Scholars & Athletes 2018: Class A
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 19, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 14 student-athletes from Class A member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 29th year of sponsoring the award, will give $1,000 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.
Each of the scholarship recipients will be honored at a halftime ceremony during the Class C Boys Basketball Final game March 24 at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.
The Class A Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Talia N. Edmonds, Kalamazoo Central; Anna Fischer, St. Joseph; Kendall Jordan, Rochester; Olivia Perkins, Farmington Hills Harrison; Lauren Sickmiller, Grosse Pointe North; Grace VanArendonk, Muskegon Mona Shores; Megan Worrel, Troy; Danny deForest, Holland West Ottawa; Cole Johnson, Rockford; Paul Cheng McKinley, Okemos; Aditya Middha, Midland Dow; Kobie Mueller, Ann Arbor Huron; David Paquette, Petoskey; and Nicholas Weigle, Grandville.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class A Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Talia Naomi Edmonds, Kalamazoo Central
Played four years of varsity basketball and volleyball and will play her fourth of varsity softball this spring; also participated in subvarsity track & field as a sophomore. Captained all three varsity teams and helped basketball team to three District and one Regional title during her first three seasons. Earned all-league honors in volleyball and softball and all-region in volleyball while her team was named academic all-state. Also is an accomplished beach volleyball player and has trained in budo taijutsu form of martial arts. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, fourth as part of KZOO Leaders and tutors elementary school math students in addition to participating in various volunteer efforts. Served as coach and mentor for middle school volleyball teams. Will attend Michigan State University and study geonomics and molecular genetics.
Essay Quote: “One of the lessons my parents shared with me was to focus on things I can control, and not people, the environment or things I cannot control. These situations have provided me opportunities to educate others through my actions. Often these individuals would speak out of ignorance what I believe to be a display of poor sportsmanship; hopefully by our passion for the game it will facilitate a learning lesson on the common ground of competition.”
Anna Fischer, St. Joseph
Ran four years of cross country and played four of varsity basketball, and will become the first girl in school history to earn 12 letters when she competes in track & field again this spring. Captained basketball and cross country teams and earned all-state and academic all-state honors in all three sports. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and has been named National Merit Commended Scholar. Earned silver prize in Whirlpool Art Competition, a Kalamazoo Institute of Art design competition scholarship and multiple gold keys and honorable mentions from the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Participating in fourth year of Rotary Interact Club and as part of the International Committee. Selected as one of 10 St. Joseph students to serve on the inaugural Advanced Leadership Council. Will attend the University of Notre Dame and study engineering.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is about embracing the competition – it represents the heart and soul of the game itself. The most rewarding aspect of sporting competitions is to be able to share your passion and demonstrate your hard work against others who have also worked hard to be the best. Acknowledging another’s success, having played fairly and with integrity, is the perfect conclusion to a hard-fought contest.
Kendall Jordan, Rochester
Competed in varsity swimming & diving for four years and will play her fourth season of varsity lacrosse this spring. Captained both teams and earned academic all-state in both sports. Also earned all-state honors in lacrosse and competed in three MHSAA Swimming & Diving Finals. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and second of National Social Studies Honor Society. Collected 150 pounds of lacrosse gear, clothing and supplies to distribute in Jamaica, where she volunteered as part of Fields of Growth. Organized a meal that fed 130 children as part of Power Company Kids Club of Pontiac, among additional volunteer efforts. Serving as class ambassador and as part of school’s Captains Club. Earned her school’s Falcon of Distinction Award and was a nominee for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Will attend Butler University and study health care business and international relations.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is upheld when competitors remember that athletes, coaches and officials are people first. People should be treated with kindness and respect despite any circumstances of a game. Simple acts of sportsmanship promote positive play and increase the chances of respect being reciprocated by whom we compete with and against.”
Olivia Perkins, Farmington Hills Harrison
Played four seasons of varsity basketball and two of varsity volleyball, and one each of varsity soccer and tennis. Earned all-league and all-county honors in basketball and all-city in volleyball while finishing as a league runner-up in track; also earned league scholar-athlete honors in multiple sports and captained her junior varsity volleyball team. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and earned an academic letter based on high grade-point average. Serving first year in student government as a Senior Board officer and as a freshman played first chair bass in school’s concert orchestra. Participating in first year of Health Occupations Students of America and fourth for Hawk Help peer tutoring program, and has participated four years in Breast Cancer “Race for a Cure.” Created school’s girls basketball camp with proceeds going to team’s boosters and Harrison athletic department. Will attend Cornell University and study biology on a pre-veterinary track.
