Today in the MHSAA: 11/21/16

November 21, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The MHSAA volleyball and girls swimming & diving tournaments finished Saturday with seven championships awarded to teams from across the Lower Peninsula and coverage provided of each Final by Second Half correspondents. 

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.

Swimming & Diving

Rockford passed recent champs and favorites to win the Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final and claim its first championship in the sport – Second Half

Birmingham Seaholm won its first title in 20 years, finishing ahead of reigning champ Dexter in LP Division 2 – Second Half

East Grand Rapids claimed its 20th MHSAA championship with arguably its most talented team ever, winning in LP Division 3 – Second Half

Volleyball

Novi advanced to its third straight Class A Final and won its second straight championship, 3-1 over Rockford – Second Half

North Branch met Lake Odessa Lakewood in the Class B Final for the third time in five seasons and prevailed over the top-ranked Vikings – Second Half

Bronson repeated in Class C against a Brown City team appearing in the Final for the first time – Second Half

Plymouth Christian secured its first MHSAA title, downing league mate Auburn Hills Oakland Christian in Class D – Second Half

Thanks, Mr. Woodley (Saginaw News)

August 24, 2012

LaMarr Woodley was a football star at Saginaw High long before he went on to the University of Michigan and now the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He's given students in his hometown the same opportunity for accomplishment without the cost they would've otherwise incurred this school year.

Students at Saginaw and Saginaw Arthur Hill plus the districts junior highs and middle schools were facing a $75 participation fee until Woodley stepped in earlier this month with a $60,000 donation.

Hugh Bernreuter has covered the majority of Woodley's career, and tells this story.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley pays participation fees for Saginaw Public Schools student-athletes (Saginaw News)