The 2025-26 Detroit High School Sports Awards show, Presented by Gift of Life Michigan, was held at the MotorCity Casino Hotel on Wednesday, June 24.
More than 300 athletes from the Detroit area were honored, including the players of the year in each sport and the area’s overall winners for boys athlete of the year, girls athlete of the year, boys coach of the year, girls coach of the year, boys team of the year, girls team of the year and the Courage Award. The show was produced with the support of Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons, Consumers Energy and Buddy’s Pizza.
Here is a list of the winners:
Boys Athlete of the Year, Presented by Gift of Life Michigan – Samson Gash, Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Gash capped a remarkable senior year on the football field by leading the Shamrocks to a 14–0 season and the MHSAA Division 1 state championship, their first title since 2009. Gash finished with 58 receptions for 997 yards and 14 touchdowns, while totaling about 1,570 all-purpose yards and adding two punt-return scores. He earned first-team all-state honors and Dream Team recognition. In track and field, Gash ran as fast as 10.51 seconds in the 100 meters and qualified for the Division 1 state finals, although an injury ultimately prevented him from winning the event. Gash is committed to continue his football career next season at Michigan State.
Girls Athlete of the Year, Presented by Gift of Life Michigan – Elizabeth Eichbrecht, West Bloomfield High School
At the Division 1 state finals, Eichbrecht captured titles in both the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle for the fourth consecutive season, becoming just one of the few swimmers in state history to fourpeat in the same two individual events. She did so in record-setting fashion, swimming 1 minute, 45.98 seconds in the 200 free and 4:42.89 in the 500 free in the finals, after breaking long standing all finals records in both events during prelims. Over her four year varsity career, Eichbrecht earned eight individual state championships. She will continue her swimming career at Indiana University.
Boys Team of the Year, Presented by Buddy’s Pizza – Novi Detroit Catholic Central football
Detroit Catholic Central was dominant on the way to a 14–0 season and an MHSAA Division 1 state title. The Shamrocks won every game by at least two touchdowns and showcasing a balanced, physical style on both sides of the ball. Their season culminated in a 42–19 victory over defending champion Detroit Cass Tech at Ford Field, securing the program’s first state championship since 2009. Offensively, Catholic Central featured explosive playmakers, including standout wide receiver Samson Gash, while the defense proved equally dominant, forcing turnovers and controlling games from the opening kickoffs.
Girls Team of the Year, Presented by Buddy’s Pizza – Birmingham Detroit Country Day volleyball
Detroit Country Day combined strong regular-season play with a dominant postseason run to repeat as state champions. It finished 29–9, building consistency throughout the year and entering the playoffs on a strong late-season surge. In the MHSAA Division 2 tournament, the Yellowjackets elevated their level of play, advancing through the bracket with multiple decisive wins, including a regional victory over Lake Fenton and a semifinal win over Grand Rapids Christian. Their season culminated at Kellogg Arena, where Country Day captured the Division 2 state championship with a straight-set sweep of Flat Rock, 25-18, 25-19, 25-12. The victory marked the program’s second consecutive state title.
Courage Award, Presented by Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons – Chris Kendrick, Detroit Denby High School
Chris Kendrick is a senior football player at Detroit Denby. He turned to football after a tumultous freshman year in which he would often get kicked out of class and even suspended. During his football season, Kendrick’s brother was shot and killed. He lost both of his grandparents in subsequent years around the same time of year as his brother was killed. But rather than getting sucked into his grief, Kendrick remained dedicated to football and this year as a senior became the school’s all-time passing leader and an Olivet College commit.
John Herrington Boys Coach of the Year – Chris Laney, Dearborn Divine Child High School
Laney led Dearborn Divine Child to a 13–1 record and the MHSAA Division 4 state championship, the program’s first title since 1985. The Falcons opened the year in overwhelming fashion, winning their first four games by a combined margin of 172–0, In the playoffs, Laney’s team thrived in close, physical games, edging Harper Woods 10–6, Goodrich 10–7, and then defeating Hudsonville Unity Christian 23–22 in the state final. Their postseason run showcased a resilient defense and clutch execution, as each of their final three victories came by one possession.
