10 to Remember: 2012-13 Finals
June 27, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Championships are culminations of season-long journeys, concluding with the most exciting competitions of the year but steeped in back stories that make those crowning achievements mean so much more.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association awards 127 team championships each school year. Anyone picking 10 favorites could come up with at least 13 different lists.
So the list that follows likely won’t agree with many others. But here’s one person’s take on the 10 most incredible MHSAA Finals performances – focusing mostly on the final competition but with some back story built in – from the 2012-13 school year. (Click on headings for full stories.)
10. Special teams lead to special accomplishment for Brother Rice
Birmingham Brother Rice and Muskegon had combined for 12 MHSAA football championships entering the Finals. But in winning their eighth, the Warriors also accomplished a first in 44 seasons under coach Al Fracassa – their first back-to-back titles. They went ahead in the eventual 35-28 win on a cross-field lateral that turned into a 91-yard kickoff return with 2:13 to play.
9. Lakewood volleyball ends championship wait ...
Lake Odessa Lakewood coach Kellie Rowland has won 787 matches during her 15 seasons over two tenures leading the program, and frequently had brought the Vikings to the cusp of their first MHSAA title. They finally got it by defeating perennial power North Branch in three games in the Class B championship match.
8. ... and so does Bay City Western baseball
The Warriors earned coach Tim McDonald his first MHSAA championship game victory to go with 562 more wins over 21 seasons. Bay City Western won 1-0 in both the Semifinal and then Final over Brother Rice to secure its first baseball title and a 42-2 finish.
7. “Core 4” leave Mona Shores with four more
Seniors Hailey Hrynewich, Morgan Smith, Britni Gielow and Kelsey McKinley finished their high school careers as starters on four MHSAA championship teams, including the one that won the Lower Peninsula Division 2 Final this school year by 41 strokes. Hrynewich and Smith both posted top-five individual finishes as Mona Shores shot a two-day 666 at their final championship tournament.
6. Grand Ledge gymnastics sets the bar
Number six on this list makes sense for the Comets, who won their sixth straight MHSAA team championship to set the all-time longest title streak in the sport. They did so with the fifth-highest score in MHSAA Finals history – 149.350 – and despite graduating the Division 1 all-around champion the spring before.
5. Seniors say good-bye at LP Division 1 Final
Grosse Pointe South’s Hannah Meier and West Bloomfield’s Erin Finn brought national acclaim to the Detroit suburbs over the last two years with dominating performances in track and cross country. They finished their careers at the LP Division 1 Track & Field Final, where Meier set all-MHSAA Finals records in the 800 and 1,600 and Finn set an all-Finals record in the 3,200. In the fall, Finn and Meier finished first and second, respectively, at the LP Division 1 Cross Country Final.
4. Fowlerville standout reaches the stars
Gladiators senior Adam Coon, once an aspiring astronaut now turned aspiring aerospace engineer, became the 17th wrestler in MHSAA history to win four individual Finals championships. And he became the first to do so at the two heaviest weights, earning his titles at 215 and 285 pounds. He graduated with a career record of 211-3 and a 194-match winning streak.
3. Swimming with speed in Saline
Saline also won its fourth straight MHSAA title, in Lower Peninsula Division 1, anchored by seniors David Boland, Josh Ehrman, Michael Bundas and Adam Whitener. Combined, they hold four Finals individual and two relay records, and Ehrman graduated with all-Finals records in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 breaststroke. Those four also leave with the 200 medley relay all-Finals record – with their time of 1:30.01 good for third-best in the national record book.
2. Michell sits atop MHSAA medal count
Reed City’s Sami Michell is one of two girls in MHSAA history to win four events at a Track & Field Final – a feat she accomplished both this season and last. And she finished her career this month with 12 individual titles overall, two more than the previous Lower Peninsula record. She graduated with LP Division 3 Finals records in both hurdles races and the long jump, and her 300 hurdles time of 42.23 is an all-Finals record.
1. Football Finals end in overtime classic
The most exciting MHSAA Football Final likely was the last of Thanksgiving weekend – a 40-37 overtime win by Grand Rapids Christian over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s that gave the Eagles the Division 3 title. And at least on this list, it counts as the most exciting of all the buzzer-beating, one-point, by one millimeter endings to the MHSAA’s 127 Finals this school year.
The Saturday night crowd at Ford Field was treated to an incredible performance by Eagles receiver Drake Harris, who had eight catches for a record 243 yards and touchdown and was nearly unstoppable as Grand Rapids Christian drove down the stretch. Quarterback Alex VanDeVusse threw for 307 yards, fourth-most in MHSAA Finals history, as the frazzled nerves of fans, players and coaches alike hung on every play. St. Mary’s ran for 459 of the single-team Finals record 579 yards of total offense; the teams combined for another record of 1,033 total yards between them. And at the end, the game was decided on a 27-yard field goal by Joel Schipper, who had connected on a 28-yarder with four seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.
PHOTO:Saline swimmers take a celebratory dip after claiming their fourth straight Lower Peninsula Division 1 championship.
Preview: Historic Skate Guaranteed as 5 Seek 1st Trip to Saturday Center Ice
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 4, 2026
All three 2025 MHSAA Finals winners will return to USA Hockey Arena this weekend intending to repeat – and, in fact, Detroit Catholic Central will be playing for a sixth-straight title.
But we also will welcome five teams that have never reached a championship game in this sport – and we’re guaranteed to see at least one take the ice Saturday in Plymouth with a championship on the line.
Utica Eisenhower, Northville, Detroit U-D Jesuit, Caledonia and Traverse Bay Reps are those five teams seeking to make the season’s final day for the first time. Eisenhower and Northville will face off in a Friday Semifinal, guaranteeing the winner also celebrates that historic achievement.
Division 1 – Friday Semifinals
#1 Detroit Catholic Central (27-1-1) vs. #4 Rockford (21-8-1), 5 p.m.
#2 Utica Eisenhower (24-6) vs. #3 Northville (22-8), 7:30 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday Semifinals
#1 Flint Powers Catholic (25-5) vs. #4 Detroit U-D Jesuit (13-15), 5 p.m.
#2 Caledonia (21-5-1) vs. #3 Livonia Stevenson (19-9-1), 7:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday Semifinals
#1 Houghton (23-6-1) vs. #4 Traverse Bay Reps (16-12-1), 11 a.m.
#2 Orchard Lake St. Mary's (24-4) vs. #3 Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (25-5), 1:30 p.m.
Saturday – Finals
Division 1 – 7 p.m.
Division 2 – 11 a.m.
Division 3 – 3 p.m.
All Semifinals and Finals will be streamed live on MHSAA.tv and viewable with subscription. For information on tickets and more, go to the Ice Hockey page – and see below for a glance at all 12 contenders, listed by seed.
Division 1
#1 DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 27-1-1, No. 2
Coach: Brandon Kaleniecki, 11th season (270-33-3)
League finish: First in Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League, first in Catholic High School League
Championship history: Nineteen MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 1-0 (Quarterfinal) and 4-3 over No. 1 Howell, 5-0 over No. 6 Brighton, 6-3 over Division 2 No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic, 8-4 over Division 2 No. 8 Trenton, 3-2 (OT) and 5-2 over Division 3 No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
Players to watch: Sean Goff, jr. F (11 goals, 13 assists); Lucas Szmagaj, jr. F (11 goals, 16 assists); Ryan Dye, sr. D (9 goals, 25 assists), Costa Karadimas, sr. F (9 goals, 18 assists).
Outlook: Detroit Catholic Central opened this season with a win over Howell and then added another in the Quarterfinal to return to this weekend. The lone loss came Nov. 19 to No. 3 Hartland, and the Shamrocks also have defeated strong opponents from Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. Goff centers Szmagaj and Karadimas on the top line, but a second of seniors Jack Dorgan (13 goals/14 assists)-Matthew Naida (8/14)-Gabe Thompson (18/3) is similarly potent, and junior defenseman Sam Masek (10/17) has reached double-digit goals as well. Junior Nicholas Kogut (1.47 goals-against average) and senior Maxxon Sulla (0.60) have combined for 12 shutouts.
#2 UTICA EISENHOWER
Record/rank: 24-6, No. 4
Coach: David Erwin, second season (47-11)
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 7-1 and 10-6 over No. 10 Macomb Dakota, 4-1 over Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center, 4-2 over Division 2 No. 6 Rochester United, 4-2 over Division 2 No. 9 Mattawan, 5-2 over Division 2 No. 10 St. Clair Shores United.
Players to watch: Sawyer Hotchkiss, sr. F (20 goals, 25 assists); Bode Farr, sr. F (43 goals, 46 assists); Joseph Zelenak, sr. F (41 goals, 58 assists); Nathan Schilkey, sr. F (49 goals, 48 assists).
Outlook: Eisenhower has advanced to the Semifinals for the first time since 2006 anchored by serious scoring power especially on the top line where Farr centers Zelenak and Schilkey. Junior forward Ryan Dex (16 goals, 18 assists) is another top scorer, and junior defenseman Zach Morrison (8/21) is among blueliners adding most to the attack. Hotchkiss, Farr and senior goalie Connor Holmes (1.86 GAA) all earned all-state honorable mentions last season. The Eagles’ only loss since the start of December came to No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.
#3 NORTHVILLE
Record/rank: 22-8, No. 5
Coach: Ryan Ossenmacher, fourth season (61-45-3)
League finish: Fourth in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 6 Brighton in Regional Final, 4-3 over Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center, 3-2 over Division 3 No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 5-1 over Division 3 No. 9 South Lyon Unified.
Players to watch: Tommy Marinoff, sr. F (32 goals, 19 assists); Jordan Sziraki, sr. F (11 goals, 15 assists); Lucas Goerke, sr. F (12 goals, 16 assists); Ethan Egelski, sr. F (30 goals, 19 assists).
Outlook: Northville is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2017, and Ossenmacher has brought the Mustangs back after they finished just 10-15-2 in his first season four years ago. The fourth place in the KLAA West requires context; Northville finished behind No. 1 Howell, No. 3 Hartland and No. 6 Brighton and then avenged their regular-season loss to the Bulldogs in the Regional Final. Marinoff made the all-state first team last season. Senior defenseman Graham Ryba also is among team leaders in assists with 14, and junior Andrea Castiglioni (1.94 GAA) and sophomore Carter Nissen (1.72) are solid in net.
#4 ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 21-8-1, No. 8
Coach: Carl Mokosak, fourth season (51-53-1)
League finish: Second in Ottawa-Kent Conference Rue
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2021.
Best wins: 4-0 (Regional Final) and 4-1 over No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 5-4 (SO) over No. 5 Northville, 3-2 over Division 2 No. 3 Grandville, 5-3 over Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center.
Players to watch: Jonah Packard, sr. F (39 goals, 22 assists); Jackson Vollmer, sr. F (17 goals, 20 assists); Brody Raguckas, sr. F (16 goals, 12 assists); Chase Laverell, jr. F (8 goals, 26 assists).
Outlook: Rockford is back at the Semifinals for the first time since its runner-up finish five years ago and after ending only 10-15 a season ago. The Rams have won 12 of their last 13 games and made the impressive jump keyed by a senior-heavy offensive effort that also includes Michael Mead (11 goals, 13 assists) and Warner Korytkowski (5/20) among team statistical leaders. Rockford has scored at least five goals in nine of those 12 most recent victories and also held both Regional opponents Sparta and Forest Hills Central scoreless. Packard earned all-state honorable mention last season.
Division 2
#1 FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 25-5, No. 1
Coach: Travis Perry, 20th season (411-123-20)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2023 and 2025, seven runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 9-1 over No. 2 Livonia Stevenson, 6-0 over No. 7 Alpena, 3-1 over Division 1 No. 5 Northville, 8-0 over Division 3 No. 6 Escanaba.
Players to watch: Ayden Cook, sr. F (53 goals, 48 assists); Owen Perry, soph. F (34 goals, 53 assists); Parker Bendall, sr. F (22 goals, 43 assists); Hunter Clark, sr. G (1.85 GAA, 7 shutouts).
Outlook: The Chargers are seeking their second-straight title and third in four seasons backstopped by an all-state honorable mention goalie in Clark and scoring nearly seven goals per game. Seniors Gavin Vorwerk (20 goals, 19 assists) and Jack Johnson (11/13) and sophomores Sam Beebe (15/14) and Chase Stevens (10/15) also have reached double-digit goals, and junior defenseman Julian Meyer has 39 assists to go with seven goals from the blue line. Powers hasn’t given up a score during the postseason, defeating Fenton, Saginaw Heritage and Midland Dow by a combined 29-0. All five losses were to teams ranked among the top three in Division 1 or 3.
#2 CALEDONIA
Record/rank: 21-5-1, No. 5
Coach: Tyler Jaenicke, first season (21-5-1)
League finish: Second in O-K Rue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-2 OT (Regional Final) and 4-2 over No. 4 Byron Center, 3-1 over No. 9 Mattawan in Regional Semifinal, 2-1 (OT) over No. 3 Grandville, 4-2 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 5-0 over Division 1 No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 4-2 over Division 1 No. 8 Rockford.
Players to watch: Ty Lewandowski, sr. F (17 goals, 16 assists); Sam Hoag, sr. G (1.65 GAA); Harmon Esch, sr. F (20 goals, 17 assists); Gabe Supuk, jr. D (10 goals, 13 assists).
Outlook: Caledonia has increased its win total four straight seasons and advanced to the Semifinals to the first time with a tournament run that also included a 4-3 double-overtime victory over Muskegon Mona Shores in the Quarterfinal. The Fighting Scots started a current eight-game winning streak by edging Division 3 semifinalist Traverse Bay Reps, and along the way have avenged losses to Byron Center and Mattawan. Junior Ethan Sova (17 goals, 18 assists) centers the top line, and sophomore Bryce Mitchell (10/8) is also a top scorer. Hoag made the all-state first team last season, and Lewandowski made the second team.
#3 LIVONIA STEVENSON
Record/rank: 19-9-1, No. 2
Coach: Jay Thompson, first season (19-9-1)
League finish: First in KLAA East
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2013, three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 4-3 (Quarterfinal) and 2-1 (SO) over No. 6 Rochester United, 4-2 over No. 9 Mattawan, 5-2 over No. 8 Trenton, 4-3 over Division 1 No. 5 Northville, 6-3 over Division 1 No. 3 Hartland, 4-3 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 5-3 over Division 3 No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 3-1 over Division 3 No. 7 Riverview Gabriel Richard.
Players to watch: Colin Stroble, sr. D (14 goals, 33 assists); Dawson Wallis, sr. D (12 goals, 28 assists); Blake Calhoun, sr. F (20 goals, 17 assists); Brendan Sise, sr. F (18 goals, 30 assists).
Outlook: Stevenson won its first Regional title since 2023 and is making its first Semifinal trip since its most recent runner-up season in 2016, with Thompson leading the way after formerly serving as an assistant coach for a decade and then the last three seasons as an assistant at Northville. Stroble made the all-state first team last season and Wallis earned honorable mention, and they give the Spartans a high-powered top defense pair to go with an attack that also includes seniors Garrett Teahan (11 goals/19 assists) and Tyler Breitbach (10/8). The win over Hartland on Jan. 14 started a current 10-3-1 run.
#4 DETROIT U-D JESUIT
Record/rank: 13-15, unranked
Coach: Domenic Recchia, second season (19-36)
League finish: Fourth in MIHL South
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 4-3 (OT) over No. 8 Trenton in Quarterfinal, 3-1 over Dexter in Semifinal, 2-1 (SO) over Huron Valley United, 3-1 over Marysville.
Players to watch: Zack Barringer, sr. F (10 goals, 10 assists); Teo Mosera, jr. F (12 goals, 9 assists); Carter Gogate, sr. F (10 goals, 14 assists); Brody Contat, sr. F (8 goals, 12 assists).
Outlook: Jesuit is making its second trip to the Semifinals in four seasons, improving from 6-21 just a year ago and after starting this playoff run with a 6-3 victory over Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. Of the team’s 14 losses, 10 came to opponents ranked in their divisions’ respective top 10s at the end of the regular season. The Cubs have only five seniors, and junior forward Will Balasia (10 goals, 5 assists) is another top scorer and centers the second line. Recchia played at Jesuit and returned as a varsity assistant in 2013 and then became junior varsity head coach before taking over the program.
Division 3
#1 HOUGHTON
Record/rank: 23-6-1, No. 2
Coach: Micah Stipech, third season (65-17-3)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Class B-C-D champion 1982, five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 4-0 (Quarterfinal) and 6-0 over No. 4 Marquette, 9-1 (Regional Final), 3-1 and 5-1 over No. 5 Calumet, 5-0 (Regional Semifinal) over Hancock, 10-5 over No. 3 Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 4-1 and 4-1 over No. 10 Painesdale Jeffers, 6-5 (OT) over No. 7 Riverview Gabriel Richard, 5-4 over Division 2 No. 8 Trenton, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 9 Mattawan, 4-1 over Division 2 No. 3 Grandville, 5-1 over Division 1 No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 6-1 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 2-1 (OT) over Division 1 No. 3 Hartland.
Players to watch: Connor Arko, sr. F (24 goals, 34 assists); Noah Maillette, sr. F (28 goals, 21 assists); Jack Sayen, sr. F (15 goals, 19 assists); Gunner Gullstrand, soph. F (13 goals, 15 assists).
Outlook: Houghton is about as tested as they come heading into this weekend, with five of the six losses also to ranked opponents and the sixth coming to rival Hancock two weeks before the Gremlins avenged to the start the postseason. Houghton last finished Division 3 runner-up in 2019 and reached the Semifinals most recently in 2023. Arko made the all-state second team last season. Gullstrand centers a second line of two more top scorers, sophomore Braden Kari (11 goals/15 assists) and junior Brody Donnelly (18/17).
#2 ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 24-4, No. 1
Coach: Brian Klanow, 27th season (426-220-39)
League finish: Third in MIHL North
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2025), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 9 South Lyon Unified in Regional Final, 9-1 and 5-1 over No. 7 Riverview Gabriel Richard, 5-3 over Division 1 No. 3 Hartland, 8-3 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 7-4 over Division 2 No. 2 Livonia Stevenson, 7-2 over Division 2 No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic, 10-2 over Division 2 No. 8 Trenton.
Players to watch: Thaddeus Raynish, jr. F (20 goals, 13 assists); Dominic Pizzo, sr. F (20 goals, 19 assists); Diezel Cariera, sr. D (7 goals, 24 assists); Charlie Roberts, sr. F (28 goals, 23 assists).
Outlook: The reigning champion has been building toward a potential repeat, riding a 13-game winning streak with its only losses to Detroit Catholic Central (twice), Howell and Cranbrook. Roberts and Raynish have been among the team’s leading scorers multiple seasons, and Raynish made the all-state first team a year ago. Eight players this winter have scored at least 11 goals, and 13 have at least 10 assists. Senior Matthew Mourad (11 goals/16 assists)-junior Emmett Pilch (12/13)-sophomore Matthew Boyda (11/16) are a potent second line, and junior Daniel Ramos (12/16) and senior John Brown (11/16) also are double-digit scorers with sophomore Brandon Kondrat (9/17) needing one more goal to join the group.
#3 GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 25-5, No. 8
Coach: Colin Smith, fifth season (91-40-2)
League finish: Second in Metro League East, first in CHSL Cardinal Tournament
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2012).
Best wins: 2-0 over No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in Regional Final, 3-2 (Quarterfinal), 6-3 and 4-2 over Dearborn Divine Child, 5-2 and 5-4 over Division 1 No. 10 Macomb Dakota, 5-3 over Division 2 No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic.
Players to watch: Landen Maltby, sr. C (15 goals, 11 assists); Griffin Marchal, sr. RW (29 goals, 39 assists); Luke Slanec, jr. C (18 goals, 39 assists); Nick Gould, sr. LW (43 goals, 34 assists).
Outlook: Liggett won its first Regional title since 2020 and will play at the Semifinals for the first time since its most recent championship season of 2012. The Knights advanced by winning their fourth matchup this season with Metro League East champ Divine Child, which had defeated Liggett 18 days earlier. Liggett opened this postseason with a 3-2 double-overtime win over Warren De La Salle Collegiate. Junior left wing Johnny Secco (10 goals/14 assists) and senior defenseman Ryan Cordaro (5/20) also are among top contributors to the attack.
#4 TRAVERSE BAY REPS
Record/rank: 16-12-1, unranked
Coach: Mike Matteucci, eighth season (136-72-7)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over Petoskey in Regional Final, 3-0 over Warren De La Salle Collegiate, 5-2 and 2-1 over Traverse City Central.
Players to watch: Tyler Boynton-Fisher, sr. G (1.53 GAA, 6 shutouts); Carter Denoyer, sr. F (5 goals, 20 assists); Thatcher Beaudoin, jr. F (20 goals, 7 assists); Eddie Walter, sr. F (17 goals, 16 assists).
Outlook: The Reps won their first Regional title since 2023 and will be returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2019, and after finishing 12-15 a year ago. The impressive rise really took hold in early December, as the Reps began rebounding from a 2-6 start that included three overtime or shootout defeats. They are 10-2-1 since mid-January, that tie coming against Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center, and the Regional Final win over the Northmen avenged a regular-season loss. Boynton-Fisher earned all-state honorable mention last season, and junior Joel Ziecina (7 goals/17 assists) and sophomore Chase Kent (5/11) are the top defensive pair in front of him.
PHOTOS (Top) Houghton's Ian Hembroff (18) deflects the puck away from goalie Cooper Flachs and Marquette's Evan Mattila during the Gremlins’ Quarterfinal win Saturday. (Middle) Garrett Teahan (12) and Brendan Sise (16) lead a rush during Stevenson’s win over Livonia Red on Jan. 3. (Houghton/Marquette photo by Cara Kamps. Stevenson/Livonia Red photo by Douglas Bargerstock.)