Tales of Teams, Trophies & Trinkets
By
Ron Pesch
MHSAA historian
March 30, 2016
High school athletics leaves behind an amazing array of treasures – although while buried in a keepsake box, or trophy case, the awards stand silent.
For many, their meaning and worth only continues to grow in value. Yet, in other cases, time can be cruel. For some trophies and trinkets, their worth diminishes as the stories contained within are lost behind retirements, neglect, administration decisions and death.
Following are a few tales that live on from more than a century of Michigan high school sports.
|
1909 |
Muskegon High School |
Track Trophy |
The search continues for the oldest state title trophy presented to a high school in the state of Michigan. This beauty, on display at Muskegon High School within the school’s storied trophy cases, currently leads the pack. In 1909, Muskegon coach Robert Zuppke’s team tallied 43½ points to win the fourth annual Michigan Agricultural College Interscholastic meet in Lansing. The total was the largest sum in the history of the meet, exceeding Detroit University School’s total of 27½ points and Detroit Central’s third-place total of 25 points.
Dominant in the field events, Muskegon was led by George Shaw, who set a new record in the pole vault at 11 feet, 2 inches, and by George Cowley, whose 4:47 time in the mile also set a new mark. Cowley’s time in the mile ranked among the top in the middle west.
Zuppke moved on a year later to coach at Oak Park, Ill., then to the University of Illinois where he became known as one of the great coaching minds in the history of college football. Shaw would school at Northwestern University while Cowley spent some time at the University of Chicago following graduation.
|
1923 |
Dollar Bay |
2nd U.P. Class B Tournament |
Someone within the Dollar Bay roster was once the proud owner of this silver basketball fob, given to team members by Northern Michigan Normal College for finishing second in the 6th annual Class B High School Basketball Tournament hosted at Northern State Normal College. According to documentation on the event, six sessions were held, and during presentation of the awards, only seven fobs were awarded to each of the top three teams. As was quite common at the time, only last names of players were mentioned in the game program and newspaper coverage. I guess back in the day, everyone who needed to know already knew the player’s first name.
Purchased on Etsy, perhaps this medal was owned by Stevens, who played one of the guard spots and served as team captain. He was responsible for all nine of the team’s points in the Class B championship game. Perhaps it belonged to Penphrase or Mattson, who each scored four points in the semifinal round, where Dollar Bay trounced Stambaugh 21-12. Munising defeated Newberry 15-10 in the semifinal, setting the stage for the title game. Munising won the Saturday evening contest, 17-9, and earned the right to play the Class A winner for the “supremacy of the Upper Peninsula." One week later at the Normal Gym, Munising topped Escanaba, winner of the Class A tournament, for the honor.
|
1927 |
J. Perry Austin |
Three Oaks |
4:57.3 |
Along with his brother Phil, Joseph Perry Austin was one of 20 graduates in the class of 1927 at Three Oaks High School (Today known as Three Oaks River Valley). The most famous of the group was perhaps Joe Savoldi, who would star at Notre Dame.
The Austin boys moved to Three Oaks from Waukegan, Ill, when they reached high school age. There, Perry, as he was known among family and friends, would excel athletically and academically, winning the Class C MHSAA state championship in the mile and serving as valedictorian of his class. Phil was salutatorian. This medal, presented at Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (now Michigan State University) was found on Ebay.
Following graduation, Perry attended the University of Michigan, where he was crowned Big Ten Champion in the two mile in 1931. That same year, Austin was honored by the Big Ten with the conference’s prestigious Medal of Honor, awarded one per sport, for athletic and academic achievement in Track & Field. He would remain at Michigan, earning a doctorate in chemistry in 1935.
After graduation, he worked for Abbot Labs in Chicago. In the 1940s, Austin joined the seminary and became an Episcopalian priest, serving parishes in Wisconsin, Texas and Michigan. Ultimately, he returned to education, teaching high school chemistry in Toledo, Ohio. He passed away in 1991.