Essay Quote: “While winning is a marvelous feeling, I’ve grown the most thorough the multitude of losses that I’ve experienced over the years. Losing has allowed me to reflect on myself, and try to come out of a game with new and more developed insight of the team.”
Lauren Sickmiller, Grosse Pointe North
Ran four years of varsity cross country and will play her fourth of varsity soccer and participate in fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-league honors in all three sports, all-District in soccer and all-region in cross country and track. Captained cross country team and earned academic all-state in that sport; also earned scholar athlete recognition in all three sports. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and named AP Scholar with Distinction. Carries weighted 4.35 grade-point average and achieved high scores on four Advanced Placement exams. Earned recognition for French speaking ability from local Alliance Française. Participated three years in student government and is in her first as part of Women In Leadership Leading Our World. Participating in second year of Athletic Council and serves as a math tutor. Is unsure where she will attend college but intends to study pre-medical in hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
Essay Quote: “While many may perceive sportsmanship as merely shaking hands with the opponent and refraining from acting in an obscene manner in games, matches or races, I know it is something much greater. Sportsmanship stems from providing a positive example for teammates and spectators, especially in the face of adversity.”
Grace VanArendonk, Muskegon Mona Shores
Participated in four years of competitive cheer, four of sideline cheer and four of powerlifting. Captained competitive cheer team two seasons and earned multiple all-state and academic all-state honors, leading team to league, District and Regional titles. Won state championship in powerlifting from Michigan High School Power Lifting Association. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and has served as a cabinet member. Won school’s Argonaut Award with 4.0 grade-point average. Participating in fourth year of choir that was featured on multiple television networks for “World’s Tallest Singing Christmas Tree.” Coached middle school cheer and as part of Mona Shores Youth Club. Participated in church band and Vacation Bible School and contributed during mission trips to Alaska and New Jersey. Will attend either Michigan State University or Western Michigan University and study nursing while participating in a military ROTC program.
Essay Quote: “High school athletics truly is a different type of classroom. There is no letter grade or final exam. The real test comes when an athlete walks off the court, field or mat into the game of life. Every dimension of my life will be influenced by the sportsmanship lessons I have learned and continue to learn in the classroom of high school athletics.”
Megan Worrel, Troy
Ran three seasons of varsity cross country and will participate in her fourth of varsity track & field; also played two seasons of subvarsity volleyball. Earned all-state and academic all-state in cross country and track & field and captained both teams. Helped cross country team to Lower Peninsula Division 1 championship in the fall and owns multiple school track records. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third of Project LEAD and She’s the First. Serves as Project LEAD webmaster and She’s the First treasurer, computer club president and was a student government class representative as a freshman. Earned President’s Volunteer Service Bronze Award. Helped DECA team to state championship and international competition medal and Chinese Quiz Bowl team to multiple top placings. Will attend University of Michigan and study computer science.
Essay Quote: “I don’t race against competitors but rather with a community of runners. Instead of facing stress from competition, I know that my herd will support me – I just need to worry about keeping up. Having good sportsmanship creates an atmosphere where the only anxiety is doing our best. This allows for all of us to move forward as a group instead of trying to hold others back.”
Danny deForest, Holland West Ottawa
Played two seasons of varsity basketball and three of varsity soccer; also played one season of junior varsity lacrosse. Helped basketball team to league and District championships and captained soccer and basketball teams. Earned all-league and all-District recognition in soccer. Serves on MHSAA Student Advisory Council. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and has carried a 4.0 grade-point average for three consecutive years. Serving fourth year as Greater Holland Area Young Life student leader and second as a Peer Assisted Listener mentoring at-risk and special needs students. Volunteered in various other efforts including in community development in Thailand as part of Step Ahead. Served as youth basketball official and trained future referees. Is undecided where he will attend college but intends to study business marketing.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is when an individual has such a deep love for a game that he or she plays in a way to help all members participating experience the same passion. … Being sportsmanlike is important because it has an immense power to positively influence those involved. At that moment I stopped competing just for myself and began using athletics as my way to be a role model.”
Cole Johnson, Rockford
Ran four years of varsity cross country and will participate in his fourth of track & field this spring; also played two seasons of junior varsity basketball. Earned all-state three times in cross country, leading his team to two MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 championships, and earned seven all-state honors in track & field. Served as captain of both varsity teams. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, and earned academic letters all four years. Serving fourth year on student council and as president, and fourth year with school’s Renaissance Club for which he’s served as organizer of a number of activities. Attended multiple Jostens Renaissance national conferences and is organizing the largest canned food drive in school history. Also participates in his church’s youth group. Will attend University of Michigan and study mechanical engineering.
