Linked Up: 11/15/11
December 16, 2011
We're heading into the final two weeks of the MHSAA fall season, which means playoffs for a few more sports, first practices for many others, and some catch-up on good stories that have made their way into my e-mail or onto my desk. Here are five more I've run across this week.
And again, if you see something high school sports-related that you think others would find valuable, send me a link at [email protected].
Walled Lake Central's Zac Leimbach stands strong after father's death (Detroit Free Press)
Walled Lake Central quarterback Zac Leimbach led his team to the playoffs this fall (WLC lost last weekend). He also is the oldest of three sons and now the man of his house in the wake of the summer death of their father after a battle with cancer. Mick McCabe's passage about Leimbach's final conversation with his father really struck me -- incredible.
Being in the pool makes Zeeland swimmer Becky Taylor feel like equal (Holland Sentinel)
Taylor was born with spina bifida -- "a hole in her back" -- and paralysis from the hips down. But she can leave her wheelchair behind when she takes to the pool as a member of the Zeeland swim team. Dan D'Addona tells us this inspiring story that has made waves on the west side of the state this season.
Mercy's Maddy Doyle takes home Miss Volleyball award (Oakland Press)
Doyle was the spokesperson for her team to the media after tough losses ended their last two seasons. But she was able to stand in once more -- joyfully tearful this time -- in accepting the Miss Volleyball award for 2011. Matthew B. Mowery wraps up her great career.
East Grand Rapids' win over Holland was the Pioneers' 28th straight in postseason play. That's a story unto itself, of course. But another big one for West Michigan high school sports fans was the return of the Press' Jane Bos, who is back in the press box after nearly a year working through medical issues. This is her return column, and I'm sure a loyal reader base is thankful to have her back.
From a standout player, a different sort of care basket (Los Angeles Times)
This is a little old, but came back into the light this week with the start of college basketball season. It's a college story, but also a high school story, of a star hoops player who won $40,000 in scholarship money in a free-throw shooting contest -- and then gave it to the seven runners-up. You'll probably hear about Cal State-Northridge's Allan Guei at some point over the next few years. Here's why.
Today in the MHSAA: 10/17/16
October 17, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A busy championship weekend ended with two first-time MHSAA Finals golf winners, the end to a near-decade run in tennis, favorites winning in cross country and surprises claiming titles in volleyball.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Cross Country
Corunna’s boys followed standout Noah Jacobs to a Greater Lansing Invitational repeat championship, while Lansing Catholic claimed the girls title paced by a dominant run by Olivia Theis – Lansing State Journal (Boys/Girls)
The Grosse Ile boys and Wyandotte Roosevelt girls won Southgate News-Herald championships – Southgate News-Herald (Boys/Girls)
The Macomb Dakota boys won their third straight Macomb County title, and Romeo won the girls title while Macomb L’Anse Creuse North’s Karenna Duffey won the individual girls championship for the third time – Macomb Daily (Boys/Girls)
The Blissfield girls and Tecumseh boys won Lenawee County cross country championships – Adrian Daily Telegram
The Sturgis girls and Detroit Catholic Central boys won the Division 1-2 race at the 52nd Kiwanis Invitational in Sturgis, while Bronson’s boys and Quincy’s girls won the Division 3-4 race – Sturgis Journal/Coldwater Daily Reporter
Girls Golf
Rochester, Midland Dow, Spring Lake and Macomb Lutheran North won MHSAA Lower Peninsula championships Saturday, Dow and Lutheran North for the first time and Spring Lake for the third straight season – Second Half
Boys Tennis
Ann Arbor Huron, Midland Dow, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett won Lower Peninsula championships as well, with Liggett ending Ann Arbor Greenhills’ eight-year run in Division 4 – Second Half
Volleyball
Unranked Muskegon Mona Shores swept Class B No. 8 Fruitport to win the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association championship – Muskegon Chronicle
Unranked Battle Creek Lakeview downed Class B No. 6 Harper Creek in three sets to win its first All-City championship since 2007 – Battle Creek Enquirer
Calumet downed host Houghton to win the Gremlins’ invitational – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Class A honorable mention Niles won its sixth straight tournament, downing Comstock, Galesburg-Augusta, Decatur, Kalamazoo Hackett and host Loy Norrix in the final – Niles Daily Star
Class D No. 10 Pittsford swept No. 5 North Adams-Jerome to win the Jonesville “Think Pink” Tournament – Hillsdale Daily News
Adrian Madison downed Adrian in the final to claim the Lenawee County Tournament title – Adrian Daily Telegram