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: 9/9/15

September 9, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The first day of school for most in Michigan brought with it a flood of notable matchups and results, many of which we’ve touched on below.

Boys Soccer

East Grand Rapids, No. 11 in Division 2, topped Division 1 No. 4 East Kentwood 1-0 in a matchup of two of the best in the Grand Rapids area – Grand Rapids Press

Walled Lake Central handed Waterford Mott the latter's first loss this season, scoring with 26:24 to play – Oakland Press

North Muskegon, ranked in Division 4, needed overtime to outlast Ravenna 3-2 – Muskegon Chronicle

Girls Swimming & Diving

Saginaw Heritage beat Midland Dow for the first time since 2010 with first places in 10 events – Saginaw News

Holland West Ottawa, No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, beat No. 6 Zeeland by a mere 16 points, with Jacklyn Vande Poel earning a Finals cut time in the 100-yard freestyle – Holland Sentinel

Volleyball

Mattawan claimed the championship over a strong field at Portage Central’s six-team tournament, besting previously-undefeated Battle Creek Harper Creek in the final – Kalamazoo Gazette

It’s hard to imagine a closer four-set match than Houghton’s win over Lake Linden-Hubbell 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Midland Dow’s Nadia Atton had an impressive 23 kills to lead the Chargers past Mount Pleasant in four sets – Midland Daily News