And the champion is ... Frankenmuth
February 24, 2012
We are going to dance and have some fun.
That was hardly the entire story behind this season’s inaugural MHSAA “Battle of the Fans” champion.
But energy – from the opening tip to the final buzzer and despite a blowout win decided early on – is what set Frankenmuth High School’s fans a notch above four other finalists in this season’s search to find Michigan’s top student cheering section.
"It's kinda what we wanted to do when we started out. We really wanted to be the biggest, the best, the most creative, the loudest, the most outgoing. And that's obviously what we've done now," said Frankenmuth senior Brennan Webb, one of the section's founders and leaders. "I could tell since we started doing this last year and this year, people started bringing better student sections to games against us because they knew we were going to bring (fans). We influenced all the teams we've played. It's really awesome. You feel good."
When it came to atmosphere -- positive, festive and fun -- the Eagles started early and didn't stop until long after the final buzzer sounded.
Frankenmuth was chosen based on votes both by the MHSAA’s 16-member Student Advisory Council and a public vote on the MHSAA’s Facebook page. More than 8,500 fans voted in the MHSAA Facebook poll, with those results then equated against a school’s enrollment.
Based on votes per student, Reese topped the Facebook poll, followed by Petoskey and Frankenmuth in third.The Student Advisory Council based its vote on the following criteria: positive sportsmanship, volume of student section, school spirit, originality of cheers, organization of group and student section leadership.
The SAC vote put Frankenmuth over the top.
Other numbers to consider from this season's contest: The 19 application videos have been watched more than 20,500 times, and the MHSAA-produced videos from our tour stops have more than 12,400 views. The message of sportsmanship and the benefits of a strong student section have been heard.
And here are a few common themes we saw -- and heard ourselves -- during the MHSAA tour of the five finalists over the last five weeks.
- Have pride in your school, and support your classmates. For all five sections, it’s that simple. Creating a positive cheering atmosphere transforms game night for not just fans, but the athletes they’re rooting on.
- Get organized. Facebook was the main mode for that, although Rockford also is leaps ahead of most when it comes to communicating via Twitter. Schedules of events, rules, questions and answers; all can be addressed by reaching your section en mass with social media.
- Work with the administration, not against. The complaint is common that student sections would like to do cool stuff – if the athletic director/principal/etc. would be cool about it. These five sections all have understandings with their administrators – who in turn trust them to be appropriate, and allow them to get creative.
- It really does pay off. In some cases, developing a student section ended a cycle of bad sportsmanship. In all cases, finalists proved they could be loud, positive, fun and above all supportive WITHOUT bashing the opposing team or student section.
Bottom line: All five finalists are winners for simply getting involved. All brought something new and plenty of excitement to games that have been played for nearly 100 years in this state. And all deserve special recognition.
First, we'll recognize the four runners-up:
No Rest, No Weary Award: Grand Rapids Christian’s Eagle Nation
What we saw: The best halftime show in the state. Eagle Nation supports its team on the floor, but halftime belongs to the fans – and the Eagles deliver. Breaks are few and last maybe 20 seconds apiece. It’s like a show within a game; when the second quarter horn sounds, Eagle Nation hits the stage.
Why we’re fans: If the word is unity, the definition is Grand Rapids Christian. We visited on Neon Night, which was embraced by everyone – and not just the cheering section, but the players who came out for warm-ups sporting pieces of neon flare as well. Eagle Nation is more than 400 strong, and keeping that many fans organized and active for an entire game is a daunting task. But Eagle Nation pulls it off and sets the foundation for the future by meeting with middle school students to pass on their lessons in appropriate sportsmanship.
A-Plus Award: Petoskey’s Blue Crew
What we saw: The Blue Crew, as the section has been known for nearly a decade, didn’t mutter a negative word the entire game against West Branch Ogemaw Heights – a game, by the way, that clinched a league championship for the Northmen’s boys team. That, in itself, is laudable. And this section has more history than the other four finalists combined.
Why we’re fans: The Blue Crew builds support from all over, be it elementary and middle schoolers who gather at the sides of the section, or alumni and parents who add to the cause. Petoskey’s opponents are spread all over the northern Lower Peninsula – and the Blue Crew logs plenty of miles to keep up. The student council provides consistent and strong leadership. And don’t forget about the jazz band, which we felt was on par with any we’ve heard at college games.
All In Award: Reese’s Rowdy Rockets
What we saw: At Reese, the smallest community among our finalists, it’s truly a community effort. Nearly half of the student body filled the section during our visit, on top of the crew of parents, relatives and other residents who support the Rockets on a regular basis. Oh, and despite having such a small voting base, the Rockets rocked our Facebook poll with easily the highest percentage of voters compared to the size of the school’s student body.
