Scholars & Athletes 2020: Class B
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 10, 2020
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class B member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 31st 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 Division 3 Boys Basketball Final, March 28, at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.
The Class B Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Hannah Fulmer, Grosse Ile; Alicia Kanai, Ada Forest Hills Eastern; Tara Keller, Frankenmuth; Faith Schafer, Williamston; Delaney Wesolek, Bay City John Glenn; Hunter Assenmacher, Ida; Samuel Beach, Hillsdale; Gabriel Hassan, Ada Forest Hills Eastern; Lucas Kopp, Grosse Ile and Ben Lankfer, Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class B Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Hannah Fulmer, Grosse Ile
Ran four seasons of cross country and will participate in her fourth of track & field this spring; also played three seasons of basketball including on varsity as a junior. Qualified for the MHSAA Finals in both cross country and track, helping both teams to multiple league titles and the cross country team to a Regional championship. Earned all-state in track and all-area in track and cross country. Serving as captain of both teams this school year. Serving as class president after three years as vice president, and also serving as Key Club president. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and is among those ranked first academically in her class. Participated in church mission trip as a junior and as Vacation Bible School leader and teacher all four years of high school. Will attend Michigan State University’s honors college and major in education.
Essay Quote: “In reality, sports are just sports. They're meant to be enjoyed. If we take them too seriously and don't treat our competitors with respect and kindness, then it goes from being a game to a battle. Additionally, without proper sportsmanship, high schoolers are taught that it is okay to treat our "enemies" with contempt and hostility. We need to be shown, however, that that type of behavior will get you nowhere in life.”
Alicia Kanai, Ada Forest Hills Eastern
Playing third season of varsity basketball and will play third of varsity soccer this spring; also played varsity softball as a freshman. Received “Team First Award” from Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan and has served as captain in all three sports. Earned AP Scholar Award and is participating in second year of National Honor Society. Selected to speak at NHS induction ceremony. Participating in third year of math club and second with school’s Writing and Math Center, which she serves as head of communications. Also participates on school’s volunteer board and as Project CHUCK coordinator. Serves as small group and worship leader at her church and treasurer for her Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. Will attend Taylor University (Ind.) and study mathematics.
Essay Quote: “Our behavior on the field reflects our character, our team, our school, and our community. We should play with class not only to positively represent those with whom we are associated but to show others their value. When we are separated by different colored jerseys, we often dehumanize the opponents, viewing them only as a team we need to defeat. However, sportsmanship tears down the barriers and destroys the presumption that opponents are enemies.”
Tara Keller, Frankenmuth
Ran four seasons of cross country, is playing her third of varsity basketball and will play her third of varsity softball this spring. Qualified twice for the MHSAA Cross Country Finals and earned all-conference and academic all-state honors in that sport. Helped basketball and softball teams to District championships. Earned AP Scholar with Honors designation and named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. Serving as treasurer in fourth year of student council, and third year as clarinet section leader in marching band. Selected to represent school for Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute. Participates in school’s Be the Change club and served on local library’s Teen Advisory Board and church’s Youth Leadership Team. Coached youth basketball throughout high school. Will attend Cedarville University (Ohio) and major in pre-medical studies.
Essay Quote: “The purpose of educational athletics is not to boost kids’ egos with championships and all-time bests, but rather to teach teenagers how to handle loss with grace and class, how to treat their rivals, and how to communicate with adults and opponents. … I personally have grown to realize the importance of sportsmanship the longer I have played sports. The things that I love most about athletics now are not the sports themselves, but the atmosphere of joy, selflessness, and love that I associate with them.”
Faith Schafer, Williamston
Ran four seasons of cross country and will participate in fourth of track & field this spring; also played two seasons of junior varsity basketball. Qualified for MHSAA Finals in both varsity sports three times and was league champion in track while earning multiple all-league honors. Earned multiple academic all-state honors as well in both varsity sports and served as captain multiple seasons for both. Earned Girls State Citizen Award and named semifinalist for United State Senate Youth Program. Serving as class secretary for both student government and National Honor Society chapter and team administrator for school’s InvenTeams team. Also participating in third year of Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. Earned various honors during four years of Model United Nations and serves on Lansing Youth Action Committee. Will attend University of Notre Dame and pursue a degree in neuroscience.
