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CHEBOYGAN — Fifteen years and change sure goes by in a flash.
Back in 2010, I was a nervous wreck when I started my new job as the sports editor of the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
U.P.'S GREATEST MALE ATHLETES: Looking at greatest male athletes from Michigan's Upper Peninsula
GREATEST U.P. FEMALE ATHLETES: Looking at greatest female athletes from Michigan's Upper Peninsula
MAYBANK QUALIFIES FOR 2026 U.S. AM: Cheboygan native, OU's PJ Maybank III qualifies for 2026 U.S. Amateur
I really had no idea what I was doing, and I think my editor at the time (Zac Britton) wanted to fire me a few different times (thanks for giving me some time, Zac!).
Since then, however, I’ve had the chance to cover some unbelievable athletes from this area. Being inspired by some of the best athlete lists I’ve seen from colleagues in recent days, I decided to come up with the top athletes I’ve had the chance to follow in the 15-plus years of being your sports editor.
Here’s the look at the 11 best male athletes I’ve covered since starting at the Tribune.
Damon Proctor, Cheboygan — Arguably Cheboygan High School’s greatest-ever pitcher, Proctor helped lead the Chiefs to their first district baseball title in 2013. Following high school, Proctor became an NAIA all-American pitcher at the University of Northwestern Ohio. In his final collegiate campaign, Proctor finished with a 13-0 record and a 1.50 earned run average.
Christopher Hass, Pellston — During his prolific career in the 2010s, Hass — who racked up 2,522 career points — averaged 27.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and five assists in his senior season, which saw him lead the Hornets to a state quarterfinal appearance. Following Pellston, Hass earned all-Patriot League honors at Bucknell University.
Aidan Fenstermaker, Inland Lakes — The most dynamic football player I’ve covered, Fenstermaker earned all-state first team honors in his final two seasons at Inland Lakes. In his senior season at quarterback in 2024, Fenstermaker rushed for 1,612 yards and 24 touchdowns and passed for 944 yards and 20 touchdowns. Fenstermaker earned all-state baseball honors and starred in basketball. After Inland Lakes, Fenstermaker signed for Alma College football.
P.J. Maybank III, Cheboygan — While he technically played just one season with Cheboygan golf, he made it a memorable one by coasting to an MHSAA Division 3 individual state title in 2021. Maybank, who's won numerous tournaments throughout his golf career, signed with the University of Oklahoma, where he’s entering his fourth season.
Luke Munger, Cheboygan — In my opinion, the best Cheboygan High School football player over the last two decades. Munger earned 2024 all-state first team honors with the Chiefs as an offensive and defensive lineman. Munger is currently in his second season at Northwood University (Midland).
Stan Swiderek, Cheboygan — One of those elite three-way stars you’ll never forget, Swiderek was a standout in football, hockey and baseball. While Swiderek did his part in Cheboygan baseball winning a first-ever district title in 2013, I thought his best sport was hockey, as he was an outstanding defenseman who was pivotal in the Chiefs winning the program’s first regional crown in 2012.
Aaron Chatfield, Burt Lake NMCA — Though I only got to watch this superstar soccer player a couple of times, Chatfield had a sensational career (2009-12) that saw him become the MHSAA’s current record holder for goals in a season (68 in 2012), goals in a career (201), and points in a career (296 — 201 goals, 95 assists).
BEST INTERVIEWS: These Cheboygan-area athletes were my favorite to interview in 2025-26
BOYS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: Cheboygan basketball is Daily Tribune's boys sports team of the year
GIRLS SPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR: Inland Lakes basketball is 2025-26 area girls sports team of the year
Connor Wallace, Inland Lakes — An elite left-handed flamethrower, Wallace picked up all-state baseball honors in three of his four varsity seasons with the Bulldogs, including a senior campaign that saw him finish 13-2 with a 0.479 ERA, 144 strikeouts and just 26 hits allowed. Another three-sporter, Wallace also secured all-conference in cross country and basketball. Wallace later signed with Grand Rapids Community College baseball.
Lars Huffman, Mackinaw City — One of the best all-around athletes I’ve had the opportunity to watch, Huffman starred in cross country, basketball, baseball and track and field. Huffman, who earned all-state accolades in basketball and baseball, currently runs for the St. Norbert College men’s cross country and track and field squads.
Jager Mix, Onaway — One of those can’t-miss athletes, Mix was superb in football, basketball and track and field. During an impressive basketball career, Mix earned all-state honors and lifted the Cardinals to a state quarterfinal appearance in 2022. In addition to football, Mix was also a country runner in the fall. He eventually signed with Alpena Community College men’s basketball following Onaway.
Blake Cassidy, Pellston — Another Pellston basketball great, this smooth-shooting guard collected all-state accolades in his junior and senior seasons, with the latter being a 2019-20 senior campaign where he averaged 29.7, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. The eventual Lake Superior State University signee inspired the Hornets to a state quarterfinal appearance during his junior season in 2019.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: The best male athletes I've covered in the Cheboygan area | Greenleaf
Continue reading...