Why we’re fans: The Rowdy Rockets get going early – and keep going all game. The pre-game announcement of “Hey Rockets, guess what? It’s game time,” sets the tone for the rest of the night. And Reese did some things that bigger schools probably couldn’t pull off, like creating a tunnel for the players as they entered the gym and staging a class-vs.-class tug-of-war during halftime.
Pure Power Award: Rockford’s Ram Nation
What we saw: What seemed like a thousand fans in black T-shirts blocking out an entire side of Rockford’s gym. The number was closer to 500, but the magnitude was obvious; Rockford is the biggest school among the finalists, and represented as such.
Why we’re fans: Rockford’s lights out introductions (watch the video to see it) easily was our favorite gimmick – which makes sense if you’ve also seen the video of their baby powder explosion during football season. Ram Nation has great ideas and executes them. And they get a special shout out for making every home game a fund raiser for some charity – the support from Ram Nation extends to its athletes, but outside the building as well.
But there can be only one winner. Drum roll, please ...
Battle of the Fans Champion: Frankenmuth
What we saw: All five finalists created an atmosphere of fun. But Frankenmuth’s defined festive. No finalist rallied from start to finish like the Eagles. The other four finalists brought a number of positives to the table. Frankenmuth combined them all.
Why we're fans: Everyone is invited. That’s become a theme of Frankenmuth’s section, which encourages participation from not just other Eagles fans, but opposing fans as well.
They danced a lot and sang some too, but were into the game the entire time. Frankenmuth’s cheerers had specific cheers for each player, for free throws, for pre-game introductions and just about anything else that goes into a basketball game. And like Petoskey, not a negative word was heard -- unless the Eagles fans were making fun of themselves or their players for air-balling a shot or getting one blocked.
We visited for a theme night, which would be a big hit on its own. But leaders kept the full section engaged for the entire game.
And talk about creative ... a lot of sections do great things that they've never seen before -- but we have. Not so at Frankenmuth, where originality reigned.
"I hope we can start a really huge tradition for our school. I hope people look at this and follow along with what we've done, and keep this tradition going forever," Webb said. "People will know this is how it started, and this is how it's going to be."
All five finalists will have another day on a bigger stage – clips from all five MHSAA tour stops will be shown during the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals in March at the Breslin Center.
And all five will serve as examples of what a great thing a student cheering section can be -- and how other schools can do the same in years to come.
Congratulations to all of our finalists, and especially to our champions.
Click to check out our the stories and videos behind the finalists. Also, click to see student-produced videos from all 19 sections who entered the contest. Photo courtesy of the Frankenmuth News.
Scholars & Athletes 2021: Class C & D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 9, 2021
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 32nd 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 during an online ceremony later this winter. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Meagan Lasky, Bronson; Sophia Rayes, Oscoda; Elizabeth M. Williams, Ishpeming Westwood; Nicholas Errer, Bad Axe; Finn Feldeisen, Ann Arbor Greenhills; and David Jahnke, Saginaw Valley Lutheran.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are: Olivia Lowe, Leland; Sophia Stowe, Northport; Jäeger Griswold, Ellsworth; and Wyatt Sirrine, Leland.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
(NOTE: If an athlete intended to play and was part of a spring sports team in 2020, that sport is counted among the athlete’s total although the season was canceled due to COVID-19.)
Meagan Lasky, Bronson
Played four seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her fourth of varsity basketball and will play her second of varsity soccer in the spring. Earned multiple all-state honors for volleyball and all-league honors in basketball, and served as captain of both teams. Helped 2017 and 2018 volleyball teams to Class C/Division 3 Finals championships. Participating on school’s inaugural girls soccer team, which will play its first games this spring. Earned volleyball academic all-state individual recognition as a senior and was part of four team awards, and earned academic all-league in basketball. Serving fourth year as student council secretary, and as National Honor Society chapter vice president this school year, and also is participating in fourth year of Make a Difference Club. Earned a number of awards for 4-H animal showmanship and crafts. Served as youth basketball referee throughout high school. Will attend Albion College and major in psychology.
Essay Quote: “(My sister) taught me to respect the game, my teammates, and your opponent. She also taught me about leadership, facing adversity, and that success does not always stem from making the winning play. I learned that sportsmanship is more than a handshake at the end of the game; it represents integrity, resilience, humility, and perseverance.”
Sophia Rayes, Oscoda
Ran three seasons of varsity cross country and will participate in her third season of varsity track & field this spring. Also wrestled on varsity as a freshman and sophomore and played junior varsity volleyball as a freshman. Earned all-league recognition in both cross country and track, and served as team captain of the latter. Participating in fourth years of student council and Rotary Interact club and third as part of National Honor Society and robotics team. Served as vice president and president of Interact and as a student representative to both the Oscoda Board of Education and local United Way board. Also served as vice president of student leadership group and coordinated Red Cross blood drive. Will attend University of Michigan and study secondary English education.