Essay Quote: “This is the same sort of culture I have tried to build (with) my own team as a captain – one that encourages sportsmanship at all times, even in the race. … It is a sentiment that cannot be expressed by someone who has not experienced it – like fifth-grade me. If I had been asked what sportsmanship was then, I would have answered with a vague ‘being nice.’ But now, it means far more.”
Delaney Wesolek, Bay City John Glenn
Competed on swimming & diving team for four seasons and will participate in her second of track & field this spring; also played two seasons of subvarsity basketball with a promotion to varsity as a sophomore. Earned multiple all-state swim honors and is a four-time league and area champion, with six school and two area records. Also contributed to all-league team academic honor. Served as captain of swim and basketball teams and selected to multiple leadership conferences including USA Swimming Leadership Summit in Colorado. Serving fourth year as class president and third on student senate’s executive board. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and fourth as part of her district’s Superintendent Leadership Committee; also serving fourth year on Bay Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Board. Participated in various volunteer projects and assisted with local grant funding for community youth. Will attend Hope College and study nursing.
Essay Quote: “We all want to win. We all train hard and take our commitment to our sport seriously. This respect makes sportsmanship come easy. We all cheer for each other. We cheer as loud for the last girl to get out of the pool as we do for the first girl. Why? Because we understand the work and dedication that goes into being a student athlete.”
Hunter Assenmacher, Ida
Competing in fourth wrestling season, ran four seasons of cross country and will play third season of varsity baseball in the spring. Earned two MHSAA Finals wrestling championships and finished as runner-up as a freshman, and won Regional title and qualified for MHSAA Finals in cross country. Earned all-league and all-region recognition in baseball. Served as captain of all three teams and earned various league scholar-athlete and sportsmanship awards. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and student council and first in Key Club. Selected as Army Educational Outreach Program’s eCybermission state runner-up as freshman and participating in second year of school’s Peers for Accelerated Learning of Students program. Also participating in school’s role model program for third year and has taken part in various volunteer efforts. Served as youth wrestling referee for county tournament. Will attend Lawrence Technological University and study architectural engineering.
Essay Quote: “Sports provide the opportunity to have fun with your friends and community, improve as an athlete and person, and engage in a healthy lifestyle. When all of this happens, nobody feels like they lost when the final buzzer sounds. However, only when the players, coaches, and spectators all partake in maintaining a positive learning experience can we truly take away all that sports have to offer.”
Samuel Beach, Hillsdale
Played four years of varsity soccer, two of varsity football, is playing his second of varsity basketball and will play his third of varsity golf this spring. Earned all-league recognition in soccer and all-county in football, and served as captain of soccer and golf teams. Serving as class president and president of Interact club and school’s freshman mentor program; also serving on board of National Honor Society chapter. Attained Eagle Scout with a Gold Palm and selected as senior patrol leader for his local and national jamboree troops. Recognized by city and state for Eagle Scout project. Participating in fourth year of Hillsdale County Heritage Association Youth Council and contributed to writing, illustration and publishing of children’s story book. Participating in third year of Business Professionals of America and co-owns auto detailing business. Attended United State Naval Academy Summer Seminar in 2019 and will attend the Naval Academy and study engineering while training toward becoming a Marine Corps officer.
Essay Quote: “How you act on the playing field has an effect on your teammates, whether it be positive or negative. If your teammates see the anger you are displaying towards referees or coaches, they will assimilate the attitude and it will then spread. Whether people believe it or not, people’s attitudes directly affect the mood and overall success of your team.”
Gabriel Hassan, Ada Forest Hills Eastern
Competing in fourth wrestling season and will play first season of high school lacrosse this spring; ran two seasons of cross country and played multiple season of junior varsity football. Serving third season as captain of wrestling team and is a past individual league champion and MHSAA Finals qualifier; also helped team to league and District titles. Carries a grade-point average above 4.0 and is participating in second year of National Honor Society and also second year of student government. Serving as vice president of Youth Advisory Board and head of marketing for Billy Bear Hug program that serves children with life-threatening illnesses. Founded organization that promotes volunteerism in his area. Selected to represent school at regional Athletic Leadership Seminar. Finalizing college plans but intends to study business.
Essay Quote: “To me (sportsmanship is) about setting a positive example and doing what is right even when there is a risk of losing. Being a member of a team, community, nation and our world, one needs to be a good citizen. I believe being civil and taking part in sports takes a certain type of character; one needs to be inherently willing to feel empathy and take action to understand others.”
