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Earlier this month, Michigan Highlander, Martin Portko, visited with a Cub Scout day camp in St. Johns, Michigan. They’re from the Water and Woods Field Service Counsel and the Chief Okemos District.

While he was there, he provided a cultural demonstration of Highland Games events for the kids. And they got a chance to pick up the weights.

At the end of each day, the camp counsellor always asks the boys about their favorite part of the day. BB guns and archery are usually the most popular answers. But that day, the Highland Games demo got a lot of votes.

Who knows…maybe we’ve got some future Highlanders in the making.

Highlander Meets Cub Scouts Earlier this month, Michigan Highlander, Martin Portko, visited with a Cub Scout day camp in St. Johns, Michigan.

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The Alma Highland Games

The Alma Highland Games

On Sunday, May 27th, the Alma Highland Festival held the Amateur Division of its Highland Games…in blistering 96 degree heat. Here are a few snaps from the games.

Dale Gehman won the Masters Division

In the Amateur Division, Brendon Crawford took 1st place, Eric Spence  took 2nd place, and Martin Portko took third place, and he also won the Caber Champion award.

Eric Spence and Martin Portko 

M…

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Want to practice with the Michigan Highlanders?

Want to practice with the Michigan Highlanders?

Wanna throw trees and rocks and other heavy stuff? Now you can!

You can get details on our practice page. Better yet? You can sign up to receive our handy dandy newsletter. Just go to our contact page, fill out the form, and let us know you’d like to receive the practice newsletter.

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Come one, come all, to the Feats of Strength competition! 

Ever wanted to throw a huge rock? A telephone pole? How about a hammer? Want to lift heavy weights and impress your friends and neighbors?

This is your chance!

Imagine a ton of Strongman events and all of the Highland Games events in one place! For just $25 you can not only watch the pros, you can try your hand at any event you fancy. Volunteers will be available to help you learn the ins and outs so you can experience your own feats of strength. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even pick up a new hobby!

In addition with providing you with an afternoon of fun and learning, Feats of Strength will be raising money for two great organizations: The Michigan Highlanders and Relentless Detroit.

 Kids, dogs, friends, and family are all welcome! Bring the gang! And if you’re interested in volunteering, please contact: Becky Wilson, Sarah Kosmicki, John Tracy, or Shauna Champion. You can also use this contact form.

Great things can happen when good people partner together. This event is being brought to you by the Michigan Highlanders, Strength Depot and Ferndale Parks and Rec.

Feats of Strength II Come one, come all, to the Feats of Strength competition!  Ever wanted to throw a huge rock?

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Save the date!

May 20th, 2018 – Save the date! (Nope…it’s not a wedding–it’s Wings and Kilts!) Come join the Michigan Highlanders for good food, good friends, and a good time! And if you’ve got one, feel free to wear your kilt! Join us at Buffalo Wild Wings in Wyoming (2720 44th St.) for lunch, dinner, or a snack, present the below certificate, and 20% of your bill will be donated to the Michigan Highlanders.…

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The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 5

In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial.   Kate Boeve – Caber Toss Kate Boeve – Caber Toss Craig Tommola – Caber Toss   Emily Shaw – Caber Toss   Emily Shaw – Caber Toss…

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The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 4

The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 4

In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial. Joe McGregor – Open Stone Jeremy McBain – Open Stone Jeremy McBain – Open Stone Ken Green – Open Stone Ken Green – Open Stone If you…

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The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 3

The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 3

In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial. Bud Welton – Sheaf Toss Shane Schuitema – Sheaf Toss Ian Shaw – Sheaf Toss Craig Tommola – Sheaf Toss Jeff Patten – Sheaf Toss Doug…

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The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 2

The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 2

In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial. Martin Portko – Scottish Hammer Martin Potko – Scottish Hammer Josh McAlpine – Scottish Hammer   Ryan McCabe – Scottish Hammer Jeff…

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The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 1

The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 1

In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial. Craig Tommola – Weight for Distance Bed Welton – Weight for Distance Brendaen Dinwoody – Weight for Distance Josh McAlpine – Weight…

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17-year-old Highland Games athlete, and all around badass, Taylor Kroll, competing at the Sparta Celtic Fest! Click on the "news" page on www.michiganhighlanders.com to read her interview! #highlandgames #michiganhighlanders #girlsrule #girlsruntheworld #highlandathlete #spartacelticfest (at Rogers Park)

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Last month, at the Sparta Celtic Festival, I had the pleasure of meeting Taylor Kroll. She’s a 17-year-old college student and Highland Games athlete. She’s also an incredibly nice person and a great sport because she agreed to answer some questions for us.

