MSHS sports No. 1 in state
By RENEE PRUSI, Journal Sports
Editor
PHOTO: Marquette Senior High School's
Jon Seaborg passes a gate during the Marquette invitational
mens slalom in January at Marquette Mountain. (Journal file
photo by Andy Nelson-Zaleski)
MARQUETTE
- Marquette Senior High School is the top athletic
program in the state, according to the May 16 edition of
Sports Illustrated. The magazine claims it is the "most
selective ranking in all of sports." Of the more than 38,000
high schools in the United States, fewer than one in a 1,000
made SI's list honoring schools with the nation's top athletic
programs.
"Our criteria emphasized all-around excellence during the
last 10 years and included state titles won and college
athletes produced," according to the magazine's Web site.
In being named the
top school in Michigan, Marquette, according to the SI Web
site, "has 165 overall state titles in its trophy case. Nine
boys' swimming crowns are among the 37 championships it has
won during the last decade."
MSHS officials were thrilled with the designation.
"We are extremely pleased to be recognized by Sports
Illustrated for the accomplishments of so many outstanding
teams and student-athletes that have represented Marquette
Senior High School over the years," said Mark Mattson, MSHS
athletic director. "We take pride in our school and in the
success that we've had.
"Michigan is a great state for high school athletics, with
countless number of historically successful programs, and
we're just proud to be part of that list," Mattson added.
Downhill skiing is one of MSHS's most successful programs
and its coach points to the community's commitment to
recreation as a reason for the Sports Illustrated ranking.
"I think this is directly attributable to the priority our
community puts on recreation and exercise," said Derek
Anderson, MSHS ski coach. "Marquette as a whole does an
excellent job. When you look at how many sports activities
there are for kids, it is no surprise we have success."
Anderson's boys' and girls' ski teams captured 10 state
championships from 1997 to 2004.
"If you look at other communities our size, they have
nowhere near the number of rinks, pools and ballfields we do,"
Anderson said. "There are tons of opportunities for our kids
to swim, ski and play hockey in this community. We are very
lucky."
MSHS swim coach Matthew Williams agreed.
"It's a testament to the youth athletic programs we have in
this area," Williams said of the Sports Illustrated ranking.
Williams' girls swim team has won four straight U.P. state
titles while the MSHS boys' squads have claimed 14 of the past
15 crowns.
"It's a big honor for the community. It shows there are a
lot of good things going on in Marquette. This is just one
more example," he said. "Being here is a chance for athletes
to be part of something
great." | 