His brother Phil would ultimately become an internationally renowned watercolorist and a member of the exclusive American Water Color Society.
|
1940 |
Merrill Vandals scoreboard |
Castle Museum, Saginaw |
As the story goes, Merrill High School students built this scoreboard in shop class sometime during the late 1930s for use in their high school gymnasium. The board served the district for approximately the next 50 years. “It was always an honor to be selected as one of the kids to operate the scoreboard,” recalled Keith Clark, a former Merrill student who in later years served as a coach, then administrator in the district. “One kid would operate the home side and the other would operate the away side.”
When the new high school opened in 1956, the scoreboard remained in place at the building where it served junior high school teams until the 1980s. It was ultimately presented to Walt Krause, a longtime employee of the Merrill school district. Thanks to the efforts of Clark, and the kindness of the Krause family, the board eventually made its way to the Saginaw Sports Hall of Fame with a single stipulation – that the score displayed should always show Merrill leading.
|
1947 |
Brethren Dickson |
Basketball Team |
A scan of a photo cherished by the son of one of the team members, this team picture would likely go unnoticed mixed in with a stack of others. Yet, standing in the back row, wearing number 27, is an individual with a likeness, and most certainly a voice, that would be recognized by tens of millions. The Brethren Dickson basketball team of 1947 was eliminated early in the tournament. The 1932 team finished the year as runner-up to Portage for the Lower Peninsula’s Class D title. In 1963, Brethren lost in the state semifinals to eventual Class D state champion Britton.
Using his full given name, one can argue that James Earl Jones ranks with Earvin “Magic” Johnson as the state’s most famous basketball player, though his fame is for something entirely different than his ability to shoot a basketball.
|
1967 |
Ann Arbor University High School |
Track Trophy |
Found at a thrift store in Ann Arbor, it was purchased for $2.12, tax included. Showing its age, the trophy was earned by Ann Arbor University High’s track team that finished second to Detroit St. Charles.
Ann Arbor University High was a demonstration school operated by the University of Michigan’s School of Education. In 1922, the State of Michigan legislature approved $525,000 for the construction and furnishing of the building near the campus of the university. In the fall of 1924, the school was opened with 123 students in grades 7-12. In 1930, an elementary school was added. According to U-M’s Bentley Historical Library, “the school was used as a demonstration center for educators in the newer practices of educating children.”
University High’s athletic teams were nicknamed the Cubs, an obvious nod to the University of Michigan’s Wolverines. University High continued to operate into the 1960s, when a decision was made by U-M’s School of Education to close the school.
The 1967 team, led by Dave Shipman, finished second to Detroit St. Charles in point total, 64 to 47. Shipman, an individual winner in both the 100 and 220-yard events, also ran on University’s victorious 880 relay team. A year later, the final senior class graduated from the school.
|
1984 |
Brimley High School |
Volleyball |
This medal dates to the days when champions were crowned in volleyball in both upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. (In the year 2000, the tournament was unified.) This is another Ebay find.
Between 1980 and 1990 the U.P. staged a single open tournament for all schools north of the Mackinac Bridge. Despite competing against schools with much larger enrollment, the Brimley Bays captured seven titles during those 11 years of competition. Located just off I-75, coach Charles Compo’s team traveled extensively into the Lower Peninsula to gain experience. The time and travel paid dividends as the team captured five straight titles between 1981 and 1985. The 1984 title came with 15-3, 15-11 wins over Bessemer. That season, Compo was named U.P. Coach of the Year.
“Compo retired in 1990 with an amazing record of 408 victories and only 74 losses,” notes the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing the achievements of those squads. “Seventeen of Compo's players would earn all-state honors, a total of 32 times.”
|
2009 |
Allison Pall |
East Grand Rapids |
1:50:09 |
“When the boys on the football team got whiny about practice, their coach would bring them to one of our practices,” remembered Allison Pall, discussing the hours spent training before earning this medal as a member of the East Grand Rapids 200 medley relay team. Those practices were run by legendary swimming coach Milton “Butch” Briggs, Jr. Since taking on the task in fall of 1975, Briggs has led the girls to 19 MHSAA championships and the boys to 10 titles.
