SAC Sound-off: Who do you cheer for most?

May 2, 2012

Our MHSAA Student Advisory Council members all play at least one MHSAA varsity sport, and through their service to the council have learned much more about high school athletics throughout the state.

But when it comes to following sports teams, almost all do their most cheering for those at the college level.

We surveyed our SAC members on what level of sports they pay attention to most. Here’s a look at their answers.

  • Ten of 12 who submitted answers said they follow college sports most. Another SAC member said she follows both college and pro equally.
  • The breakdown of colleges was a little surprising. Three said the University of Michigan, two said Michigan State University, but two more said Ohio State University. We also had one vote for Hillsdale College and another for Baylor University.
  • Two put down the colleges they will compete for next year – University of Miami, Ohio (Grand Blanc’s Bailey Truesdell, in golf) and Notre Dame (New Buffalo’s Lena Madison, in track).
  • Truesdell was specific in his selection – he follows Miami’s hockey team the most. Michigan football and softball also were listed by SAC members.
  • Four professional teams made the radar of SAC favorites. Two follow the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, and a third follows the Miami Heat. The only Detroit teams to get a mention were the MLB Tigers and NFL Lions, one apiece.

Performance of the Week: Fenton's Jena Fijolek

December 15, 2023

Jena FjolekJena Fijolek ♦ Fenton
Senior ♦ Bowling

Fijolek rolled a perfect 300 during last week’s match against Ortonville Brandon – her previous high in a league match was 232 – and that 300 game also contributed to her career-high series of 489. Her team’s win in that match made Fenton 2-0 in Flint Metro League matches to kick off this winter.

The Tigers already had aspirations of reaching the MHSAA Team Finals this season; they finished eighth in their Division 2 Regional last season and sixth in 2022. Fijolek’s personal aspirations also received a boost by her perfect game – she’s seeking to make the Singles Finals for the first time after finishing 16th at her Regional last season, just 31 pins out of advancing to the championship weekend among the top 10. A four-year varsity bowler on the team, Fijolek also came close to making the Finals as a freshman, finishing 18th and just 44 pins outside of qualifying in 2021.

@mhsaasports 🎳POW: Jena Fijolek #bowling #300 #letsgo #fenton #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🎳POW: Jena Fijolek #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #night #redbull #emoji #summeriturnedpretty #spritecranberry #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

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 the Fenton girls bowling program.)