Rep Council Approves New Hockey Classification Procedure, Wrestling Weights at Spring Meeting
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 6, 2022
The selection of a restructured classification procedure for ice hockey and the approval of new boys wrestling weight classes were among the most notable actions taken by the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association during its annual Spring Meeting, May 1-2 in Gaylord.
The Spring Meeting of the 19-member legislative body of the Association’s more than 1,500 member schools is generally the busiest of its sessions each year. The Council considered 33 committee proposals and dealt with a variety of eligibility rule, postseason tournament and operational issues.
The Council approved an Ice Hockey Committee proposal to continue classifying teams by enrollment, but with consideration to whether those teams are standalone (one school) or cooperative (multi-school) programs. Approximately half of MHSAA member hockey programs are cooperatives. Beginning with the 2022-23 season, standalone and cooperative programs will be ranked by enrollment but on separate lists, with the top one-third from each list put into Division 1, the second thirds into Division 2 and the lowest thirds into Division 3. This change is expected to rebalance the divisions; in the recent past, Division 1 has been made up mostly of cooperative programs because the combined enrollments of schools involved in co-ops pushed them to the top of the overall classification list for the sport. However, cooperatives generally have not derived an advantage by having more schools involved; instead, cooperatives primarily have allowed schools to continue providing opportunities to athletes who wanted to play hockey when a school doesn’t have enough for a full team.
The Council also approved a switch from current boys wrestling weight classes to those determined by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215 and 285 pounds. The NFHS will begin use of those weights nationally in 2023-24, but MHSAA member schools will make the switch beginning with 2022-23. The Council also approved a change to one girls weight, from 255 pounds to 235, aligning all MHSAA girls weight classes with those determined by the NFHS.
A pair of new opportunities to utilize video replay beginning with the 2022-23 school year will provide further support for game officials as they make split-second calls during competition, while assuring the correct outcome of some of the most controversial plays. The Council approved an Officials Review Committee recommendation to provide MHSAA staff the ability to review video of an ejection and modify subsequent penalties in three instances – when there is a clear misidentification and the incorrect athlete is ejected, when that participant is ejected as the direct result of a rules misapplication, or when incontrovertible video evidence shows an ejection or suspension for flagrant contact with an opponent or official was in error. Officials have continued to support the use of replay at MHSAA events where possible, and game officials make up more than half of the Officials Review Committee.
Also concerning video review, replay will be expanded at the 11-Player Football Finals to allow head coaches one challenge during the game. The challenge will cost that team a timeout if the original outcome is confirmed. Coaches will be allowed to challenge the following: complete/incomplete passes, if a runner/receiver was in/out of bounds, a runner who is ruled not down, the forward progress spot as it relates to the yard to gain, which player first touched a kick, the recovery of a ball in/out of bounds, if a pass was forward or backward, and penalties for illegal forward pass, targeting or illegal helmet contact, and pass interference only as it relates to the pass being previously tipped. All potential scores and turnovers will remain automatically reviewed by replay booth officials. This was a proposal by the MHSAA Football Committee.
The Council took multiple actions concerning the “fifth quarter” regulation that allows athletes to play both at the subvarsity and varsity levels on the same day (or same competition week for football) to help programs that are otherwise lacking enough participants to field teams at both levels. The Council approved a Soccer Committee recommendation to allow athletes to play in no more than three halves on a day not followed by a school day. The Council also approved an enhanced penalty stating that violators of the fifth quarter rule must forfeit the contest during which the violation took place (either varsity of subvarsity), and that head coach in violation will be ineligible for the next day of competition. Additionally, the Council approved a Junior High/Middle School Committee recommendation allowing leagues and conferences to request from the MHSAA staff the opportunity to use the fifth quarter rule for basketball.
Here is a summary of other notable actions taken by the Representative Council at the Spring Meeting, which will take effect during the 2022-23 school year unless noted:
Regulations
• Minnesota has been added as a “border state” for all out-of-state competition purposes. MHSAA member schools will be allowed to play opponents from anywhere in Minnesota regardless of the 300-mile travel limit rule, as is also allowed for opponents in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Ontario and Wisconsin.
