Battle of the Fans II: Vote Now
February 19, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The five finalists for this year's Battle of the Fans II championship have had their opportunities to show us what's exceptional about their student cheering sections.
Over the next three days, we want you to tell us which you think is most deserving of claiming this season's championship banner.
Vote today through Thursday on your favorite of these five – Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, Buchanan, Frankenmuth, Vandercook Lake and Zeeland East – by clicking the poll link on the right side of this screen.
But before you do, take a few minutes to watch all five videos and read all five stories behind the section 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(s) – one being the public Facebook vote. Votes will be valued proportionate to the size of the school receiving them (for example, one vote for Class C Vandercook Lake will mean more than one vote for much larger Class A Zeeland East).
The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. Video of all five finalists will be compiled and shown on the main scoreboard during the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals in March at Michigan State's Breslin Student Events Center.
And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:
Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
Read all about it: "Fighting Irish Stand Together"
Buchanan
Read all about it: "Welcome to the Woods: Small Town, Big Hearts"
Frankenmuth
Read all about it: "Champions Back to Grow 'Battle' Legacy"
Vandercook Lake
Read all about it: "Jayhawk Seniors Nesting for the Future"
Zeeland East
Read all about it: "Coopology: The Study of Being Rowdy"
Subway is sponsor of this season's Battle of the Fans II contest.
Performance of the Week: Dexter's Avery Manning
October 16, 2025
Avery Manning ♦ Dexter
Senior ♦ Golf
Manning carded a 2-under-par 70 at Michigan State’s Forest Akers East to win her Lower Peninsula Division 2 Regional by eight strokes, completing a career Regional sweep with her fourth title at a Finals qualifying round. Dexter, the No. 2-ranked team in LPD2, also won at Forest Akers with a score of 322 strokes, 40 ahead of the field.
The Dreadnaughts’ standout will be chasing a second-straight Finals individual championship this weekend at Bedford Valley in Battle Creek; she won last season’s by five strokes after finishing runner-up in 2023 and 12th in Division 2 as a freshman in 2022. Manning has committed to continue her golf and academic careers at Oakland University, where she’s considering studying business. Dexter as a team this weekend will be pursuing its first Finals championship since the spring 2007 season, and after finishing second a year ago.
@mhsaasports ⛳️POW: Avery Manning #dexter #golf #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports ⛳️POW: Avery Manning #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
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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 Twitter @mistudentaid.
Previous 2025-26 honorees
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
(Photos courtesy of Avery Manning.)