MHSA(Q&A): Grand Ledge Gymnastics' Duane Haring
March 15, 2012
Duane Haring first took over the Grand Ledge gymnastics program in 2002 because his daughter Allison and her friends kept asking. He left to work as an assistant coach at Michigan State from 2005-06 -- but realized Allison and her teammates were on to something.
Haring returned to the Comets in 2006-07, and last weekend led them to a record fifth-straight MHSAA team championship. Grand Ledge senior Christine Wilson and junior Sara Peltier also won the Division 1 and 2 individual titles, respectively, making it two straight seasons Grand Ledge has swept all three competitions.
This winter's Team Final came down to Grand Ledge's last apparatus, bars, after a below-expectations performance on vault. But just as they have for a decade, Haring's Comets came through when it counted. And although Allison graduated nearly a decade ago, Duane plans to keep the winning streak rolling for years to come.
What was the conversation you had between your third and four apparatus? How would you paraphrase it?
I was sitting with the parents and I told them I was really angry because we can vault. We're a good vaulting team. I think we're the best vaulting team in the state, and we didn't do it. So I told them I just have to go for a walk, because I can't talk to them right now. I started to walk way, and I thought, “Oh yes I can.” I dragged them off the bleachers, and went out in the hallway. Trust me; they were wide awake for bars. They understood, loud and clear.
I know what they can do. All year I've been waiting for them to do bars like that.
Are all these championships different for you, or are they the same?
They're all nerve-wracking. This is supposed to be fun ... (he laughed). It's nerve-wracking.
How do you get them to come back and want to do six?
We lit a fire under them when we first did this. The community loves these guys. Most communities talk about football and basketball, and they still do. But more and more people in Grand Ledge talk about gymnastics. Almost everywhere you go, how about that gymnastics team? They're 75-0 ... that's in the paper, and people pay attention to that. They're into their gymnastics team in Grand Ledge.
Does this make you happy you came back and did this a second time?
It does. I'm glad. It's a good fit for me.
Hartland's Fundich Puts 'Fun' In Finals Championship Run, Ends Career No. 1
By
Brad Emons
Special for MHSAA.com
March 7, 2026
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP – Hartland’s Alexis Fundich was on a mission during Saturday’s MHSAA Individual Finals at Milford High School.
The senior, who led the Eagles to their second-straight team championship just the night before, captured the Division 1 all-round with a score of 38.625 after placing runner-up a year ago.
Huron Valley United’s Stella Musialowski was second (36.60), with Farmington United’s Mikayla Dicks (37.25), Tecumseh’s Isabella Janiga (35.875) and Northville’s Michelle Walker (35.85) rounding out the top five.
“Mostly I just tried to have fun and not let the nerves take over, which happened, so it went well,” Fundich said. “I definitely was nervous, but I didn’t want to let it control me throughout the meet. I let fun control me instead.”
Fundich, who joined the Hartland team her sophomore year, captured three events including the balance beam (9.725), uneven bars (9.4) and floor exercise, while adding a second in the vault (9.8).
“I was really happy with my floor score,” Fundich said. “I broke the record for floor on my team, so I was really excited about that.”
Fundich hopes to continue her gymnastics career in college, but is undecided about her next destination.
“That’s my goal. I’m still figuring that out,” Fundich said.
Musialowski, competing on her home floor, also turned in a stellar performance to pass Dicks (37.25), who was competing at her first MHSAA Finals.
The Milford gymnast had finished sixth a year ago after taking 15th as a sophomore. This time, she placed runner-up on beam (9.625), tied for third on bars (9.15) and floor (9.425), and fourth on vault (9.4),
“I was just definitely trying to do my best today,” Musialowski said. “I wanted to finish off my last competition well, and I definitely think I did.
“Beam always clicks a little bit more than the others for me. It’s my favorite. I find it really peaceful to do.”
Musialowski, who plans to attend Michigan State and study nursing, also juggled gymnastics during the winter with competitive cheer.
“I helped out our cheer team, but other than that I’ve solely been doing gymnastics my whole life,” said Musialowski, who joined the Huron Valley team her sophomore year. “My freshman year I did cheer, and then I realized I liked gymnastics and came back.”
Musialowski said most likely her competitive gymnastics days are over.
“It’s been a long run – 15 years – I’m definitely starting to get tired of it, but I’m not fully certain on it yet,” she said.
Hartland’s Kate Gostlin was the other D1 individual victor with a 9.8 in the vault.
“They all went out there, they had a mission and took care of business,” Hartland coach Gavin Kress said. “It’s gymnastics, they’re always nervous. Today coming in strong. They came in knowing what they were doing.”
Meanwhile, the Division 2 all-around title went to Haslett United’s Phoebe Elder, who placed first with a total of 36.675.
She was able to hold off challenges by three Rockford competitors including Lillian Green (36.550), Rae DeFrang (36.025) and Reese DeFrang (35.900). Farmington United’s Aubrey Woodman took fifth (35.625).
Elder finished runner-up on bars (9.1), third on floor (9.425), fourth on the beam (9.1) and tied for sixth in the vault (9.05).
“Very surprised and very happy for sure,” said Elder, who will attend Northwestern University and study biology. “I stuck a vault, which I don’t think I have all season.”
Other individual D2 winners included Rockford’s Green in vault (9.625), Rae DeFrang on bars (9.125) and Kenzie Todd on beam (9.275). East Lansing Catholic DeWitt’s Taliyah Andrews won the floor exercise (9.555).
PHOTOS (Top) Hartland’s Alexis Fundich vaults during Saturday’s Individual Finals at Milford. (Middle) Fundich, left, and Huron Valley United’s Stella Musialowski hold hands for their salute from the podium. (Below) Haslett United’s Phoebe Elder, right, receives a hug after her bars routine. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)