Andy Hawley

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Sophomore Kenan Swihart (Rockford, MI / Rockford HS) was named the Crossroads League Men’s Field Athlete of the Week after earning third place in the decathlon at the Indiana State University Gibson Invitational last week.   Swihart recorded 5220 points – the fourth-most points ever by a Cougar – to hit the qualifying mark for the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. The Rockford, Michigan native earned first place in the javelin with a throw of 140’ 5” while also earning second place in the 1500 meter run (5:00.56), 110 meter hurdles (16.63) and the discus throw (96’ 11”) – posting career-best marks in all three events.   The NAIA selects the top 16 point leaders in the decathlon to compete in the national meet, which is scheduled for May 26-28 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Swihart currently ranks 10th nationally in the event.   Spring Arbor will return to action at the Don Kleinow Invitational, hosted by Siena Heights University, on Saturday, April 16.  

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team rallied back from a 5-1 deficit to defeat Siena Heights University 6-5 in 11 innings on Tuesday. The win was the third in the last four games for the Cougars, who improved to 7-11 on the season. The Saints dropped to 10-10 with the loss.   Spring Arbor jumped on top with a run in the top of the first on an RBI double by Jeremiah Johnson. Siena Heights answered right away though with a run in the bottom half of the inning, and would add on four more runs in the third to grab a 5-1 lead.   In the fifth inning, Johnson helped the Cougars close the gap with another clutch double, this time driving in Chris Triplett and Conner Lengerich.   The score remained 5-3 until the eighth when Tyler Reed led off the frame with a solo home run – his second of the year. Spring Arbor would tie the game later in the inning when Jack Driscoll crossed the plate on a base hit by Alex Holley.   In the 11th, Johnson got things going with a leadoff double. Three batters later, Reed would lift a…

BROOKLYN, Mich. (March 29, 2016) —The 2016 NASCAR low downforce aerodynamics package has produced non-stop action in the first five races of the season. It has been met with rave reviews from the drivers, media and fans. How will that same high-intensity racing transfer to Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400 and the Pure Michigan 400? Track President Roger Curtis recently traveled to Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 400 to get the low down on what the fans can expect when the series comes to MIS. He talked to a who’s-who of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Garage to learn all the latest. Don’t take our word for it. Listen to what they saying with this short clip: www.mispeedway.com/lowdownforce. He met with drivers, crew chiefs, manufacturers, Goodyear and NASCAR. And they all said fans can expect racing throughout the field, passes for the lead, multiple grooves and high speeds. Curtis talked with the following: Steve O’Donnell – NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Jeff Gordon – Fox Sports NASCAR broadcaster Greg Ives – crew chief of the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Cole Pearn – crew chief of the #78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota…

EAST LANSING, Mich. – March 28 – Josef Philipp (center) of Hillsdale High School was honored as a recipient of the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Scholar-Athlete Award at the 2016 MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing on March 26. Shown with Philipp are: (from left) Vic Verchereau, vice president of marketing for Farm Bureau Insurance; and John E. "Jack" Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA. Philipp will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Farm Bureau Insurance to be used at the institution of higher learning he attends this fall. Farm Bureau Insurance awarded 32 scholarships, proportionately by school classification, to students with a 3.50 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average who have previously lettered in at least one sport in which postseason competition is sponsored by the MHSAA.

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The rosters have been set and Spring Arbor University senior Greg Hamilton has been selected to play in the 2016 Champions of Character All-Star Basketball Classic, which will be played on Wednesday, Mar. 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   For the third consecutive year, Davenport University will serve as the host for the event. The game is scheduled to tip off from the DU Student Center at approximately 7:30 p.m.   Top senior players from the Greater Grand Rapids area, and local colleges and universities, who are Champions of Character, were picked to play in the All-Star game. Hamilton was chosen among players picked from the WHAC, MIAA, GLIAC and NCCAA.   Hamilton started all 30 games for the Cougars this season. The 6-foot-2 senior guard from Middleville, Michigan averaged 11.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game – both ranked third on the team. Hamilton also became the 42nd player in program history to score 1,000 points. He ended his career ranked 33rd on the all-time scoring list with 1,125 points.   Tickets will be $5 per person or $15 (max) for families. The goal is to raise $5,000-$7,500 in support of the "Champions of Character…