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.)
Farmington United's Hodge Closes Historic Run as Repeat Finals Champ
By
Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com
March 8, 2025
GRAND RAPIDS – Leah Hodge never really felt like another Division 1 gymnastics championship was in hand Saturday, but she wasn't going to argue with where she stood following the MHSAA Team Final the day before.
The Farmington United senior considered herself as very much in the hunt to become the first gymnast to win back-to-back all-around titles since 2013-14. Maybe, however, just not the favorite to repeat as champion.
"I was nervous, but I felt like things were falling into place. I thought I'd be okay," Hodge said. "I felt like there was less pressure than the (Team Final) because there you're in it for the team."
Hodge had the second-highest all-around score (38.175) in Friday's team competition to Hartland's Alexis Fundich (38.425). But less than 24 hours later, she rebounded to capture the top honor in Division 1 with a score of 38.325 at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills. Fundich was runner-up at 38.1.
Hodge closed out a stellar prep career by becoming the first gymnast to win back-to-back Division 1 Finals all-around titles since Christina Shabet of Troy in 2013-14.
"Since this is my last high school competition, I think I was more happy than nervous," Hodge said. "It's a dream come true."
Hodge won bars (9.65), took second on vault (9.675), third on beam (9.625) and fourth on floor (9.375) to win all-around.
While she was finishing out her repeat run, Hartland produced quite an encore after winning Friday's team meet. The Eagles' Fundich won floor (9.75) while teammates Kate Gostlin captured the vault (9.725) and Abby Griffen the beam (9.825).
Fundich, a junior, said she couldn't quite match Hodge's prowess, but had an outstanding meet.
"I think I was in a position just to have fun," she said. "I made a couple mistakes, but I was proud of how I did overall."
Gostlin said her season turned around in a meet at Lakeland during the regular season. It was there, she said, that her mindset changed from having a credible season to one capable of winning a Finals title in vault.
"I thought I did real good," she said. "It was a mindset, more confidence. I had a really high score there and began to think I could have some really good scores. I began to feel really good about myself and that's a kind of power, knowing you can do it."
Like Gostlin, Griffen said much of her performance can be explained by a higher confidence level.
"I had a really good meet Friday and felt confident in my routine today," she said. "I was real proud of the team (Friday). You don't really expect a state title, but we were confident we could be in it."
Hartland coach Gavin Kress said a case could be made the Eagles actually took a step forward in terms of nailing routines in the individual meet over the team championship.
"It was a less stressful day. The team is what it's really all about," he said. "I think today is more about them. Yesterday we were confident, and that boosted us for today."
Rockford senior Sydnee Schrauben claimed the Division 2 all-around championship with a score of 36.025 as Rams took the top three places. She was followed by senior Kate Tracey (35.900) and sophomore Lillian Green (35.850).
Rockford also dominated Division 2 championships on the apparatuses. Sophomore Reese DeFrang won the vault with a 9.3, Schrauben won the beam with a 9.6 and senior Avery Renberg won the floor with a 9.5. Schrauben tied for fourth on bars, finished 25th on vault and 30th on floor to build the championship all-around score.
Farmington United junior Aubrey Woodman won the Division 2 bars title with an 8.875.
PHOTOS (Top) Farmington United’s Leah Hodge competes on floor exercise during Saturday’s Division 1 Finals at Kenowa Hills. (Middle) Hartland’s Alexis Fundich also competes on floor exercise. (Below) Rockford’s Sydnee Schrauben prepares to launch off the vault. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)