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.)
West Catholic Standout Quickly Leaves Lasting Impression
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 18, 2021
Recent Grand Rapids West Catholic grad Jaye Guichelaar played only one season of high school softball in Michigan after her family moved here from Washington a year ago.
But she made a quick and lasting impact on the MHSAA record book.
Guichelaar tied for the eighth-highest single-season batting average at .700 and also made the record book with 70 hits over 30 games. Although a record book list isn’t kept for this statistic, it’s an achievement also worth noting: She didn’t strike out over 100 at bats.
Read on for more recent additions to the softball record listings.
Softball
Durand earned its first record book entry in this sport this season, hitting 61 doubles over 28 games. Madison Raley led the way with 12.
Vicksburg’s Audrie Dugan earned a spot in the records with eight RBI in a May 19 win over Centreville. She was 4 for 4 with a home run.
A pair of Midland Bullock Creek hitters reached the record book with home runs in their respective back-to-back at bats this spring. Senior Mattie Midkiff hit home runs in two straight at bats against St. Charles on April 30. Junior Sydney Borsenik did the same, with both of hers during the second inning, against Carrollton on May 1. Bullock Creek also was added for 69 doubles as a team over 39 games.
Port Huron’s Emma Trombly was perhaps known more for her basketball talents this school year, but she made the softball record book with a big day April 22 against Warren Cousino. Trombly tied for third on the single-game RBI list with 10 in a 23-11 win, going 4 for 6 at the plate and also scoring five runs. She’ll play basketball this upcoming season at Northwood.
LaNya Bates didn’t get to play her senior season at Grand Blanc because of COVID-19, but her hitting over her first three earned her a place on the career batting average list at .541, with 193 hits over 106 games from 2017-19. Teammates Kendall Klochack and Rebecca Oetting were sophomores in 2019 and added to the single-season doubles list for 22 and 18, respectively, that spring. Bates is continuing her career at Memphis, and Klochack signed with Purdue.
Kalamazoo Central’s Kearney Miller earned her school’s first individual record book entry in this sport with 17 doubles this season. Kalamazoo Central also made the team record book with 74 doubles over 33 games. Miller will continue her career at Albion College.
A pair of Caro hitters were added to the records for achievements this spring as well. Freshman Leah Daniels drove in six runs during an April 26 game and had 17 doubles over 38 games this season, while senior Kelsey Marcola also drove in six runs in a game, June 1 against Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker.
A pair of West Bloomfield juniors made the single-season home runs list this spring. Sydney Stapf drove 12 homers over 30 games, while Alma Tatem hit 10 over 28 games.
Chloe May had a memorable May 10 with three record book entries coming from her performance in Pickford’s 26-12 win over St. Ignace. The freshman hit three home runs total, including two in back-to-back at bats, and drove in seven runs.
PHOTO: West Catholic’s Jaye Guichelaar stands in for a pitch during a game this spring. (Photo courtesy of the Grand Rapids West Catholic athletic program.)