Finals Preview: Champions Seek 3-Peats
February 28, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
All four 2013 MHSAA competitive cheer champions also won their respective divisions in 2012. All four of those champions are back for the Finals this weekend at the Grand Rapids DeltaPlex.
But all four likely will face their toughest competition of the last three seasons as they look to extend their respective title streaks.
The Division 1 Final begins at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Division 2 at 10 a.m., Division 4 at 2 p.m. and Division 3 at 6 p.m. Saturday. Check back with Second Half throughout the weekend for coverage from all four. Can’t attend? Watch all four on a subscription basis live on MHSAA.TV.
Division 1
EAST KENTWOOD
Rank: No. 10
League finish: First in O-K Red
Coach: Stacy Sheler, 13th season
Championship history: Two runner-up finishes (most recent 2010).
Top score: 789.34 at the District.
Team composition: 22 total (nine seniors, eight juniors, two sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: The Falcons fell from sixth to eighth over the last two Finals but have posted the top Round 1, Round 3, and overall scores in Division 1 this season – making them the favorite to end Southgate Anderson’s run. Senior Audrianna Rodriguez earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
GRANDVILLE
Rank: No. 3
League finish: Second in the O-K Red
Coach: Julie Smith-Boyd, 33rd season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2011), seven runner-up finishes.
Top score: 783.8.
Team composition: 32 total (six seniors, 14 juniors, six sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Grandville has improved from eighth to fourth over the last two Finals, and its top score also is the second-highest in Division 1 this season. The Bulldogs have three top finishes at events this season but surely would have more if not for the presence of East Kentwood just down the road. Senior Kennedy Westcott made the all-state first team last season, while junior Jasmine Martinez and sophomore Abby Warsen earned honorable mentions.
HARTLAND
Rank: Unranked
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Coach: Amanda Adkins, third season
Championship history: MHSAA runner-up 2013.
Top score: 770.84 at the Regional.
Team composition: 21 total (five seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: The Eagles finished fourth at their Regional, but that top score was 12 points better than their previous best. That should be a strong sign for the team that finished second at last season’s Finals by only 1.9 points after finishing fourth in 2012. Experienced leaders return to the DeltaPlex; seniors Kristina Hollis and Adrian Martino made the all-state first team last season, while juniors Jenna Seychel and Shelby Snider made the second team.
LAKE ORION
Rank: No. 2
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Niki Hills, first season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 781.78
Team composition: 29 total (11 seniors, 12 juniors, three sophomores, three freshmen)
Outlook: Hills took over the program this season after formerly cheering for the Dragons and then serving as an assistant coach for 11 seasons. Lake Orion missed last season’s Finals but did finish fifth in 2012. The Dragons get stronger by the round, with the third-highest Round 2 score and second highest Round 3 score in Division 1 this season. Seniors Samantha Wolff, Nicole Murt, Elizabeth Hosang and Elizabeth Francis and sophomore Morgan Duerden earned all-District recognition in 2013.
MACOMB DAKOTA
Rank: No. 6
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Michela Worthy, eighth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 778.74 at the Regional.
Team composition: 29 total (14 seniors, five juniors, five sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Worthy had led Dakota to three league titles in four seasons and District championships at the end of the last two, and has plenty of experience at this level – she coached Center Line St. Clement to state-level championships prior to MHSAA sponsorship of the sport in 1978 and 1979. Dakota has seven first-place finishes this season, including at the District. Seniors Reily Malczewski and Heather Colby earned all-Region recognition last season.
ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK
Rank: No. 4
League finish: Third in OAA Red
Coach: Tricia Williams, 11th season
Championship history: MHSAA champion in 2010.
Top score: 781.94 at the Regional.
Team composition: 25 total (six seniors, nine juniors, seven sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Stoney Creek has finished third at the last two Division 1 Finals and cut the deficit to only 3.3 points last season. The Cougars have improved their score in each of their last five events and won their Regional and finished second at the previous three meets and six times overall this season. Seniors Kiersten Nielsen and Rachel Hathaway earned all-state honorable mentions last season.
SOUTHGATE ANDERSON
Rank: No. 5
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Coach: Colette Norscia, 15th season
Championship history: MHSAA champion in 2012.
Top score: 781.28 at the Regional.
Team composition: 29 total (seven seniors, six juniors, nine sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: Anderson has been building to this weekend with its top two scores coming in a District championship and third place last week at the Regional. The Titans won five other events this season and finished second twice, and own the best score in Round 2 in Division 1 this season. As was the case last season as well, plenty of championship experience returns to Grand Rapids; seniors Marisa Laginess, Madison Small and Holly Zmijewski made the all-state first team in 2013, while seniors Jacklyn Carrico and Haley Evans made the second and seniors Aleta Madera and Brittany Walton and sophomore Amber Droste earned honorable mentions.
