Jenison Public Schools News Article

Jenison High School recognized at state level for fall sports success


Graphic of student athletes with their trophies

When Athletic Director Michael Johnston heard that Jenison High School was honored by Mlive.com with a No. 18 ranking in the Ultimate State Champion standings, he got goosebumps.


He had watched many successful high school athletic programs across the state appear on that coveted list over the years, but to see Jenison there really impacted him. It’s been one of the best starts to a school athletic year in decades, he said.


Johnston said the athletes worked hard in summer workouts long before the season began. He also gave credit to Justin Brennan, Jenison strength and performance director, for helping develop stronger athletes over the past four years.


“The confidence I see in our student athletes and the excitement they show every day in doing something they love is shown in our accomplishments,” Johnston said. “... It shows that what we are doing and trying to do is working. We have buy-in from student athletes and coaches. It’s just exciting.”


The Ultimate State Champion standings is a project that recognizes Michigan prep sports programs for their success in each MHSAA-sanctioned state tournament, according to Mlive. Northville currently holds a double-digit lead over Traverse City St. Francis atop the Ultimate State Champion standings, but schools like Jenison are still in the mix for the title.  


Boys Water Polo team photo Caption: The Jenison Water Polo team beat Ann Arbor Pioneer
to capture a state championship in November.

“Jenison enjoyed a pair of top-five finishes at the fall state finals, with the girls swim team taking runner-up honors in Division 1, and the Wildcats’ boys cross country team placing fifth,” Mlive wrote in the Dec. 23, 2024 article


Jenison had multiple individual state championship winners as well: Seth Conner in boys cross country, Sophia Umstead in 200 IM and 100 Breast in girls swimming, and Dalila Brown, Sophia Umstead, Emma Albrecht, and Layla Umstead in 200 Medley Relay in girls swimming. 


Jenison High School also captured a district title for volleyball and a state championship for water polo this fall.



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