Four Midland College sports teams earn national awards in academics
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Winners to be named at Midland Roundtable Athlete of the Year banquet
The Athlete of the Year has been presented since 1989 with two awards given. The banquet is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Those eligible to be finalists are graduating senior student-athletes from the Class of 2025 who attend Billings Central, Billings Senior and Billings Skyview. The winners will be announced at a banquet on Monday night at the hotel and convention center. The winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship to Montana State University or Montana Tech. The runner-up will receive $1,000 to go to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. The third-place winner will get a $1.5,000 Scholarship to attend Montana Tech or Montana State. The fourth-placed winner will be a $500 scholarship to a U.S. college or high school. The fifth-place finisher will receive an $800 scholarship to U.N. University of California, San Diego. The sixth-place player will get an $850 scholarship to college.
The Athlete of the Year has been presented since 1989 with two awards given – one each for the top boy and girl. Those eligible to be finalists are graduating senior student-athletes from the Class of 2025 who attend Billings Central, Billings Senior, Billings Skyview, Billings West and Lockwood.
Jordan is the first Lockwood girl to be nominated.
The banquet, sponsored by AMP, is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.
(NOTE: The following athlete information on the finalists for the awards was provided by the Midland Roundtable.)
Boys
Malachi Claunch, Billings West
Football: Earned all-state honors his junior and senior seasons. Helped the Bears to four consecutive playoff appearances where he also earned four varsity football letters. No. 4 Billings West jersey recipient and selected to the 2025 Shrine Game.
Track: Earned three varsity letters and all-conference during his junior year.
College plans: Football at Montana State University
Jack DeBourg, Billings Central
Football: Team captain, MVP and offensive MVP who helped the Rams win the 2025 Class A state title. All-state linebacker during his junior and senior seasons. Earned four varsity letters and was first-team Academic all-state three years. Selected to the 2025 Shrine Game.
Track: Earned two varsity letters.
College: Football at Montana Tech
Ryan Dierenfield, Billings Skyview
Track: 2024 AA boys state champion at 100 and 200 meters. Earned three varsity letters and two all-state honors. Ran the third fastest indoor 60 meters nationally and placed third at 2025 indoor nationals to earn high school All-American honors.
College: Track and field at the University of Tennessee
Zach Morse, Billings West
Wrestling: Four-time state champion at 103, 113, 120 and 118 pounds to become the 42nd Montana state four-time champion. He had a career record of 146-10 while earning four all-state honors, four varsity letters and helped the Golden Bears to three-straight AA boys state championships. Fifth-place at NHSCA High School Nationals and recipient of the All-American Dave Schuhz National Wrestling Hall of Fame Excellence Award.
College: Wrestling at Northern State University
Ryder Murdock, Billings Senior
Football: Three varsity letters. In 2024, first-team all-state and all-conference at safety and at quarterback, honorable mention all-state and second team all-conference. All-state and all-conference his junior season at safety. Earned four academic all-state honors. Selected to the 2025 Shrine Game.
Basketball: Two varsity letters.
Baseball: One varsity letter and four years of Legion baseball.
College: Football at Montana Tech
Girls
Grace Curnow, Billings West
Soccer: Four varsity letters and academic all-state honors. Defensive MVP during her junior and senior seasons and team captain. All-state defensive honors and helped the Golden Bears to the 2021 AA girls soccer state title.
Basketball: Two varsity letters and academic all-state.
Track: One varsity letter and all-state in 2024.
College: Soccer at Rocky Mountain College
Dani Jordan, Lockwood
Volleyball: Four varsity letters. Earned two first team all-state and four years all-conference honors. Recorded over 1,000 kills and 1,000 career digs.
Basketball: Four varsity letters, twice named first team all-state and three times all-conference. Over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in career. Class A leading scorer during junior season and third-best during her senior season. Selected for Montana-Wyoming All-Star and Treasure State Classic games. Invited to the Montana Elite Invitational tournament.
Track: Four varsity letters, earned three all-conference honors.
Flag Football: One varsity letter.
Cross Country: One varsity letter.
College: Volleyball and basketball at Williston State College.
Leela Ormsby, Billings Senior
Volleyball: Four varsity letters and three-time first-team all-state and all-conference honoree. Helped the Broncs to the 2022 AA state title and two state semifinalist finishes. Holds records for career blocks and blocks/match and one of three players to be invited to USA Volleyball National Team Development Program.