Sport Matters
• For baseball and softball, the Council approved the creation of separate site selection committees to determine where District and Regional rounds of those tournaments will be played.
• In bowling, the Council approved a Bowling Committee proposal to make the Team Regional qualifying block format the same as the Team Final format. Teams will play eight Baker games and two regular games at both levels of the MHSAA Tournament beginning with the 2022-23 season. Previously, teams bowled six Baker games and three regular games at Regionals.
• In competitive cheer, the Council approved a Girls Competitive Cheer Committee recommendation to, beginning with the 2023-24 season, adopt a new choreography chart that awards points based on tumbling, one-leg extensions, vertical twists/360s and release skills which cannot supersede a 10-point maximum of points earned.
• Also in cheer, the Council approved a Committee recommendation adjusting the penalty for going over the time limit in each round to one penalty point for every second over the time limit, not to exceed 15 points.
• In football, the Council approved a Football Committee recommendation to allow players to wear shoulder pads at college camps sponsored and conducted directly by NCAA or NAIA institutions.
• In golf, the Council approved a pair of Golf Committee recommendations concerning MHSAA Tournament play. Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, teams will be allowed two “school-approved” coaches to be present and actively coaching during postseason competition. Also, the Council approved a reduction in the maximum number of strokes allowed per hole during MHSAA Tournament play from 12 to 10.
• Two more Council actions on Hockey Committee recommendations will affect MHSAA Tournament play in that sport. Beginning with the 2022-23 season, Michigan Power Ratings (MPR) will be used to seed the entire Regional round (which is the first round of postseason play in hockey; there is no District round). Also, teams will be reseeded prior to the start of the Semifinals by a seeding committee, with the top seed in each division then facing the No. 4 seed, and the No. 2 seed facing No. 3 in the other Semifinal.
• In soccer, the Council approved a Soccer Committee recommendation allowing the two seeded teams at the District level to host their games if they are not to be played at a prearranged host site. For these Districts, the No. 1 seed gets hosting priority, followed by the No. 2 seed, followed by the team on the top line of the bracket.
• For diving, the Council approved a Swimming & Diving Committee proposal reorganizing how many Finals qualifiers will advance from each Diving Regional. In each of the three divisions, each Regional will be guaranteed 10 qualifiers for the Finals; the remaining six qualifying spots per division will be distributed to the Regionals that have one of the previous year’s top six returning Finals divers in their fields.
• In tennis, the Council approved a Tennis Committee recommendation allowing for seeding at No. 1 singles of up to seven players if there are between 21-23 in the field, and seeding of up to eight players if the field includes 24 or more. No. 1 singles is the only flight where participants may qualify for the Finals separately from their full team.
Junior High/Middle School
• In track & field, the Council approved a Junior High/Middle School Committee recommendation to begin conducting Regionals beginning with the 2022-23 school year.
• In wrestling, the Council approved a Junior High/Middle School Committee recommendation to add weights of 215 pounds, 245 pounds and heavyweight, with the heavyweight class not to exceed 285 pounds.
• In competitive cheer, the Council approved a Girls Competitive Cheer Committee recommendation allowing junior high/middle school teams to perform a one-leg extension as part of a pyramid with one bracer. A liberty flair is the only flair allowed, and this pyramid requires two points of contact from the bracer.
Calendar
• The Council approved the seven-year calendar of MHSAA Tournament events, with notable basketball changes for two years. For the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the Boys Basketball Tournament will be completed first, followed by the Girls Basketball Tournament – a switch from the traditional order of the girls tournament Finals followed by the boys Finals. This will allow for flexibility in the event Michigan State University is selected to host NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament first and second-round games at the Breslin Center.
The Council also reviewed reports on membership, with 750 senior high schools and 759 junior high/middle schools in 2021-22 plus 62 elementary schools with 6th-grader participation; cooperative programs, with 378 high school programs for 699 teams during 2021-22; eligibility advancement applications, which totaled zero for the second-straight school year; the use of Educational Transfer Forms, of which there were 142; school violations, attendance at athletic director in-service workshops and Coaches Advancement Program sessions; officials’ registrations, rules meetings attendance and officials reports submitted for the past three sports seasons. The Association’s $12.8 million budget for the 2022-23 school year also was approved.