Pall, along with schoolmates Ally Bremer, Molly Lundquist, and Karly Surman won the 200 medley relay with an MHSAA Finals time of 1:50.09 at Eastern Michigan. A year later Pall, Bremer, Emily Lundquist and Katie Lachance again won the 200 medley relay, at 1:48.82 at Holland Aquatic Center. The girls clocked a 1:48:75 in the prelims the day prior, establishing a then-school record.
A late beginner in the sport, Pall took up competitive swimming in seventh grade. Following high school graduation, Pall headed to Ann Arbor to enroll at the University of Michigan, where she left behind her swimming career. Her height, an advantage in swimming, meant she was recruited to join the University Rowing team. She stayed for a season, deciding to dedicate herself to studies. Today, Allison is in pursuit of her Master’s degree in Public Health. Her medals will not be found for sale online. They still mean the world to her.
Ron Pesch has taken an active role in researching the history of MHSAA events since 1985 and began writing for MHSAA Finals programs in 1986, adding additional features and "flashbacks" in 1992. He inherited the title of MHSAA historian from the late Dick Kishpaugh following the 1993-94 school year, and resides in Muskegon. Contact him at [email protected] with ideas for historical articles.
PHOTO: George Shaw prepares for the pole vault for Muskegon High in 1909. (Photos gathered by Ron Pesch.)
Preview: Familiar Favorites, New Challengers Sure to Energize Competitive Cheer Finals
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 5, 2026
The return of the top four placers in all four divisions – and 23 of 32 teams total – from last year’s MHSAA Competitive Cheer Finals guarantees renewed rivalries, fierce competition and plenty of storylines this weekend at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena.
It’s also easy to anticipate that an expected 7,000+ fans pouring in over the next two days will follow tradition in creating one of the most electric atmospheres of any MHSAA championship event this school year.
Division 4 leads off the weekend at 2 p.m. Friday, followed by Division 1 at 6:30 p.m. Division 3 starts Saturday’s competitions at 11 a.m., with Division 2 finishing the weekend at 3:30 p.m. The full schedule, plus information on purchasing tickets and how to watch online are all available on the Competitive Cheer page of MHSAA.com.
Division 1
BRIGHTON
Ranking: No. 3
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West & overall
Coach: Christina Wilson-Peacock, 14th season
Championship history: Class A runner-up 1999.
Top score: 792.10.
Team composition: 27 total (seven seniors, 11 juniors, five sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Brighton improved from sixth in 2024 to fifth at last season’s Final and enters this weekend coming off District and Regional championships. The Bulldogs have scored 779 or more points in every competition and broken 790 three times. Seniors Sofia Tepper and Aubrie Sutton-Gates earned all-state honorable mention last season.
GRANDVILLE
Ranking: No. 4
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Coach: Julie Smith-Boyd, 45th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), 10 runner-up finishes.
Top score: 791.22.
Team composition: 32 total (seven seniors, eight juniors, 14 sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Grandville could be on the verge of another jump after winning its District, finishing second at its Regional and improving from eighth in 2024 to sixth at last season’s Final. A 790.48 at the District was the team’s second-highest score of the season, and the Bulldogs also have broken 790 three times total. Senior Avery Johnson made the all-state second team last season, and senior Maddy Denman earned honorable mention.
HARTLAND
Ranking: No. 7
League finish: Second in KLAA West
Coach: Candace Fahr, ninth season
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2013.
Top score: 788.14 at District.
Team composition: 30 total (four seniors, seven juniors, 10 sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: The Eagles are coming off back-to-back fourth-place Finals finishes and will make another push after finishing a close runner-up to Brighton in the KLAA West and also placing second at the overall league championship meet. Junior Mia Marra made the all-state second team last season, and senior Chloe Setlock earned honorable mention.
MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH
Ranking: No. 8
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Lauren Turner, sixth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 786.50 at Regional.
