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 21stPlaymakers.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

Linked Up: 12/2/11

December 20, 2011

So long, Fall. Welcome, Winter.

We're in the midst of leaving the former behind and jumping into the latter, and the stories I found this week go along with that theme.

Remember, if you find something high school sports-related that you think others would find useful or inspiring, send me a link at [email protected] and I'll check it out.

The man who couldn't say no (Grand Traverse Insider)

Lynn Walker has answered the Benzie Central coaching call a number of times over the last 30 years. Greg Gielczyk tells us how Walker, after retiring over the summer with 606 games to his credit, answered that call again this winter.

RCHS junior hands out medals on big stage (Presque Isle County Advance)

What goes into being part of our MHSAA Student-Advisory Council? A number of memorable experiences, and this one no doubt ranks up there. Angie Asam explains how Rogers City junior Evan Lamb gave us a hand passing out awards after the Division 6 Football Final at Ford Field.

Marine City supporters pack Ford Field (Port Huron Times-Herald)

By the unofficial count of my eyes, Marine City had the largest crowd of the 16 teams who played in the weekend's Football Final at Ford Field. Jim Whymer tells us why this was a must-see for so many fans.

Lawton's "Core Four" head into final season together (Paw Paw Courier-Leader)

Lawton’s “Core Four” of Alyssa Barkovich, Jenna Maury, Erika Whittington and Cassandra Willis have been part of two straight volleyball league titles and are going for their fourth-straight basketball league championship. Daniel Thornton takes us through some of their impressive winning streaks, including 41-straight league volleyball victories.