The Representative Council is the 19-member legislative body of the MHSAA. All but five are elected by member schools. Four members are appointed by the Council to facilitate representation of females and minorities, and the 19th position is occupied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.
2024 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class C & D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 5, 2024
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class C and D member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 35th year of sponsoring the award, will give $2,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees who can come from any classification.
Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
The 32 scholarship recipients will be recognized March 16 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Sara Dammann, New Lothrop; Kylie Ott, Bridgman; Brooke Spitzley, Pewamo-Westphalia; Tristan B. Harbaugh, Gobles; Benjamin March, St. Louis; and Ryin Ruddy, Ottawa Lake Whiteford.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are Mallory Lowe, Leland; Alivia Salenbien, Britton Deerfield; Ridley Fast, Hillsdale Academy; and Ben McCaw, Lawrence.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Sara Dammann, New Lothrop
Ran four seasons of cross country and will play her fourth season of varsity softball this spring. Raced at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals this past fall and earned all-state honorable mention in softball as a junior. Named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and earned College Board National Rural and Small Town Award. Participated in Shiawassee Scholars Class of 2024 program throughout high school, and is participating in second year of National Honor Society. Has participated in FFA (Future Farmers of America) throughout high school as well, earning state championships for prepared public speaking and parliamentary procedure and serving as her school chapter’s vice president and also region’s vice president. Participating in third year of quiz bowl and has served as captain multiple years. Served two years on student council and as a youth sports umpire throughout high school, and also participates in church youth group and serves as lector. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study something in a business-related field.
Essay Quote: “This lesson on teamwork, learned through educational athletics, is also imperative in life. Sure, individual successes are important, but to make the positive impact the world needs, we … need to work together to use our individual strengths to build a better tomorrow. We need to support one another's talents and focus on overcoming challenges together, as a team.”
Kylie Ott, Bridgman
Played four seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her second of varsity basketball and will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-conference recognition in track four times and also academic all-state in that sport. Received all-conference honorable mention in volleyball. Served as captain of volleyball and basketball teams. Participating in fourth year of student senate and class advisory, and has served as senate and class president. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and has served as vice president of her chapter, and fourth year of key club and has served president of that organization as well. Participating in fourth year of DECA, and has served as secretary. Will attend Purdue University and study biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: At first sight of the word ‘sportsmanship,’ you may visualize the act of helping another player up after a fall or encouraging teammates after mistakes. However, true sportsmanship isn’t limited by one public gesture, but rather, a consistent pursuit of little things even when no one is watching. It is a moral behavior that is learned and taught by example and comes not by desire for appraisal but by an adamant passion for the game.”
Brooke Spitzley, Pewamo-Westphalia
Played two seasons of varsity golf, will play third of varsity softball in the spring, and also played three seasons of varsity basketball. Qualified for MHSAA Finals in golf and earned all-area honors multiple seasons in softball. Earned academic all-state honors in golf and basketball. Served as captain of softball and golf teams, and helped found the school’s girls golf program. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, and as chapter president, and serving in first year on student council and as treasurer. Serving as co-editor of yearbook in second year on staff, and as social media manager for multiple student groups. Participating in third years of Student Voice and PLANK student support program, and first as part of P-W Students Take Charge. Will attend University of South Florida and study medical biology.
Essay Quote: “It is hard for athletes to realize that there is more to life than success in a sport; sportsmanship often puts this into perspective. Helping an opponent off the ground, shaking hands, even a meaningful “good job” allows an athlete to take a step back from the competitive nature they are taught and realize the big picture … that there is more to life than the stat book that one’s self-worth is derived from.”