Lucas Kopp, Grosse Ile
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, playing second of varsity basketball and will participate in third of track & field this spring; also played junior varsity golf as a freshman. Earned all-league recognition and helped his team to MHSAA Finals in tennis, and also earned all-league scholar-athlete honor in that sport. Served as captain of both tennis and track teams. Earned AP Scholar Award and is participating in third year of National Honor Society. Participating in fourth year of student government and has participated two years each in LINK Crew to mentor freshmen and STAND anti-bullying organization. Serving as executive leader of church youth group and teen liaison to parish council and earned St. Timothy Award from National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministries. Serves as referee in multiple youth sports and participated in Special Olympics Unified Sports program. Selected from among 5,000 applicants to attend Summer Leadership Experience at United States Military Academy at West Point. Finalizing college plans and plans to major in one of the sciences.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is not always about winning, but being a winner in more ways than one. Being the one who stops to help a teammate or the friend who shows compassion are what educational athletics are all about.”
Ben Lankfer, Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Played two seasons of varsity tennis and lacrosse and is in his fourth season skiing and first as part of that varsity lineup; also played football as a freshman. Earned doubles flight championships and helped tennis team to two league and Regional titles. Earned academic all-state in tennis and skiing and served as captain in both sports. Earned AP Scholar designation and Capstone Diploma. Received Harvard Book Award and Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. Founded and serving as captain of school’s Science Olympiad team, and serving as head delegate of Model United Nations team. Also serving as editor-in-chief of school newspaper and officer for National Honor Society chapter. Helped debate team to multiple league championships, and also participates in theater. Co-founded and serving as co-president of local PERIOD. chapter and also volunteers for Kid’s Food Basket. Served as research assistant at Aquinas College. Will attend Northwestern University and study biology and biomedical sciences.
Essay Quote: "When I consider the meaning of sportsmanship, it means creating an environment for sports that accepts players no matter their gender, race, or sexual orientation. After all, sports are a place for physical, mental, and emotional growth, not discrimination."
Other Class B girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Baylee Martens, Battle Creek Pennfield; Eleanor Kwartowitz, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Olivia Prodin, Chelsea; Elizabeth Norris, Corunna; Grace Beardsley, Gladwin; Hannah Johnson, Hastings; Elizabeth Hovest, Ida; Sheridan Leinbach, Lansing Eastern; Katelynn Ceccacci, Ortonville Brandon; Abbey Almeda, Plainwell; and Katherine Topoleski, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
Other Class B boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Brice Austin, Alma; Jacob Herman, Berrien Springs; Jack Fairman, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Isaac Joslyn, Caro; Trevin Phillips, Caro; Joseph Norwood, Chelsea; Chris Lilly, Croswell-Lexington; William Roosien III, Hastings; Alex Mitchell, Holland Christian; Jorden Sowash, Owosso; and Andrew Innerebner, Sault Ste. Marie.
The Class C and D scholarship award recipients were announced Feb. 4, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 18.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan was founded in 1949 by Michigan farmers who wanted an insurance company that worked as hard as they did. Those values still guide the company today and are a big reason why it is known as Michigan’s Insurance Company, dedicated to protecting the farms, families, and businesses of this great state. Farm Bureau Insurance agents across Michigan provide a full range of insurance services—life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate®, and more—protecting nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders.
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.
Rep Council Adjusts, Expands Out-of-State Competition Opportunities at Spring Meeting
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 12, 2023
Substantial changes to the rules governing out-of-state competition by Michigan High School Athletic Association member schools were among the most notable actions taken by the MHSAA’s Representative Council during its annual Spring Meeting, May 6-7 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 31 committee proposals and dealt with a variety of eligibility rule, postseason tournament and operational issues.
The most far-reaching changes approved by the Council shifts the MHSAA rules regarding competitions against out-of-state opponents. Moving forward, MHSAA member schools may continue to compete against teams from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario – but also may compete against teams from elsewhere in the United States as long as those competitions take place in Michigan, one of those five contiguous states or Ontario. The Council voted to remove the allowance for MHSAA member schools to travel up to 300 miles to play an out-of-state opponent; MHSAA member schools still can compete against those opponents, but competition must take place in Michigan or one of the states/province listed above. Any event including schools from outside of Michigan or those contiguous states/province must receive approval by the MHSAA and each state high school association with a team involved in order for MHSAA member schools to be allowed to participate.