Track: Four varsity letters and three-time state qualifier in 400 and 4×400 relay. Outstanding freshman of the year winner in 2022.
College: Volleyball at Michigan State
Rae Smart, Billings Skyview
Soccer: Four varsity letters with three all-state and first team all-conference honors. Earned varsity Rookie of the Year, Varsity MVP and Varsity Offensive MVP awards during career.
Basketball: Three varsity letters and helped the Falcons go undefeated while winning the 2024 AA girls basketball championship. Owns Skyview single-game assist record. All-state tournament team selection and named first-team all-conference twice. Named Eastern AA Co-Most Offensive Player of the Year.
Track: Four varsity letters and 2024 state shot put champion. Runner-up in discus and third in javelin as well her junior season. School record holder in both shot put and discus.
College: Basketball and track and field at Montana State Billings
Rebecca Washington, Billings Senior
Golf: 2024 AA girls golf state champion. Four varsity letters and earned four first-team all-state honors. Placed top five at state three times. Helped the Broncs to two AA girls state championships and a runner-up finish.
College: Golf at Colorado Mesa University
Midland University FBLA-C Students Bring Home Numerous Awards at State Leadership Conference
Midland University’s FBLA Collegiate squad picked up 22 awards, including five first-place showings. Aiden Walswick was elected as the State Officer Vice President of Finance at Midland University. The team was also recognized with the Excellence Award while Amy Dosch was named as a Who’s Who FBLa-C recipient. Next up for Midland is the National Leadership Conference, May 30-June 2 in Dallas, Texas. For more information on FBL a-C, visit www.fbla-c.org or go to www.midland.edu.
The team was also recognized with the Excellence Award while Amy Dosch was named as a Who’s Who FBLA-C recipient. Aiden Walswick was elected as the State Officer Vice President of Finance.
“Our students did extremely well in the competition,” said Rita Bristol, Midland FBLA-C advisor. “We are also excited to have many of these students qualify for the National Leadership Conference next month.”
Dylan Amick was a part of two first-place showings for Midland, teaming with Dosch to place first in State of the Chapter Report and with Ethan Smith in the Community Service Report. Lilly Rowe won the Accounting Case Category, Jasper Mpoful placed first in Entrepreneurship Pitch, and the team of Brodie Arnold, Matthew Canales, and Sydney Guthard won the Hospitality Management Case.
Walswick took second in Computer Applications, fourth in Impromptu Speaking, and fifth in Cybersecurity. Pampa Raffin was fourth in Organizational Behavior & Leadership and fifth in both Computer Applications and International Business.
Brodie Arnold finished fourth in Job Interview and teamed with Max Duckwiler to place fifth in Marketing, Sales & Communication. Emma Hodnet also took fifth in Foundations of Technology.
Other Midland students to earn top finishes were Lucas Hjortkjaer (seventh in Cybersecurity, eighth in Computer Applications), Martin Sener (seventh in Computer Science, ninth in Technology), Lucas Rivadeneira (ninth in Sports Management), Ryan Hanson (10th in Economics), and Tichatonga Makaya (10th in Foundations of Accounting). Makaya and Mpofu also teamed up to finish sixth in Emerging Business Issues.
Bristol was recognized as the FBLA-C Advisor of the Year.
“Rita has dedicated thousands and thousands of hours to help students create opportunities within FBLA-Collegiate,” said Nick Schreck, Dean for the Dunklau School of Business. “She is quick to pass the praise to the students or to the faculty that teach the students in other business courses, but her servant leadership has positively impacted countless FBLA-Collegiate students over the years. She has coached, encouraged, and advocated for students and it’s wonderful to see those be recognized through this award.”
Next up for Midland is the National Leadership Conference, May 30-June 2 in Dallas, Texas. Bristol said 10 Midland students have already qualified for nationals, and there is a strong possibility that more students will earn qualification as well.
Dow’s Keptner earns multiple awards with Trine lax
Keptner, a fifth-year senior, was named First Team All-MIAA after leading the Thunder in goals (45), points (58), and draw controls (73) For her career, she finished with 120 goals, 220 draw controls, and 140 ground balls. Keptner also earned a spot on the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association’s Honor Roll.