Team composition: 30 total (10 seniors, eight juniors, eight sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: L’Anse Creuse North is back at the Finals for the third time in four seasons and after not qualifying a year ago, and advanced by posting its season-best score to finish fourth at a Regional that included six ranked teams. The Crusaders have broken 780 four times this season, all over their most recent five meets. Senior Addison Waters earned all-region honorable mention last season.
ROCHESTER
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: Second in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Samantha Dean, fourth season
Championship history: 15 MHSAA titles (most recent 2023), one runner-up finish.
Top score: 793.78 twice, including at Regional.
Team composition: 30 total (10 seniors, 12 juniors, four sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: After finishing second at last season’s Final by just 32 hundredths of a point, Rochester is rallying in a big way as it upped its score 4.3 points between the District and Regional to go from third to first place, respectively, at those events. The Falcons have broken 790 points seven times this winter and reached 793.70 three times. Seniors Natalie Cote and Claire O’Neill and junior Kara Sawicki made the all-state second team last season.
ROCHESTER ADAMS
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: First in OAA Red
Coach: Brooke Miller, 12th season
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 793.30.
Team composition: 28 total (12 seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Adams placed third at last year’s Final after two straight runner-up finishes, but entered this postseason ranked No. 1 and won its District before finishing third at its Regional. All six of the team’s scores of 790 or higher have come over the Highlanders’ last seven meets. Senior Nikala Hall earned all-state honorable mention a year ago, and senior Libby Schultz and junior Gabriella Montgomery earned all-state recognition in 2024.
ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK
Ranking: No. 5
League finish: Third in OAA Red
Coach: Tricia Williams, 23rd season
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2025), Division 1 runner-up 2022.
Top score: 791.98 at Regional.
Team composition: 26 total (13 seniors, six juniors, six sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: Stoney Creek is seeking to become the 13th competitive cheer program in MHSAA history to win at least three Finals championships in a row. The Cougars will attempt to do so coming off runner-up finishes at both their District and Regional, where they posted their two highest overall scores this season. Seniors Mia Badalucco, Audrey Harvath and Natalie Marco made the all-state first team last season, seniors Taylor Brandimarte and Kendall Keller and sophomore Kate Kacy made the second team, and senior Cassidy Niester and junior Isabel Willams earned honorable mentions.
ROMEO
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: Fourth in MAC Red
Coach: Jaclyn Delamielleure, 12th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 780.74 at Regional.
Team composition: 24 total (eight seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Romeo qualified for the Finals for the first time by posting its top score this season and snagging fourth place at its Regional by less than a point. The Bulldogs also placed third at their District but are the only team from that group still competing. Romeo bumped up its overall score 3.08 points from the District to the Regional. Senior Claudia Berry made the all-district first team last season.
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: First in Downriver League
Coach: Julie Goodwin, 24th season
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2025), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 796.10.
Team composition: 23 total (four seniors, seven juniors, seven sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Allen Park is seeking a third-straight Division 2 championship and sixth over the last seven seasons, and has finished first in all of its competitions this winter. The Jaguars have surpassed 790 points in seven straight meets, and the 796 score in nearly four points higher than their best heading into the Final a year ago. Senior Sophia Ramey and juniors Ella Brown, Peyton Keys and Isabella Robinet made the all-state first team last season, junior Daryn Bailey made the second team, and junior Ava Rice and sophomore Claire Barry earned honorable mentions.
CARLETON AIRPORT
Ranking: No. 6
League finish: First in Huron League
Coach: Emily Dusik, fourth season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 788.34.
Team composition: 21 total (five seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Airport finished second in 2024 and third at last season’s Final, and has shown the potential to pile up points again this winter with three scores of at least 782 including at their Regional where they finished fourth among a field that included seven ranked teams. Seniors Kaddie McDonald and Jocelyn Kleman made the all-state first team last season, seniors Reese Kopsi and Lilyann Books made the second, and juniors Isabella Mulvin and Grace Post earned honorable mentions.
