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CHEBOYGAN — I enjoy coming up with these lists.
Recently, I went over the best male and female athletes I’ve covered since working at the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
Then, I figured, why not do another topic.
BEST MALE ATHLETES: The best male athletes I've covered in the Cheboygan area | Greenleaf
BEST FEMALE ATHLETES: The best female athletes I've covered in Cheboygan area | Greenleaf
From when I returned to the Daily Tribune in 2020 to the present, I’ve been fortunate enough to cover some excellent high school sports programs.
When it comes to the elite of the elite, these teams are it.
So, here’s a look at the most successful programs since March 2020.
Main accolades since 2020: Girls; Three MHSAA Division 3 regional championships (2021, 2022, 2024), One MHSAA Division 3 state runner-up (2022), Six Northern Michigan Bowling Conference titles (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026); Boys; Six Northern Michigan Bowling Conference championships (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026)
Notable players: Boys; Cole Swanberg, Tommy Jones, Dawson Campbell, Lawrence Duffiney, Luke Marsh, Jacob Pluszczynski; Girls; Morgan Jones, Izzy Portman, Izzy Taylor, Alicia Vieau, Lily McKervey, Jenna Knaffle, Zoey Bur
Thoughts: Both programs have been exceptional during coach Brian Taylor’s tenure, as the Cheboygan girls nearly won a state title in 2022, while the boys featured the stellar Cole Swanberg, who won a singles state title in 2020 and regional crowns in 2020 and 2022. These programs were also spearheaded by brother and sister Tommy Jones and Morgan Jones, who won singles regional titles.
Main accolades since 2020: Three MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 regional championships (2020, 2023, 2024); Five Ski Valley 8-Player Conference championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025); One MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 state runner-up (2023); Two MHSAA state semifinal appearances (2023, 2024)
Notable Players: Mason Blumke, Aidan Fenstermaker, Jake Willey, Andre Bradford, Avery Enos, Wyatt Hanel, Grant Blumke, Sam Mayer, DJ Buhr, Mitch Crawford, Beau Vizina
Thoughts: Since 2020, Travis Meyer’s Inland Lakes Bulldogs have been one of the most decorated programs in the area, consistently winning at a high rate. If it had not been for an improbable late-game comeback by Martin at the Superior Dome in 2023, the Bulldogs would be on this list with a state title in hand. Either way, Inland Lakes football has shined since the start of this decade.
Main accolades since 2020: Five MHSAA district championships (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); Two MHSAA Division 4 regional championships (2021, 2022); One MHSAA Division 4 state runner-up (2021); Two Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023)
Notable Players: Natalie Wandrie, Ryann Clancy, Alyssa Byrne, Olivia Monthei, Brooklyn LaBrecque, Hannah Robinson, Chloe Robinson, Jenna Stubbs, Addison Byrne
Thoughts: Since Nicole Moore’s arrival in the program in 2020, the Bulldogs captured district titles in each of her first five seasons, while also earning a pair of regional crowns, and finishing runner-up in the 2021 MHSAA Division 4 state final. Year by year, Moore’s Bulldogs consistently won and produced all-state players like Natalie Wandrie and Ryann Clancy. Moore stepped down following the 2025 campaign.
Main accolades since 2020: One MHSAA Division 4 regional championship (2025-26); Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26); One Ski Valley Conference championship (2023-24)
Notable players: Chloe Robinson, Mary Myshock, Ava Belford, Addison Byrne, Natalie Wandrie, Brooklyn LaBrecque
Thoughts: Before Daryl Vizina’s arrival in 2020, the Bulldogs were a struggling program. By the end of it, the I-L coach and his many stars throughout the years turned the program into a winning machine, culminating with the program’s first-ever regional title in the 2025-26 campaign.
Main accolades since 2020: Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); Three Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023, 2024)
Notable players: Connor Wallace, Aidan Fenstermaker, Mason Blumke, Grant Blumke, Jake Willey, Ty Kolly, Cash DePauw, Andre Bradford
Thoughts: When you go unbeaten in your conference like Josh Vieau’s Bulldogs did during multiple seasons, that’s pretty darn impressive, especially when Gaylord St. Mary is also a part of that league. Vieau’s I-L teams have won consistently and produced multiple all-staters like Connor Wallace, Aidan Fenstermaker and Ty Kolly.