Dow High graduate Alyssa Keptner concluded a notable athletic and academic career at Trine University recently, earning a number of accolades both on the lacrosse field and in the classroom.
Keptner, a fifth-year senior, was named First Team All-MIAA after leading the Thunder in goals (45), points (58), and draw controls (73). For her career, she finished with 120 goals, 220 draw controls, and 140 ground balls.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Among Keptner’s season highlights were a four-goal game in a 9-8 win over Calvin University in Trine’s regular-season finale and a career-best five-goal game in a 16-15 win over Ohio Northern. As a team, the Thunder finished the regular season at 10-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAA.
Meanwhile, Keptner also earned a spot on the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association’s Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and hold a career grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.
Keptner, who majored in chemical engineering and minored in chemistry, also was given Trine’s Distinguished Student Award from the Allen School of Engineering and Computing, which is presented to the top student across all engineering disciplines.
Meet the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete award winners for Class B
The Michigan High School Athletic Association announced the nine Class B recipients of its annual MHSAA-Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete awards for the 2024-25 school year. Each Class B scholar-athlete will receive $2,000 scholarships as part of the honor. In total, 32 student-athletes will be selected, and the honorees will be recognized on March 15 during the boys basketball state finals at Michigan State’s Breslin Center. More than 1,500 applications were submitted from 431 different schools across the state this year. To be considered for the award, students needed a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) while also earning a varsity letter in at least one sport. They also had to response to several short essay questions and write a 500-word essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics. The Class C and D recipients were announced last week and the Class A winners will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Each Class B scholar-athlete will receive $2,000 scholarships as part of the honor.
Class B boys honorees: Oliver Costello, Haslett; Ryan Goodrich, Whitehall; Brayden Bryan Lape, Grass Lake; and Alan Mrva, Corunna.
Class B girls honorees: Madelynn Kreider, Kingsford; Hannah Lee, Ann Arbor Greenhills; Grace McDowell, Whitehall; Addison Seemann, Freeland; and Eleana Zhuang, Ann Arbor Greenhills.
The MHSAA announced the Class C and D recipients last week and will announce the Class A winners on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
In total, 32 student-athletes will be selected, and the honorees will be recognized on March 15 during the boys basketball state finals at Michigan State’s Breslin Center.
Meet the 120 finalists for the 2024-25 MHSAA Scholar-Athlete awards
More than 950 scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception during the 1989-90 school year.
To be considered for the award, students needed a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) while also earning a varsity letter in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament.
They also had to response to several short essay questions and write a 500-word essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
More than 1,500 applications were submitted from 431 different schools across the state this year.
A 65-member committee of school coaches, counselors, faculty members, administrators and board members from MHSAA member schools judges the applicants.
Below is information provided by the MHSAA on each Class B scholar-athlete winner:
—
HONOREES
Madelynn Kreider, Kingsford
Played four years of varsity volleyball and will compete in her third of track & field this spring; also played varsity basketball and softball as a freshman. Earned all-state honors her final two seasons of volleyball including making the Division 2 first team this past fall, and served as team captain her final two years. Ran on two Finals-placing track relays and also served as captain for that team. Ranked first in her graduating class academically and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Serving fourth year on student council and as vice president. Also participating in second years of Key Club and as student ambassador for her school, and serving as the social media coordinator in her fourth year with Fellowship for Christian Athletes. Will attend Michigan Technological University and study kinesiology and exercise science.
Essay Quote: “(Sportsmanship) challenges us to choose integrity, even when the stakes are high, and to see every opportunity as a gift from God. Volleyball may have taught me how to hit and set, but sportsmanship taught me how to handle life’s victories and defeats with love and grace. That, above all, is what I will carry with me forever.”
—
Hannah Lee, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Played four seasons of varsity golf, helping team to MHSAA Finals all four years and posting top-13 individual finishes at last two championship tournaments. Earned all-state and academic all-state recognition. Participating in fourth year of forensics and also fourth year coaching middle school team; reached state finals as competitor in multiple events. Participating in third year as part of University of Michigan Youth Chamber Singers and also played two years as part of Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles. Participating in fourth year of Greenhills Gryphon Sports Live broadcasting club and as president, and participating in fourth year of United Congressional Award Club and as board member. Earned school’s notable research award for work with University of Michigan’s Obstetrics & Gynecology department. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study biology and psychology with potentially a minor in business.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship in golf is about more than making the right call or showing respect in the moment; it’s about creating a lasting impact on the game, players, and community. It fosters an environment of mutual respect, where competitors aim to elevate each other rather than just defeat one another. Golf teaches that sportsmanship is a mindset, lasting far beyond the final putt.”
