Performance of the Week: Pinckney's Tyler Ray
January 28, 2022
Tyler Ray ♦ Pinckney
Swimming ♦ Senior
One of the state’s elite swimmers, Ray won the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly in leading Pinckney to last weekend’s Dexter Invitational junior-senior championship. Those performances were just the latest of a run this winter that has him ranking among the fastest statewide in nearly every individual event. Last season’s 100-yard butterfly champion and 100 backstroke runner-up at the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals also has the Pirates up to No. 4 in the latest LPD3 team rankings.
Ray’s top performances this season include the fastest statewide in the 100 freestyle (46.67 seconds) and 100 butterfly (49.30), the second-fastest in the 50 freestyle (20.90), and the third-fastest in the 100 backstroke (51.14) and 200 individual medley (1:54.75). He also ranks among the top 45 in the 200 and 500 freestyles and 100 breaststroke. He has signed to continue at University of Michigan.
Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.
Second Half’s "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
2021-22 Honorees
Jan. 21: Elle Craven, Traverse City Central skiing - Report
Jan. 14: Nevaeh Williams, Mount Clemens basketball - Report
Dec. 2: Lucas Dunn, Chelsea football - Report
Nov. 25: Riley Nugent, Plainwell swimming - Report
Nov. 18: Harper Murray, Ann Arbor Skyline volleyball - Report
Nov. 11: Abby VanderKooi, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian cross country - Report
Nov. 4: Arianne Olson, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Oct. 28: Jack Guggemos, Okemos soccer - Report
Oct. 21: Sachiv Kumar, Northville tennis - Report
Oct. 14: Kate Brody, Grand Blanc golf - Report
Oct. 7: Lilly Nelson, Negaunee tennis - Report
Sept. 30: Stella Chapman, Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming - Report
Sept. 23: Riley Hough, Hartland cross country - Report
Sept. 16: Josie Bloom, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep volleyball - Report
PHOTOS courtesy of the Pinckney boys swimming & diving program.
Seniors Lead Again as Marquette Boys Claim 4th-Straight UP Finals Title
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
February 19, 2023
MARQUETTE — The Marquette boys captured their fourth consecutive Upper Peninsula swimming & diving title in convincing fashion here Saturday with 376 points.
They were followed by Houghton with 216, and Kingsford edged Sault Ste. Marie 133-132 for third place.
Marquette senior Andrew King collected three firsts, taking the 100-yard backstroke in a personal-best 57.73 seconds and swimming a personal-best one minute, 57.9 seconds while taking runner-up honors in the 200 freestyle. He also helped the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
“This was really a great day,” said King, who swam all four years of high school. “This is the first time I got under a minute in the 100 backstroke and under two minutes in 200 freestyle. I’ve been shooting for those all season. It feels great to swim those times and finish strong and who knows, there’s always a chance I might swim in college. I’m very happy for both of our teams.”
Classmate Liam McFarren added a first in the 200 individual medley (2:08.18) and helped the 200 medley and freestyle relays.
Senior Maverick Baldwin won the 50 freestyle (22.67) and took second in the 100 butterfly (58.22), and helped the medley and 400 freestyle relays. Sophomore teammate Evan Balko earned top honors in diving Friday with 215.35 points.
“I’ve been working with our seniors since they’ve been 9-10 years old,” said Marquette coach Nate McFarren. “It’s a pleasure to see them become fine young men right before my eyes. You see them do all the training for all the big events, and all of a sudden it’s over. It’s kind of bittersweet. It’s kind of a letdown after the season ends.”
Houghton senior Johannes Myhre, an exchange student from Norway, earned top honors in the 100 butterfly (56.21) and 100 freestyle (50.07) and helped the Gremlins place second in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
“I’ve always lived on the water and since I’ve been a little kid I loved being on the water,” he said. “I started competitive swimming four years ago. I think I had a pretty good backstroke today, and having Liam McFarren on my side really helps. He’s definitely a good swimmer. We’ve gone back and forth all year. I think it was decided after 75 yards. I used all my reserves.”
Kingsford sophomore Joey Lundmark claimed the 200 freestyle (1:56.85) and 500 (5:27.07), and senior teammate Zane Cahee added a first in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.47). They also helped the Flivvers place third in the 200 medley relay, and Cahee was fourth in the 200 IM (2:26.91).
Manistique senior Grant Mason set a school record while placing third in the 100 backstroke (1:02.43).
“I definitely ate a little better today and yesterday and managed my diet, which gave me a little more energy,” he said. “I also stayed in a hotel in Marquette and was able to sleep in a little. I beat my previous best time by about two seconds, and our medley relay placed second. We swam real strong and beat our best time by about seven seconds.”
(PHOTOS by Randy Ritari – Click to see more.)