Today in the MHSAA: 1/21/16

January 21, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A pair of hockey games featuring top-ranked teams highlighted Wednesday’s statewide action, and read on as well for an inspirational story out of Fruitport.

Boys Basketball

Bear Lake handed Onekama its first loss to pull within a game of the West Michigan D lead – Traverse City Record-Eagle

Ice Hockey

Division 3 No. 1 Grand Rapids Catholic Central needed overtime, but escaped Muskegon Mona Shores with a 4-3 victory – Grand Rapids Press

Division 2 No. 2 Birmingham Brother Rice earned arguably the best of its 12 wins, 3-0 over Division 1 top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central – Oakland Press

Wrestling

Saginaw Swan Valley fell in both of its matches Wednesday, but K.J. Suitor won his 200th individual match – Saginaw News

Good Read

Fruitport’s Karson Kriger played his first season of varsity football in the fall and was called up to the varsity baseball team as a pitcher last spring. He also can fire a bow – doing all of this with one hand after losing most of his left arm at birth – Local Sports Journal

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)