Essay Quote: “People who share the same passions have so much in common, and running is a clarifying example. Runners push their bodies to the limit, run through the heat and snow and are probably all a little bit crazy. Because of these common bonds, an underlying respect for every single runner is prevalent throughout cross country.”
Paul Cheng McKinley, Okemos
Ran four years of varsity cross country and will participate in his fourth of track & field this spring. Earned conference championships and all-state honors in both, and also earned academic all-state. Captained both teams for three seasons. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as president, and named National Merit Scholar semifinalist. Also serving second years on Okemos Student Athlete Advisory Council and Freshman Connect, and as captain of the latter. Plays as trumpet section leader in symphonic wind ensemble. Serving fourth year in school’s A.C.T.I.O.N. volunteer program and served four as a Gifted & Talented youth mentor for community summer writing camp. Tutors in both math and French and served two years as a youth track coach. Is unsure what he will study, but will attend Pomona College in California.
Essay Quote: “Sometimes it’s a ‘My bad,’ murmured after a bumped elbow or a glancing spike nick. Other times it’s a ‘Watch out!’ when running through a particularly hazardous patch of mud and roots. … Hearing those whispers reminds me that the athletes competing against me have put in just as much work as I have and are working just as hard as I am. … Those whispers, exchanged between ragged breaths despite immense fatigue, are the highest level of respect I know in the sport.”
Aditya Middha, Midland Dow
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, helping his team to the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 championship in 2016 and runner-up finish in the fall. Earned a Finals No. 1 doubles flight championship as a junior and runner-up finishes at No. 4 singles as a sophomore and No. 1 doubles this past fall. Earned Regional and league championships all four seasons and served as team captain the last two. Also earned all-state honors the last two and all-league the last four. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as chapter secretary, and fourth year of DECA and as president for club that qualified for international competition multiple times. Earned A.H. Nickless Award of $45,000 including a $20,000 STEM grant for his school, and selected for competitive Michigan State University STEM Scholars research in 2017. Named AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Scholar semifinalist. Served as 4-H outdoor camp youth director the last two years and Midland County Youth Leadership segment coordinator for two years. Will attend University of Michigan and study engineering.
Essay Quote: “I’ve learned that sportsmanship is not something that can mastered by studiously analyzing a textbook or listening intently to a lecture. Instead, it is grasped through a multitude of individual experiences in which we learn how to handle not only the actions of ourselves, but of our opponents too.”
Kobie Mueller, Ann Arbor Huron
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, at No. 2 singles all four, and helped team to the 2016 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 title. Earned individual all-state honors three times and helped team to four Regional and league championships while also earning four individual titles at both levels. Served as team co-captain in the fall. Participating in second year of National Honor Society. Named National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction. Participating in second year of Business Professionals of America club and helped team to state championship and national top-10 finish. Participating in third year of key club and as a math and computer science tutor. Participating in third year of school’s computer science club, and as president, and second year as a workshop director at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Earned top-10 finish at University of Michigan-Dearborn programming competition. Is undecided where he will attend college, but will study engineering.
Essay Quote: “I remembered thinking to myself that this was what high school athletics is all about: giving your best effort and sharing together with teammates while displaying good sportsmanship. I believe these high school tennis team experiences have helped prepare me to face any challenges ahead with grace and integrity.”
David Paquette, Petoskey
Participated in four seasons of varsity skiing and two full seasons of varsity soccer after moving up from junior varsity during his sophomore year. Helped his skiing team to MHSAA Division 2 championships his first three seasons and helped the soccer team to three District titles. Earned all-state honors multiple seasons in both sports and served as captain of both teams. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and as a board member, participating in a variety of volunteer efforts. Played in school marching band and steel drum band all four years of high school. Helped marching band to various top finishes including Class A Grand Champion awards all four years and Best Percussion Awards in all competitions all four years; serving as tenor drum line section leader as a senior. Participating in second year of Substance Abuse Free Environment of Northern Michigan and last summer attended Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America mid-year Youth Leadership Training Conference. Also participating as math/science delegate on Quiz Bowl team for second year. Will attend either University of Michigan or Northwestern University and study computer science and economics.
