Performance of the Week: Plainwell's Madison Nieuwenhuis
February 26, 2026
Madison Nieuwenhuis ♦ Plainwell
Senior ♦ Wrestling
Nieuwenhuis won her fourth Regional individual championship, pinning her opponents last weekend at Portage Northern in 34 seconds, 1:08 and 58 seconds, respectively, to improve to 33-0 this season. She’s one of two girls – joining Westland John Glenn’s Nakayla Dawson – who will pursue a fourth championship at the MHSAA Individual Finals during the weekend of March 6-7 at Ford Field. She’s also 9-0 in matches against boys this season, with a combined 24 pins.
Not surprisingly, Nieuwenhuis is the top seed in her Finals bracket at 105 pounds. She’s 121-9 during her high school career with all nine losses coming against boys and during her first two seasons. She helped the Plainwell girls to a Regional team championship as well last weekend and competed with the boys team at times this winter in part to team up with her brother Dylan, a sophomore and Regional individual champion as well. Madison Nieuwenhuis has signed with top-ranked Iowa and plans to study psychology.
@mhsaasports 🤼♂️POW: Madison Nieuwenhuis #plainwell #wrestling #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports 🤼♂️POW: Madison Nieuwenhuis #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
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Previous 2025-26 honorees
Feb. 20: Sophie Ramey, Allen Park competitive cheer - Report
Feb. 13: Cam Ryans, Grand Rapids Northview basketball - Report
Feb. 6: Melanie Kolnitys, Midland Dow basketball - Report
Jan. 29: Stella Musialowski, Huron Valley United gymnastics - Report
Jan. 22: Baylor Perkins, Grand Blanc swimming - Report
Jan. 15: Delaney Vanier, Flint Kearsley bowling - Report
Jan. 8: Stevie Hall, Detroit Cass Tech basketball - Report
Dec. 18: Ethan Martha, Ishpeming Westwood basketball - Report
Dec. 11: Louis Smith, Three Rivers wrestling - Report
Dec. 4: Traverse Smith, DeWitt football - Report
Nov. 28: Elizabeth Eichbrecht, West Bloomfield swimming - Report
Nov. 20: Brady Kieff, Blanchard Montabella football - Report
Nov. 13: Ella Laupp, Battle Creek Harper Creek swimming - Report
Nov. 7: Hunter Eaton, Charlevoix cross country - Report
Oct. 31: Stephen Gollapalli, Lansing Christian tennis - Report
Oct. 23: Talya Schreiber, Pickford cross country - Report
Oct. 16: Avery Manning, Dexter golf - Report
Oct. 9: Brady Van Laecke, Hudsonville football - Report
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
MHSAA Accepting Student Advisory Council Applications for Class of 2027
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 16, 2025
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is seeking student-athletes to become members of its Student Advisory Council beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
Four boys and four girls from the Class of 2027 will be selected to two-year terms and will meet on matters related to maintaining and promoting a proper perspective and sensible scope for high school sports in Michigan. Eight members from the Class of 2026 already are serving on the Council, while eight members from the Class of 2025 are leaving the Council this spring.
To be eligible for the committee, candidates must be a member of the Class of 2027, complete the official application including answering the three short-answer questions, submit a letter of recommendation from a school administrator, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and be available for all scheduled meetings.
In addition, candidates should show a history of leadership on athletic teams as well as with other extracurricular activities, community service projects, or in the workplace; and show an understanding of the role of school sports and have ideas for promoting a proper perspective for educational athletics.
Applications are due to the MHSAA by 4:30 p.m. on April 21. Applications can be downloaded from the Student Advisory Council page and must be returned via e-mail, fax or any mail delivery service.
The Student Advisory Council meets five times each school year, and once more for a 24-hour leadership camp. In addition to assisting in the promotion of the educational value of interscholastic athletics, the Council discusses issues dealing with the 4 S’s of educational athletics: scholarship, sportsmanship, safety (including health and nutrition) and the sensible scope of athletic programs. A fifth S – student leadership – is also a common topic. Members contribute to the planning of Sportsmanship Summits and other student leadership events, and assist with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events.
Newly-chosen members will join the following from the Class of 2026: Itzel Albarran, Bronson; Harper Barnhart, Brownstown Woodhaven; Diamond Cook, Southfield Christian; Henry Ewles, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Cole Haist, Big Rapids; Frannie Keeley, Jenison; Trey LaValley, Romeo; and Ethan Stine, Bridgman.
The eight new members of the Student Advisory Council will be notified by May 2. The 2025-26 in-person meetings at the MHSAA Office in East Lansing are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 24, Oct. 5, Dec. 7, Feb. 8 and April 19, in addition to three Zoom meetings still to be scheduled. For additional information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA at (517) 332-5046 or [email protected].
@mhsaasports Hey student-athletes apply today to join the MHSAA Student Advisory Council! Go to MHSAA.com now💥 #student #athlete #friends #opportunity #sophomore #classof2027 #mhsaa ♬ Walking Around - Instrumental Version - Eldar Kedem
PHOTO The 2024-25 MHSAA Student Advisory Council. Front row, from left: Ella Knudsen, Leland; Frannie Keeley, Jenison; Harper Barnhart, Brownstown Woodhaven; Kaylee Kranz, Clinton; Itzel Albarran, Bronson; Anna Zoet, Grandville Calvin Christian. Back row, from left: Cale Bell, Sault Ste Marie; Joey Spada, Kalamazoo Central; Ethan Stine, Bridgman; Trey LaValley, Romeo; Cole Haist, Big Rapids; Drew Cady, Oxford; Henry Ewles, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Diamond Cook, Southfield Christian; and Isaiah Kabban, Harbor Beach. Missing: Macy Jenkins, Milford.