Sunday, February 19, 2012

VIDEO: CMU's Mike Ottinger defeats MSU's David Cheza

CMU's Mike Ottinger defeats MSU's David Cheza 9-7 from Jake May on Vimeo.

SPORTS: CMU vs. MSU wrestling

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Junior 184-pounder Ben Bennett, ranked No. 4 nationally, scores two points on a takedown against Michigan State’s Ian Hinton as he wraps him up for riding time during the third period Thursday at McGuirk Arena. Bennett finished his match with a 15-1 win, including one point for riding time. CMU beat MSU with a team score of 21-12.

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Redshirt freshman 133-pounder Tyler Keselring, right, pushes Michigan State's Brandon Fifield as he manhandles him around the mat Thursday at McGuirk Arena. Keselring won the match 13-4.

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Freshman 149-pounder Joey Kielbasa grapples with Michigan State's Dan Osterman as the two try to gain position advantage Thursday at McGuirk Arena. Kielbasa lost the match 7-6.

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After a takedown, sophomore 141-pounder Scott Mattingly keeps position over the top of Michigan State's Brian Gibbs as he takes a knee to the face Thursday at McGuirk Arena. Mattingly won the match 10-2.

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Sophomore 125-pounder Joe Roth, ranked No. 16 nationally, lunges at Michigan State's Eric Olanowski as he gains a two-point takedown on Thursday at McGuirk Arena. Roth won the match 5-3.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

NEWS: Mitt Romney in Michigan

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney addresses more than 300 people at a campaign rally Wednesday at office systems company Compatico in Kentwood, Mich.

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney laughs as he holds onto a less-than-thrilled 18-month-old Jonah Brieve of Grand Rapids as he greets a few of the more than 300 people in attendance at a campaign rally Wednesday at office systems company Compatico in Kentwood, Mich.

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney addresses more than 300 people at a campaign rally Wednesday at office systems company Compatico in Kentwood, Mich.

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney smiles as he shakes hands with West Michigan residents Wednesday with more than 300 people in attendance at a campaign rally at office systems company Compatico in Kentwood, Mich.

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While smoking a pipe, Jim Wilson of Buckingham, Va., finishes a phone call with an West Michigan auto mechanic to replace his drive shaft, which broke 12 miles from the office systems company Compatico in Kentwood, Mich, where Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke for at a grassroots campaign rally Wednesday in Kentwood, Mich. Wilson, who had his truck towed the distance to the rally, has followed Romney campaign from the start. "I'm doing this for my grandchildren," he said. "I want to leave this country as good as my grandparents left it for me. Romney is as clean as a whistle, has integrity and one of my daughters even says he's kind of cute. But understand, he's a unifier and that's what we need in the U.S. today. God bless America because she sure is needing it."

Friday, February 17, 2012

FEATURE: A few from the last month

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Dannah Kranz of Midland, 5, stands up on her the tips of her toes to reach the highest uneven bar as she plays Saturday afternoon with her friends Sydney Bond of Edenville, left, and Makayla Mann of Midland, both 7, while attending a gymnastics-themed birthday party at the Midland Community Center for Rachel Webb of Bay City, who turned six on Christmas.

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Snow explodes into the air upon impact as Theryn Bass of Midland, 13, flies off of a ramp, losing his board after launching down a sledding hill Saturday afternoon at Overlook Park in Midland. "I tried to get enough speed to go as high as possible," he said. "When I'm mid-air, it feels kind of like falling in style."

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Thirteen of more than 60 Woodcrest Elementary School students jump rope on the basketball court during half time of the Dow basketball game against Davison for the crowd Tuesday night at Dow High School. The routines, played out to different songs, were not only performed individually, but also with multiple people using the same jump ropes, and performing tricks with as many as five people in one jump with one rope. "My advice to anyone who wants to try to jump rope ... don't mess up," said Woodcrest fourth-grader Jared Poliskey of Midland, 10. "You just have to keep working hard, keep trying and never give up. Everybody can jump rope."

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

SPORTS: Dow beats Davison 61-59

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Dow's Brandon Bowser grimaces as he throws a pass through the arms of Davison's Joe Thwing in the second quarter Tuesday night at Dow High School. The Chargers beat the Cardinals 61-59.

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LEFT: Dow's Brandon Calhoon stretches as he leapt to tip the ball from the grasp of Davison's Lance Arnold as he attempted a unsuccessful layup Tuesday night at Dow High School. The Chargers beat the Cardinals 61-59. RIGHT: Dow's Sean Cushman sinks a three-pointer Tuesday night at Dow High School to sneak a late lead atop Davison in the fourth quarter, which Dow was able to hold onto for a win. The Chargers beat the Cardinals 61-59.

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Dow's Matt Deshone leapt into the arms of teammate Brandon Calhoon as the two celebrated a close 61-59 victory over Davison Tuesday night at Dow High School.

Monday, February 13, 2012

FRIENDS: A day in Midland

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Picked up Nathan Morgan after his assignment at the tennis invitational while visiting in Midland to head back as we edited our freelance work together. He's the former photo editor at the Midland Daily News, and picked up freelance alongside me. Banging! We headed back after a short rapping session in my car to Espresso Milano for coffee with Sean and Neil. A dope day for sure. Below is Neil Blake as he dishes me the info for a freelance assignment I covered for Libby.

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Sunday, February 5, 2012

FEATURE: Rummage Sale at Dow Diamond

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Melissa Laurie of Freeland smiles as she looks down to grab the hand of her 20-month-old daughter Hayley, who drags a bag filled with Loons gear and a dress the two purchased at the annual Dow Diamond rummage sale Saturday morning at Dow Diamond. Laurie has attended the rummage sale every year. "I like this because it's indoors on cold winter days and more so, it's because it supports local businesses," she said.

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The reflection of Jill Lauer of Midland appears in a mirror as she looks through different flower pieces and other outdoor garnish at the Design Within booth at the annual Dow Diamond rummage sale Saturday morning at Dow Diamond.

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A man in a sock monkey costume bicycles around with Midland resident Mark Mathers and his daughter Kayli, 8, during the annual Dow Diamond rummage sale Saturday morning at Dow Diamond. Hundreds of people flooded the second floor of Dow Diamond searching for deals.

Friday, February 3, 2012

FEATURE: Give Kids a Smile Day

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Registered Dental Hygienist Becky Johnson uses a hand mirror in one hand to see and help hold open the mouth as she cleans the teeth of Jesse McDonald of Midland, a Windover High School senior, on Friday morning at Knight Dental Care in Midland during "Give Kids a Smile Day," which occurs the first Friday of February as thousands of the nation's dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the U.S. Ted Knight and his team are participating for the fourth-straight year. This was McDonald's first-ever dental appointment and cleaning. "It was way easier than I thought it would be," McDonald said. "Everyone said it was going to be tough. It's not like what I've seen on TV. ... Honestly, this is easier than everything else I've ever done in my life. This is even easier than playing Mario."

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