Today in the MHSAA: 11/23/15

November 23, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Girls Lower Peninsula Swimming and Diving and Volleyball seasons finished this weekend, with two first-time champions crowned both in the pool and on the court and a third volleyball champion ending the longest title-winning streak in that sport’s history.

Swimming and Diving

Ann Arbor Skyline competed in Division 1 this season after finishing second in Division 2 a year ago, and emerged as champion for the first time in any division behind standout Katie Portz – Second Half

Dexter won its first championship since 2002 by clinching Division 2 during the final event of the afternoon at Oakland University – Second Half

Grand Rapids Catholic Central cleared the Division 3 field by 100 points to win its first MHSAA championship in this sport – Second Half

Volleyball

In a rematch of last season’s Class A Final, Novi went from runner-up to champion with a four-set win over Romeo – Second Half

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard became the first undefeated team since 1998-99 by defeating reigning champion North Branch in Class B – Second Half

Bronson earned its first championship since 2009, finishing tops in Class C after entering the tournament ranked No. 1 – Second Half

Leland earned its first Class D title in a decade by ending Battle Creek St. Philip’s record nine-year championship streak – Second Half

Today in the MHSAA: 2/7/19

February 7, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Team District competition began in wrestling Wednesday, but the biggest news came from the competitive cheer mat as the teams that have combined to win the last 11 Division 2 titles faced off with a league championship on the line.

1. Competitive Cheer: Allen Park ended Gibraltar Carlson’s five-year reign in the Downriver League with a 1.22-point victory; they are the highest-scoring teams in Division 2 statewide again this winter – Southgate News-Herald

2. Wrestling: Manton edged Lake City in Division 4 to claim its first District title in this sport in 18 years – Cadillac News

3. Wrestling: No. 8 Tecumseh defeated Adrian in Division 2 to clinch its 17th straight District title – Adrian Daily Telegram

4. Wrestling: No. 7 Clarkston claimed its 12th straight District title, in Division 1 – Oakland Press

5. Wrestling: Division 4 No. 8 Leroy Pine River clinched its 10th straight District title by downing Evart in the championship match – MI Sports Now

6. Wrestling: No. 7 Niles won its final seven matches to get past Stevensville Lakeshore in a Division 2 District Final – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

7. Wrestling: White Pigeon claimed its first District title since 2007 with a big win over Centreville in Division 4 – Sturgis Journal

8. Wrestling: Edwardsburg won its first District title in five years, coming back in the championship match to down Coldwater 39-31 in Division 2 – South Bend Tribune

9. Wrestling: Holland won its District Semifinal by tie-breaker before going on to down Zeeland East in the Division 2 District Final – Holland Sentinel

10. Hockey: Division 2 No. 1 Hartland continued its recent success against Brighton, downing the Division 1 No. 4 Bulldogs 4-0 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Also of note …

Perspective: There’s a lot of wisdom in this guest column from successful Richmond wrestling coach Brandon Day as he explains how things have changed for kids growing up playing sports – Port Huron Times-Herald

Girls Basketball: Asaria Turman went over 1,000 career points to lead Ann Arbor Pioneer past Saline – We Love Ann Arbor

Boys Basketball: Blake Charboneau went over 1,000 career points in leading Gaylord past West Branch Ogemaw Heights – Gaylord Times Herald