From High School to Olympic Swimming

July 11, 2012

Fans of U.S. Swimming already have plenty of reasons to cheer for Missy Franklin later this month at the Summer Olympics -- she's only 17, but qualified to compete in a U.S. women's all-time best seven events.

But fans of high school sports and what they provide athletes at all levels of ability can also support her for how she's chosen to compete when she's not racing against the best in the world.

Franklin, who lives in Colorado, has continued to swim for her high school team despite the financial rewards she could've earned by taking the elite swimmer's usual path of going pro.

A ton has been written about Franklin lately, for obvious reasons. Below is a link to a New York Times story from February that focused on her continued dedication to her high school team.

Before the Olympic Trials, There’s This Big High School Meet (New York Times)

Today in the MHSAA: 4/28/16

April 28, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

An epic finish by a past MHSAA Finals star highlighted a day of records and rematches across Michigan on Wednesday.  

Baseball

Hartland’s John Baker drilled a walk-off home run to lead the reigning Division 1 champion past rival Brighton in 18 innings; he also threw the final 10 innings for the Eagles – Livingston Daily

In his second career pitching start, Walled Lake Central’s Pierson Hoy no-hit Waterford Mott 2-0 – Oakland Press

Girls Soccer

In just two seasons, Birch Run junior keeper Kalyn Breckenridge has tied her school’s career shutouts record of 36, which also will place her on the MHSAA career list – Saginaw News

Boys Tennis

In a rematch of last season’s Upper Peninsula Division 2 co-champions, Ishpeming Westwood downed Iron Mountain 5-3 – Iron Mountain Daily News

Track & Field

From last week, East Grand Rapids’ Niki Ezeh broke her school’s shot put record set in 1981 with a toss of 40 feet, 9 inches, and also won the 100 and 200 and anchored the 400 relay winner against Grand Rapids Christian – Grand Rapids Press

Good Read

Muskegon Orchard View baseball coach Ed Macheta was diagnosed last summer with Parkinson’s disease, but he’s hoping coaching will help him stay active and minimize the early effects – Muskegon Chronicle