Mary Cicerone Girls Coach of the Year – Stephen Manuel, Romeo High School
Manuel led Romeo to the program’s first-ever MHSAA girls team state championship. It captured the team title at the state finals in Detroit with 80 points, narrowly edging runner-up Oxford in a tightly contested race. The Bulldogs surged late to secure the championship, needing strong performances in the finals and delivering with bonus-point victories to clinch the title. Individually, Manuel’s roster featured elite talent, led by his daughters Belicia and Kaili Manuel, who each won individual state championships at 155 and 170 pounds.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Loretta Vogel
Vogel built a Hall of Fame career that has spanned more than four decades. She began coaching in the 1970s, first at Manchester and then Napoleon, where she led a team to the 1979 state final before eventually focusing exclusively on volleyball. Vogel later coached at multiple levels, including L’Anse Creuse, Fraser, Wayne State University, and Macomb Community College, before taking over the Farmington Hills Mercy program in 2009. Since then, she transformed Mercy into a statewide powerhouse, winning MHSAA state championships in 2019 and 2023 and guiding the program to numerous Final Four appearances. Over her career, Vogel surpassed 1,100 wins and earned national recognition as the 2020 AVCA National Coach of the Year. She also developed elite talent, coaching multiple Gatorade Players of the Year and Miss Volleyball winners.
Football defense, Presented by the Detroit Lions – Kenneth McClinton, Detroit Denby High School
At 6-foot 5 and 200 pounds, McClinton had a huge season from his defensive end position, leading Michigan with 25.5 sacks, which ranked seventh nationally. He added 36 tackles, forced six fumbles and recovered another. McClinton’s performance helped Denby win eight straight games and earn a playoff appearance. McClinton was named an all-state player in Michigan, and was named to USA TODAY’S ALL-USA Midwest Football Team’s first team.
Football offense, Presented by the Detroit Lions – CJ Sadler, Detroit Cass Technical School
Sadler finished the season with 2,536 all-purpose yards and 32 total touchdowns, fueling the Technicians’ 13-1 record and run to the MHSAA Division 1 state championship game. He caught 65 passes for 1,583 yards and 21 touchdowns, adding two rushing scores and a passing touchdown. Defensively, the elite two way athlete delivered 87 tackles and three interceptions. He was selected to USA TODAY’S National ALL-USA Football Team as a wide receiver. He is committed to continue his career next year at the University of North Carolina.
Flag football, Presented by the Detroit Lions – Lainie Dorow, Saint Joseph High School
Dorow emerged as one of the top athletes in Michigan after a dominant two-way campaign for St. Joseph. As the Bears’ quarterback, Dorow showcased elite efficiency and playmaking ability, completing 76 percent of her 150 pass attempts for 1,969 yards with 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions. She also added versatility on the ground with 107 rushing yards and two scores. Defensively, Dorow was just as impactful at linebacker, recording 39 flag pulls and seven interceptions, while turning defense into offense with five defensive touchdowns. Her all-around performance helped power St. Joseph to back-to-back state championships, capturing the first two girls flag football titles in Michigan history.
Boys soccer, Presented by Detroit City FC – Andrew Corder, Warren De La Salle Collegiate High School
Corder shattered the school’s single season scoring record this year as a junior, finishing with 38 goals and 16 assists while leading De La Salle to a 21-4-2 record and its second consecutive state championship. Even when held scoreless in the state final, his off ball movement and constant pressure forced defenses to collapse, opening space that helped the Pilots secure a 2-0 title victory over unbeaten Hudsonville Unity Christian. A three year starter, he has led De La Salle in scoring every season and sits at 71 career goals, placing him within reach of the program’s all-time record. His production earned him Division 2 Dream Team honors from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association.
Girls soccer, Presented by Detroit City FC – Miley Skamiera, Huron High School
Skamiera’s elite production and game-changing impact led New Huron to its second straight MHSAA semifinal appearance. Her high scoring pace this season allowed her to set a school record for single-season goals with 35 goals. She also finished this season with 13 assists.
Baseball, Presented by Consumers Energy – Ethan Armstrong, Garden City High School
Armstrong delivered a dominant senior season, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors. He led the Cougars to a 30–6 record and a Division 2 district semifinal appearance. On the mound, Armstrong went 5–0 with a 0.21 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 34 innings, including three shutouts and a no-hitter. Offensively, he hit .388 with six home runs and 26 RBIs, while also leading the team in multiple categories, including a .456 average and 34 runs.
Softball, Presented by Consumers Energy – Kiley Phelan, Macomb Dakota High School
Phelan’s impact for the Cougars this season propelled the team to the No. 2 seed in the Macomb Athletic Conference Red Division, despite missing the first month of the season. Phelan had a .533 batting average and recorded 24 hits and 28 RBIs. Dakota reached the state semifinals after defeating No. 2 Anchor Bay in the District finals.
Boys basketball – Jaylohn Allen, West Memorial High School
A four year starter for the Zebras, Allen played in 101 varsity games, averaging 19 points and 4.3 assists. This past season, he averaged 23.2 points and six assists, becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer and leading it to the state quarterfinals. Allen will continue his career at the University of Toledo.