Essay Quote: “Extending one’s hand regardless of an outcome can be difficult for anyone, especially when the person you competed against is your own teammate. However, her earnest demeanor revealed that she didn’t mean to upset me with her victory. I knew the hardest thing to say was the one I needed to the most. … Placing my hand on her back, we walked embracing each other and our outcomes. Even though I lost, I found myself glad to be able to share in my friend’s victory.”
Elizabeth Williams, Ishpeming Westwood
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country, is participating in her fourth of varsity swimming & diving and will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Placed in MHSAA Finals in all three sports multiple times and earned all-state in cross country and track. Also earned all-state academic recognition in cross country. Served as three-time captain in cross country and two-time in swim. Serving as secretary of Business Professionals of America chapter and has qualified for state competition. Serving third year on student council and was secretary as a sophomore. Serving second year on superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Will attend Northern Michigan University and study environmental studies and political science.
Essay Quote: “Without proper sportsmanship from all parties, student-athletes may have a negative experience in a sport, lose their passion to play, have poor relationships within small communities, and miss out on impactful life lessons … . When we are all held to the same sportsmanship standards, students can have a positive experience in educational athletics, equipping them with valuable skills and preparing them for life beyond sports.”
Nicholas Errer, Bad Axe
Played four seasons of varsity soccer, is bowling third season on varsity and will play his third season of varsity baseball in the spring; also played junior varsity basketball as a freshman. Earned all-state multiple seasons in soccer and academic all-conference in all three sports. Served as captain of soccer and bowling teams. Serving fourth year on student council and was class vice president as a freshman. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third as officer for local FFA chapter, having served as president, treasurer and regional sentinel. Earned regional award in construction trades. Participated two years in Rotary Interact club, and served on area tech center’s Student Leadership Team as a junior. Will attend Oakland University and study finance.
Essay Quote: “(Sportsmanship) is a choice that each athlete makes each and every time they step out onto the field. How they talk to their teammates and coaches. How they poise themselves towards the opposition. How they react when a mistake is made. These are all situations that athletes are placed in each time they compete, and how they react is what determines the legacy they leave behind.”
Finn Feldeisen, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Played four seasons of varsity tennis and will play fourth of varsity lacrosse this spring. Contributed to tennis championships at multiple levels including Finals as a sophomore and junior, and helped lacrosse team to a league title in 2019. Won a Finals flight championship as a sophomore and earned all-state tennis honors multiple years and all-league lacrosse honors. Earned academic all-state in tennis. Served as team captain in both sports. Participating in fourth year of student council and as president this year. Also serving as co-secretary general for Model United Nations, an oratory event leader in forensics and head of peer-to-peer math tutoring as a senior. Participated on team state champion in forensics as a sophomore. Awarded Ambassador Award by United Nations Association of the USA and varsity letter in service by local United Way. Serving third year on regional youth council. Is undecided on where he will attend college, but intends to study business.
Essay Quote: “Embodying sportsmanship means being an ambassador and leading others to be the same, even when it may not be the easy choice. But it is so much more as well. It is the unknown and undefined aspect that all teams seek to achieve. Its unwillingness to become a simple action is what makes it truly special.”
David Jahnke, Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Played three seasons of varsity football, wrestling on varsity for fourth season and will run his second season of varsity track & field in the spring. Earned all-league recognition and won a county championship in wrestling, and served as team captain. Earned academic all-state in football. Participating in second year of student council and elected class treasurer. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and fourth years in school’s key club, STEM club, Spanish club and global awareness club. Playing in school’s symphonic band for third year. Earned key club Service Medallion and elected to organize group projects, and also serving as STEM school Chief Science Officer. Will attend Michigan State University and study biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: “Without the true sportsmanship amongst my teammates and the opponents we faced, I would not have continued participating in those sports. In doing so I would have walked away from a sport I learned to love, and that has caused me to grow as a person by building my character. … If I had been shown unkindness instead of goodwill, mockery instead of encouragement, selfishness instead of generosity, I would have missed all the valuable lessons taught to me by athletics.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Kenzie Bowers, Kent City; Grace Graham, Laingsburg; Makayla Harris, Ann Arbor Greenhills; Hope Johnson, North Muskegon; Grace Kalb, Petersburg Summerfield; Reese Martin, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett; Avery McNally, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart; Hannah Penfold, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker; and Mahrle Siddall, Maple City Glen Lake.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Jameson Chesser, Adrian Lenawee Christian; Micah Gordon, Bad Axe; Brennan Griffith, Adrian Lenawee Christian; Caden Kienitz, Munising; Drew Kohlmann, New Lothrop; Braxton Lamey, Ithaca; Zachary Stephenson, Alcona; Jeffrey Vanholla, Norway; and Trayton Wenzlaff, Kingston.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
(NOTE: If an athlete intended to play and was part of a spring sports team in 2020, that sport is counted among the athlete’s total although the season was canceled due to COVID-19.)