Tristan B. Harbaugh, Gobles
Played three seasons of varsity football, is playing his third of varsity basketball and will play his fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-league in football and basketball and academic all-state in football and baseball, and was named a Michigan High School Football Coaches Association scholar-athlete. Served as captain of all three high school teams. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and fourth on student leadership team, and playing third year in school marching/concert/jazz band. Serving as first chair for percussion and is a three-time band section leader. Served as youth sports volunteer throughout high school and tutor the last two years. Will attend University of Michigan and study biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: “… This singular experience opened my eyes to the true meaning of sportsmanship, and how impactful sports could be when the accomplishments of character are discussed, and when sportsmanship is about building people up, teammates, opponents, and even people in the stands who see something special taking place on the field. The values that high school sports teach and the experiences they provide, like teamwork, leadership, and work ethic, can bring out the best in athletes.”
Ben March, St. Louis
Ran four seasons of cross country, is competing in his fourth of varsity wrestling and will compete in his fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-state all four seasons and twice won Regional championships in cross country, helping that team to Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals championships in 2020 and 2021. Earned all-league honorable mention twice and won a District title in wrestling, helping that team to two Regional championships, and earned multiple league and regional honors and made all-state as part of a relay in track. Earned academic all-state in cross country and track and has served as captain of cross country and wrestling teams multiple seasons. Participating in third year of Business Professionals of America, and has served as secretary, and is participating in second year of Rotary Interact and has served as treasurer. Earned Rotary Youth Leadership Award and placed third in region for BPA. Will attend Lansing Community College and study business.
Essay Quote: “While the accomplishments of the student-athletes who earned these trophies have long since been forgotten, the virtues of sportsmanship like fairness, integrity, courage, persistence, responsibility, and respect that were gained from participating in high school athletics have been carried with them into adulthood. It gave them the tools needed to positively impact their families and coworkers long after their high school athletic careers were done.”
Ryin Ruddy, Ottawa Lake Whiteford
Played four seasons of varsity football, is playing his third of varsity basketball, will play his fourth of varsity baseball in the spring and compete in second of track & field as well. Earned all-state in football the last two seasons and helped Whiteford to 2022 Division 8 title. Earned all-state in track in four events. Earned academic all-state in football and track also league scholar athlete honors in all four sports, and was named National Football Foundation scholar athlete. Served as football team captain. Serving fourth year on student council and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Has participated throughout high school in FFA (Future Farmers of America) and Compelled Youth, and also will participate in spring musical for fourth time. Will attend Hillsdale College and study biochemistry.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is about exercising self-control. This includes curbing emotions, controlling one’s tongue, and keeping negative body language in check. Sportsmanship is obviously about saying ‘good game,’ but it is also about respecting yourself, regimenting your life, and having the self-discipline to put yourself into a position to succeed in everything you do. Even when a loss is inevitable, great sportsmanship is about being genuinely happy when someone else succeeds, looking a competitor in the eye and congratulating them on a job well done.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Mikaela Ann Boyle, Bad Axe; Allison Bowles, Clinton; Jaida Schulte, Elk Rapids; Lauren Borsenik, Hemlock; Mariah Thompson, Houghton Lake; Lola Korpi, Ishpeming; Alexis Ewing, Jonesville; Adilyn Anne Ruggles, Marlette; and Claire Neumann, Saginaw Valley Lutheran.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Carter Upper, Alcona; Payton Butkovich, Beal City; Jamisen Latham, Beal City; Niko Burgoon, Iron Mountain; Kannon Duffing, Manchester; Brad H. McNeill, Montrose; Jack Lantz, New Buffalo; Julian Ahluwalia, Traverse City St. Francis; and Landen Muska, Vassar.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Mallory Lowe, Leland
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her third of varsity basketball and will play her fourth of varsity soccer this spring. Helped volleyball team to Division 4 runner-up finish this past fall, making the all-state third team and earning all-state academic recognition. Earned all-conference honorable mention in basketball and helped soccer team to Northwest Conference co-championship in 2023. Also part of academic all-state basketball teams the last two seasons. Serving as captain of all three teams as a senior and also was basketball captain as a junior. Earned AP Scholar recognition and completed International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Carries a 3.99 grade-point average and is participating in third years of National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society, including as president of school’s NAHS. Participating in fourth years of student council and Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council, with leadership positions in both. Served as volunteer volleyball and basketball coach throughout high school and mentor for student with Type 1 diabetes. Will attend University of Michigan but is undecided on her field of study.