TROY ATHENS
Rank: Unranked
League finish: Fourth in OAA Red.
Co-coaches: Stephanie Brosky, 14th season; Kaja Clark, sixth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 781.46 at the Regional.
Team composition: 23 total (10 seniors, six juniors, six sophomores, one freshmen).
Outlook: Athens may have finished fourth in its league, but the OAA Red is one of the toughest in the state. The Red Hawks have won three events this season, including their District, and are back at the Finals for the first time since 2008 and fourth time under Brosky. Seniors Ty Steele and LeeAnn Lutz and juniors Erica Chow and Holly Bazarewski all earned some level of all-District honors in 2013.
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
Rank: No. 3
League finish: Third in Downriver League
Coach: Laura Hickman, third season
Championship history: MHSAA champion in 2010, one runner-up finish.
Top score: 771.14 at the District.
Team composition: 22 total (six seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Allen Park finished fourth in 2013 for the second straight season and enters with a season-high score 13 points better than this time a year ago. The Panthers haven’t finished lower than third at a competition this season. Senior Brianna Lipa made the all-state second team last season and the first as a sophomore, and both senior Nicol Francis and junior Courtney Felt earned honorable mentions in 2013.
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Rank: No. 4
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic High School League
Coach: Amber Genevich, ninth season
Championship history: Finished runner-up in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Top score: 774.96
Team composition: 24 total (eight seniors, five juniors, five sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Divine Child will try for the fourth straight year to break past Gibraltar Carlson after finishing second to the Marauders the last three seasons, last year by just fewer than 10 points. The Falcons haven’t scored fewer than 736 points since their first event of the season, and their average score of 749-plus ranks fourth in Division 2 this season. Senior Rachael Joseph earned all-state second team honors last week, and seniors Emily Penny and Kelsie Hoffman earned honorable mentions.
DEWITT
Rank: No. 2
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Coach: Candace Heskitt, sixth season
Championship history: MHSAA runner-up in 2007.
Top score: 789.20
Team composition: 28 total (seven seniors, five juniors, 13 sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: DeWitt is poised to win its first championship, entering the weekend with the top scores in all three rounds in Division 2 this season, plus the top scoring average of 789.2 points. The Panthers opened this season scoring 746.18 points in their first event and that ended up being a season low – they also haven’t finished lower than first in any of their 12 competitions, including the District and Regional. Senior Brittney Gordon and sophomore Ashley Wilkinson both earned all-state honorable mentions last season, when DeWitt finished fifth.
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Downriver League
Coach: Danielle Jokela, eighth season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2013), four runner-up finishes
Top score: 783.84
Team composition: 23 total (eight seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Carlson continues to stand as the dynasty in MHSAA cheer, with three straight championships and five in six seasons. Carlson has won all of its events so far and finished first in a league that also includes four Finals qualifiers. Senior Maylyn Russo repeated as a first-team all-stater last season, joined by junior Dana Hammill. Senior Kourtney Tyra made the second team, with seniors Sarah Tritt, Kiah Manthei and junior Chalayna Shulaw earning honorable mentions.
MIDDLEVILLE THORNAPPLE KELLOGG
Rank: No. 7
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Coach: Abby Kanitz, seventh season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 760.48 at the District.
Team composition: 18 total (three seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Only once this season did Thornapple Kellogg not finish first or second at a competition, and its top two scores have come during the District and Regional. The Trojans missed last season’s Finals but finished seventh in 2012. Juniors Katie Bowling and Taylor Tyndall, senior Michela Curtis and sophomore Lauren Hager all earned all-District recognition last season.
MUSKEGON MONA SHORES
Rank: No. 9
League finish: Tied for first in O-K Black
Coach: Amanda Heethuis, seventh season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 750.14 in the Regional.
Team composition: 22 total (five seniors, eight juniors, seven sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Mona Shores won a share of its first league title under Heethuis, a former Mona Shores cheer athlete. The team has set multiple scoring records this season, including for top overall score while finishing fourth at its Regional. Mona Shores competed in Division 1 in 2013.
ST. JOSEPH
Rank: No. 5
League finish: First in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Coach: Jenna Ruddell, third season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 776.40
Team composition: 21 total (eight seniors, six juniors, five sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Ruddell has led St. Joseph to two straight MHSAA Finals, and the Bears finished seventh in Division 2 last season. They’ve scored at least 750 points four times, including in winning the District, and their top score this season came in the SMAC championship meet. Senior Elizabeth Reimers made the all-state second team in 2013.
TRENTON
Rank: Unranked
League finish: Seventh in Downriver League
Coach: Melissa Cabauatan, sixth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 742.78 at the Regional.