In an effort to strengthen the undue influence regulation, the Council approved a change making it a violation for coaches or their representatives to connect via social media with students from another high school or with a student prior to ninth grade who has not yet enrolled in a high school or participated in an athletic practice or competition as a high school student. Violations of this rule include connecting via social media with a “follow,” “friend request” or “direct message” to a student. The Council also expanded the portion of the undue influence regulation that doesn’t allow coaches and representatives to visit prospective athletes and their families at the families’ homes to not allow them to visit athletes and families at “other locations” as well.
The Council approved an expansion in the use of video to determine penalties when there is a bench-clearing situation or other incident where team members enter the area of competition during an altercation. MHSAA staff, based on video evidence, will be allowed to assess additional penalties including ejections and suspensions to team members, coaches and other staff who enter those areas to participate or engage in such an altercation.
Concerning specific sports, changes to three stand out from several adopted by the Council.
The Council approved three Bowling Committee recommendations affecting postseason competition in that sport. The first reorganizes Regional competition to eight sites, with each qualifying the top two teams and top seven singles for both girls and boys competitions to the Finals (instead of the previous six sites qualifying three teams and 10 singles for both girls and boys). The Council also approved a proposal to change the Team Finals match play to a head-to-head, best-of-five Baker game format. Finally, the Council approved a proposal to adopt the Phantom II oil pattern for all MHSAA Tournament competitions.
In girls volleyball, the Council approved a Volleyball Committee recommendation to begin seeding the top two teams in each District beginning with the 2024-25 school year. As is done currently with girls and boys basketball and girls and boys soccer, the top-two seeded teams in each District will be placed on opposite sides of the bracket, guaranteeing they will not play each other before the District Final. Seeding will be determined using the Michigan Power Rating (MPR) formula which takes into account regular-season success and strength of schedule. MPR is used to seed Districts in the same way in basketball and soccer.
In wrestling, the Council approved a Wrestling Committee recommendation adding two regular-season dual meets to the allowed number of wrestling contest dates. These must be dual meets and may not be converted into three-team (tri) or four-team (quad) meets. Teams and individuals now will be allowed 16 days of competition with no more than eight of those days allowed for tournament-type events where a wrestler competes more than twice.
Here is a summary of other notable actions taken by the Representative Council at the Spring Meeting, which will take effect during the 2023-24 school year unless noted:
Regulations
• The Council approved a classification-related change for the MHSAA’s smallest member schools, allowing them to request participation of eighth and seventh-grade students, based on the high school’s enrollment. Schools with fewer than 125 students (instead of the previous 100) may request an MHSAA Executive Committee waiver to use eighth-grade students in all sports except football, ice hockey and wrestling. Schools with fewer than 75 students (instead of the previous 50) may make the same request to use seventh and eighth-grade students in all sports except those three. Schools requesting a waiver must show cause and rationale for those students’ participation.
Sports Medicine
• The Council approved a Sports Medicine Advisory Committee proposal requiring middle school head coaches to have valid, current CPR certification. Similar to the high school requirements for head coaches at all levels, this addition at the middle school level will ensure each team has at least one coach at each level present who is CPR-certified. This requirement will take effect with the 2024-25 school year, and schools will attest to its completion by the established deadline for each season.
Officials
• The Council approved an Officials Review Committee recommendation adjusting the minimum requirements for postseason consideration in wrestling, competitive cheer and soccer. In wrestling, officials must receive 75 coaches ratings (instead of the previous 100) to be considered for working a postseason meet. In girls competitive cheer, judges must be members in good standing of a Local Approved Association. In soccer, officials must work a minimum of five regular-season games (down from the previous 10) to be considered for the postseason.
• The Council also approved a Committee recommendation increasing the amount paid when an official arrives on site prior to a competition before receiving notice that competition has been canceled due to an “act of God” including weather that results in unplayable conditions. In these situations, officials will receive one-half of the contract fee (instead of the previous one-third).
Sport Matters
• For baseball, the Council approved a change to when trophies will be awarded to Regional champions. Those trophies will be presented to both Regional champions after the Quarterfinal is concluded, as Regional Finals and the ensuing Quarterfinal are played at the same site on the same day and both Quarterfinal participants will have earned a Regional championship earlier that day.
