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.)
MHSAA.tv Schedule Filled with 400+ Live Events
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 14, 2021
More than 400 events will be broadcast live this week on MHSAA.tv and the NFHS Network, including a season high of nearly 170 football games.
Highlighting this week’s Network football schedule are a pair of Division 1 matchups with potential league title implications. In the Saginaw Valley League Red, reigning champion Davison hosts Grand Blanc, while in the Macomb Area Conference Red reigning co-champion Macomb Dakota hosts Clinton Township Chippewa Valley.
The Bally Sports Detroit broadcast team this week will travel to Thirlby Field in Traverse City for the annual “Patriot Game” between Central and West. The game regularly draws more than 10,000 fans and honors U.S. military veterans, active-duty military, first responders and more area heroes who have died serving our country. Bally will present the game live at 7 p.m. on its Bally Sports Detroit PLUS cable channel and also on its website and app.
A pair of Thursday (Sept. 16) volleyball matches feature recent state powers, as reigning Division 1 champion Bloomfield Hills Marian takes on 2019 champ Farmington Hills Mercy, and reigning Division 2 champ Grand Rapids Christian faces last season’s Division 1 runner-up Lowell. In boys soccer, undefeated Grand Rapids South Christian hosts Ada Forest Hills Eastern also on Thursday, with Novi also looking to stay unbeaten while welcoming Plymouth.
Online viewers should keep in mind that the only sites that livestream MHSAA events are the NFHS Network (MHSAA.tv), Bally Sports Detroit (one game per week), State Champs! Sports Network (one game per week), or a school-controlled website (on a school YouTube or Facebook page, for example). There are many scams that advertise livestreams and are phishing for personal information. Some even attempt to install malware on computers or devices. If viewers see a link to a game that is not on one of the providers listed above, it is fake. If unsure, viewers should contact the host school or MHSAA before providing personal information.
Below are listings and links to just a few of the events of note this week on MHSAA.tv:
VOLLEYBALL
Sept. 16: Lowell at Grand Rapids Christian, 6 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 16: Farmington Hills Mercy at Bloomfield Hills Marin, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 16: Centreville at Bloomingdale, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
All volleyball matches this week (170+ matches): MHSAA.tv
BOYS SOCCER
Sept. 16: Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central at East Grand Rapids, 6:45 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 16: Ada Forest Hills Eastern at Grand Rapids South Christian, 6:45 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 16: Plymouth at Novi, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
All soccer games this week (80+ games): MHSAA.tv
FOOTBALL
Sept. 17: Traverse City Central vs. Traverse City West at Thirlby Field, 7 p.m.: Bally Sports Detroit PLUS, BSD Website and app
Sept: 17 Davison at Grand Blanc, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 17: Clinton Township Chippewa Valley at Macomb Dakota, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 17: St. Louis at Hemlock, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 17: Kingsford at Marquette, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
Sept. 17 Brighton at Novi, 7 p.m.: MHSAA.tv
All football games this week (170+ games): MHSAA.tv
NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $10.99 per month. Subscribers have access to all live video and streaming statistics across the country. School Broadcast Program participants benefit as a portion of every subscription sold by a school goes to benefit its program.
More than 400 MHSAA member schools are participants in the School Broadcast Program, now in its 13th year, producing games using traditional hands-on student crews or via Pixellot cameras installed at stadiums and gymnasiums across the state. A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.