—
Grace McDowell, Whitehall
Played four seasons of varsity golf, is playing her second of varsity basketball and will play her fourth of varsity tennis this spring. Reached MHSAA Finals all four seasons in golf and as a freshman in tennis, and served as captain of both teams. Earned all-state recognition in golf, all-league in that sport and tennis and also all-state academic in tennis. Serving fourth year as student council class president and participating for second year on Michigan Department of Education Student Advisory Council. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third as part of West Michigan OsteoScholars. Contributing to youth sports as part of No More Sidelines and First Tee programs and as a youth basketball referee. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to major in pre-medical studies.
Essay Quote: My love for the game and internal drive have enabled me to embrace my competitive spirit. This spirit is paramount to educational athletics; the desire to win can overshadow sportsmanship. Real victories come not from the score but from the character we build as we compete. Being a good sport is showing respect, maintaining humility in victory, and offering support in defeat.”
—
Addison Seemann, Freeland
Played four seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her fourth of varsity basketball, and also has competed in track & field throughout high school. Earned all-region honors in volleyball and basketball and also all-state recognition in the latter, and earned all-state as part of two track relays. Served as captain of volleyball and basketball teams, and earned academic all-state in basketball as well. Served three years as student council class president and this year as executive president. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and fourth on executive council of Be The Change group. Participated in Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute as a junior and was a three-time attendee of Midland Area Youth Impact Partnership. Serving fourth year as youth basketball referee. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study civil engineering.
Essay Quote: “From a young age, if players feel supported while making mistakes and taking risks, they grow not only as athletes, but as people too. By instilling values of teamwork, compassion, and respect at young ages, these traits are carried on with athletes throughout their lives. A positive environment in sports contributes to a lifelong love for personal development and healthy competition.”
—
Eleana Zhuang, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Played two years of varsity volleyball, playing second of varsity basketball and will compete in third of varsity track & field this spring. Qualified for MHSAA Finals as part of track relay as a junior and helped that team to multiple league championships. Served as basketball captain and will serve as track captain this upcoming season. Earned all-academic in volleyball. Named AP Scholar with Honor. Serving as senior class secretary and treasurer and East Asian Pacific American Community leader. Participating in third year with Student Service Leaders group and earned National Community Service Ambassador Awards the last two years. Serving second year on Canton Public Library’s Teen Leadership Council. Earned multiple art awards including silver key in Southeast Michigan & Thumb Scholastic Art Awards competition. Will attend University of Michigan and study movement science in school of kinesiology.
Essay Quote: “Our passion for sports drives us, but our compassion for each other makes educational athletics an unforgettable environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported. … As athletes, we’re constantly faced with the choice between passion and compassion. In terms of sportsmanship, compassion always comes first. When we lead with compassion, we grow into individuals who uplift those around us, a lesson essential beyond sports. That’s what makes athletics unforgettable.”
—
Oliver Costello, Haslett
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, is competing in fourth on swimming & diving team and intends to play varsity lacrosse this spring; also played junior varsity baseball as a freshman. Earned all-conference and all-area recognition in swimming and earned all-conference recognition in tennis in helping that team reach MHSAA Finals all four seasons and win Regional title as a junior. Earned all-academic honors in both sports and served as team captain of both teams. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and has served as chapter president. Participated in marching band and drumline, and choir, throughout high school, earning Division 1 state ratings in both. Founded and served as president of Intro to Business and Engineering Sciences clubs. Served as youth swim and tennis coach. Will attend University of Michigan and study chemical engineering.
Essay Quote: “I realize there will always be others ahead of me to chase. When we both reach the wall, I can take pride in showing the sportsmanship I’ve developed and in being an example for another young swimmer. No matter how close the race, outside of the pool, we all share the same goal: improvement.”