Team composition: 16 total (five seniors, eight juniors, four sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Cabauatan, a former Trenton cheerleader, has led the Trojans as they have improved their overall score nearly 100 points since their first meet this season. Their top three scores this season have come in their last three events, including fourth-place finishes at the District and Regional. Juniors Brittany Vinca, Mackenzie Mrla, Jordan Price, Loriana Del Pizzo and sophomore Erika Brower earned all-District recognition in 2013.
Division 3
ARMADA
Rank: Unranked
League finish: Second in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Tammi St. Onge, third season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 747.88 at the District.
Team composition: 22 total (five seniors, one junior, 11 sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: More than half of Armada’s roster is underclassmen, but it ranks among the top 10 in Division 3 both for overall top score and average score this season. The Tigers just missed the Finals last season, finishing fifth at their Regional. Armada finished third at both its District and Regional this season.
COMSTOCK PARK
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in O-K Blue
Coach: Kathy Felty, 21st season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2011), three runner-up finishes.
Top score: 773.40
Team composition: 20 total (five seniors, nine juniors, one sophomore, four freshmen).
Outlook: Comstock Park moved down from second in 2012 to fourth at last season’s Final but is a regular contender and enters this weekend with the top overall score in Division 3 this season and the top average score of nearly 753 points per competition. The Panthers won all but one of their events this winter, finishing runner-up once. Junior Brianna Pincombe made the all-state first team last season for the second straight, while junior Hayley Robinson made the second team and senior Sabrina Pincombe and junior Sabrina Arnone earned honorable mentions.
GROSSE ILE
Rank: No. 4
League finish: First in Huron League
Coach: Lauren Majewski, first season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), one runner-up finish.
Top score: 748.64
Team composition: 17 total (six seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Grosse Ile finished third at last season’s Final for the second straight. The Red Devils should make a run at the same with their top scores for each round ranking among the top 10 in Division 3 this season. Senior Ciara Nellenbach made the all-state first team last season, with seniors Olivia Koklanaris and Sydney Sexton making the second and junior Annie Rodgers earning an honorable mention.
HOWARD CITY TRI-COUNTY
Rank: Unranked
League finish: First in Lakes 8 Conference
Coach: Jennifer Laskey, eighth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 724.76 in the Regional.
Team composition: 19 total (eight seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Laskey helped create the Tri-County program and has served as coach throughout its history, having been named Lakes 8 Conference Coach of the Year three times. This season’s team has improved its overall score in each of its most recent five events. A number of veterans have been building toward this next step; seniors Alex Hershberger, Michaela Lytle, Jordin Rubingh, Opal Tae and Baylee Zemla, juniors Morgan DeVault and Emily Rienks and sophomore Jamie VanSetters all earned all-District recognition in 2013.
OTSEGO
Rank: No. 10
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Nicole Durr, 10th season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 730.64
Team composition: 20 total (10 seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Otsego finished seventh last season in its first Finals appearance since 2010, and could be poised to move up the standings led by a sizable group of seniors. Otsego ranks 10th in Division 3 in average score at nearly 712 points per meet, but has scored at least 718 in eight straight events. Senior Taylor Owczarczak earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
PAW PAW
Rank: Unranked
League finish: Second in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Stefanie Miller, fifth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 736.2 at the Regional.
Team composition: 24 total (six seniors, eight juniors, seven sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Paw Paw has finished sixth at the last two MHSAA Finals and put up the sixth-highest Round 2 score in Division 3 this season. Paw Paw finished first or second in all but two events this winter, and improved from third at its District to second at its Regional. Senior Dani Elmore, juniors Chloe Bogema and Emily Mortimer and sophomores Shauntel Krum and Elena Schafer all earned all-Region recognition last season.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Rank: No. 2
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic High School League
Co-coaches: Beth Campbell, second season
Championship history: MHSAA runner-up 2013.
Top score: 764.42
Team composition: 26 total (six seniors, seven juniors, seven sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Campbell has led Notre Dame to fourth and then second-place finishes the last two seasons, and could have the team that can break Richmond’s two-year hold on the title. The Fighting Irish have won District and Regionals the last two weeks over the reigning Finals champ. Notre Dame is loaded with experience, led by reigning all-state first-team senior Maggie Crowe, second-team seniors Lauren Sadowski and Alyssa Chojnacki and junior Alysa Gonzalez, and junior honorable mentions Olivia Riley and Morgan Gales.
RICHMOND
Rank: No. 7
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Co-coaches: Kelli Matthes, sixth season; Melana Fenwick, first season
Championship history: MHSAA champion 2013 and 2012, runner-up 2011.
Top score: 749.42
Team composition: 16 total (three seniors, three juniors, two sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: This team is much different in make-up than Richmond’s back-to-back champions; whereas last year’s had 14 upperclassmen, this team has six but eight freshmen. They have strong leaders, however; senior Tiannah Banks made the all-state first team last season for the second straight, and juniors Sarahanne Marshall and Angel Deal made the second team. The Blue Devils have posted Round 1 and 2 scores among the top six in Division 3 this season and scored at least 702 points in all but one event.
Division 4
BRECKENRIDGE
Rank: No. 6
League finish: Second in Tri-Valley Conference West
Co-coaches: Deb Gaines, 15th season; Jenna Graham, sixth season
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2007), one runner-up finish.
Top score: 730.28
Team composition: 12 total (eight sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Breckenridge is one of the most successful cheer programs in MHSAA history, but didn’t have a competitive team the last six seasons – until returning this winter and advancing to the Final with all underclassmen. The Huskies have posted scores in all three rounds that rank among the top nine in Division 4 this season.
HOUGHTON LAKE
Rank: No. 9
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Coach: Celeste Kubiak, eighth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 715.68
Team composition: 11 total (one senior, six juniors, four sophomores).
Outlook: Houghton Lake has won league titles all eight seasons under Kubiak and three straight District championships before advancing to this Final with a third-place Regional finish. The Bulldogs finished first or second in all of their other competitions this season. The team competed in Division 3 in 2012-13, when juniors Lauren Hooper, Vanessa Wallace, Brooklyn Cryderman, Julia Hallauer and Amanda Garcia and sophomore Ashley Leahy all earned all-District recognition.
HUDSON
Rank: No. 10
League finish: Second in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Kelly Bailey, 17th season
Championship history: Four runner-up finishes (most recent 2010).
Top score: 759.76
Team composition: 19 total (four seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Hudson is coming off back-to-back third-place Finals finishes and enters this weekend with a top score 20 points better than at this point a year ago. The Tigers have scored at least 706 points in their last five competitions and their best is the second-best in all of Division 4. Junior Paige Darr and sophomore Sabrina Turner made the all-state second team last season, and junior Cassee Milligan and sophomore Takota Voetzke earned honorable mentions.
MANISTIQUE
Rank: No. 5
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Kim Hayward, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 713.66
Team composition: 12 total (two seniors, six juniors, two sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Manistique is back at the Finals for the fifth time in six seasons and has posted two of its top three scores this season in the District and Regional. Also, the Emeralds improved from third at their District to second and their Regional. Junior Becca Bowers made the all-state second team last season.
MERRILL
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Coach: Courtney Schiller, 10th season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 748.2 in the District.
Team composition: Nine total (three seniors, one junior, four sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: Merrill finished fourth last season and could make a run at a first-ever top-two finish. The Vandals' average score of nearly 733 points is five more than any other team in Division 4. More than half the team earned all-state recognition in 2013; seniors Alexis Coppens and Alanna Peake made the first team, senior Paige Glazier and sophomore Samantha Brandi made the second and junior Vyky Lambin and sophomore Ashley Rich earned honorable mentions.
MICHIGAN CENTER
Rank: No. 2
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Coach: Jessica Trefry, 13th season
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2013).
Top score: 771.1
Pioneering Competitive Cheer Official Cox to Receive MHSAA Norris Award
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 18, 2024
A registered contest official since the Michigan High School Athletic Association introduced competitive cheer with the 1993-94 school year, Quincy’s Candace Cox has played one of the leading roles in building the sport that’s averaged more than 5,500 participants annually over its 31-year history.
She will be celebrated April 27 as the 2024 Vern L. Norris Leadership in Officiating Award honoree during the MHSAA’s Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet, where she and several of her competitive cheer colleagues who began as registered officials that inaugural season also will be recognized for completing their 30th years of service in 2022-23.
The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vern L. Norris, who served as executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86 and was well-respected by officials on the state and national levels. He initiated the officials banquet in 1980, and this year’s will be the first in-person celebration since 2019. Cox will be honored along with high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service.
Competitive cheer is unique to Michigan. While several states have spirit or cheer as a sport, the MHSAA format – which includes teams showcasing a variety of skills over three rounds and encourages full teams to participate by scoring higher when more athletes are on the floor – was created in part to provide more opportunities for cheerleaders to compete. Cox brought her knowledge and experience in sideline cheer into the initial development of the competitive format.
She officiated a Regional competition during that first season of competitive cheer in 1993-94, and the following season she began in a string of officiating at the last 30 MHSAA Finals, including in Division 1 this past winter. Cox also is in her 11th year as executive director of the Michigan Cheer Judges Association, the statewide leadership and training organization for the sport, and in that role she has trained thousands of officials – the MCJA instructs about 175 annually.
She will be the first competitive cheer official to be recognized with the Norris Award.
“At the very beginning, we didn't know what (competitive cheer) was going to involve, and there was a lot of work put in, a lot of committees, sharing a lot of information from sideline because Michigan is so unique to cheer,” Cox said. “At the very beginning, I never believed we would advance as much as we have. But I really feel we're a leader in the competitive cheer community.
“My favorite thing is helping educate and be involved, and I do it for the kids. I want them to have a positive experience, and I want them to learn, and I also want to educate other officials so they realize what an important sport this is … another sport for girls to compete in.”
Cox cheered while a student at Coldwater High School and became the sideline cheer coach after she returned from college. It was during that time she was approached by Marilyn Bowker, another of the founding trailblazers in the sport, and from then on Cox became a growing presence as competitive cheer continued to develop and thrive.
She has served on the MHSAA’s Competitive Cheer Committee and Judges Selection Committee, and is an MHSAA registered assigner in the sport. Cox was named MCJA Official of the Year in 1999 and Michigan’s top official in cheer by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in 2000.
“She’s been a pioneer since Day 1 in competitive cheer and is considered literally one of the fundamental pillars who have grown and promoted the sport over the years,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “Candy is a very worthy Norris Award winner.”
Cox is the clinic manager at the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency and provides expertise from her professional field as part of the MHSAA’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. A 1973 Coldwater High School graduate, she earned an associate’s degree in medical administration from Barton Bryman School in Phoenix in 1979 and is certified as an HIV counselor by the State of Michigan, and BLS (basic life support), CPR/AED and first aid instructor by the American Heart Association.
She has served her community of Girard Township in several roles, including currently as township supervisor after previously holding office as trustee and contributing on multiple boards and commissions. She’s also served as Branch County jury board chairperson and was named Branch County Citizen of the Year in 2011 by the Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cox is a member of the Coldwater Early Bird Exchange Club and has served as president of the Bronson Polish Festival. She is active in service projects for St. Charles Borromeo Parish and judged CPR for local, district and regional Future Health Professionals (HOSA) competitions.
Previous recipients of the Norris Award
1992 – Ted Wilson, East Detroit
1993 – Fred Briggs, Burton
1994 – Joe Brodie, Flat Rock
1995 – Jim Massar, Flint
1996 – Jim Lamoreaux, St. Ignace
1997 – Ken Myllyla, Escanaba
1998 – Blake Hagman, Kalamazoo
1999 – Richard Kalahar, Jackson
2000 – Barb Beckett, Traverse City; Karl Newingham, Bay City
2001 – Herb Lipschultz, Kalamazoo
2002 – Robert Scholie, Hancock
2003 – Ron Nagy, Hazel Par
2004 – Carl Van Heck, Grand Rapids
2005 – Bruce Moss, Alma
2006 – Jeanne Skinner, Grand Rapids
2007 – Terry Wakeley, Grayling
2008 – Will Lynch, Honor
2009 – James Danhoff, Richland
2010 – John Juday Sr., Petoskey
2011 – Robert Williams, Redford
2012 – Lyle Berry, Rockford
2013 – Tom Minter, Okemos
2014 – Hugh R. Jewell, West Bloomfield
2015 – Sam Davis, Lansing
2016 – Linda Hoover, Marshall
2017 – Michael Gentry, Shelby Township
2018 – Jill Baker-Cooley, Big Rapids
2019 – David Buck, St. Joseph
2020 – Hugh Matson, Saginaw
2021 – Lewis Clingman, Grand Rapids
2022 – Pat Hayes, Birmingham
2023 – Chuck D. Walters, Jackson
High school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service also will be honored at the Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 27. Twenty-four officials with 50 or more years of service will be honored, along with 36 officials with 45 years and 51 officials with 40 years of service. A 30-year award will be presented to 110 officials, and 176 officials with 20 years of experience will be honored.
Tickets for the banquet are available to the public and priced at $25. They will not be sold at the door. Tickets can be ordered by calling the MHSAA office at (517) 332-5046 or by registering online at this link (officials must be logged into the website to register). Deadline to register is April 19.
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MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45 & 50-YEAR OFFICIALS
The officials on this list are receiving their 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50-year service awards.
20-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allegan - Joseph Munn
Allen Park - James Murdoch
Ann Arbor - Shawna Lorch
Bad Axe - Gary Krause
Bannister - Clyde English
Baraga - Scott Koski
Battle Creek - Lonzo Warren
Bay City - Jason Ruple
Bay City - David Szczypka
Belleville - Michael McCormick
Big Rapids - Marty Shaffer
Blissfield - Steven Babbitt
Bloomfield Twp. - Richard Dylewski Jr.
Bloomfield Village - Maynard Timm
Bridgman - Shane Peters
Brimley - George Jones
Bronson - Brian Case
Bronson - Kevin Gardner
Brownstown Twp. - Charles Monette Jr.
Cadillac - Demetrio Rojas-Cruz
Chassell - Robert Fay
Chassell - Shana Ruotsala
Chesterfield - Paul McBride
Clarkston - Jamie Rykse
Clarksville - Michael Burgess
Clinton Township - Mark Carney
Clinton Township - Brad Thomas
Clinton Township - Keith Justice Sr.
Commerce Township - Robert Foss
Constantine - Jerry Burgess
Cottrellville - Grant Harris
Dearborn Heights - Abasi Sanders
Detroit - Delonda Little
Detroit - Kevin Cleveland
Detroit - Cozette Ealy
Detroit - Cedric Green
Detroit - William Pugh
DeWitt - Mark Kellogg
Dewitt - Adam Miller
Dorr - Dan Heasley
East Lansing - Eric McGaugh
Estero - Michael Jager
Fenton - Paula McAllister
Flint - Rozier Looney
Frankenmuth - Matthew Krause
Freeland - Nick Horn
Fremont - Kevin Holmberg
Gaylord - Michael Switalski
Gobles - Randy Hood
Grand Blanc - Josh Dean
Grand Blanc - Anthony Klinck
Grand Blanc - David Clement
Grand Haven - Chris Romero
Grand Ledge - Brian Gorman
Grand Rapids - Marc Davis
Grand Rapids - Timothy Gildner
Grand Rapids - Lloyd Kilgore Sr.
Grand Rapids - Fritz Owen
Grand Rapids - Debra Rambow
Grand Rapids - James Stokes
Grand Rapids - Michael Underwood
Grand Rapids - Randy Wilson
Grandville - Kelli Polinskey
Grosse Ile - Michael Szczechowski
Grosse Pointe Woods - Douglas Bohannon
Harbor Beach - Jill Fuller
Harrison Township - Kimberly Broski
Haslett - Casey Kern
Haslett - Scott Bradley
Hastings - Fred Koning
Highland - Jason Zimmerman
Holland - Jayson Dibble
Holt - Andrew Hoard
Honor - Matt Olson
Horton - Jerry Waddington
Houghton - Gregg Richards
Howell - Anthony Vella
Howell - Nathan Thompson
Hudsonville - Roberto Ortega-Ramos
Ionia - April Holman
Ironwood - Guy Trier
Jackson - Tracy Boyers
Jackson - Troy Fairbanks
Jackson - Daniel Garrison
Jackson - Jim Miller
Jackson - Bernard Nabozny
Jackson - Douglas Richardson
Jenison - Alfred Kennedy
Kalamazoo - Jill Lansky
Kentwood - Andrew Terrien
Kentwood - Rus Tien
Lansing - Oscar Castaneda
Lansing - Steve Crowley
Lansing - Terry Harris
Lansing - Arthur Lilly
Lansing - Keith Rhodabeck
Lansing - Cameron Rodgers
Lathrup Village - Gerald Jones
Livonia - Scott Racer
Macomb - Terry Prince
Macomb - Don Kalpin
Manistique - Joseph Crowder
Manistique - Howard Parmentier
Marlette - Chris Storm
Marquette - John Schultz
Marshall - James Dyer
Marshall - Eric Earl
Marysville - John Schweihofer
Mason - Ammahad Wnaikau
Memphis - Steven Gray
Merrill - Malena Marr
Michigan City - Larry Jordan III
Middleville - Darrin Oliver
Midland - Thomas Coatoam
Midland - Alan Huntress
Midland - Douglas Jones
Milan - Jill Hargrove
Milan - Michael St. John
Milford - Jeffrey Garvin
Milford - Larry Walters
Mount Pleasant - Jeff Siler
Muskegon - Robert Koekkoek
Niles - Glenn Kimmerly
Niles - Cory Gowen
Northville - Doug Doyle
Ortonville - Laurel Kobe
Perrysburg, Ohio - Gregg Becker
Pickford - Marc Andrzejak
Pontiac - Wanda Clayton
Port Austin - Andrew Preston
Portage - Phillip Baker
Portage - Jeff Kirkman
Portage - Mike Lauraine
Portage - Michael Northuis
Reed City - Aaron Keup
Riverview - Gregory Drewno
Rochester - Avoki Omekanda
Rochester Hills - Michael Timko
Rochester Hills - Terry Zangkas
Royal Oak - Linda Mariani
Saginaw - Richard Moody
Saginaw - Charles Smith
Schoolcraft - Nathan DeMaso
Schoolcraft - Reid Jones
South Haven - Ken Dietz
South Lyon - Elisabeth Tyzo-DePaulis
St. Clair Shores - Chad Kelly
Sterling Heights - Robert Hornik
Sterling Heights - Patrick Radaj
Sterling Heights - Erik Schneider
Sterling Heights - Ernest Sciullo
Sterling Heights - Terry Sheen
Stevensville - Thomas Rivette
Stevensville - Douglas Wegscheid
Swartz Creek - Andrew Palovich
Tecumseh - Eryn Stamper
Temperance - Mike Faunce
Temperance - Larry Nocella Jr.
Traverse City - Jeffrey Brunner
Traverse City - Jason Meriwether
Traverse City - Thomas Spencer
Trenton - Brian Hill
Trenton - Kevin McMillion
Troy - Glenn Craze
Troy - Patrick Grady
Twin Lake - Mike Vanderstelt
Utica - Edward Kotulski
Wallace - Terry Unti
Walled Lake - Terry Prickett
Warren - Arthur Lynn
Wayland - Joseph Kramer
West Bloomfield - Ilya Beltser
West Branch - Howard Hanft
White Lake - Gregory Waun
Williamston - Kelli Hart
Wixom - Cuba Gregory III
30-Year Officials
Allen - Kent Sanborn
Allen Park - Mark Klein
Alpena - Robert Centala Jr.
Alto - Bene Benedict
Bad Axe - Brent Wehner
Baroda - Chris Falak
Battle Creek - John Crumb
Bay City - Stephen Linton
Bay City - Scott Packard
Bay City - Joseph Pietryga
Bessemer - James Trcka
Brooklyn - Gregg Wonderly
Caledonia - Stacy Smith
Center Line - Scott Manteuffel
Charlotte - Val Nelson
Chelsea - Eric VanHevel
Chesterfield - Anthony Mancina
Clinton Township - Barbara Laird
Clinton Township - Scott Walendowski
Comstock Park - Kathy Felty
Davison - James Edgar
Dearborn - Gloria Joseph
Dearborn Heights - Rick Ballnik
Detroit - Joyce Smith
Dowagiac - Scott Stewart
East Lansing - Brent Sorg
Eaton Rapids - Wesley Collins
Essexville - Mark Gentle
Farmington Hills - Robert Dobson Jr.
Fenton - Paul White
Flat Rock - Janis Stahr
Flint - Richard Higgins
Flint - John Yelle
Flushing - Jeffrey Straley
Freeland - Terry Schmidt
Grand Blanc - Thomas Le Blanc
Grand Blanc - Leonard Sparks Sr.
Grand Rapids - Jacquie DeJonge
Grand Rapids - Jeff Green
Greenville - Darcia Kelley
Grosse Pointe - Ryan Murphy
Grosse Pointe Park - George Markley
Grosse Pointe Woods - Renee Dicristofaro
Hazel Park - Benny Holzman
Hickory Corners - Dean Bostwick
Holt - John Massey
Imlay City - John Forti
Jacksonville Beach, Fla. - Bernadette Koenig
Kalamazoo - Julie Jones
Kalamazoo - Mark Kampen
Kingsley - David Lemmien
Lansing - Dee Hammond
Lansing - Robert Mccullem
Livonia - Steve Timm
Manchester - James Connors
Marinette - Neil Motto
Mason - Daniel Carmichael
Mason - Kathy Showers
Mattawan - John Visser
McMillan - Anthony Immel
Midland - Katherine Duso
Monroe - Carolyn Peters
Montague - Stanley Bush
Muskegon - Jacklyn Burr
Muskegon - Chris Calkins
Muskegon - Dennis Danicek
Muskegon - Randall Peters
North Muskegon - Tony Kartes
Ontonagon - Andrew Borseth
Ottawa Lake - Douglas Sanders
Paw Paw - Karla Koviak
Perry - Thomas Montpas
Petoskey - Mark Holland
Pierson - Joseph Williams
Pleasant Lake - Marty Shean
Plymouth - Richard Schmidt
Plymouth - Michael Rossman
Quincy - Candace Cox
Rapid River - Mike Pilon
Rochester - Janette Luttenberger
Rochester Hills - Katherine DiMeglio
Romeo - Mary Milke
Rossford, Ohio - Steven Agler
Saginaw - Thomas Nichols
Saline - Todd Schultz
Shelby - Todd Fox
Shelby Township - Sheila Brownlee
Shelby Township - Kristi Dean
South Lyon - Michael Kiselis
Sparta - Ryan Huber
St. Clair Shores - Gary Kowalewski
St. Joseph - Terry Myers
St. Joseph - Dave Waaso
Standish - Kimberly Belchak
Stanton - Jason Petersen
Sterling Heights - George Braund
Sterling Heights - John Moceri
Traverse City - Allen Hebden
Utica - Sean Barel
Waldron - Michael Granger
Walled Lake - Donald Magee
Warren - Joseph DiBucci
Washington - Gloria Berger
Wayne - Robert Allen II
West Bloomfield - Cynthia Tyzo
Williamston - David Sweeney
Wolverine - David Ashenfelter
Wyandotte - David Shalda
Wyoming - Stephen Hendrickson
Yale - Perry Sutherland
40-Year Officials
Adrian - Doris Goodlock
Allen Park - James Sombati
Battle Creek - Corby O'Leary
Bay City - Tony Biskup
Buchanan - Ronald Bartz
Cedar Springs - Dan Rypma
Charlevoix - Daniel Ulrich
Clark Lake - Ralph Piepkow Jr.
Clinton Township - Patrick Crandall
Crystal Falls - Lyle Smithson Jr.
Detroit - John Leidlein Jr.
Detroit - Richard Shalhoub
Eastpointe - Wayne Rockensuess
Fort Gratiot - Jeff Klausing
Garden City - Eric Hebestreit
Grosse Ile - Steven Vecchioni
Hancock - Brian Rimpela
Holland - Brent Hoitenga
Hudsonville - Gerald Kuiper
Jackson - Thomas Morrissey
Jackson - Joseph Page
Jonesville - Kirk Snyder
Kentwood - William Meade
Lake Orion - James Weidman
Lansing - Daniel Kitchel
Lapeer - Gary Oyster
Lapeer - Scott Strickler
Macomb Township - William Gerbe
Mayville - Gary Libka
Midland - Bradley Crampton
Newaygo - Clinton Abbott
Ray - David Hines
Reed City - David Erler
Republic - Paul Price
Rockford - Carl Knoop
Rogers City - Karl Grambau
Roseville - Mario Soresi
Saginaw - Michael Mayers
Saginaw - Richard Welzein
Saginaw - Dennis Wildey
Sand Creek - Jack Sager
Sault Ste Marie - Dale Cryderman
St. Clair Shores - Gerald Garcia
St. Joseph - Bruce Molineaux
Swartz Creek - James Loria
Temperance - Michael Bitz
Traverse City - Barbara Beckett
Walled Lake - Nicholas Lesnau
Waters - Rick Sehl
Wolverine - Aimee Davis
Ypsilanti - Jerry Kelley
45-Year Officials
Alpena - Scott MacKenzie
Berkley - Charles Tyrrell
Boyne City - Peter Moss
Bronson - Randy Houtz
Brown City - Curt Lowe
Buchanan - Larry Monsma
Burton - Thomas Rau Sr.
Cheboygan - Peter Stempky
Conklin - Gary Meerman
East Lansing - Bruce Heeder
Flint - Joseph Johnson Sr.
Flushing - David Cowden
Fowler - Dean Schrauben
Frankfort - Peter Olson
Grand Rapids - Todd VandenAkker
Haslett - Heidi Doherty
Holland - Craig Kuipers
Houghton - Roy Britz
Iron Mountain - Robert Barkle
Jenison - James Kerbel
Lake Isabella - James Novar
Linden - John Cross
Madison Heights - Joseph Marcinkowski
Muskegon Heights - Johnny Robinson
Oxford - Donald Maskill Jr.
Plymouth - Charles Hempel
Portage - Richard Bird
Portage - Robert Burch
Posen - Donna Couture
Prescott - Charles Wren
Roseville - Robert Iwasko Sr.
Shelby Township - Michael Gentry
South Bend, Ind. - Dale Matteson
South Lyon - Dan Riggs
Taylor - Clayton Conner
Warren - Vern Rottmann
50-Year Officials
Adrian - Gary Laskowsky
Ann Arbor - Michael Parsons
Canton - David Mattingly
Caseville - Daniel Korbutt
DeWitt - Raymond Barnes
Fenton - Hewitt Judson
Fruitport - David Fisher
Kalamazoo - David Turley
Livonia - Steven Boyak
Livonia - John Dunn
Ludington - Roger Chappel
Marlette - Jerry Sauder Sr.
Marquette - Gene Aho
Ontonagon - John Gravier
Palmetto, Fla. - Donald Bourdon
Rodney - Jeffrey Greene
Rogers City - Michael Grulke
Saginaw - Richard Havercroft
South Haven - Robert Linderman
South Lyon - Richard Gibson
Stevensville - Bruce Arter
Traverse City - Tom Post
West Bloomfield - Anthony Magni
Whitehall - Chuck Hulce
PHOTO: Candy Cox prepares to judge during the 2018 MHSAA Competitive Cheer Finals. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan Cheer Judges Association.)