• In addition to the Regional and Finals changes for bowling explained above, the Council also approved a Bowling Committee proposal seeking common start dates for practice and competition for Lower and Upper Peninsula teams. For the 2023-24 season, bowling teams in both peninsulas will begin practice Nov. 9 and competition Nov. 25. Previously, Upper Peninsula teams were allowed to begin their seasons slightly earlier – this past season four days sooner for practice and a week earlier for competition than their Lower Peninsula counterparts.
• The Council also approved a start date change in girls competitive cheer, proposed by the Competitive Cheer Committee, moving the practice start date to the second Monday before Thanksgiving. This shortens the season by one week, but also allows a more comfortable gap between the fall sideline cheer and winter competitive cheer seasons. This change will take effect with the 2024-25 school year.
• Also in cheer, the Council approved a Committee recommendation that adjusts the restricted period at the end of competitive cheer season to the Monday following Memorial Day, which will allow athletes to try out for sideline cheerleading for the upcoming season after the completion of the majority of spring-sport competitions.
• Additionally, the Council approved an exception to the MHSAA’s all-star regulation that will allow for individual competitive cheer and sideline cheer athletes to participate in an event that is “all-star” in name only as long as the selection components of the event comply with MHSAA regulations.
• In cross country and track & field, the Council approved Cross Country/Track & Field Committee recommendations to eliminate a pair of uniform-related rules adaptations designating the types of head attire that previously could be worn during cross country races and body adornments that previously were allowed to be worn during competitions in both sports.
• In golf, the Council approved a Golf Committee recommendation to require athletes to participate in at least four competitions for the high school team prior to representing that athlete’s school team in an MHSAA postseason golf competition. Those four regular-season competitions may be 9 or 18-hold events.
• A Council action in gymnastics will better define how athletes are assigned a division for the individual portion of the MHSAA Finals. Athletes are assigned either Division 1 or Division 2 based on past experience and skill level – Division 1 for those with the most – and the Council approved the allowance of the Xcel levels of Sapphire and Diamond to be part of the determining criteria. Athletes who have previously competed in a non-school event at either of these levels would be required to compete in the Division 1 level for MHSAA postseason competition.
• In tennis, the Council approved a Tennis Committee recommendation allowing in the Lower Peninsula for a No. 1 doubles pair from a non-qualifying team to advance from Regional to Finals competition if that pair finishes first or second at the Regional and the No. 1 singles player from that team also has qualified for the Finals individually by finishing first or second in Regional play. (Upper Peninsula tennis does not play a Regional.)
• The Council approved a Swimming & Diving Committee recommendation restructuring how qualifying times for Finals are determined in an effort to provide more entries in swimming events at the championship level. Moving forward, qualifying times will be determined based on the past five years of MHSAA race data, but also will account for past numbers of qualifiers in each swim race; qualifying times will be shifted to allow for more athletes to advance to the Finals in events where fields have not been full over the previous five seasons.
• The second swimming & diving recommendation approved by the Council assigned specific breaks during Finals competitions. During Friday preliminaries (swam in the Lower Peninsula only), 10-minute breaks will be placed between the 200-yard medley relay and 200 freestyle races, and between the 200 freestyle relay and 100 backstroke, with a 15-minute break between the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly. The same 10-minute breaks will be mandated for Saturday Finals competitions, with a 15-minute break during Finals coming between the conclusion of diving and 100 butterfly races.
• For girls volleyball, the Council also approved a Volleyball Committee recommendation to permit the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) a 3-minute on-court presentation during the MHSAA Finals to recognize that season’s Miss Volleyball Award winner. The presentation will take place between the second and third sets of the Division 1 championship match.
Junior High/Middle School
• The Council voted to make permanent cross country and track & field competitions that have been conducted at a Regional level as part of a pilot program during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. The Council also voted to expand the number of sites per Junior High/Middle School Regional to allow for large-school (Divisions 1 and 2) and small-school (Divisions 3 and 4) meets for each of the eight Zones. Each participating junior high and middle school will be classified for its Regional meet based on the enrollment of the high school with which the junior high/middle school is connected.
The Council also reviewed reports on membership, with 750 senior high schools and 767 junior high/middle schools in 2022-22 plus 63 elementary schools with 6th-grader participation; cooperative programs, with 376 high school programs for 692 teams during 2023-23; eligibility advancement applications, which totaled three; the use of Educational Transfer Forms, of which there were 127; 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 $13.3 million budget for the 2023-24 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 1.3 million spectators each year.