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Coach: Alyssa Tocco, fifth season
Championship history: 12 MHSAA titles (most recent 2023), eight runner-up finishes.
Top score: 795.20.
Team composition: 26 total (two seniors, eight juniors, 10 sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: After finishing first or second at 16 of the last 18 Division 2 Finals, Carlson is sure to be in the championship mix again and has scored at least 780 points in all but one meet this season – and 790 or higher five times. All of this is more impressive as the team has only two seniors, but still a solid group with big-meet experience. Junior Kaitlyn Skinner and sophomore Jillian Gates made the all-state second team last season, and juniors Josi Farago and Payton Archer earned honorable mentions.
MASON
Ranking: No. 8
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Coach: Angela Boerkoel, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 783.94.
Team composition: 24 total (four seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, 11 freshmen).
Outlook: Mason is back at the Finals after two seasons away and has put together an impressive run finishing first or second at all of its competitions and winning its District and Regional. The Bulldogs jumped from seventh at last year’s Regional to win by nearly 12 points this time. Seniors Chloe Showers, Ella Bahl and Hayden Surbrook and junior Mikayla Rice made the all-district first team in 2025.
MIDDLEVILLE THORNAPPLE KELLOGG
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Coach: Madelynn Lula, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 773.94 at District.
Team composition: 22 total (eight seniors, one junior, eight sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: MTK also is back after a year away and will compete at its third Final in four seasons. The Trojans have placed among the top three at all of their competitions and followed up the league championship with runner-up finishes at both their District and Regional. Senior Mia Hilton made the all-region first team last season, and senior Claira Kovich earned honorable mention.
PLAINWELL
Ranking: No. 10
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Kylie Cook, seventh season
Championship history: Class B champion 2000, Class B runner-up 2001.
Top score: 777.28 at District.
Team composition: 22 total (10 seniors, seven sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Plainwell has finished first or second at 10 of its 12 meets this winter and posted its top score by nearly 12 points in winning its District. The Trojans improved from seventh at the 2024 Final to fifth last season and could climb again – the 777.28 is nearly 10 points higher than their top score heading into last year’s Final. Senior Mackenzie Meert earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
WALLED LAKE WESTERN
Ranking: No. 5
League finish: Second in Lakes Valley Conference
Co-coaches: Amber Stocks, 16th season; Michelle Frey, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 785.50.
Team composition: 20 total (eight seniors, four juniors, six sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Western placed fourth at last season’s Final and is building toward another big finish with its top two overall scores this winter coming while taking second at its District and third at its Regional, the latter as part of a field that included seven ranked teams. The Warriors also finished first or second at 10 of their 12 meets. Senior Hannah Fore and junior Audrey Breitmeyer made the all-state second team last season, and juniors Ella Spiess and Mariana Gonzalez earned honorable mentions.
ZEELAND WEST
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: First in O-K Black/White
Coach: Emillie Gort, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 766.18 at District.
Team composition: 23 total (three seniors, seven juniors, six sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: After the making the Finals last season for the first time, West is headed back for the second year in a row and coming off a third-place finish at its Regional after taking fourth at its District. The Dux won seven of their nine regular-season competitions, and their top score is nearly five points higher than heading into last year’s Final. Senior Addysen Miller earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
Division 3
ARMADA
Ranking: No. 3
League finish: Second in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Deanna Misiak, 10 season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 783.04.
Team composition: 25 total (five seniors, two juniors, 11 sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: Armada has finished an impressive fourth the last two seasons and will once again look to contend after placing third at both their District and Regional while competing against BWAC champ Richmond and reigning Division 3 winner Notre Dame Prep. The Tigers finished first or second at all of their regular-season competitions. Senior Madison Porter and sophomore Madelyn LaMontagne made the all-state second team last season, and sophomores Hannah Koss and Chloe Langbeen earned honorable mentions.
CHARLOTTE
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: Third in CAAC White
Coach: Jade Bowhall, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 752.76.
Team composition: 19 total (eight seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Charlotte returned to the Finals last season and finished sixth, and will seek to climb after finishing among the top three at all of its competitions this winter. Seniors make up nearly half the roster, and Ava Waterman made the all-state second team last season.
