Rep Council Wrap-Up: Fall 2018
December 6, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The adoption of alterations to the Michigan High School Athletic Association fall calendar and approval of Calvin College as the continued host site for the Girls Basketball Finals were among actions taken by the MHSAA’s Representative Council during its Fall Meeting on Nov. 30 in East Lansing.
Generally, the Council takes only a few actions during its Fall Meeting, with topics often introduced for additional consideration and action during its meetings in winter and spring. However, with multiple topics requiring immediate attention this fall, the Council approved calendar and basketball recommendations in advance of circumstances that will affect both during the 2019-20 school year and beyond.
The calendar change will keep the length of fall seasons consistent in boys soccer, cross country, tennis and golf in years when Thanksgiving is “late” during the fourth full week of November. The Council approved a recommendation allowing those four sports in “short years” – for example, 2019 – to begin practice the 16th Monday before Thanksgiving (Monday, Aug. 12, 2019) and begin competition after three days of practice over four calendar days (Friday, Aug. 16, 2019). Because the start of practice in those sports annually is tied to Thanksgiving, but the Finals are not, those four fall sports faced shorter seasons by one week in 2019, 2024, 2025, etc.
The Council also approved continuing to conduct the Girls Basketball Semifinals and Finals for 2019-20 and 2020-21 at Van Noord Arena at Calvin College. The Girls Finals moved to Van Noord Arena in 2017-18 because of the unavailability of Michigan State University’s Breslin Center due to a conflict with the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament and an opportunity for Michigan State’s women’s team to host first and second-round games had it qualified and earned a top-16 overall seed. The same conflict is possible during Girls Basketball Finals traditional weekend in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the Council discussed solutions for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, when Breslin may not be available during the traditional weekend of the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals. The boys season for 2018-19 switched calendars with the girls season to avoid the same NCAA Tournament conflict; Breslin is the only building statewide that has made itself available for the Boys Basketball Finals and is large enough to accommodate the event. Only one other location offered to host the Girls Basketball Finals for 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Also affecting competition for 2019-20, the Council approved the continuation of an experiment begun in 2016-17 that allows cooperative programs in a series of sports – regardless of the student enrollment maximum – for two or more schools of the same public school district (and with the same governing board). Districts may form these co-ops in baseball, bowling, girls competitive cheer, cross country, golf, soccer, girls softball, tennis and wrestling. The experiment was designed to provide opportunities to participate in urban school districts where schools previously did not have enough athletes for team sponsorship on their own. Districts must show a demonstrated history of inadequate numbers of participants to be approved. These programs require the same two-year renewal process as other cooperative programs.
The Council also approved a change effective in spring 2020 that will allow spring sports teams, that have received MHSAA approval to travel out of state, to practice jointly and/or scrimmage (up to the season’s limit of four allowed scrimmages) with and against other approved MHSAA member schools. The Council reviewed survey data from the fall Update meetings and an online survey of membership that showed significant support for the allowance.
A number of other discussions focused on matters that could come before the Council for action at its Winter Meeting in March or Spring Meeting in May. In preparation for the Football Committee meeting in January, the Council discussed survey results concerning regular-season scheduling and the MHSAA Tournament for both 11 and 8-player football. The Council also reviewed possible benefits of adjusting MHSAA officials registration to include National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) membership and also other options for changing MHSAA registration prices to encourage more multi-sport officials. These officiating concepts will be presented to the MHSAA Audit and Finance Committee in February in advance of possible Council action in March or May.
The Council discussed creating an MHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to provide input and guidance on such topics, and also heard feedback received during Update meetings on the MHSAA’s possible role in mental health initiatives. The Council heard an update on the communication and notice that has taken place regarding the new Sport-Specific Transfer Rule that goes into effect for 2019-20 based on the sports a student participated in during 2018-19. The Council also continued its 2018 March and May discussions concerning the boarding school student exception to the transfer rule, with staff reporting on a recent meeting with those boarding schools administrators.