Essay Quote: “Kids take note. And they happen to be master imitators. Sportsmanship is important because it is impactful not only on how today’s game is played, but also tomorrow’s.”
Nicholas Weigle, Grandville
Competed four seasons on varsity swimming & diving and water polo teams and will play his third season of varsity lacrosse this spring. Earned all-state honors in swimming and holds school record as part of 200-yard freestyle relay. Served as co-captain of swimming & diving and water polo teams. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and named National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction. Earned two academic letters, anticipating a third this spring. Participated in Boy Scouts all four years of high school and earned Eagle Scout rank in 2016 and membership in Order of the Arrow. Also played all four years as part of school’s jazz, symphonic and marching bands. Participated four years in Young Life and as part of church’s youth group including as contributor on three mission trips. Served two years as parks and recreation lifeguard. Will attend Hope College and study pre-medical.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship ultimately comes down to treating others fairly and with kindness, whether between rivals battling for the win or teammates supporting each other while competing for limited spots. The situations I have been in where I encountered sportsmanship, or lack thereof, have left an impression on me that will help me make the best decisions going forward.”
Other Class A girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Susannah Deems, East Grand Rapids; Kendall Dillon, Northville; Kelly Ann Giles, East Kentwood; Roan Haines, Northville; Samantha Hild, Holly; Karlyn Kelley, Rochester; Meghan Monaghan, Troy; Anushka Murthy, Okemos; Jenna Norgrove, Rochester; Maria Poortenga, Grand Rapids Christian; Breanna Probst, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central; Hallie C. Roman, Port Huron Northern; Emily Rooney, Birmingham Seaholm; Tess Scheidel, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg; Julie Smith, Walled Lake Northern; Sarah Van Dyke, Grand Rapids Christian; and Maggie Wood, Battle Creek Lakeview.
Other Class A boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Joseph Corner, Holt; Anthony G. DeKraker, Saline; Aidan Delfuoco, Saline; Ben Forstner, East Grand Rapids; Nathan Frazier, Warren Cousino; Hunter Gandee, Temperance Bedford; Adam Good, Auburn Hills Avondale; Anthony Joseph, DeWitt; Anthony Kim, Grand Blanc; William Marano, Dearborn Edsel Ford; Michael Robert Melaragni, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek; Reagan Miller, Saline; Luke Rambo, Marquette; Nick Seidel, West Bloomfield; Yzrael Silguero, Holland; Emmett Turner, Saline; and Jacob Willemsen, Byron Center.
The Class B scholarship award recipients were announced Feb. 13. Class C and D honorees were announced Feb. 6.
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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.
Students Take Sports Leaders to Class
By
Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor
May 2, 2018
Compiled by Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor
MHSAA Student Advisory Council members were asked their opinions on several of the current issues facing the MHSAA Junior High/Middle School Committee and MHSAA Task Force on Multi-Sport Participation.
Click for Tuesday’s report on advances being made on both topics.
Danny deForest
Senior
Holland West Ottawa
Danny has played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school, while being involved in National Honor Society, Dance Marathon, WOBN (West Ottawa Broadcasting Network), and the Ping Pong Club. He played football, basketball and tennis, and ran cross country in junior high school.
Influence to Play Multiple Sports: “Sports have always just been a passion of mine and are something that helps keep all other aspects of my life in order. Without them I feel as if I'm not on a good schedule, and I find much more room to waste time, procrastinate, and overall lose productivity.”
On JH/MS Participation: “I believe it was important for me to start this in middle school because it just instilled a good work ethic in me to continue in high school.”
On Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation: “Playing multiple sports has benefitted me in countless ways. Socially, it has provided me with multiple different friend groups. Soccer alone has helped to give me a much better understanding of Hispanic culture, and I'm grateful to be friends with these teammates. It gives me a great reason to try hard in school, to keep my grades up, and makes me feel better about myself as I am very fit due to it.”
Ways in Which Schools Can Better Promote Multi-Sport Participation: “Schools should really work on having coaches cooperate for summer workouts in order to help multi-sport athletes. It is very difficult for us to make it to everything and we often feel as if it takes up nearly our whole summer, and stresses us out as coaches plan things at the same time. It’s hard on us because coaches get disappointed if we attend some and not others, but it’s very tough to manage it all.”
Grace Reetz
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart
Senior
Grace plays volleyball, basketball, softball, and runs track & field. She is a member of the NHS and in the drama club as well.