I’m happy to see that more women are getting involved in the Highland Games, which have traditionally been a male sport. And I’m especially pleased to see younger women training and competing, but at seventeen, you’re definitely the youngest I’ve come across. Can you tell us a little bit about how you got involved in the sport? 

Becoming involved with this sport is a bit of weird story.  I never knew what the highland games were until three years ago when I started.  I actually meet one of the guys I throw with at a middle school track meet I was volunteering.  He started talking to my mom and she told him I need help with my shot put and discus.  So, the next weekend I went to his practice field and did not see them throwing shot put or discus. Him and two other guys were throwing caber and I had no idea what was going on.  Originally, I no intention of throwing highland games, but after a few practices, I started to practicing highland events with them and began to love the sport.

You’re regularly flinging around heavy weights and….well…trees. What drew you to that? 

Honestly, when I first started at 15, what drew me to it the most was my overall ranking.  After my first highland games I was ranked 25th and it completely blew my mind.  That sense of accomplishment kept me practicing and aspiring to become the best thrower I could be.  As I continued into the following years, the atmosphere during competition, the other throwers, and becoming a better highland athlete made me love the Highland games even more.

Do you have a favorite event? If so, which one and why? 

My favorite event is probably weight for distance- which is weird because if you would have asked me what my least favorite event was last year, i would have said weight for distance.  It is my favorite because it requires so much technique and while so many people have different ways to throw it, it comes back to the same basic technique.

Do you feel any additional pressure as a woman competing in what’s traditionally considered a men’s sport? 

I do not really feel any pressure.  It is honestly more frustrating to see games that do not offer women’s divisions, in particular, masters women.  These women are amazing athletes and deserve to be able to compete in the right division. 

Do you participate in any other sports? 

I am on the Ashland University Track and Field team

We’ve featured one Highland athlete who writes poetry. Do you have any other hobbies? 

Besides doing homework and throwing my hobbies are reading and biking.

Overall, most Highland athletes seem quite supportive of one another. Has that been your experience? If so, what’s the best advice you’ve received? 

Highland athletes are some of my favorite people because of this reason.  No matter what, everyone is willing to help.  I could be neck and neck with another athlete and she would still point out if I needed to correct something in my form.

Some of the best advice I have received from highland athletes does not even usually pertain to highland games.  Being as young as I was when I started (and as young as I am now), they have really helped mold me into the person I am today and I am so thankful for everything they have taught me.

Do you have plans for future competitions? 

My plans for future competitions is to do more.  I usually stick around Michigan and Ohio, but I want to expand my horizons. 

Any other big plans coming up? 

No big plans coming up.  Focusing on college right now.

Do you have any favorite inspirational (or otherwise) quote(s) you’d like to share?

“Dreams don’t work unless you do.”  I like this quote because it helps remind me it will not happen over night, I have to work for what I want. Another quote I really like is, “Never set a goal based on the measure of single success.  Always progress from the average, that is what you are trying to improve.”  Comparing myself to others is something I really struggle with, but this quote helps me focus on the importance of bettering myself , while not making a reference to things that are just going to make me more frustrated. It is okay to have big goals, but everyone has to start at square one.

Thanks so much for joining us, Taylor! All of us here at the Michigan Highlanders are wishing the best of luck with your studies, track and field events, and, of course, the Highland Games! 

Introducing Taylor Kroll: Highland Games athlete, student, and all around awesome person! Last month, at the Sparta Celtic Festival, I had the pleasure of meeting Taylor Kroll. She's a 17-year-old college student and Highland Games athlete.

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When your wife isn't happy with the division of labor... #yardwork #highlandgames #michiganhighlanders #divisionoflabor #caber #stones #didmypart (at Sparta, Michigan)

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Game day. (Photo taken by @heartandsword ) #almahighlandgames #almahighlandfestival #highlandgames #michiganhighlanders (at Alma Highland Festival & Games)

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Sheaf toss - 25 pounds. #michiganhighlanders #highlandgames #almahighlandfestival #almahighlandgames #sheaftoss (at Alma Highland Festival & Games)

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Who can catch a 250 pound man running full bore after flipping a 12? Eric Spence can! #michiganhighlanders #highlandgames #almahighlandfestival #almahighlandgames #cabertoss (at Alma Highland Festival & Games)

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Nailed it. #cabertoss #almahighlandgames #almahighlandfestival #michiganhighlanders #highlandgames