Did you see that? (9/24-9/30)
October 2, 2012
League champions have been crowned in a number of golf and tennis conferences, and we'll get to more of those next week. Volleyball and cross country provided the best of the non-football action from the week that was Sept. 24-30.
Volleyball
Make it 40: Adrian Madison has owned the Tri-County Conference over the last few seasons, and Thursday pushed its league winning streak for 40 with a pair of wins over Morenci, which also was undefeated in the league this season heading into the night. (Adrian Daily Telegram)
Another weekend, another win: Richland Gull Lake, ranked No. 2 in Class A, this time won the East Grand Rapids Invitational by going undefeated in a Gold division that including formerly-No. 5 Portage Central and new No. 10 East Grand Rapids, among others. (Grand Rapids Press)
Calumet makes it three: The Copper Kings are ranked No. 4 in Class C and have dominated the Upper Peninsula this fall, including at this weekend's Marquette Invitational. Their title march included a final match win over Houghton. It's the third time this season Calumet has beaten Houghton, which won the Copper Kings' District the last two seasons. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette)
Believe in Beal City: Some of the best small-school volleyball in the state is being played in the middle of the Lower Peninsula. Class D No. 3 Beal City downed Class C No. 2 St. Louis at the Sharks home invitational Saturday, and also beat Class C No. 7 New Lothrop on the way. (Mount Pleasant Morning Sun)
Cross country
Loaded fields at CCC: Some of the state's top competition, especially from the north and west, ran at the Carson City-Crystal Invitational on Saturday. Winning the four girls races were Division 2 No. 3 Ada Forest Hills Eastern, unranked Coopersville, Division 3 No. 1 Grandville Calvin Christian and Division 4 No. 3 Bear Lake/Onekama. The boys races were won by Division 4 No. 1 Pewamo-Westphalia, Division 3 No. 1 Grandville Calvin Christian, unranked Alma and Division 1 No. 7 Saginaw Heritage. Cedar Springs' Connor Mora (15:31) and Grand Rapids Christian's Julia Bos (17:37) were the fastest individuals. (Playmakers.com)
Escanaba in the highlight: The Escanaba boys team topped a field of 28 at the Munising Invitational with four finishers among the top 13. Sault Ste. Marie freshman Parker Scott continued his tremendous first season winning the individual title in 16:15. Calumet won the girls race, with Marquette's Lindsey Rudden leading the way individually in 18:21. (Escanaba Daily Press)
Seaholm makes statement: The Birmingham Seaholm girls, ranked No. 3 in Division 1, topped a field that included No. 2 Saline and No. 1 Grosse Pointe South (although without top runners Hannah and Haley Meier). Seaholm placed five finishers among the top 10 in the large school race at the Coaching Legends Classic in Brighton. Division 6 No. 1 Romeo won the boys race. (Oakland Press)
In Memoriam
Northern Michigan loses personality, official: The Traverse City area mourned the unexpected death of Scott Michael Trager, the morning anchorman at 9&10 News/Fox 32 and an MHSAA basketball official for nearly a decade. Trager, who was 46, had been at 9&10 since 1990 and assisted in the creation of the station's 'Sports Overtime" show. (9&10 News)
Story of the Week
Touchdowns for Teal: Those who have watched Monroe's football team this fall may have noticed the players' teal shoelaces, which certainly stand out against the otherwise red, white and black uniforms. The team is wearing them in support of Julie West, whose son Tom West is the standout quarterback. Julie is being treated for ovarian cancer. (Monroe Evening News)
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.)