Girls basketball – Lilly Williams, Howell High School
After being homeschooled during her first three years of high school, Williams joined Howell this year and made an instant and dramatic impact. She averaged 17.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 6 blocks per game. She set a school record with 12 blocks in one game and broke Howell’s single season blocks record. Williams led Howell to a 23-3 record. The Michigan State recruit’s historic season earned every major individual honor, including being named a McDonald’s All-American and Michigan Miss Basketball.
Boys bowling – Andrew Fsadni, Salem High School
Fsadni has established himself as one of Michigan’s top high school bowlers during his career at Salem, culminating in a breakthrough 2025-26 campaign. His season highlight came at the State Finals, where he advanced to the championship match, finishing as the Division 1 runner up. Earlier in his career, he reached bracket play at the 2025 Division 1 Singles Finals, defeating a bowler who had rolled a perfect game during qualifying.
Girls bowling, Ava Mazza, Utica High School
The daughter of former PBA Tour standout John Mazza, Ava captured the Division 1 Girls State Championship this year at Thunderbowl Lanes. Entering as the No. 4 seed, she advanced through the bracket before sealing the title with three clutch strikes in the final frame. The victory made her Utica High School’s first Division 1 individual bowling state champion since 2004. Mazza has committed to bowl collegiately at Wichita State University.
Gymnastics, Alexis Fundich – Hartland High School
Fundich’s senior season peaked at the Individual state finals, where she captured the all around championship with a score of 38.625, improving on her runner up finish from the previous year. She also won three individual state titles, balance beam, uneven bars, and floor exercise, where she set a school record 9.8. She also finished second on vault (9.8). As a team leader, Fundich was instrumental in guiding Hartland to its second straight state championship. Individually, she earned MVP, Most Outstanding Teammate and first-team All-State.
Hockey, Ryan Dye – Novi Detroit Catholic Central High School
Dye, a defenseman, was a key contributor for a Detroit Catholic Central team that won another state championship in 2026. He recorded 9 goals and 25 assists for 34 points in 26 games, ranking among the top scoring defensemen in the state. He is a two-time all-state selection and won the 2026 Whelan Award, recognizing excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and character. He will play Division I lacrosse next year at Mercer University.
Boys skiing, Pierson Kuhn – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory School
Kuhn delivered a dominant performance in the slalom in the Division 2 state finals, capturing the state crown with a winning time of 65.02 seconds, nearly 1.5 seconds ahead of the runner up, which is a significant margin in high school racing. His performance propelled Orchard Lake St. Mary’s to the third best team score in slalom and a fourth place finish overall.
Girls skiing, Maren Studt – Pontiac Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Studt is one of the most accomplished alpine skiers in Michigan high school history and capped her career with a dominant senior season. At the Division 2 state finals she captured individual championships in both slalom and giant slalom, sweeping those events for the second straight year. Her performances earned her first-team All-State honors in both events.
Boys swimming & diving – Elliot Rijnovean, Birmingham Seaholm High School
At the Division 2 state championships, Rijnovean captured two individual state titles, winning the 100-yard butterfly in 47.97 seconds and the 50-yard freestyle in 20.31 seconds, finishing his high school career with six individual state titles. Earlier in the season, he set a Michigan state record in the 100 backstroke at 46.72 seconds. He earned first team all-state honors and is committed to swim next season at Indiana University.
Boys wrestling – Thomas Leahy, St. Clair Shores Lake Shore High School
Competing at 106 pounds, Leahy capped his year by winning the Division 2 individual championship, finishing the season 54-1. In the state final, Leahy pulled away late to earn a 13–6 decision over Chase Jacobs, scoring critical takedown and near fall points after the match was tied entering the third period.
Girls wrestling – Olivia Kemp, Carleton Airport High School
Competing at 190 pounds, Kemp won the an individual state title, rallying late for a 4-2 decision victory over Bloomfield Hills senior Kanata Richardson. Kemp scored a crucial escape and takedown in the final 30 seconds, securing the state title in dramatic fashion. Kemp’s postseason run began by capturing the first girls regional title in Airport program history. She was selected to the Michigan Grappler “Girls Dream Team” First Team after finishing the season 48-1.
Boys golf – Ben Vento, Rochester Adams High School
Vento led Rochester Adams to a strong year capped by a fifth-place finish at the Division 1 state finals (604 team score). As a freshman, he was a breakout star, recording the team’s lowest scoring average and helping Adams win its regional championship with a 71. His season peaked at the state finals, where he shot rounds of 70 and 72 (142 total) and won a three-man playoff to claim the Division 1 individual state title.
