Today in the MHSAA: 9/11/15
September 11, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
In addition to today’s usual collection of significant results from across the state, we encourage you to check out our “Good Reads," including a story behind what likely will be one of most-attended commemorative games this weekend and a feature on an MHSAA staffer whose experience and expertise benefit officials all over Michigan.
Girls Golf
Traverse City West shot a 333, its lowest score in six seasons under coach Kristen Nolan, to win the Petoskey Invitational by 36 strokes – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Boys Soccer
Grand Haven edged Traverse City West 3-2 on a night when the program hung a banner honoring late Buccaneers soccer player Carter Dyke while also honoring deceased former players Adam Provencal and Mike Herman – Grand Haven Tribune
Muskegon Catholic Central, ranked No. 12 in this week’s first Division 4 coaches poll, beat Division 3 No. 12 Ludington 2-0 – Muskegon Chronicle
Volleyball
Four Class A powers met in one of the most competitive quads so far this fall; No. 5 Clarkston, No. 7 Birmingham Seaholm and unranked Bloomfield Hills Marian all finished 2-1, while unranked Macomb Dakota went 0-3 but played the tough competition close. Marian upset Clarkston, and Clarkston beat Seaholm – Oakland Press
Good Reads
A number of schools statewide will hold remembrances today in honor of victims and those who served on Sept. 11, 2001. Here’s the story behind a growing annual event in Traverse City, the Patriot Game between the Central and West football teams – Traverse City Record-Eagle
While fans tune in to college baseball to watch teams, MHSAA staffers have watched the College World Series and Big 10 Tournament the last few seasons to cheer on the umpires – and one in particular, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl, who spends the rest of his time championing high school athletics. “High school is where we can have the most impact on the largest number of kids and help teach them the most important life lessons,” he said in this report – NFHS.org
Detroit Catholic Central and Michigan State University grad Rick Gosselin sticks up for high school football being the only game played in that sport on Friday nights – Dallas Morning News
Today in the MHSAA: 9/21/15
September 21, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
This weekend was packed with prestigious cross country events and also featured a milestone win by a longtime volleyball coach.
Cross Country
Centreville stunned an “elite” field by finishing ahead of reigning Lower Peninsula Division 1 champ Birmingham Seaholm to win the Spartan Invitational elite girls race at Michigan State University. Novi won the boys elite race despite its top individual coming in only 21st – Playmakers.com
The Otsego girls put five runners among the top six to finish among champions at the Sparta Invitational. Rockford’s boys put three among the top 10 to ascend among boys champions – Grand Rapids Press girls story; Grand Rapids Press boys story
The Holly and Lake Orion boys and Rochester Adams and Holly girls were among champions at Holly’s invitational – Oakland Press
Girls Golf
A number of top teams from the southwest part of the Lower Peninsula played in Friday’s Coldwater Lady Cardinal Invitational, with Division 4 power Kalamazoo Hackett winning with a score of 347 – Coldwater Daily Reporter
Boys Soccer
Battle Creek Central won the first All-City soccer tournament in that community, downing Battle Creek Lakeview in overtime – Battle Creek Enquirer
No. 14 Saline downed No. 4 Northville in a matchup of two of the best in Division 1 – AnnArbor.com
The No. 8-ranked teams in Divisions 3 and 4 met, with Division 4’s Muskegon Western Michigan Christian downing Whitehall, 2-1 – Grand Haven Tribune
Girls Swimming and Diving
Saline, the top-ranked team in LP Division 1, downed a strong field at Salem’s Rock Maurer Invitational, finishing just head of No. 3 Farmington Hills Mercy, with No. 9 Northville coming in third – AnnArbor.com
Boys Tennis
Essexville Garber scored a perfect 24 to win the Bay County Tournament for the third time in four seasons – Bay City Times
Volleyball
Longtime Mount Morris coach Jim Pender celebrated the 700th win over his career as his team went 7-0 to win its invitational Saturday; Mount Morris, No. 3 in Class B, beat Class A honorable mention Farmington Hills Mercy in the final – Flint Journal
Lake Odessa Lakewood, No. 2 in Class B, downed Class C No. 3 Montague to win the Grandville Calvin Christian Invitational – Muskegon Chronicle