SAGINAW SPORTS

Latest High School & College Sports News, Saginaw Spirit, Great Lakes Loons, Saginaw Sting & More

GRAPPLING WITH A NEW SEASON

The state high school wrestling season opens today, and the forecast for 2008-09 in mid-Michigan is bright.

In a match where every move was magnified, every point crucial, Swan Valley's B.J. Suitor was in a bad spot.

Fighting for a state title at 103 pounds, Dundee's Chris Rau was on the verge of a two-point switch but Suitor got his arm out in an awkward position to fend him off.

Controversy about deer baiting doesn't appear to have reduced the number of hunters who hit the woods for the firearms deer season that ended Sunday.

"We sold more licenses than in 2007," said Rex W. Ainslie, wildlife supervisor for the DNR's Bay City Operations Service Center, 3580 State Park. "Individual licenses are up 1 percent. Tags are up 4 percent."

Isn't college football great? We've got four undefeated teams and six one-loss teams and only two will have a chance at the national title. Texas, which beat Oklahoma and Missouri, has to watch those two play for the Big 12 title. Is anyone surprised there's a BCS mess again?

Valley Lutheran's Kayla Engelhard scored 13 points against Freeland last year as a freshman, and in her first game as a sophomore on Monday, she scored more than twice as many.

"I hate to see next year," quipped Freeland coach Tom Zolinski.

Valley Lutheran's Kayla Engelhard scored 13 points against Freeland last year as a freshman, and in her first game as a sophomore on Monday, she scored more than twice as many.

"I hate to see next year," quipped Freeland coach Tom Zolinski.

The Swan Valley/Hemlock Titans improved to 3-2 on the season with a 7-2 win against visiting Linden.

Brett Federspiel had a hat trick for the Titans, while Tyler Churchfield added two goals and an assist. Goalkeeper Bostyn Drapp stopped 31 of 33 shots. Matt McRae and Cody Rogers chipped in with a goal each, while Drew McRae, Ian Albrecht and Austin Culver each had an assist.

BARRIE, Ontario -- The Saginaw Spirit became road warriors the last four days, especially T.J. Brodie.

Saginaw closed out a three-game journey with a 5-2 victory Saturday night over the Barrie Colts in the Barrie Molson Centre.

Brodie, playing his fourth game in four nights, responded with a goal and four assists for a career-high five points. In addition to three Saginaw games, the 18-year-old defenseman donned the uniform of Team Ontario to play in the Canada-Russia Challenge game Thursday in Guelph.