Wrestling Classic Tops Newest 'Best of'

July 29, 2014

An MHSAA Wrestling Final so tight and so exciting that it had to be decided on a tie-breaker highlights the sixth week of "Best Of 2013-14” offerings on the MHSAA.tv.

For eight weeks over the summer, the MHSAA.tv Website will spotlight some of the best tournament action from the 2013-14 school year, presenting four games each week.

Each contest is identified with a “Best Of 13-14” thumbnail on the home page of the MHSAA.tv Website. Here’s a look at the games which will be featured from July July 28-August 4:

Lowell v. St. Johns: 2014 Division 2 Team Wrestling Final. This was a battle royale between the two perennial grappling powerhouses which ended in a tie score after 14 weight classes. The Red Arrows of Lowell prevailed over the four-time defending champion Redwings of St. Johns on the fifth tiebreaker – total six-point wins.

Marine City v. Grand Rapids South Christian: 2013 Division 4 Football Final. Jarrett Mathison and Pete Patsaslis each scored three touchdowns and Olivia Viney became the first female in the MHSAA Football Record Book with her seven extra point kicks in Marine City’s 49-35 win.

East Grand Rapids v. Okemos: 2014 Division 2 Girls Lacrosse Final. The Chiefs were looking to return to the winners circle for the first time since 2010, and hung tough with the Pioneers through the early moments of the second half before East scored five of the last six goals, two by Liza Elder, to record an 11-7 victory and repeat as champions in Division 2.

Richland Gull Lake v. Bloomfield Hills Marian: 2014 Division 2 Girls Soccer Final. Meeting in the finale for the second straight year, Gull Lake got a goal midway through the second half from the hero of the 2013 game – Sydney Nikitas – and topped the Mustangs for the second straight season, 2-1.

DVD’s of the “Best Of 13-14” game videos are available through the MHSAA.tv website.

Also, highlights from this season's MHSAA Girls Lacrosse Finals are the most recent addition to the MHSAA's Youtube channel, and are embedded below. 

Did you see that? (May 20-26)

May 28, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Last week for many was one for getting in the final regular-season games and competitions of this spring – and for the most fortunate, a week for winning the first of what they hope will be many championships.

Here's our look at some of the most notable headlines from those seven days. Click on the links for full coverage.

Good Read of the Week

Spangler wins 500: Whether it be painting out the baselines an hour before game time or showing up to turn off the sprinklers in the middle of the night, Randy Spangler’s been doing it all as Coldwater’s baseball coach over the last 25 years – and Gary Baker explains what has gone into becoming a 500-win baseball coach. (Coldwater Daily Reporter)

Girls Soccer

Cadillac celebrates first title: Cadillac and Traverse City West are co-champions of the Big North Conference this spring. But Cadillac’s share is its first BNC title. (Cadillac News)

Softball

Another memorable first: Croswell-Lexington clinched its first Blue Water Area Conference title Tuesday and ended the night's doubleheader sweep with a perfect league record as well. (Port Huron Times-Herald)

Boys Lacrosse

Holland Christian moves on: The ranked Maroons got a scare from Mattawan in their Division 2 Regional game Thursday, but scored eight second-half goals to continue on. (Grand Rapids Press)

Track and Field

Cass Tech, Renaissance clinch PSL titles: The Cass Tech boys and Renaissance girls won big to finish the regular season at the Detroit Public School League’s championship meet. (Detroit News)

Seminary coach finishes: Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary boys track and field coach Robert Schroer will retire from coaching after this weekend’s Division 4 Final – and 40 years running his program. (Saginaw News)

Girls Golf

Houghton sweeps league final: The West Peninsula Athletic Conference individual championship went to a three-person playoff before Megan Kelly needed just one hole to claim the title. She helped key Houghton’s team championship as well, and Houghton’s boys also won their West PAC tournament. (Houghton Mining Gazette)

Baseball

Bath wins big: In something of a stunner at the 52-year Capital Area Diamond Classic, Bath defeated Holt 9-1 in a quarterfinal Friday night behind the 11-strikeout performance of pitcher Ryan Orr. Only twice before in the tournament’s history had a Class C or D school won a game. (Lansing State Journal)