Today in the MHSAA: 4/20/17

April 20, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A few track & field school records were broken across the middle of the Lower Peninsula over the last few days, but pay special attention to a pair of stories of courage in our “Good Reads” section at the bottom of this report.

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.

Baseball

From Monday, Portage Northern downed reigning Division 1 champion and top-ranked Warren DeLaSalle 12-2 – Kalamazoo Gazette

Track & Field

Midland Bullock Creek sophomore sprinter Samantha Chew broke a school record and tied another in her team’s double-dual sweep of Saginaw Swan Valley and Chesaning – Midland Daily News

From Tuesday, Shepherd’s girls swept Alma and Standish-Sterling as Amber Gall broke a school record held since 1980 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

Good Reads

Noah Kole finished third in Gaylord St. Mary’s golf match Tuesday – two months after not being able to walk while fighting for his life – Gaylord Herald-Times

Ashley Danilowicz is a top hitter and outfielder for a Saginaw Swan Valley team considered one of the best in the state. And she’s playing this season motivated by the memories of her dad Jim, who died in November in a car crash – Saginaw 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)