From our Battle of the Fans finalists ...
March 29, 2012
This winter's inaugural "Battle of the Fans" was about recognizing the top student cheering section in the state of Michigan.
But it also provided valuable lessons about sportsmanship and made every gym a classroom where they could be taught and learned.
The video below includes clips from all five finalists' videos shot by MHSAA staff and used in the judging for the contest. It played on the Breslin Center scoreboard before each of the Semifinals and championship games of the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals over the last two weekends.
If you were there, you no doubt caught at least a glimpse. If not, check it out below.
Performance of the Week: Rochester Hills Stoney Creek's Abbey DeGraw
February 2, 2024
Abbey DeGraw ♦ Rochester Hills Stoney Creek
Senior ♦ Competitive Cheer
DeGraw – a Division 1 all-state first-team selection last season – was among standouts as Stoney Creek won the Division 1 competition at Saturday’s Wyandotte Roosevelt Invitational. The Cougars scored 790.16 points to edge rival Rochester Adams by two-hundredths of a point. Adams was second and Stoney Creek third – behind champion Rochester High – at last season’s Division 1 Final.
A dancer growing up, DeGraw began cheer in sixth grade and also made the all-state second team as a junior when Stoney Creek finished Division 1 runner-up. Stoney Creek will compete in the same District as Adams and Rochester on Feb. 16 as the Cougars begin their pursuit of a first Finals championship since 2019. DeGraw will next attend University of Michigan, and study biochemistry.
@mhsaasports 📣POW: Abbey DeGraw #competitive #cheer #stoneycreek #letsgo #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 📣POW: Abbey DeGraw #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #chickfila #criminalminds #taylorswift #airheadextreme #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
Past 2023-24 Honorees
Jan. 25: Ewan Todd, Riverview swimming - Report
Jan. 18: Ashley Weller, Jackson Northwest basketball - Report
Jan. 11: Michael Baldwin, Saginaw Arthur Hill wrestling - Report
Dec. 15: Jena Fijolek, Fenton bowling - Report
Dec. 8: Sophia Wagner, Escanaba gymnastics - Report
Dec. 1: Isaiah Marshall, Southfield Arts & Technology football - Report
Nov. 24: Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate volleyball - Report
Nov. 17: Kalieb Osborne, Waterford Mott football - Report
Nov. 10: Tekalegn Vlasma, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Colton Kinnie, Birmingham Seaholm football - Report
Oct. 27: Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20: Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13: Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5: Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29: MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22: Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15: Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8: Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
(Photos courtesy of Abbey DeGraw.)