Back in 2010, I was a nervous wreck when I started my new job as the sports editor of the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
U.P.'S GREATEST MALE ATHLETES: Looking at greatest male athletes from Michigan's Upper Peninsula
GREATEST U.P. FEMALE ATHLETES: Looking at greatest female athletes from Michigan's Upper Peninsula
MAYBANK QUALIFIES FOR 2026 U.S. AM: Cheboygan native, OU's PJ Maybank III qualifies for 2026 U.S. Amateur
I really had no idea what I was doing, and I think my editor at the time (Zac Britton) wanted to fire me a few different times (thanks for giving me some time, Zac!).
Since then, however, I’ve had the chance to cover some unbelievable athletes from this area. Being inspired by some of the best athlete lists I’ve seen from colleagues in recent days, I decided to come up with the top athletes I’ve had the chance to follow in the 15-plus years of being your sports editor.
Here’s the look at the 11 best male athletes I’ve covered since starting at the Tribune.
Damon Proctor, Cheboygan — Arguably Cheboygan High School’s greatest-ever pitcher, Proctor helped lead the Chiefs to their first district baseball title in 2013. Following high school, Proctor became an NAIA all-American pitcher at the University of Northwestern Ohio. In his final collegiate campaign, Proctor finished with a 13-0 record and a 1.50 earned run average.
Christopher Hass, Pellston — During his prolific career in the 2010s, Hass — who racked up 2,522 career points — averaged 27.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and five assists in his senior season, which saw him lead the Hornets to a state quarterfinal appearance. Following Pellston, Hass earned all-Patriot League honors at Bucknell University.
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Aidan Fenstermaker, Inland Lakes — The most dynamic football player I’ve covered, Fenstermaker earned all-state first team honors in his final two seasons at Inland Lakes. In his senior season at quarterback in 2024, Fenstermaker rushed for 1,612 yards and 24 touchdowns and passed for 944 yards and 20 touchdowns. Fenstermaker earned all-state baseball honors and starred in basketball. After Inland Lakes, Fenstermaker signed for Alma College football.
P.J. Maybank III, Cheboygan — While he technically played just one season with Cheboygan golf, he made it a memorable one by coasting to an MHSAA Division 3 individual state title in 2021. Maybank, who's won numerous tournaments throughout his golf career, signed with the University of Oklahoma, where he’s entering his fourth season.
Luke Munger, Cheboygan — In my opinion, the best Cheboygan High School football player over the last two decades. Munger earned 2024 all-state first team honors with the Chiefs as an offensive and defensive lineman. Munger is currently in his second season at Northwood University (Midland).
Stan Swiderek, Cheboygan — One of those elite three-way stars you’ll never forget, Swiderek was a standout in football, hockey and baseball. While Swiderek did his part in Cheboygan baseball winning a first-ever district title in 2013, I thought his best sport was hockey, as he was an outstanding defenseman who was pivotal in the Chiefs winning the program’s first regional crown in 2012.
Aaron Chatfield, Burt Lake NMCA — Though I only got to watch this superstar soccer player a couple of times, Chatfield had a sensational career (2009-12) that saw him become the MHSAA’s current record holder for goals in a season (68 in 2012), goals in a career (201), and points in a career (296 — 201 goals, 95 assists).
BEST INTERVIEWS: These Cheboygan-area athletes were my favorite to interview in 2025-26
BOYS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: Cheboygan basketball is Daily Tribune's boys sports team of the year
GIRLS SPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR: Inland Lakes basketball is 2025-26 area girls sports team of the year
Connor Wallace, Inland Lakes — An elite left-handed flamethrower, Wallace picked up all-state baseball honors in three of his four varsity seasons with the Bulldogs, including a senior campaign that saw him finish 13-2 with a 0.479 ERA, 144 strikeouts and just 26 hits allowed. Another three-sporter, Wallace also secured all-conference in cross country and basketball. Wallace later signed with Grand Rapids Community College baseball.
You must be registered for see images attach
Lars Huffman, Mackinaw City — One of the best all-around athletes I’ve had the opportunity to watch, Huffman starred in cross country, basketball, baseball and track and field. Huffman, who earned all-state accolades in basketball and baseball, currently runs for the St. Norbert College men’s cross country and track and field squads.
Jager Mix, Onaway — One of those can’t-miss athletes, Mix was superb in football, basketball and track and field. During an impressive basketball career, Mix earned all-state honors and lifted the Cardinals to a state quarterfinal appearance in 2022. In addition to football, Mix was also a country runner in the fall. He eventually signed with Alpena Community College men’s basketball following Onaway.
Blake Cassidy, Pellston — Another Pellston basketball great, this smooth-shooting guard collected all-state accolades in his junior and senior seasons, with the latter being a 2019-20 senior campaign where he averaged 29.7, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. The eventual Lake Superior State University signee inspired the Hornets to a state quarterfinal appearance during his junior season in 2019.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: The best male athletes I've covered in the Cheboygan area | Greenleaf
Continue reading...
