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February 21, 2012
Check out our must-know scores and news from Feb. 13-18.
(Click on links for coverage.)
Swimming & Diving
First champions of 2012: The Marquette girls and Houghton boys won the first MHSAA Finals of the winter 2011-12 season, claiming the Upper Peninsula championships Saturday at Sault Ste. Marie. Sault Ste. Marie senior Colin MacQuarrie set two U.P. Finals records – he won the 50-yard freestyle in 20.85 seconds (breaking the former record of 22.18 set by his school’s Peter Stevens in 2003) and the 100 butterfly in 52.80 (former record was 53.62, set by his school’s Thomas Stabile in 1988). Marquette senior Kinsey Vear won two individual races and was on two relay champs as well. (Sault Ste. Marie Evening News boys story) (Sault Ste. Marie Evening News girls story)
Basketball
King is King and Queen of PSL: The Detroit Martin Luther King girls and boys basketball teams swept their counterparts from Detroit Pershing to claim both the boys and girls Detroit Public School League championships at Detroit Mercy's Calihan Hall. The girls result wasn't too much of a stunner -- although Pershing has held the upper hand between the two of late, King has long been considered one of the state's strongest programs. But the boys result was more of a shocker. Although King has been solid all season, Pershing was undefeated and considered the heavy favorite to win Class A next month. (Detroit News girls story) (Detroit News boys story)
Preview of things to come?: In what could be the first of two meetings between reigning Class A girls champion Inkster and Lansing Waverly, Inkster handed the Warriors their first loss of the season, 56-53 on Feb. 14. Both are considered contenders for the Class A title.
Wrestling
Oxford defense lives on: The reigning Division 1 team champion needed to defeat two other ranked opponents to win its Regional and move on to Friday's Finals weekend at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena. Oxford, No. 7, beat No. 9 Fair Haven Anchor Bay 50-18 before upending No. 6 Rochester 31-27 in the final at Utica Ford. (NorthOaklandSports.com)
Gymnastics
10.0, again: For the second time in three weeks, Grand Ledge senior Christina Wilson posted a perfect score on the uneven parallel bars. This time she did so in winning the all-around competition and leading the Comets to a Capital Area Activities Conference meet championship -- their 73rd-straight meet win. (Lansing State Journal)
Editor's note: Did we miss something? Comment below and tell us about it. Is there an event coming up that we should make sure to note? Comment or e-mail [email protected].
Brighton Unified Sports Earn Top Honor
September 7, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Brighton’s Unified Sports program – which combines students with and without intellectual disabilities on competitive athletic teams – has been recognized nationally as one of the nation’s five exemplary “Unified Champion Schools” for 2018.
The Unified Sports program is part of Special Olympics, and champion schools have met 10 national standards of inclusion excellence developed by leaders from the Special Olympics and education communities. Brighton was nominated by Michigan’s Special Olympics program and will be recognized as exemplary along with schools from California, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia.
Brighton also was one of 132 schools representing all levels of education recognized nationally as a “Banner Unified Champion School.” Also receiving the honor from Michigan were Detroit Loyola High School, Saline’s Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, Holt’s Washington Woods Middle School and Adrian College, Ferris State University, Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. To become a Unified Champion School, a school must show inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement in addition to its Unified Sports program.
From that list of 132 banner schools, an honor roll of 30 was selected with Brighton as Michigan’s representative on that list.
The announcement of the five exemplary Unified Champion Schools as made Thursday by ESPN, a partner in the Special Olympics’ national recognition program.
“This recognition symbolizes all of our students, families, staff, and community as being leaders in building and spreading a culture of inclusiveness, respect, and care for each and every person,” wrote Brighton athletic director John Thompson is making the announcement to the school. “We could not be prouder of our Brighton Family! Your attitudes and actions speak volumes about each of you as individuals but also the collective strength of Brighton Nation coming together for the good of all!”
Brighton has Unified teams for flag football, basketball and bocce. Approximately 30-50 students – including special education students and their general education partners – participate in each sport, with a number of athletes participating in multiple. Brighton’s Kensington Lakes Activities Association last year formed a Unified League with programs from Hartland, Novi, Northville and Grand Blanc.
Brighton’s program is directed by special education teachers Jody Renicker and Lisa Johnson. The school will received its Unified Champion Schools banner during an assembly later this fall.
The MHSAA provides support and promotes Unified Sports, with teams frequently playing games as part of the March Magic Hoopfest also supported by the Greater Lansing Sports Authority. Click for more information on the Special Olympics Unified Sports program.
PHOTOS: (Top) Brighton students compete on Unified teams in basketball and flag football, and show off their medals at an event last school year. (Middle) Brighton’s team huddles for a photo during basketball season. (Photos provided by Brighton High School.)