Essay Quote: “We have learned valuable lessons including teamwork, effort, grace, dignity and fair play that will leave a lasting impression on our character, guiding us not only in athletics but also in life. This powerful connection reminds us that how we play and how we treat our fellow athletes matters so much more than the final score.”
Alivia Salenbien, Britton Deerfield
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her fourth of varsity basketball and will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring; also played on the boys varsity golf team as a junior. Earned all-county honorable mention for basketball as a junior and is a five-time Regional medalist in track & field. Earned scholar-athlete honors in multiple sports and served as captain for volleyball and basketball teams. Participating in third year of National Honor Society, serving as chapter president, and third year of student government serving as class vice president. Participated in American Legion Girls State and earned girls nation runner-up finish. Teaching church elementary catechism class for third year. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study early childhood education.
Essay Quote: “Balancing school, home life, and sports are difficult tasks. However, growing up in that scene, I thought that doing all these activities was the only way to a successful life. … But now, as a senior in high school looking back at my time at Britton Deerfield, I realize this could not be farther from the truth. Nobody judged whether I was good at the sports I played or not. Nobody judged whether I was at the top of the class or the bottom. Nobody judged how well I could balance my life. What people will remember about me when I leave high school is my sportsmanship.”
Ridley Fast, Hillsdale Academy
Played four seasons of varsity soccer, is playing his third of varsity basketball and will play his fourth of varsity golf this spring; also competed in track & field as a freshman. Made all-state second team for soccer in the fall and helped team to four District championships. Earned all-area in basketball and helped that team to two league and two District titles, and made all-state first team in golf as a junior in helping that team to league and Regional titles. Earned all-region as Hillsdale Academy won 2021 Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association team state championship. Earned academic all-state recognition in soccer and golf. Served as co-captain for soccer, basketball and golf. Participating in fourth years of student council, service club and drama club and second of National Honor Society, and is dually enrolled at Hillsdale College. Also participates in finance club and concert choir. Has served as student council vice president and league’s leadership conference representative. Will attend Trine University and study business and engineering.
Essay Quote: “I have played with my fair share of cheating opponents, but I am proud to say that I have never cheated, for I know I could not live with myself if I ever tried to do it. Cheating is caring more about results than the process, and the point of sports is to savor and endure the process and struggle. … Sportsmanship is the whole idea of competition itself; the concept of giving your best to see who comes out on top.”
Ben McCaw, Lawrence
Played four seasons of varsity football, is playing his second of varsity basketball, will play his third of varsity baseball this spring and also will return for his third of track & field. Earned first-team all-league and academic all-state recognition in football this past fall, second team all-league and all-academic with his basketball team as a junior, and selected for the all-state second team in baseball last spring. Serving as varsity team captain for the second season for all three sports. Earned College Board National Rural and Small Town Award and dually enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Serving as student council secretary after serving as class president three years, and participating in third years of National Honor Society and pep club. Volunteered throughout high school with local youth basketball, baseball and softball programs. Is undecided where he will attend college but intends to study marketing.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is important; however, it cannot be forced – it must be chosen. It is encouraged by the MHSAA at every coin toss meeting between captains, but there are few rules that prevent poor sportsmanship. This is a good thing, sportsmanship should be a choice; otherwise, it does not properly demonstrate our character. Our sportsmanship reflects who we are: on the field, in the classroom, and in life.”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Makenzee Grimm, Battle Creek St. Philip; Alayna Salenbien, Britton Deerfield; Caroline Beggs, Clarkston Everest Collegiate; Rachel Case, Kimball New Life Christian; Bonnie Kiger, Marion; and Hazel Hysell, St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic.
Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Samuel Wallace Lutz, Adrian Lenawee Christian; Jürgen Griswold, Ellsworth; Christian Besonen, Ewen-Trout Creek; Trenton Taratuta, Hillman; Nathan Mihills, Marcellus; and Clayton Shoup, Mason County Eastern.
The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced Feb. 13, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 20.
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The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.