Linked Up: 12/2/11

December 20, 2011

So long, Fall. Welcome, Winter.

We're in the midst of leaving the former behind and jumping into the latter, and the stories I found this week go along with that theme.

Remember, if you find something high school sports-related that you think others would find useful or inspiring, send me a link at [email protected] and I'll check it out.

The man who couldn't say no (Grand Traverse Insider)

Lynn Walker has answered the Benzie Central coaching call a number of times over the last 30 years. Greg Gielczyk tells us how Walker, after retiring over the summer with 606 games to his credit, answered that call again this winter.

RCHS junior hands out medals on big stage (Presque Isle County Advance)

What goes into being part of our MHSAA Student-Advisory Council? A number of memorable experiences, and this one no doubt ranks up there. Angie Asam explains how Rogers City junior Evan Lamb gave us a hand passing out awards after the Division 6 Football Final at Ford Field.

Marine City supporters pack Ford Field (Port Huron Times-Herald)

By the unofficial count of my eyes, Marine City had the largest crowd of the 16 teams who played in the weekend's Football Final at Ford Field. Jim Whymer tells us why this was a must-see for so many fans.

Lawton's "Core Four" head into final season together (Paw Paw Courier-Leader)

Lawton’s “Core Four” of Alyssa Barkovich, Jenna Maury, Erika Whittington and Cassandra Willis have been part of two straight volleyball league titles and are going for their fourth-straight basketball league championship. Daniel Thornton takes us through some of their impressive winning streaks, including 41-straight league volleyball victories.

Today in the MHSAA: 5/5/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 5, 2025

1. BASEBALL Division 2 No. 19 Fruitport defeated Division 3 No. 4 North Muskegon 9-1 to win its first Greater Muskegon Athletic Association championship since 1991 – MuskegonSports.com

2. GIRLS SOCCER Mia Clemence scored six goals over two games to set a Fremont career record with 109 as her team – ranked No. 11 in Division 3 – won the Newaygo County Tournament – Local Sports Journal

3. TRACK & FIELD The Farmington Invitational saw the four fastest boys 200-meter times run in the state this season, with Belleville’s Will Jaiden Smith finishing first in 21.11 seconds – Detroit Free Press

4. SOFTBALL Division 1 honorable mention Muskegon Reeths-Puffer repeated as GMAA champion with an 8-2 win over Division 3 No. 3 Ravenna – CatchMark SportsNet

5. GIRLS TENNIS Detroit Country Day – No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – downed LPD4 No. 2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 7-1 – Oakland Press

6. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 4 Macomb Dakota downed No. 9 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 8-4 – Macomb Daily

7. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 2 Escanaba went 2-1 against downstate opponents, falling to Division 1 No. 6 Walled Lake Northern and defeating Division 2 No. 5 Goodrich and Imlay City – Escanaba Daily Press

8. TRACK & FIELD The Muskegon Mona Shores girls and Whitehall boys earned GMAA titles – Muskegon Chronicle

9. TRACK & FIELD The Gladstone girls and Sault Ste. Marie boys claimed Escanaba Invitational championships – Escanaba Daily News

10. GIRLS TENNIS Muskegon Mona Shores took back the GMAA team title, and Fruitport’s Josalynn Nowicki won No. 1 singles – Local Sports Journal

Also of note …

GIRLS SOCCER Johannah McDonald became Dowagiac’s single-season goals record holder with her 33rd and 34th in a loss to Three Rivers – Niles Daily Star

BASEBALL Division 1 No. 5 Grosse Pointe South and Division 3 top-ranked Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett had a combined 54 players see action in their matchup at Comerica Park – Detroit Free Press