Today in the MHSAA: 8/16/18

August 16, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media. 

1. Girls Golf: Northville shot a 304 to edge Plymouth and win the opening invitational at Hudson Mills in Dexter – those teams finished fourth and fifth, respectively, at last season’s Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final – Observer & Eccentric

2. Girls Golf: Kalamazoo Hackett was first, St. Joseph second and Coldwater third at the Richland Gull Lake Invitational at Bedford Valley; Hackett was fifth in LP Division 4 last season, while St. Joseph was eighth in LPD2 and Coldwater was 14th – Coldwater Daily Reporter

3. Boys Tennis: Traverse City Central opened by winning its Summer Splash ahead of Holland West Ottawa, Traverse City West and Grandville; Central tied for 14th and Grandville tied for 19th at last season’s LPD1 Finals – Traverse City Record-Eagle

4. Boys Tennis: After falling to host Zeeland East, Grand Haven stormed back with wins over Grand Rapids Northview and Grand Rapids Catholic Central; Grand Haven was an LPD1 Finals qualifier last fall Grand Haven Tribune

Also of note …

Cross Country: Novi is mourning the death of longtime coach Robert Smith, who led the Wildcats boys to two MHSAA titles and two Division 1 runner-up finishes over 36 years from 1981-2016 – Observer & Eccentric

Called to Coach (Bay City Times)

May 30, 2012

Even for the best, coaching wouldn't be referred to as "easy" -- and many would argue that it's grown tougher as time commitment, financial need and parental influence all have increased.

And yet, there are thousands who every year continue to lead our programs. The Bay City Times' Cory Butzin recently explained some of the reasons why in his three-part series, "Called to Coach." 

Below are links to all three parts:

Part 1: Teaching young athletes is a high school coach's biggest reward

Part 2: High school coaches put in the time

Part 3: Support on the home front is crucial for a high school coach