Additionally, the Council heard an update on the “Presenting Sponsor” program whereby the MHSAA has provided support to junior high/middle school competitions in cross country and track & field over the last two years; in 2018-19, the MHSAA also is serving as presenting sponsor at events for junior high/middle school volleyball and basketball. Similarly, the MHSAA will serve this winter as a presenting sponsor of a Special Olympics Unified basketball invitational in February at Novi High School and at the Michigan High School Powerlifting Association Finals in March at Ionia High School. Both high school events will include fields filled with MHSAA member high schools and provide the Association with further opportunities to provide financial and messaging support for these student-focused activities.
The Fall Meeting saw the addition of Nicole Carter, principal of Novi High School, to the 19-person Council. She was appointed to a two-year term. Carter fills the position formerly held by Pat Watson, principal of West Bloomfield High School, whose term ended. Also, Vicky Groat, principal and athletic director at Battle Creek St. Philip High School, was reappointed for a second two-year term.
The Council reelected Scott Grimes, assistant superintendent of human services for Grand Haven Area Public Schools, as its president; Saginaw Heritage athletic director Pete Ryan as vice president and Vic Michaels, director of physical education and athletics for the Archdiocese of Detroit, as secretary-treasurer.
The Representative Council is the legislative body of the MHSAA. All but five members are elected by member schools. Four members are appointed by the Council to facilitate representation of females and minorities, and the 19th position is occupied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.
2026 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class C & D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 3, 2026
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class C and D member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 37th year of sponsoring the award, will give $2,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees who can come from any classification.
Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
The 32 scholarship recipients will be recognized March 14 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Maya Carlson, Manistique; Hope Miller, Blissfield; Irelynn Pachulski, Saranac; Gavin Comero, Ishpeming Westwood; Drew Ruddy, Ottawa Lake Whiteford; and Ethan Stine, Bridgman.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are Caila Fitchett, Dryden; Madison Karakashian, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart; Jack Nelson, Ontonagon; and David Wahl, Gaylord St. Mary.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Maya Carlson, Manistique
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball, ran three of cross country, played two seasons of varsity basketball, one of golf, and is finishing her first season of swimming & diving. She also will compete in her fourth season of track & field this spring and has played travel ice hockey throughout high school. Finished among the top four at MHSAA Cross Country Finals twice and earned all-state and academic all-state in that sport. Earned all-region and academic all-state in volleyball and qualified for MHSAA Finals all of her first three seasons of track. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as treasurer, serving third year as student council president and first as student leadership vice president. Served on Youth Advisory Council and participated in YETI service club throughout high school and served as president of both. Will attend Trine University and major in exercise science.
Essay Quote: “I learned that being competitive and being a good sport aren’t opposites. In fact, they depend on each other. When you respect the game and the people playing it, your victories feel more accomplished, and your losses teach you more.”
Hope Miller, Blissfield
Ran four seasons of cross country, is playing her second of varsity basketball, and will compete in fourth of varsity track & field this spring; also played two seasons of varsity soccer. Earned all-state in cross country three times and set school record in that sport, earned all-state two seasons in track and set school records in two races, and earned all-league in soccer. Helped basketball team to league and District titles. Served as cross country team captain the last two seasons. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as secretary, fourth on student council and as vice president, and third on Lenawee Youth Council. Founded and serving as editor of school newspaper. Participated in two years of debate and received top speaker awards. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study ecology or environmental sciences.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship allows for a community to be built around a shared love for the sport and a goal of improving oneself as much as possible. In order for athletes to reach their full potential they must be in an environment that supports their goals and their needs as well as encourages them to have fun with their sport.”
Irelynn Pachulski, Saranac
Played two seasons of varsity volleyball, is completing her second of varsity basketball, and will play her third season of varsity softball and compete in her fourth season of track & field this spring. Also played two seasons of junior varsity football, and participated on the sideline cheer team as a senior. Earned all-league recognition in volleyball, softball and track, also all-region in softball and qualified for the MHSAA Finals in track the last two seasons. Served as captain in volleyball and softball and served on hiring committees for varsity volleyball and softball coaches. Participated in Scouting throughout high school and attained Eagle Scout rank as a sophomore. Played in marching and concert bands throughout high school, serving as marching band drum major and percussion section leader. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and second on student council, as treasurer. Played lead roles in three drama productions. Will attend Montcalm Community College and study exercise science, then transfer to finish her studies in physical therapy.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship in high school athletics starts with strong leadership. When coaches set the pace, players follow. Where an intentional culture of good sportsmanship exists, you can try new things. You can be brave. You can learn.”