Main accolades since 2020: Three MHSAA Division 4 regional championships (2023, 2024, 2026); Three Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023, 2026); One MHSAA Division 4 state runner-up (2023)
Notable athletes: Natalie Wandrie, Larissa Huffman, Chloe Robinson, Kaylee Taglauer, Mary Myshock, Christy Shank, Hannah Robinson, Luci Bunker
Thoughts: In 2023, coach Sarah Furman’s Bulldogs were a super team, led by Natalie Wandrie, who won D4 state titles in the discus and shot put, as well as Larissa Huffman, an 11-time all-state performer. Over the last decade and change, Inland Lakes girls track has embodied the unselfish, team-first mindset, and it’s resulted in several trophies.
Main accolades since 2020: One MHSAA Division 4 regional championship (2022-23); One MHSAA Division 4 district championship (2022-23); Five Northern Lakes Conference championships (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)
Notable Players: Madison Smith, Larissa Huffman, Marlie Postula, Gracie Beauchamp, Jersey Beauchamp, Julia Sullivan, Raeann Hingston
Thoughts: Perhaps the most impressive stretch on this list came from this Mackinaw City program. While none of those Comet teams were deep by any stretch, they found a way to make it work behind elite teamwork and exciting play. Their golden moment was a thrilling regional title victory over Inland Lakes in 2023.
Main accolades since 2020: Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24); Two Ski Valley Conference championships (2021-22, 2022-23)
Notable Players: Jager Mix, Jadin Mix, Austin Veal, Bridger Peel, Mason Beebe
Thoughts: Eddy Szymoniak’s Cardinals were as thrilling and successful as anybody on this list, ending a 63-year Ski Valley title drought by winning the conference outright in 2022, and earning a share of the crown the following season. Fueled by stars like Jager and Jadin Mix, Austin Veal and Mason Beebe, the Cardinals won four straight district titles.
Cheboygan Softball (Coach Mike LaLonde), Cheboygan Volleyball (Kris Jewell and Darcie Mlynarchek), Inland Lakes Softball (Coach Krissi Thompson), Onaway Volleyball (Coach Steve Watson)
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: Which Cheboygan-area sports programs have been the best since 2020?
Continue reading...
Recently, I went over the best male and female athletes I’ve covered since working at the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
Then, I figured, why not do another topic.
BEST MALE ATHLETES: The best male athletes I've covered in the Cheboygan area | Greenleaf
BEST FEMALE ATHLETES: The best female athletes I've covered in Cheboygan area | Greenleaf
From when I returned to the Daily Tribune in 2020 to the present, I’ve been fortunate enough to cover some excellent high school sports programs.
When it comes to the elite of the elite, these teams are it.
So, here’s a look at the most successful programs since March 2020.
Cheboygan Bowling (Coach Brian Taylor)
Main accolades since 2020: Girls; Three MHSAA Division 3 regional championships (2021, 2022, 2024), One MHSAA Division 3 state runner-up (2022), Six Northern Michigan Bowling Conference titles (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026); Boys; Six Northern Michigan Bowling Conference championships (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026)
Notable players: Boys; Cole Swanberg, Tommy Jones, Dawson Campbell, Lawrence Duffiney, Luke Marsh, Jacob Pluszczynski; Girls; Morgan Jones, Izzy Portman, Izzy Taylor, Alicia Vieau, Lily McKervey, Jenna Knaffle, Zoey Bur
Thoughts: Both programs have been exceptional during coach Brian Taylor’s tenure, as the Cheboygan girls nearly won a state title in 2022, while the boys featured the stellar Cole Swanberg, who won a singles state title in 2020 and regional crowns in 2020 and 2022. These programs were also spearheaded by brother and sister Tommy Jones and Morgan Jones, who won singles regional titles.
Inland Lakes Football (Coach Travis Meyer)
Main accolades since 2020: Three MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 regional championships (2020, 2023, 2024); Five Ski Valley 8-Player Conference championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025); One MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 state runner-up (2023); Two MHSAA state semifinal appearances (2023, 2024)
Notable Players: Mason Blumke, Aidan Fenstermaker, Jake Willey, Andre Bradford, Avery Enos, Wyatt Hanel, Grant Blumke, Sam Mayer, DJ Buhr, Mitch Crawford, Beau Vizina
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Thoughts: Since 2020, Travis Meyer’s Inland Lakes Bulldogs have been one of the most decorated programs in the area, consistently winning at a high rate. If it had not been for an improbable late-game comeback by Martin at the Superior Dome in 2023, the Bulldogs would be on this list with a state title in hand. Either way, Inland Lakes football has shined since the start of this decade.
