From our Battle of the Fans finalists ...
March 29, 2012
This winter's inaugural "Battle of the Fans" was about recognizing the top student cheering section in the state of Michigan.
But it also provided valuable lessons about sportsmanship and made every gym a classroom where they could be taught and learned.
The video below includes clips from all five finalists' videos shot by MHSAA staff and used in the judging for the contest. It played on the Breslin Center scoreboard before each of the Semifinals and championship games of the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals over the last two weekends.
If you were there, you no doubt caught at least a glimpse. If not, check it out below.
Performance of the Week: Lansing Christian's Stephen Gollapalli
October 31, 2025
Stephen Gollapalli ♦ Lansing Christian
Junior ♦ Tennis
Gollapalli emerged from the third seed to win the No. 1 singles flight at the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Finals, defeating Lansing Catholic top seed Noah West 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, after also upsetting Plymouth Christian Academy second seed Luke Zhang in their semifinal match. Gollapalli finished this fall 30-1, his only loss to West in their Regional Final nine days earlier.
The championship also came after Gollapalli had advanced to the No. 1 singles semifinals as a sophomore and quarterfinals as a freshman, both times falling to Traverse City St. Francis’ Owen Jackson, who graduated in the spring. Gollapalli this fall went to three sets only twice, winning 12 matches 6-0, 6-0, and raising his career record to 80-3 with one season left to play.
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Stephen Gollapalli #lansingchristian #tennis #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Stephen Gollapalli #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.
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. 23: Talya Schreiber, Pickford cross country - Report
Oct. 16: Avery Manning, Dexter golf - Report
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 the Lansing Christian boys tennis program.)