Gavin Comero, Ishpeming Westwood
Played two seasons of varsity football, is completing his fourth season of wrestling and will compete in his fourth season of track & field this spring. Earned all-state in track & field and all-conference in football and wrestling, and all-academic in wrestling as well. Served as team captain for football and wrestling. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third on student council. Played in concert/pep band throughout high school and competed with Business Professionals of America the last three years, earning state and national places in BPA and serving as president as a senior. Served as student council vice president as a freshman and sophomore and band council vice president this school year. Participated two years in Key Club and as part of local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, and served as volunteer youth wrestling coach throughout high school. Will attend University of Michigan and study business administration.
Essay Quote: “Throughout the season I learned the bigger picture of sportsmanship, playing with integrity at all times. No matter what that scoreboard read at the end each Friday night, we continued to play with 110-percent effort. We had every reason to be negative and start pouting, but we remained positive and persisted.”
Drew Ruddy, Ottawa Lake Whiteford
Played three seasons of varsity football, is playing his second season of varsity basketball and will compete in his fourth season of track & field this spring. Earned all-state and academic all-state in football and played on Finals championship and runner-up teams. Qualified for MHSAA Finals in track & field and earned academic all-state in that sport, and earned league scholar-athlete awards in all three sports all four years. Served as captain of all three varsity teams. Serving fourth year as class president and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Participating in third year of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as huddle leader. Participated three years in Future Farmers of America and was a state competitor, and has contributed to multiple community service projects. Will attend Hillsdale College, but is undecided what he will study.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is a mental discipline that requires integrity, strength of character, and the willingness to make the right decisions every time. It is also about practicing emotional intelligence, exercising self-control, and speaking with respect to others while on and off the field. Sportsmanship is about respecting yourself enough to accept both wins and losses with humility.”
Ethan Stine, Bridgman
Played three seasons of varsity football and two of varsity soccer, is playing his fourth of varsity basketball and will play his fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-league honors in football, basketball and baseball, all-state recognition in soccer and academic all-state in baseball. Helped baseball team to Division 3 Finals championship as a freshman and all three of his other teams to league and/or District championships. Served as captain of football, basketball and baseball varsity teams. Serving second year on MHSAA Student Advisory Council and participating in third year of National Honor Society, and this year as chapter president. Competed on DECA team throughout high school, twice qualifying for state finals. Is undecided where he will attend college but intends to study engineering.
Essay Quote: “… Sportsmanship is the active choice to empathize with the people around you – whether they wear a stripe, a rival uniform, or our own colors. It's the unwavering commitment to life lessons over scoreboard outcomes. Our wins fade, but the way we treat people under pressure defines us forever. That competitive integrity, built on genuine respect and humility, is the most valuable degree we earn in educational athletics.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Ashley Carlson, Norway; Lillian Kwiatkowski, Rudyard; Izabella Latuszek, Laingsburg; Anna Poppema, Bath; Addyson Rhodes, Grandville Calvin Christian; Brynne Schulte, Elk Rapids; Molly Soper, Hanover-Horton; Luella Whipkey, Oscoda; and Emma Winans, Perry.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Sean Dammann, New Lothrop; Joe Gaffney, Charlevoix; Ryan Kowalczyk, Pinconning; Amos Miller, Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy; Luke Paxton, Pewamo-Westphalia; Sean Siems, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep; Logan Slimko, North Muskegon; Eli Smith, LeRoy Pine River; and Grason Weber, Leslie.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Caila Fitchett, Dryden
Ran four seasons of cross country and also played her first of varsity volleyball in the fall, bowled as a junior and played two seasons of varsity soccer, and will compete in her fourth season of track & field this spring. Earned all-conference in eight track events during her career and all-state as part of the 1,600 relay as a sophomore. Won league cross country championship and served as captain of both the cross country and track teams. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and has served as chapter president two years. Serving fourth year on student council and has held office of vice president, and also has served as president of National Junior Honor Society, Spanish Club and school’s indoor track club. Participating in fourth year of youth group and co-founded Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. Earned Rural and Small Town Award from College Board and Horatio Alger Association scholarship. Will attend Hope College and study psychology.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is powerful because it teaches something the stopwatch never could. … It’s not about perfection. It’s not about medals or times. It’s about creating an environment where athletes realize that kindness, belief, and respect can change a season, or even a life.”
