SAC Sound-off: Why do we lead?
March 14, 2012
We asked the members of the Student Advisory Council why they lead, and what college or pro athletes are strong leaders in their eyes. Here are their answers:
Tyler Wilson, Rudyard senior
I lead because I feel like I can get my teammates going. I think by having a positive, motivational presence on and off the field/court I give my team the best chance to win. I also like being looked up to by my teammates.
From the NBA
Maria Buczkowski, Detroit Country Day senior
Shane Battier. I lead because i really care about what others have to say, and i want to properly voice their opinions as well as mine.
Lena Madison, New Buffalo senior
I lead because it comes natural to me. If I see a problem or a situation, I understand how to combat the issue and get others involved in the problem-solving along the way. Luol Dang of the Chicago Bulls is a strong leader to me. He leads by example and doesn't let others in his head by always staying focused and playing hard.
Olympic medalists
Carly Joseph, Pontiac Notre Dame junior
I lead because I want to make a positive impact on my teams so that we can work together and reach our highest potential. A pro athlete who is a strong leader in my opinion is snowboarder Torah Bright. She is always smiling and keeps a positive attitude, cares about progressing the sport, and is an inspiration to younger snowboarders everywhere.
Alissa Jones, Muskegon Catholic Central senior
I am a leader because I want to keep my team positive and confident during the sport and not bring others down. In my eyes the Olympic swimmer Dara Torres is a strong leader because even though she is the oldest Olympic swimmer, she has shown the world to always be positive and to never give up on your dreams.
NFL past and future
Elle Lehman, Portland St. Patrick senior
I lead because I like to help other succeed as well as myself. I like having a goal and being focused on it until it is achieved. A strong leader in my eyes would be Kirk Cousins because he focuses on his game, while helping others better their play as well. He has strong faith in God, and he seems very humble for achieving as much as he has.
Matt Freeman, Owosso junior
Barry Sanders. I lead because I have a passion, and I express that passion within my leadership.
The Colorado Cannon
Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc senior
I lead to help bring the best out of people and let them reach their full potential. An athlete who is a strong leader that I look up to is Tim Tebow, especially when he was at the University of Florida.
Kevin Beazley, Detroit Catholic Central senior
I lead because it is embedded in my character. I lead because I personally do not want anyone to outwork me in anything I do, and others like to follow my example. Tim Tebow is the best leader in my eyes. The college game he wore John 3:16 on his eye black over 100,000 people looked up that verse that night. Best leader I know today.
Evan Lamb, Rogers City junior
I lead because I feel that it's something I need to do, and I don't like being a follower. A strong leader in my eyes is Tim Tebow in his days at Florida.
Performance of the Week: St. Johns' Isabel Thelen
May 23, 2024
Isabel Thelen ♦ St. Johns
Senior ♦ Tennis
Playing as part of St. Johns’ singles lineup for the fourth season – and at No. 1 singles for the second straight – Thelen will bring a 22-1 record into next weekend’s Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals at Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University. Thelen won her Regional last week, giving up only five games total in sweeping all three matches that day while also helping the Redwings finish runner-up to advance to the Finals as a team.
All of Thelen’s wins this spring have come in two sets, and her only loss was to Battle Creek Lakeview’s Maddy Simonds, who will be playing in the Division 2 Finals next weekend. Thelen also claimed the No. 1 singles championship at the Capital Area Activities Conference Red Tournament on Tuesday, winning both matches 6-0, 6-0. She’s a combined 91-10 during her high school career, and she also capped her basketball career this winter earning all-area and all-league honors. She will study next at Lansing Community College, possibly health sciences.
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Isabel Thelen #tennis #stjohns #letsgo #champion #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Isabel Thelen #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #culvers #cat #airheadextreme #night #sand #beach #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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Past 2023-24 Honorees
May 16: Ally Katinas, Novi lacrosse - Report
May 9: Peter Roehl, Rochester Adams golf - Report
May 2: Lilah Smith, Richland Gull Lake soccer - Report
April 25: Mason Mayne, Lawton track & field - Report
April 18: Alli Wright, Jenison softball - Report
April 11: Chloe Wishart, Trenton soccer - Report
March 28: Jenna Maki, Ishpeming basketball - Report
March 22: Jaremiah Palmer, Niles Brandywine basketball - Report
March 15: Leah Hodge, North Farmington gymnastics - Report
March 8: Darius Marines, Detroit Catholic Central wrestling - Report
March 1: Rylee Smith, Zeeland West bowling - Report
Feb. 22: Caleb Lewandowski, Traverse City West skiing - Report
Feb. 15: Jadin Mix, Onaway basketball - Report
Feb. 8: Onalee Wallis, Cadillac skiing - Report
Feb. 1: Abbey DeGraw, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek competitive cheer - Report
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
(Action photo by Alex Parsons; headshot by Iryshe Photography.)