Girls lacrosse – Lyla Hampton, Grosse Pointe South High School
Hampton led Grosse Pointe South to a 17-5-2 record, advancing to the regional finals. She dominated all over the field this season, tallying 139 goals, 117 ground balls, 49 assists, and won 68 percent of her draws.
Boys lacrosse – Keaton Yearego, Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Yearego played a key role in Country Day’s dominant 2026 boys lacrosse season, helping lead the Yellowjackets to a 20–1 record and the MHSAA Division 2 state championship. As a senior attackman and one of the team’s featured scorers, Yearego contributed in critical moments throughout the year, including scoring in the first half of the state title game to spark a comeback from a four-goal deficit. He was named a finalist for the 2026 Warrior Lacrosse Player of the Year award.
Girls tennis – Gabriella Sadowski, Utica Eisenhower High School
Sadowski accumulated a 20-1 record in her senior season with her only loss coming in the MHSAA Division 1 state finals. She finished her high school career with an 86-5 record and won the 2024 Division 1 No. 1 singles championship.
Boys track and field – Zacchaeus Brocks, Novi Detroit Catholic Central High School
Brocks won the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles and 4x100m relay state championships before starting his college career at Ohio State.
Girls track and field – Kamryn Tatum, West Bloomfield High School
Tatum won the state championship in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.74, her best time of the season. She finished second in the 200 meter dash behind Cass Tech’s Malise Brown, but both runners finished with the two best times in the race’s history. Tatum was a member of West Bloomfield’s 4×100 relay team that took first place with a time of 46.88. At the conclusion of her high school career, Tatum has won seven individual state championships.
Boys cross country – Kamari Ronfeldt, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
Ronfeldt captured the Division 1 individual state championship with a time of 14 minutes, 50.6 seconds, the fifth fastest performance ever recorded at the MIS Finals course. Earlier in the season, Ronfeldt broke Ann Arbor Pioneer’s long standing school record by clocking a state best 14:47.9. He won nine of 11 races during the fall, recorded six sub-15 minute performances, and helped Pioneer finish second at the state finals and third nationally at the NXN Midwest Regional. For his historic season, Ronfeldt was named the Gatorade Michigan Boys Cross Country Player of the Year.
Girls cross country – Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
Dudek won the Division 1 individual state championship in dominant fashion, breaking the all time state finals record with a time of 16 minutes, 9.5 seconds. It was the fastest girls 5K in the nation during the season. Dudek is just a sophomore and completed a historic undefeated campaign, becaming the first girl to win both major national championships in the same season with wins at the Nike Cross Nationals and Brooks Cross Country Championships. She was named the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Player of the Year.
Girls golf – Annie Flavin, Plymouth High School
Flavin won the Division 1 individual state championship, firing rounds of 71 and 77 for a two day total of 148. Her performance helped Plymouth place third as a team. She was an all-state golfer for the fourth straight season and won the 2025 Maggle Scholarship Award, recognizing excellence in both golf performance and character. She is a multi-sport standout, also lettering in basketball. She will continue her golf career next year at Western Michigan University.
Girls swimming & diving – Elizabeth Eichbrecht, West Bloomfield High School
At the Division 1 state finals, Eichbrecht captured titles in both the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle for the fourth consecutive season, becoming just one of the few swimmers in state history to fourpeat in the same two individual events. She did so in record-setting fashion, swimming 1 minute, 45.98 seconds in the 200 free and 4:42.89 in the 500 free in the finals, after breaking long standing all finals records in both events during prelims. Over her four year varsity career, Eichbrecht earned eight individual state championships. She will continue her swimming career at Indiana University.
Boys tennis – Chad Anderson, Rochester High School
A senior and four year varsity standout, Anderson finished the season 26-0 at No. 1 singles, capping it with Rochester’s first individual state championship. The title didn’t come easily, as Anderson survived a three hour championship match marathon, outlasting Ann Arbor Pioneer’s Grant Miller 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 despite severe leg cramps late in the match. It was the only set he dropped all season. The state title comes after earning state runner-up finishes as a sophomore and junior. Next year, he will join his brother Clayton on the tennis team at Marquette University.
Volleyball – Kayla Nwabueze, Bloomfield Hills High School
A 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter and middle blocker, Nwabueze recorded 751 kills across 126 sets. Her all around impact showed up everywhere on the stat sheet with 358 digs, 56 service aces and 43 total blocks as Bloomfield Hills finished 39–6 and advanced to the Division 1 state championship match. She was named the 2025–26 Gatorade Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year and will continue her volleyball journey next year at Harvard University.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The 2025-26 Detroit High School Sports Awards show winners
Reporting by Todd M. Adams, USA TODAY High School Sports / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Todd M. Adams, USA TODAY High School Sports | USA TODAY Network