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: Third in O-K Gold
Coach: Anna Ramirez, 12th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 743.80.
Team composition: 18 total (three seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Grand Rapids West Catholic advanced from its District – finishing second – and scored its second-highest total of the season to finish fourth at the Regional and qualify for the Finals for the first time since 1996. Senior Kate Steffens earned an all-region honorable mention last season.
GROSSE ILE
Ranking: No. 4
League finish: Fourth in Huron League
Coach: Angela Raithel, ninth season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), two runner-up finishes.
Top score: 782.02 at District.
Team composition: 21 total (two seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Grosse Ile finished runner-up last season, its best Finals performance since winning the Division 3 title in 2010. The Red Devils graduated seven from that team but have ascended again and won their District by 24 points before taking fourth at a Regional that had seven top-10 teams in the field. Juniors Laynie Gratz and Kamryn Waddell made the all-state first team last season, and juniors Rylie Gratz and Delaney Davis made the second team.
HOWARD CITY TRI COUNTY
Ranking: No. 5
League finish: First in Central State Activities Association
Coach: Jennifer Laskey, 22nd season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: N/A.
Team composition: 21 total (three seniors, one junior, eight sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: Tri County has reached the Finals for the fifth-straight season and after moving up to fifth place a year ago, their best of this recent run. The Vikings also graduated seven last spring, but have returned with several underclassmen and by winning their District and Regional competitions both by at least 10 points. Senior Briana Cheatham made the all-state first team last season, and senior Violet Bellamy earned honorable mention.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Ranking: No. 6
League finish: First in CAAC White
Coach: Kim Martin, 32nd season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 763.86.
Team composition: 16 total (two seniors, seven juniors, four sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: The Vikings have returned to the Finals after a year away, and after placing third at their first competition won the rest during the regular season and finished second at their District and Regional. Senior Taylor Carpenter made the all-region second team last season, and junior Skylarr Anderson earned honorable mention.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: Does not compete in a conference.
Coach: Jocelyn Welsh, third season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2025), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 787.50
Team composition: 22 total (seven seniors, six juniors, six sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: After two straight runner-up finishes, Notre Dame Prep won its first championship last winter since 2018 and will seek to repeat this weekend after finishing second to top-ranked Richmond at their District but winning their Regional by more than six points. The Fighting Irish have scored at least 782 points their last four competitions. Senior Jenna Robin and junior Eva Thomas made the all-state first team last season, and senior Madeline Rennwald, junior Sadie Shook and sophomore Holly Haras earned honorable mentions.
RICHMOND
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Kelli Matthes, 18th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 788.62.
Team composition: 28 total (six seniors, seven juniors, nine sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Richmond is looking to move up from third last season, and their scores certainly make that possible; the Blue Devils reached 788 in three straight meets before the Regional, winning their District ahead of No. 2 Notre Dame Prep by more than three points. Richmond also won all of its competitions this season before the Regional second place, impressive again as the BWAC has three teams competing this weekend and had four ranked among the top seven heading into the postseason. Sophomores Paisley Kolakowski and Ana Lovett made the all-state first team last season, senior Ava Widmaier made the second team, and senior Elizabeth Schafter and junior Anna Jagoda earned honorable mentions.
Division 4
HANOVER-HORTON
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Coach: Sarah DuBois, fifth season
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2025.
Top score: 754.86 at District.
Team composition: 18 total (four seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Hanover-Horton completed its ascent with its first Finals championship last season, and is pursuing a repeat after winning its District and finishing second at its Regional to top-ranked Pewamo-Westphalia. Prior to the Regional, the Comets had scored at least 748 opponents in three straight meets and have topped 751 twice this winter. Senior Aley Ketcham and juniors Maya Mason and Brynlee Swihart made the all-state first team last season, and senior Sydney Waffle and sophomore Renee Rodriguez earned honorable mentions.