Influence to Play Multiple Sports: “I grew up with three brothers who all played baseball so I spent a good portion of my childhood at ballparks baking in the hot sun, but their interest definitely influenced my decision to play softball. After I joined the city youth team it was hard to stay away from any other activities. Softball was always my favorite, but over time I realized I didn't love softball nearly as much as I just loved to compete and be active. When I was younger I played soccer and swam competitively and was even in a dodgeball league. As I got into middle and high school sports I tailored my efforts towards those that I could actually play with my classmates through the school (Sacred Heart doesn't offer swimming or soccer).”
On JH/MS Participation: “Middle school sports for me were more social than anything else, but they helped me understand the game and get a good grasp on it before competing at the JV and Varsity level my freshman year. Being on a sports team as a 7th and 8th-grader gave me an immediate friend group and a sense of importance and helped make those years a little less painful.”
On Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation: “I found out that as much as I love the sports I play, I'm not cut out to play any of them year-round. I played for a travel softball team one year that played throughout the whole year from August to July with practice every weekend. By the end of that year, I basically hated the sport because I hadn't been able to take a break from it.
“I think my success I've had in each sport has been largely due to the fact that when I take some time off I get an itch to start playing them again. It keeps me from getting bored and allows me to stay highly motivated during every season.
“Physically working out different muscles also keeps me in better shape than if I were only playing one sport year-round. Playing defense in volleyball surprisingly translates very well into defense on the basketball court and down-and-backs in basketball practice keep me fit and develop my fast twitch muscles which benefit me in track season.
“I think being a part of many different teams has helped develop me as a person as well. In volleyball I act as the more serious leader and motivator, whereas on my basketball team I'm more of the comedic relief. In softball there's a little more tension so my role is just to keep everyone positive and together, and on the track team I become an ultra supportive teammate and back-up player. It's nice to play different roles on different teams with different people and see what new skills, both athletically and in a leadership sense, I'm capable of developing.”
Ways in Which Schools Can Better Promote Multi-Sport Participation: “In small schools like mine, if kids don't play multiple sports then there won't be multiple teams; there's just not enough kids. I play most of my sports with the same core group of girls, and it really makes team chemistry and switching from season to season an almost effortless process. I personally think it's kind of lame to only play one sport every day year-round. I think a lot of kids think the only way their dreams of playing at the collegiate level will come true is if they give up all their other activities to focus on that single sport. But that doesn't develop you as a person or as a leader; it only makes you a slightly more skilled athlete.”
Neil Bazaj
Junior
Ann Arbor Greenhills
Neil is a soccer, basketball and track athlete, who played those sports and tennis in junior high school. He also adds Peer-to-Peer Math Tutoring, Captains Club and Gryphon Ambassadors to his activities.
Influence to Play Multiple Sports: “I have been playing soccer from a very young age, but have also had a natural love for basketball. I began running track as a way to stay fit, but I really enjoyed being part of the team and loved my coaches, so I stayed with the team. My decision to play numerous sports was mostly influenced by my love for the atmosphere that surrounds team sports and how much I enjoy sports myself.”
On JH/MS Participation: “I don’t think that it’s very important to start school sports in middle school; however, I do recommend it. It is an easy way to meet people, and if you are planning to play in high school it helps grow your skill in the respective sport.”
On Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation: “Participation in multiple sports has helped me physically by giving me more stamina and strength. It has also helped me stay in shape. Sports have helped me mentally by giving me something that is normally away from all the drama and problems that arise in high school (and lets me) just focus on the sports that I love.
“They have helped me socially by giving me opportunities to meet new people from each team for all grade levels. Track is co-ed, so it gives me a way to interact with girls as well as guys. Some of my best friends came from the teams I play on. Sports have helped me academically by giving me better time-management skills, which are important for when I do my homework and for my future.”
Ways in Which Schools Can Better Promote Multi-Sport Participation: “To help promote multi-sport participation, schools should show the bond that players on teams enjoy and show people how every team is like another family for someone. Also they could do a better job of making it clear that the school supports student-athletes, because I know at my school it often times feels like we lack support because we can barely get 10 people from the community to come out to events.”
Chloe Idoni
Junior
Fenton
Chloe competes on the basketball and volleyball teams at Fenton, and also ran track in middle school in addition to those two sports. She also is a member of the NHS and Captains Club.
Influence to Play Multiple Sports: “It’s fun to be a part of a team and I love competing in sports.”
On JH/MS Participation: “It benefitted me a lot. You become familiar with your future teammates and the sport, which will help significantly when you get to high school.”
On Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation: “It taught me to manage my time well, and I made so many good friends that I still have today. It’s good to forget about everything that has happened that day and focus on the sport, and it keeps me in shape.”
Ways in Which Schools Can Better Promote Multi-Sport Participation: “I believe if your coach supported it, many more athletes would be multi-sport athletes. Sometimes athletes only play one sport because the coaches of different sports want to practice at the same time and the two overlap. Schools can also build up team chemistry within their sports teams because that will influence people to want to join the team because of how much fun they have.”
Aaron Fahrner
Senior
Owendale-Gagetown
Aaron is a member of the school's football, basketball, and baseball teams, as he was in junior high school. He also is in the NHS and currently serve as the chapter’s president, and serves on the student council and youth advisory committees.
Influence to Play Multiple Sports: “Going to a small school, just about everyone has to play in order for there to be a team, so that is one of the main reasons I've played all the sports available.”
On JH/MS Participation: “I have an older brother who played every sport in high school. I always wanted to follow in his footsteps, so that led me to play all sports available in junior high, which carried over into high school.
“For me it was very important to start young. I started playing basketball on a school team in 5th grade, and that really helped me to develop my skills into the basketball player that I am today. I believe that if you start young you will learn the right way to play that sport and will continue to grow and further develop your skills.”
On Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation: “Playing in three sports helps me stay in shape for the next sports season. I am fortunate to be a 4.0 student and playing sports hasn’t had an effect, but I have seen teammates who keep better grades in order to be eligible to play that sport. I have met some of my closest friends through sports, whether they were on my team or an opposing team. Living in a rural area, many kids in the schools around me play many sports. By seeing these same kids throughout the year during sports, I have built many lasting friendships.”
Ways in Which Schools Can Better Promote Multi-Sport Participation: “At my school almost everyone who plays sports, plays all the sports. In other schools, I know that some kids don't play because they don't think they will make tryouts. If schools encouraged more kids to try out, then more kids will want to play.”
Taylor Adams
Junior
Allendale
Taylor has played basketball and soccer since middle school, and is currently a member of the NHS.
Influence to Play Multiple Sports: “I really love soccer; it's my favorite sport. But when my mom started hyping up basketball, I really wanted to play it. In 7th grade I went out for basketball, and since then I've really enjoyed it. It's good to be a well-rounded two-sport or more athlete, especially if you're looking for athletic-related scholarships.”
On JH/MS Participation: “It was important to gain the knowledge and understanding of the sport before jumping into the big play at high school. It was great being able to get the opportunities and playing time that I needed to get good at the sport. It's important to learn the basics at a younger age so that you are able to compete once you get into high school.”
On Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation: “I've learned so many new skills and met so many new people. I've been able to grow as a leader and help others grow as well. From being a captain to being an underclassman on varsity, to being a part of the MHSAA SAC, sports have helped to shape my behavior and personality. It's pretty awesome when you can know people from all over your state and even outside your state because of sports. People are surprised when they hear how many connections I have because of my sports. And, it hasn't hurt my academics whatsoever; I've actually been able to still keep up my studies and continue to achieve a 4.0.”
Ways in Which Schools Can Better Promote Multi-Sport Participation: “I think that if sports games and teams are better advocated for both genders, as well as for every sport, that would be beneficial to the cause. If every sport is advocated, more people will know about them and want to participate.”
Shane Dolan
Junior
Clarkston Everest Collegiate
Shane plays soccer, football, basketball, and runs track at the high school level, and is an NHS member. He participated soccer, football and basketball during middle school.
Influence to Play Multiple Sports: “Originally, it was my desire to try new things and see how well I could do. This led to me enjoying and constantly playing all of the sports I still play today.”
On JH/MS Participation: “It’s very important if you want to be elite or be one of the top players in a given sport at your school. The sooner you start, the sooner you can get a feel for the game and constantly work to improve yourself and your skills.”
On Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation: “Physically it has helped make me stronger and kept me in good shape. Mentally it has helped me make quick decisions and hone my reaction time. Socially it has helped me to make so many new friends and form strong bonds with others. Academically it has taught me the importance of time management and hard work.”
Ways in Which Schools Can Better Promote Multi-Sport Participation: “The one thing I would say that schools can improve upon is promoting all sports equally so that students will be encouraged to join any team they would want to as the school and other students show support for all sports, not just football and basketball.”
PHOTO: Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart's Grace Reetz comes off the court to congrats from her teammates after a win this winter. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)