—
Ryan Goodrich, Whitehall
Played four years of varsity football and competed in varsity wrestling and baseball throughout his first three years of high school, but has been unable to wrestle this winter because of an injury and is not expecting to be able to play this spring. Reached MHSAA Finals twice in wrestling and placed once, and earned all-conference and academic all-conference in all three sports. Also earned academic all-state in wrestling and baseball. Served as football and wrestling team captain. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and has served as chapter president, and participating in third year of Business Professionals of America and as president. Made BPA state and national finals. Serving second year as Link Crew leader and participating in third year with school’s Hope Squad chapter and first as part of student board for First Priority group. Will attend University of Pennsylvania to study philosophy, politics and economics.
Essay Quote: “Fixating on wins can make the fall from the top unbearable, and being consumed by the losses turns small victories into meaningless moments. That’s where sportsmanship comes in. While at face value it can be respecting the referee or playing fair, sportsmanship is truly reflected in how we handle both triumph and failure. That, I believe, is the greatest lesson from sports.”
—
Brayden Bryan Lape, Grass Lake
Played four seasons of varsity football, is playing his fourth of varsity basketball and will play his fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-state honors in basketball and football and academic all-state honors in all three sports. Also earned all-conference in all three sports and set several school football records. Served as four-year team captain in all three sports. Participated all four years in National Honor Society and served all four years on student council – and fulfilled these duties while earning national acclaim as a vocalist, recording original music and finishing fifth on NBC’s “The Voice” Season 22. Will attend Northwood University and study accounting.
Essay Quote: “It was during this time (while injured and unable to play) that I truly was able to understand the power of sportsmanship. It is more than just shaking hands after a game or congratulating an opponent. Those are important and necessary gestures, but true sportsmanship involves respecting the game, respecting the people involved, and respecting yourself. Realizing this helped me become a better version of myself. I realized it’s about embracing triumph and defeat with grace and humility.”
—
Alan Mrva, Corunna
Played four seasons of varsity football and will compete in fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-state honors in football and qualified for MHSAA Finals in track & field. Served as team captain multiple seasons for both. Participating in second years of National Honor Society and as part of Corunna Cavalier Ambassadors. Participated in Future Farmers of America throughout high school serving in various leadership roles at the chapter, regional and state levels. Qualified for FFA state competition and was two-time gold-level recipient for skills contest. Serving third year as junior advisor on Shiawassee County Fair Board. Participated in Shiawassee Scholars program throughout high school. Will attend either Michigan State University or Purdue University and study agricultural engineering.
Essay Quote: “Just as in the classroom, sports help us learn through experience. … (That) I learned to take ownership of my actions and respect those around me even when I am at my lowest goes beyond sports. I have used my stance and realized that every interaction I have with another person leaves an impact on their lives. I hope I can build a legacy that future generations of Corunna Cavaliers are inspired by so that one day they use what I have done and become better versions of themselves.”
Chemics earn athletic, academic awards
Midland High hockey players earned a number of athletic and academic honors this past season. Senior forward Cade Sanborn was named First Team All-Saginaw Valley League. A handful of Midland High alumni enjoyed success at the collegiate level this season. Harrison Blecke was part of Hope College’s American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 3 national championship team.
Midland High hockey players earned a number of athletic and academic honors this past season.
Senior forward Cade Sanborn was named First Team All-Saginaw Valley League and Second Team All-State, while senior defensemen Ben Wessel and Cayden Nieto both were given an All-SVL honorable mention.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
As a team, the Chemics earned Academic All-State honors for the ninth straight year, while Sanborn, Nieto, Wessel, and seniors Cade Doud and Jake Nyman all were named Academic All-State individually.
Nieto, Nyman, Sanborn, Wessel, Andrew Witt, Matt Grillo, Malachi Jones, Kingston Lee, Preston Martin, Andrew Partipilo, and Jack Waskevich all were named SVL All-Academic.
Meanwhile, a handful of Midland High alumni enjoyed success at the collegiate level this season, including Harrison Blecke, who was part of Hope College’s American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 3 national championship team, which also included fellow former Chemic Caleb Digison as an assistant coach.
MHS alum Matthew Witt reached the ACHA Division 1 national quarterfinals with Ohio University, while fellow former Chemics Tommy Kroll and Konnor White reached the ACHA Division 1 national tournament with Northwood. Sanborn, Wessel, and former Chemics Nick Moody and Ayden Spencer will join Kroll and White at Northwood next season.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad