Battle of the Fans IX: Vote Now
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 18, 2020
This year's Battle of the Fans IX finalists have shown us over the last two weeks more than enough to prove they should be considered among Michigan's top high school student cheering sections.
Now we're asking you over the next two days to help us determine which should be crowned as the state's best for 2019-20.
Vote today through 4 p.m. Thursday on your favorite of these three (enrollments in parentheses) – Buchanan (435), Saginaw Heritage (1,515) or Zeeland East (943) – by liking, sharing and re-tweeting on the MHSAA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites
But before you do, take a few minutes to watch all three videos from our visits and read the stories behind the sections by clicking the links below.
The contest is sponsored by the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, which will have the final vote on the champion. SAC members will use all resources available to make their decision – including giving weight to the public social media vote. Votes will be valued proportionately to the size of the school receiving them (for example, one vote for Class B Buchanan will be worth more than one vote for Class A Zeeland East and Saginaw Heritage).
The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. All three finalists will be invited to Michigan State University's Breslin Center on March 27 for the Division 2 Boys Basketball Semifinals, and the winner will be presented with a championship banner at center court.
And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:
Buchanan
Read all about it: Have You Herd? Buchanan Tradition Lives On
Saginaw Heritage
Read all about it: Heritage's Hawk Nest Taking Charge
Zeeland East
Read all about it: Zeeland East's Coop Crazies Share the Love
Performance of the Week: Muskegon Reeths-Puffer's Sophia McCollum
October 2, 2026
Sophia McCollum ♦ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Senior ♦ Golf
McCollum, the reigning Lower Peninsula Division 2 individual champion, won the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association individual title Sept. 22 for the third-straight season. She carded a 77 to also lead Reeths-Puffer to the team victory as the Rockets scored a 354 to outpace runner-up Montague by six strokes.
After tying for 17th as a sophomore, McCollum won last year’s LPD2 Final by four strokes and is gearing up for her team’s Regional on Tuesday at Lincoln Golf Club in Muskegon. She will be continuing her golf career at the college level but has not publicly announced where at this time; she is interested in studying nursing or education at that next destination. She’ll also be returning to the track for the Rockets next spring after taking last season off but running primarily middle distance as a freshman and sophomore.
@mhsaasports ⛳️🏌️♀️ POW: Sophia McCollum #ReethsPuffer #Golf #Champion #PerformanceOfTheWeek #MHSAA @sophia.mccollum1 @sophiamccollumgolf ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports ⛳️ POW: Sophia McCullom #TikTalk #FunFacts #Golf #PerformanceOfTheWeek #MHSAA @sophia.mccollum1 @sophiamccollumgolf ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and X @mistudentaid.
Past 2026-27 honorees
Sept. 25: Jenna Middleton, Kingsley volleyball - Read
Sept. 18: Caden Livermore, Grandville cross country - Read
(Action photo courtesy of the Local Sports Journal.)