Today in the MHSAA: 10/31/16

October 31, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Regionals all over the Lower Peninsula determined the fields for this weekend’s races at Michigan International Speedway – click for all results – while three more boys soccer teams secured Semifinal bids.

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

The Caledonia boys, No. 7 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, won their first Regional title in eight years, while Battle Creek Lakeview’s girls (also ranked No. 7) also earned a Division 1 title at Portage Central – Grand Rapids Press

Rockford’s boys (No. 6) won their third straight Division 1 Regional title led by individual Finals favorite Cole Johnson; Rockford’s girls (No. 10) also won ahead of honorable mention Grand Haven and No. 4 Traverse City Central – Grand Rapids Press

The No. 6 Brighton girls won their latest matchup with No. 5 Pinckney by a point in a Division 1 Regional; honorable mention Okemos won the boys championship at Huron Meadows Metropark – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Boys Soccer

Reigning Division 4 champion and current No. 6-ranked Burton Genesee Christian earned a return to the Semifinals with a 3-0 win over Marlette in Division 4 – The Burton View

No. 3 Ann Arbor Greenhills edged top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 1-0 to earn a Division 4 Semifinal with Genesee Christian.

Division 3 No. 13 Lansing Catholic downed No. 6 Grosse Ile in a shootout after the teams were tied 2-2 at the end of overtime – Southgate News-Herald

Girls Swimming & Diving

Northville, ranked No. 6 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, won the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Central title for the sixth straight season, finishing first in nine of 12 events at the league meet – Observer & Eccentric

Volleyball

Rogers City and Posen won North Star League championships at the conference tournament, Rogers City the Big Dipper title and Posen the Little Dipper division – Alpena News

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)