Madison Karakashian, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart
Ran third year of cross country in the fall, is competing in third season of varsity skiing and will play third year of varsity tennis this spring. Earned all-region recognition in skiing and has served as that team’s captain three seasons. Competed in equestrian for more than five years including her first two of high school and qualified for national events multiple times. Participating in National Honor Society and serving fourth year in student government. Earned College Board recognition and the Dartmouth Book Award, Women in STEM Award from Rochester Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Medalist Award. Served as captain three years for debate and ethics bowl team, earning all-Catholic honors. Founded school’s all-girls robotics team that qualified for state competition. Founded and served as president of school’s Mental Health Matters Club, and founded company that generated more than $50,000 in revenue in the equine care industry. Is undecided on where she will attend college but intends to study biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: “Athletics have also taught me that sports mirror real life. There are wins and losses, moments of confidence and moments of doubt. Sportsmanship is what helps you navigate all of it.”
Jack Nelson, Ontonagon
Played three seasons of varsity football, playing fourth of varsity basketball and will compete in fourth of track & field and golf and second of varsity baseball this spring. Also ran cross country as a freshman. Earned all-conference recognition in football and basketball, all-Upper Peninsula in golf and qualified for the MHSAA Finals in that sport. Served as captain of basketball team for four seasons and football team for two. Participating in third year of National Honor Society – this school year as chapter vice president – serving fourth as class vice president and attended American Legion Boys State. Serving as school radio station student manager, participating in second year of yearbook committee and fourth with school’s TANGO service group, and has participated all four years as part of St. Nicholas Project service efforts. Will attend University of Michigan and study sports management.
Essay Quote: “To me, the two core values of sportsmanship are respect and humility. These traits are important in every aspect of life, whether it's on the court, in the office, or at your grandparent’s house. Sportsmanship is like a compass, not only guiding athletes through competition, but pointing them towards the character values that will shape their lives, long after the final whistle blows.”
David Wahl, Gaylord St. Mary
Played three seasons of varsity football, is playing second of varsity basketball and will play fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-league recognition in football and served as captain of that team. Earned National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction awards, and College Board National Rural and Small Town recognition. Participating in third year of National Honor Society, serving as president, and third year as part of school student leadership team. Serving third year as local Downtown Development Authority student representative, and served as representative on national Youth Leadership Council. Participating in fourth years in school’s theatre club and music ministry, and played two years in marching/concert/jazz band earning Division 1 ratings for district and state solo and ensemble. Will attend University of Notre Dame and intends to study civil engineering.
Essay Quote: “Since that day, I approach competition differently. I’ve become a captain who models respect for opponents and empathy for teammates. I appreciate every moment I’m given, recognizing that each play, each season, is a privilege rather than a guarantee. I have learned to temper my drive with humanity and to pursue perfection without sacrificing compassion.”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Emily DelFavero, Wakefield-Marenisco; Isabel Rookard, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart; Alexa Ross, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart; Audrey Stone, Bessemer; Lorna Wiesen, Leland; and Hope Woolman, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian.
Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Zyan Breznik, Adrian Lenawee Christian; Ian Flanagan, Deckerville; Connor Hill, Hillsdale Academy; Brady Jungwirth, Felch North Dickinson; Louis Kowalsky, West Bloomfield FJA; and Noah Zeien, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.
The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced Feb. 10, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 17.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan was founded in 1949 by Michigan farmers who wanted an insurance company that worked as hard as they did. Those values still guide the company today and are a big reason why it is known as Michigan’s Insurance Company, dedicated to protecting the farms, families, and businesses of this great state. Farm Bureau Insurance agents across Michigan provide a full range of insurance services — life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate®, and more — protecting nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.
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