Performance of the Week: Warren Woods-Tower's Kayla Tafanelli
January 20, 2023
Kayla Tafanelli ♦ Warren Woods-Tower
Senior ♦ Bowling
Tafanelli became the first repeat singles champion at the Macomb County Invitational when she rolled a 289 to defeat Utica Ford’s Grace Polega in last weekend’s championship match. Tafanelli threw 10 straight strikes to open the finale, just missing a perfect game. She topped qualifying that morning and threw a 267 in her semifinal to advance to the title decider.
The Woods-Tower ace is averaging 215 during high school season and made the Division 1 all-state first team last winter after winning a Regional championship and reaching the Singles Semifinals. She also won her Division 2 Regional as a sophomore and reached the Division 2 Singles Semifinals as a freshman. Tafanelli previously played volleyball for two years at Woods-Tower and has signed to continue her academic and bowling careers at Spring Arbor.
@mhsaasports 🎳POW: Kayla Tafanelli #performanceoftheweek #bowling #invitechamp #champ #backtoback #titans #warrenwoodstower #MHSAA #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #TikTok #mistudentaid #fyp ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral - WZ Beat
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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. 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.
2022-23 Honorees
Dec. 20: Brenden Paden, Riverview Gabriel Richard hockey - Report
Dec. 16: Tuff Scott, Holton bowling - Report
Dec. 9: Macey Fegan, Standish-Sterling basketball - Report
Dec. 2: Treyton Siegert, Gladwin football - Report
Nov. 24: Lily Witte, Dexter diving - Report
Nov. 17: Navea Gauthier, Shelby volleyball - Report
Nov. 10: Derek Huisman, Holland Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Thomas Westphal, New Baltimore Anchor Bay cross country - Report
Oct. 27: Justin Wickey, Colon football - Report
Oct. 20: Owen DeMuth, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis - Report
Oct. 13: Mia Melendez, Ann Arbor Greenhills golf - Report
Oct. 6: Shawn Foster, Grand Ledge football - Report
Sept. 30: Hannah Smith, Temperance Bedford swimming - Report
Sept. 22: Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Sept. 15: Nina Horning, Lake Orion volleyball - Report
Sept 8: Arturo Romero, Muskegon Oakridge soccer - Report
Sept. 1: Austin King, Midland Dow tennis - Report
Aug. 25: Olivia Hemmila, Troy Athens golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of Kayla Tafanelli and the Metro Detroit USBC Association.)
Performance of the Week: Traverse City St. Francis' Owen Jackson
September 8, 2023
Owen Jackson ♦ Traverse City St. Francis
Junior ♦ Tennis
Playing his first season at No. 1 singles, Jackson won matches at that flight over Traverse City Central and Petoskey. St. Francis plays in Lower Peninsula Division 4 and is ranked No. 2 this fall, while Central plays in LP Division 2 and Petoskey is ranked No. 8 in LP Division 3. Jackson is 16-3 this season.
The top-flight standout has been climbing the lineup throughout his career with the Gladiators. Jackson finished 39-4 as a freshman and won the No. 3 flight at the LPD4 Finals as St. Francis won the team championship. He moved up to No. 2 singles as a sophomore, finishing 34-9 and also winning his flight at the Finals. Jackson also plays golf and was part of the lineup that finished 14th in LPD3 this spring.
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Owen Jackson #tennis #1singles #stfrancis #letsgo #traversecity #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #fyp #MHSAA #part1 ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Owen Jackson #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #disneymovies #miracle #rickandmorty #tennis #skittles #sweatshirt #emoji #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. 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.
Past 2023-24 Honorees
Sept. 1: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
(PHOTOS courtesy of Owen Jackson.)