HUDSON
Ranking: No. 5
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Kelly Bailey, 29th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), six runner-up finishes.
Top score: 747.68 at District.
Team composition: 14 total (three seniors, five juniors, six freshmen).
Outlook: Hudson saw its five-year championship streak end last season, but still finished a notable fourth and has returned this weekend after winning its District by 17 points and finishing third at a Regional that included P-W and Hanover-Horton among five ranked teams total. Junior Emmalin Rodifer made the all-state first team last season, and juniors Brooke Worrell and Paige Butts made the second.
MERRILL
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Coach: Jena Glazier, sixth season
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2014.
Top score: 702.36 at Regional.
Team composition: 15 total (four seniors, three juniors, four sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Merrill is returning to the Finals for the first time since 2018 and put up a big performance to get here, bumping up its previous high score this season by nearly 27 points to advance. The Vandals also made the jump after finishing sixth at their District a year ago, this time placing third and then fourth at their Regional. Sophomore Alexis Monk earned all-district recognition last season.
NORTH MUSKEGON
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference
Coach: Melody Zziwambazza, fifth season
Championship history: Class D champion 1997, two runner-up finishes.
Top score: 710.34 at Regional.
Team composition: 15 total (three seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: North Muskegon is back at the Finals after a season away and made an impressive jump to earn the trip, besting its previous high score this season by 15 points to earn a third-place Regional finish. The Norsemen also moved up from fifth at last year’s District to second this time. Seniors Naomi Zziwambazza and Gabrielle Benedict and juniors Anna Koman and Maura McRae earned all-district honors last winter.
NORWAY
Ranking: No. 4
League finish: Does not compete in a conference.
Coach: Hailey Micoley, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 761.68 at District.
Team composition: 17 total (three seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: After returning to the Finals last season for the first time since 2009, Norway is a repeat qualifier and should make a run at climbing the standings after winning all of its competitions except the Regional, where the Knights finished runner-up. They’ve scored at least 726 points in five straight meets. Junior Jenna Ramlow made the all-state second team last season, and junior Amara Humphreys earned an honorable mention.
ONSTED
Ranking: No. 6
League finish: Second in LCAA
Coach: Michelle Goetz, 10th season
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1994.
Top score: 735.96.
Team composition: 12 total (four seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Onsted is returning to the Finals for the first time since 2020 after finishing second at their District and fourth at their Regional among a field that included five ranked teams. The Wildcats have topped 722 points at five meets and 734 twice. They competed in Division 3 previously, and senior Sofia Priest earned a Division 3 all-region honorable mention in 2025.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: Does not compete in a conference
Coach: Staci Myers, 19th season
Championship history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), 14 runner-up finishes.
Top score: 780.08 at District.
Team composition: 22 total (six seniors, two juniors, nine sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: The Pirates have finished second at the Finals the last two seasons and could be on the verge of breaking through for a first championship since 2019 after reaching 750 points six times this season and 765 twice – and averaging 748.48. They won their District by 56 points and their Regional by more than 15. Junior Brynn Feldpausch made the all-state first team last season, senior Karsyn Simmon and sophomore Lainey Thelen made the second, and senior Brianna Feldpausch and sophomore Kendalyn Grays earned honorable mentions.
SANFORD MERIDIAN
Ranking: No. 3
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Coach: Val MacKenzie, 36th season
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2018.
Top score: 751.74.
Team composition: 16 total (one senior, seven juniors, three sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Meridian has finished first or second at all but one competition this season, winning both its District and Regional, and topped 740 points eight times and 750 twice. The Mustangs also are seeking to climb after improving from fifth at the 2024 Final to third a year ago. Junior Marlee Kelly made the all-state first team last season, juniors Ellie Beach and Payton Mathe made the second team and junior Alyza Molski earned an honorable mention.
PHOTOS (Top) Division 1 contenders take the mat prior to the start of their 2025 Final at McGuirk Arena. (Middle) Pewamo-Westphalia competes at its Division 4 Regional last weekend. (P-W photo by Jim Pivarnik.)