Inland Lakes Volleyball (Coach Nicole Moore)
Main accolades since 2020: Five MHSAA district championships (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); Two MHSAA Division 4 regional championships (2021, 2022); One MHSAA Division 4 state runner-up (2021); Two Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023)
Notable Players: Natalie Wandrie, Ryann Clancy, Alyssa Byrne, Olivia Monthei, Brooklyn LaBrecque, Hannah Robinson, Chloe Robinson, Jenna Stubbs, Addison Byrne
Thoughts: Since Nicole Moore’s arrival in the program in 2020, the Bulldogs captured district titles in each of her first five seasons, while also earning a pair of regional crowns, and finishing runner-up in the 2021 MHSAA Division 4 state final. Year by year, Moore’s Bulldogs consistently won and produced all-state players like Natalie Wandrie and Ryann Clancy. Moore stepped down following the 2025 campaign.
Inland Lakes Girls Basketball (Coach Daryl Vizina)
Main accolades since 2020: One MHSAA Division 4 regional championship (2025-26); Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26); One Ski Valley Conference championship (2023-24)
Notable players: Chloe Robinson, Mary Myshock, Ava Belford, Addison Byrne, Natalie Wandrie, Brooklyn LaBrecque
Thoughts: Before Daryl Vizina’s arrival in 2020, the Bulldogs were a struggling program. By the end of it, the I-L coach and his many stars throughout the years turned the program into a winning machine, culminating with the program’s first-ever regional title in the 2025-26 campaign.
Inland Lakes Baseball (Coach Josh Vieau)
Main accolades since 2020: Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); Three Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023, 2024)
Notable players: Connor Wallace, Aidan Fenstermaker, Mason Blumke, Grant Blumke, Jake Willey, Ty Kolly, Cash DePauw, Andre Bradford
Thoughts: When you go unbeaten in your conference like Josh Vieau’s Bulldogs did during multiple seasons, that’s pretty darn impressive, especially when Gaylord St. Mary is also a part of that league. Vieau’s I-L teams have won consistently and produced multiple all-staters like Connor Wallace, Aidan Fenstermaker and Ty Kolly.
Inland Lakes Girls Track and Field (Coach Sarah Furman)
Main accolades since 2020: Three MHSAA Division 4 regional championships (2023, 2024, 2026); Three Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023, 2026); One MHSAA Division 4 state runner-up (2023)
Notable athletes: Natalie Wandrie, Larissa Huffman, Chloe Robinson, Kaylee Taglauer, Mary Myshock, Christy Shank, Hannah Robinson, Luci Bunker
Thoughts: In 2023, coach Sarah Furman’s Bulldogs were a super team, led by Natalie Wandrie, who won D4 state titles in the discus and shot put, as well as Larissa Huffman, an 11-time all-state performer. Over the last decade and change, Inland Lakes girls track has embodied the unselfish, team-first mindset, and it’s resulted in several trophies.
Mackinaw City Girls Basketball (Coach Jake Huffman)
Main accolades since 2020: One MHSAA Division 4 regional championship (2022-23); One MHSAA Division 4 district championship (2022-23); Five Northern Lakes Conference championships (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)
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Notable Players: Madison Smith, Larissa Huffman, Marlie Postula, Gracie Beauchamp, Jersey Beauchamp, Julia Sullivan, Raeann Hingston
Thoughts: Perhaps the most impressive stretch on this list came from this Mackinaw City program. While none of those Comet teams were deep by any stretch, they found a way to make it work behind elite teamwork and exciting play. Their golden moment was a thrilling regional title victory over Inland Lakes in 2023.
Onaway Boys Basketball (Coach Eddy Szymoniak)
Main accolades since 2020: Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24); Two Ski Valley Conference championships (2021-22, 2022-23)
Notable Players: Jager Mix, Jadin Mix, Austin Veal, Bridger Peel, Mason Beebe
Thoughts: Eddy Szymoniak’s Cardinals were as thrilling and successful as anybody on this list, ending a 63-year Ski Valley title drought by winning the conference outright in 2022, and earning a share of the crown the following season. Fueled by stars like Jager and Jadin Mix, Austin Veal and Mason Beebe, the Cardinals won four straight district titles.
Honorable Mentions
Cheboygan Softball (Coach Mike LaLonde), Cheboygan Volleyball (Kris Jewell and Darcie Mlynarchek), Inland Lakes Softball (Coach Krissi Thompson), Onaway Volleyball (Coach Steve Watson)
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: Which Cheboygan-area sports programs have been the best since 2020?
Continue reading...
