The first mid-Michigan state champion has been awarded. And if the weekend was a reliable indication, there are plenty more to come. Here are five of the brightest non-basketball highlights from the weekend that was Feb. 25-26.
5. Ithaca girls bowling -- The Yellowjackets won a Division 4 regional ahead of two more local teams, then took the top three places at the next day's individual event. Raelynn Lindsey rolled an 1,142 as the area's top individual qualifier, regardless of division.
4. Pewamo-Westphalia cheer -- The No. 1 Pirates added a Division 4 regional win to their district victory, and just like in the district finished ahead of No. 2 Michigan Center. P-W is averaging 10 more points than anyone else in D4 heading into this weekend's finals.
3. Charlotte girls bowling -- The Orioles won their Division 2 regional with 3,615 pins, and then placed six of the top seven at the individual regional. Allie Neal finished first Saturday with 1,118 pins.
2. Perry girls bowling -- The Ramblers rolled the area's highest girls regional score of 3,640 to win their Division 3 tournament, then took three of the top eight in the individual competition. Jessica Cords and Taner Grennell took the top two spots, respectively, with 1,135 and 1,090 pins, respectively.
1. St. Johns wrestling -- Who else? The Redwings capped arguably the most dominant team wrestling season by marching through the final three rounds of Division 2 by an average of 47 points per win. That makes two state titles in a row. St. Johns will finish up with 12 state qualifiers at this weekend's individual tournament.
Honorable mention: Mason's Kyle Owens and Travis Valentine finished first and second with 1,238 and 1,202 pins, respectively, at their Division 2 regional.
High school sports editor 
