Looking back at the best Cheboygan area sports moments from the past year

It’s the middle of summer, but I’m sitting here and feeling kind of sad.

Mainly, it’s because I’m still bummed that the 2022-2023 high school sports year is over.

Because, quite honestly, it was the most thrilling year I’ve had covering sports since I moved up here in 2010.

From start to finish, it was exhilarating.

So, I’d like to look back at my favorite moments of the Cheboygan area high school sports scene over the past year.

1. Wandrie captures two state titles at track finals – A state championship is the highest honor one can achieve in high school sports, and the Inland Lakes senior star did it twice by winning the MHSAA Division 4 crown in both the discus and shot put. It was a super-hot day in Hudsonville, but Wandrie quickly claimed her shot put title in the morning, then followed it up with the discus in the afternoon. What a great couple of moments for an athlete I thought was capable of winning a state title. Some athletes cave under the big-time pressure, but not Wandrie. She’s one of the best I’ve ever seen, and to see her celebrate with her family after made it that much more special.

2. Gibbons’ last-second three gives Cheboygan boys win at Inland Lakes – The interesting thing about this basketball clash was Cheboygan was on the verge of a collapse after blowing a 19-point fourth quarter lead. They were also staring down the barrel of a fifth straight defeat. But have no fear, senior Connor Gibbons came to the rescue. With Cheboygan trailing by two and needing to go pretty much the full length of the court with only seconds to go, the Chiefs executed brilliantly and found an open Gibbons, who drained a buzzer-beating corner three that set off a loud celebration from Cheboygan players, coaches and supporters following the 57-56 victory. Holy bleep. Those weren’t the exact words I typed on my Twitter account that night, but that’s basically what the scene was like. This was a thrilling moment for Gibbons, another senior I really liked covering no matter what sport he was playing. Euphoria for one side, devastation for the other. That’s sports, people.

ANOTHER INSTANT CLASSIC: Beebe, Onaway edge rival Bulldogs for district crown

HEADING TO STATES: Cheboygan bowling teams qualify for finals at home regional

3. Mackinaw City girls hold off Inland Lakes for first-ever regional title – This past spring, I shared a chat with Inland Lakes coach Daryl Vizina and we discussed this epic contest between a pair of area rivals battling it out for a huge prize. Basically, he told me this was one of the greatest atmospheres he’s ever been a part of, and he even admitted he got a little emotional during the pregame. As for the game itself? It was indeed an instant classic as the Jake Huffman-coached Mackinaw City Lady Comets finally broke through and captured the school’s first-ever regional girls basketball title with a 62-53 victory in Pellston. This was far from easy for the Comets, who were pushed by the Bulldogs all night long. The contest was tight throughout, but the Comets – behind a stellar group of seniors that included Larissa Huffman, Madison Smith, Marlie Postula and Julia Sullivan – dug in deep, fended off the Bulldogs’ upset attempt, and had the celebration they were waiting years for. The Comets were the victors on this night, but the Bulldogs showed they belonged on the big stage. Like Vizina told me, and I agreed, the atmosphere in the Pellston gym that night was second to none.

4. Mosher’s darn-near perfect homecoming night – What’s better than being named homecoming king? Well, in Cheboygan senior Keegan Mosher’s case, probably having a monster night on the gridiron. That’s exactly what happened for Mosher, who rushed for 149 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the Chiefs to a 34-13 victory over Grayling at Western Avenue Field. Mosher was not only Cheboygan’s player of the game, but he was also honored as the school’s homecoming king during the halftime ceremony. This was one of those magical nights I’ll always remember when it comes to Cheboygan football. This was not only an almost-perfect evening for Mosher, but it was also a stellar night for a Cheboygan team that was dominant from start to finish against the Vikings.

5. Cheboygan, Mackinaw City volleyball win district titles on same night – This was another one of those nights I’ll never forget, because it was simply crazy from the game I covered as well as the ride back to Cheboygan. Instead of driving two hours to Kingsley for Cheboygan’s district final showdown with Boyne City, I settled for the one-hour trip to Cedarville to take in Mackinaw City volleyball’s chance to win a first-ever district championship. After some nervy moments late, the Comets made history by defeating St. Ignace in an extremely loud gymnasium. I thought the night could not have gone any better, but as I made my way home, I had to pull over on the side of the road to check my Twitter and see Cheboygan’s fate against the Ramblers. “Cheboygan wins in five,” someone tweeted. I couldn’t help but crack a huge smile for head coach Kris Jewell and her team, who didn’t arrive back home until close to midnight. I made my way over to the school, conducted my first-ever midnight interview with Jewell, and the rest was history. What a way to go out for the longtime coach who guided the Chiefs to their first district crown since 2005 in her final season in charge. I love it when teams make history, and both Cheboygan and Mackinaw City volleyball made their communities so proud on that November night.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Inland Lakes stuns Rogers City for district title (Softball); Onaway’s Santiago makes history in high jump (Track and Field); Onaway boys edge Inland Lakes in district final (Basketball); Callie Wanke makes 24 saves against TC St. Francis (Soccer); Cheboygan teams qualify for states at home regional (Bowling)

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Looking back at the top 10 sports moments in Cheboygan from the past year