Performance of the Week: Saline's Kaylee Mitzel
September 19, 2025
Kaylee Mitzel ♦ Saline
Junior ♦ Field Hockey
Mitzel – Saline’s goalkeeper – had seven saves including a potential win-securing deflection in the fourth quarter as the Hornets defeated Ann Arbor Pioneer in a rematch of last season’s Michigan High School Field Hockey League Division 1 championship game. Saline (9-1-1) also defeated reigning Division 2 champion Chelsea 1-0 in their next game last week.
After playing basketball and soccer as a freshman, Mitzel turned her focus to soccer as a sophomore – she’s an all-area goalkeeper during the spring – and also played field hockey for the first time. The Hornets’ only loss this fall came Wednesday, in a rematch with Pioneer, with the score again 1-0. This is the first year of MHSAA sponsorship for girls field hockey, with Regionals set to begin Oct. 8 and the first Final on Oct. 25.
@mhsaasports 🏑POW: Kaylee Mitzel #saline #fieldhockey #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🏑POW: Kaylee Mitzel #funfacts #tiktalk #gettoknowme #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.
MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
Previous 2025-26 honorees
Sept. 11: Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
Sept. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Saline athletic department.)
Performance of the Week: Hudsonville's Brady Van Laecke
October 10, 2025
Brady Van Laecke ♦ Hudsonville
Senior ♦ Football
Hudsonville's quarterback produced one of most notable performances in the state during Week 6, completing 11 of 13 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns and running 17 times for 85 yards and two more scores as the Eagles held off rival Rockford 35-28 to improve to 6-0 and move into first place alone in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red.
Van Laecke saw time during last season's Division 1 championship game loss to Detroit Cass Tech at Ford Field, throwing three passes, running five times and punting twice. He also is a sprinter on the track & field team and was part of Hudsonville's O-K Red championship 400 relay in the spring. His final scoring pass against Rockford, to teammate Lawsyn Weber, received national attention as Weber leapt over a defender and pulled down the pass in the back of the end zone.
@mhsaasports 🏈POW: Brady Van Laecke #hudsonville #football #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports 🏈POW: Brady Van Laecke #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.
MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
Previous 2025-26 honorees
Oct. 2: Sarah Giroux, Flat Rock volleyball - Report
Sept. 25: Sam Schumacher, Portage Central tennis - Report
Sept. 18: Kaylee Mitzel, Saline field hockey - Report
Sept. 11: Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
Sept. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Hudsonville football program.)