Performance of the Week: Ann Arbor Pioneer's Rachel Forsyth
September 1, 2023
Rachel Forsyth ♦ Ann Arbor Pioneer
Senior ♦ Cross Country
The latest in a long line of Pioneer distance stars, Forsyth began her final high school cross country season with a nearly 26-second victory in the big-school race at the Benzie Central Pete Moss Invitational on Saturday. She ran a personal-record 17:09.24, which says a ton considering her past work; Forsyth was the Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final champion in 2021 as a sophomore and the 2020 runner-up in her first trip to Michigan International Speedway. What's more, she was followed in this Benzie race by reigning Division 3 champion Jessica Jazwinski of Hart in second and last year's Division 4 champion Aiden Harrand of Buckley in third as Pioneer finished second as a team against an elite field.
An injury delayed the start of Forsyth's junior season last fall until the end of September, and she ran only 62nd at the LPD1 Final five weeks later. But she was clearly back to unstoppable during track season, setting personal records in the 3,200, 1,600, 800 and 400 while going undefeated in individual events for the spring and winning LPD1 Finals championships in the 800, 1,600 and as part of the 3,200 relay. She and her siblings have enjoyed an incredible run of success over the last decade; older sister Anne Forsyth was a four-time top-15 cross country finisher at LPD1 Finals and runner-up as a junior in 2016, and sister Sarah Forsyth twice finished among the top 10 individually and as a senior with Rachel in 2021 helped Pioneer to the team title.
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(PHOTOS by Run Michigan.)
MHSAA Accepting Student Advisory Council Applications for Class of 2027
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 16, 2025
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is seeking student-athletes to become members of its Student Advisory Council beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
Four boys and four girls from the Class of 2027 will be selected to two-year terms and will meet on matters related to maintaining and promoting a proper perspective and sensible scope for high school sports in Michigan. Eight members from the Class of 2026 already are serving on the Council, while eight members from the Class of 2025 are leaving the Council this spring.
To be eligible for the committee, candidates must be a member of the Class of 2027, complete the official application including answering the three short-answer questions, submit a letter of recommendation from a school administrator, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and be available for all scheduled meetings.
In addition, candidates should show a history of leadership on athletic teams as well as with other extracurricular activities, community service projects, or in the workplace; and show an understanding of the role of school sports and have ideas for promoting a proper perspective for educational athletics.
Applications are due to the MHSAA by 4:30 p.m. on April 21. Applications can be downloaded from the Student Advisory Council page and must be returned via e-mail, fax or any mail delivery service.
The Student Advisory Council meets five times each school year, and once more for a 24-hour leadership camp. In addition to assisting in the promotion of the educational value of interscholastic athletics, the Council discusses issues dealing with the 4 S’s of educational athletics: scholarship, sportsmanship, safety (including health and nutrition) and the sensible scope of athletic programs. A fifth S – student leadership – is also a common topic. Members contribute to the planning of Sportsmanship Summits and other student leadership events, and assist with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events.
Newly-chosen members will join the following from the Class of 2026: Itzel Albarran, Bronson; Harper Barnhart, Brownstown Woodhaven; Diamond Cook, Southfield Christian; Henry Ewles, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Cole Haist, Big Rapids; Frannie Keeley, Jenison; Trey LaValley, Romeo; and Ethan Stine, Bridgman.
The eight new members of the Student Advisory Council will be notified by May 2. The 2025-26 in-person meetings at the MHSAA Office in East Lansing are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 24, Oct. 5, Dec. 7, Feb. 8 and April 19, in addition to three Zoom meetings still to be scheduled. For additional information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA at (517) 332-5046 or SAC@mhsaa.com.
PHOTO The 2024-25 MHSAA Student Advisory Council. Front row, from left: Ella Knudsen, Leland; Frannie Keeley, Jenison; Harper Barnhart, Brownstown Woodhaven; Kaylee Kranz, Clinton; Itzel Albarran, Bronson; Anna Zoet, Grandville Calvin Christian. Back row, from left: Cale Bell, Sault Ste Marie; Joey Spada, Kalamazoo Central; Ethan Stine, Bridgman; Trey LaValley, Romeo; Cole Haist, Big Rapids; Drew Cady, Oxford; Henry Ewles, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Diamond Cook, Southfield Christian; and Isaiah Kabban, Harbor Beach. Missing: Macy Jenkins, Milford.