Olivia Lowe, Leland
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball, playing her fourth of varsity basketball and will play her third of girls soccer in the spring. Named all-state in basketball as a junior, when she went over 1,000 career points, and also has earned all-league in volleyball and helped Leland to back-to-back Division 4 runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019. Earned academic all-state individual honors and was part of team honors in those two sports, and served as captain of both of those varsity teams. Carries a 4.0 grade point average and earned the International Baccalaureate World School Middle Years diploma. Participating in fourth year of student council and has served as president, and participating in second year of National Honor Society and has served as chapter treasurer. Earned Principal of Excellence Award from local career tech center’s Teacher Academy. Also participates in National Art Honor Society and has had work published multiple times in local student art journal. Will attend Hope College and study elementary education.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship teaches many important lessons in life. Good sportsmanship builds teamwork, teaches respect, honor, discipline, resilience, and perseverance. These skills are very important to being an athlete, but they are also important skills you use in your everyday life outside of sports. I believe the path to true sportsmanship is to lead by example.”
Sophia Stowe, Northport
Played varsity volleyball all four years of high school and will play her third season of varsity soccer this spring. Also played junior varsity basketball as a freshman. Earned all-state volleyball honors and also individual academic all-state as part of an academic all-state team honoree in that sport. Served as varsity volleyball captain multiple seasons. Serving as student government and class president, the latter for the second year, and serving her third years as local township’s Youth Advisory Council vice president and National Honor Society chapter secretary. Studying with dual enrollment at Northwestern Michigan College. Participating in National Art Honor Society and has had work published multiple times in local student art journal. Serving as a county health department youth COVID advocate. Will attend Michigan State University and study human biology.
Essay Quote: “That’s when I realized how easy it is to make an impact on someone else’s life and how simple it is to be a good sport and a kind human. … People will forget the score of the game and how many kills you had, but they will never forget how you made them feel. We don’t remember statistics, we remember sportsmanship.”
Jäeger Griswold, Ellsworth
Playing second season of varsity basketball and participated in two seasons of varsity baseball and track & field. Earned all-league honors for basketball and is serving as team captain; helped last season’s basketball team and 2018 and 2019 baseball teams to league championships. Serving as president during fourth year of student council, and is participating in third year of National Honor Society and fourth years of school band and FIRST Robotics. Became member of American MENSA as a junior and selected to University of Notre Dame’s Summer Scholars program. Earned multiple honors for community service and serves as lead organizer for charity golf outing that annually raises more than $10,000 to benefit child burn victims. Selected to national “Keep America Beautiful” youth advisory council and is a three-year participant in local council. Will attend Vanderbilt University and is finalizing what he will study.
Essay Quote: “In that moment, that student, that was a just previously a stranger and basketball rival, became a friend and a sportsman like no other. He displayed sportsmanship outside of the game, which is the most valuable way to show kindness with athletes. … I have remembered this simple act of goodwill to this day very clearly because it defines how sportsmanship is the behavior of stepping into situations to help others, even when you do not have to.”
Wyatt Sirrine, Leland
Played three seasons of varsity soccer, is playing his second of varsity basketball and plans to compete in varsity track & field for the first time this spring. Earned soccer all-state as a senior and served as captain in helping team to Division 4 Semifinals, and was part of team that won Division 4 championship in 2018. Selected to Michigan Olympic Development Program state team and Midwest regional pool in 2019. Carries a 4.0 grade-point average and is top-ranked student academically in his class. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as secretary, and serving fourth year on student council and as treasurer. Also serving on school district’s COVID-19 Return to Learning Task Force. Coached youth players multiple years as part of Leland Soccer Academy and selected to attend Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference as a sophomore. Is unsure where he will attend college but intends to study international relations.
Essay Quote: “What I do know is that sportsmanship isn’t just about being a good sport on the field, it’s about being a good person in general. Like Lionel Messi (the best football player in the world) has said, ‘I am more worried about being a good person than being the best football player in the world.’”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Elise Besonen, Ewen-Trout Creek; Josephine Gusa, Ubly; Molly Myllyoja, Dollar Bay; Aubrie Sparks, Boyne Falls; Kiera Welden, Hillsdale Academy; and Mollie Zaleski, Kinde North Huron.
Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Christian Gossage, Hillsdale Academy; Jack Kaplan, Dryden; Connor LeClaire, Dollar Bay; Quincy Thayer, Frankfort; Nicholas Treloar, Hillsdale Academy; and Jacob M. Werner, Bay City All Saints.
The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced Feb. 16, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 23.
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