I was hungry after last year," said Opsal, who is headed to Ball State next season. "I just laid down the hammer, and now here I am. I was heartbroken. I took 16 weeks off and didn't even know if I'd swim again."
Detroit Country Day's Jack Higgins was a double winner in the 50 free (28.79) and 100 free (45.72). The two firsts meant Higgins finished his career with eight top-four finishes in those events, including four firsts, over his four years. Higgins, who will not continue swimming at the college level but focus on pursuing a business career, said he won't necessarily remember his career entirely for its successes.
"I met so many people who became my friends, but now I have a new purpose," he said. "As my career comes to an end, I think of the people I've met through swimming. It's been a journey, for both the team and myself. I suppose I'll look back in 20 years and say I was a state champ and helped my team."
Holland Christian diver Charlie DeHaan won that event with a score of 537.60. The junior has previously finished seventh as a freshman and third a year ago.
"I like to say just go out there and lace 'em up regardless of how I feel," he said. "Even when you don't feel like it, you put the time in. It's got to be a clear focus. Whether you try once, twice or three times – even if you don't want to be there – you tell yourself you can do it."
The other Finals champs Saturday were Plainwell's Sam Harper in the 500 free (4:32.14), Holland Christian's 400 free relay team (3:08.77) and Spring Lake's 200 free relay (1:26.03).
PHOTOS (Top) Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood stands on the podium Saturday with its latest team championship trophy. (Middle) Swimmers launch during the start of a race. (Below) Hamilton’s Jayden Bierschbach competes in diving. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)