If there’s one thing people love to debate, it’s sports. And, greatest of all time is always a fun one.
Earlier this summer, in a joint effort with USA Today Network writers across the state of Michigan, a list of the 250 greatest athletes from high school programs across the state was released.
While it featured both male and female athletes from Northern Michigan, the lists needed some expanding. The Northern Michigan male list was released earlier this week, so now it’s time for the greatest female athletes.
There may be some that are missed, but, like the male list, it’s a great debate and group to dive into.
Northern Michigan’s Greatest Female Athletes
Alisha Glass, Leland
A four-time first team all-state volleyball player at Leland that led the Comets to a state title as a senior in 2006. Named Miss Volleyball in the state, she holds the national records for season aces (296), career aces (937) and career kills (3,584). Glass went on to an All-American college career at Penn State and later competed with the U.S. National team from 2009 to 2016, including the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Jasmine Hines, Central Lake
A Parade High School All-American and 2011 Miss Basketball and Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year. Holds the Michigan points record with 3,034 and rebounds (1,692). Four-time first team all-state, went on to an All-Big Ten career at Michigan State. Also a three-time shot put state champion in track and all-state volleyball player.
Aubrey Jones, Gaylord
Led Gaylord to two state championships before graduating in 2025. Led the entire nation in home runs in 2024 with 26 and was named the 2025 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and first team high school All-American. Hit 71 home runs in her career, second best all-time. Signed with Oklahoma State as the nations No. 9 ranked player.
Liz Shimek, Maple City Glen Lake
The 2001 Michigan Miss Basketball recipient after a season of averaging 24 points and 15 rebounds, she holds the Michigan record for career rebounds (1,533). Was a four-year all-state player and captained the volleyball and track teams. Went on to a star at MSU, finishing as the all-time scoring leader (1,780 points) and rebounder (1,130) before entering the WNBA.
Sami Michell, Reed City
Michell was a 12-time state champion in her time at Reed City, from 2010 to 2013. She earned four straight state titles in the 100 hurdles, then three straight in the 300 hurdles, to go with title in the long jump and 200 meter dash. She also owns the Division 3 100 hurdles (13.84), 300 hurdles (42.23) and long jump (18-6.5) state records. She went on to run at the University of Michigan.
Marnie Peplinski, Maple City Glen Lake
An 11-time state champion at Glen Lake from 1990 to 1992, Peplinski competed in the 300 hurdles, 1,600 meter relay, long jump and 100 hurdles, winning multiple Class D titles in each event. She helped Glen Lake to state championships in both 1991 and 1992. She also starred as a basketball player.
Kelly Smith, Petoskey
Between 1991 and 1993, Smith earned seven state championships in track and field while competing in the 800, 1,600 and 1,600 meter relay. She swept the 800 and 1,600 at the Class B level for three straight years and set Class B records in the 800 (2:12.19) and 1,600 (4:48.41) in 1994. In cross country, she also earned titles in 1990, 1992 and 1993, before running at the University of Colorado.
Marissa Treece, Maple City Glen Lake
Earned 10 varsity letters in her time at Glen Lake in track, cross country and basketball. Claimed seven track state championships between 2004 and 2007 and three consecutive cross country state titles from 2004 to 2006. Owns the 1,600 meter Division 4 state record in 4:51.73. Went on to run at Notre Dame.
Anika Dy, Traverse City (West)
Dy was a four-time all-state golfer at TC West and three-time Michigan Miss Golf recipient from 2016 to 2018. Also claimed three state championships in Division 1, winning in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Was a 2015 state runner-up. Won Michigan PGA Women’s Open at age 17 and went on to compete at Michigan.
Libby Munoz, Leland
The MHSAA career record holder for goals in a career with 228, Munoz shined at Leland from 2013 to 2016 and has 12 different accomplishments in the record books. She’s also No. 1 all-time for career points with 298 scored 50 or more goals three times in her career. She went on to an all-conference career at Kalamazoo College.
Macy Brown, Cadillac
A three-time all-state recipient and two-time first teamer in Division 2, Brown closed her career in 2020 with 2,349 kills, 15th best all-time. She also had 962 kills in her senior season, sixth best for a single season. Went on to compete at New Haven and then Valdosta State.
Suzy Merchant, Traverse City
Merchant became a basketball All-American at Travers City High and two-time Class A all-state selection. She also earned all-state in volleyball. She went on to play at CMU, becoming a three-year captain and later got into coaching, leading the MSU women from 2007-2023.
Julie Polakowski, Leland
The first recipient of the Michigan Miss Basketball award in 1981, she starred for the Comets with 812 points her senior season, a then record in the state. She also ended her career with 2,109 points, which at the time was second best all-time. She later went on to compete at MSU.
Emma Squires, Petoskey
Helped Petoskey claim 2020 Division 2 track and cross country titles her senior year. Set a then state record in the 800 (2:11.3) and won track state titles in the 1,600, 800 and 1,600 relay. Also won a cross country title her senior year. Went on to compete at Purdue and is now an Ironman competitor.
Renee Brines, Cadillac
A Miss Volleyball finalists in the state, Brines ended her Cadillac career in 2021 with 4,295 assists, which ranked as the 11th best all-time in the state. She had back-to-back seasons of more than 1,200 assists and also had 119 aces during her senior season. She later signed with Northwood.
Ella Siddall, Leland
First team all-state all four years of her career, which closed with 4,559 assists, ranking sixth all-time. She also recorded 362 aces for her career and 756 digs. During her career, Leland earned a state title in 2015, runner-up in 2018 and final four appearances in 2016 and 2017. She went on to compete at DePaul University.
Jayden Marlatt, Johannesburg-Lewiston
A star in volleyball, softball and basketball with the Cardinals, Marlatt is in the MHSAA softball record books seven times, including a .670 average as a senior. She also finished with 1,614 career volleyball kills (top 50) and eclipsed 1,000 points on the basketball court. She signed with Ferris State for softball.
Kaila Kuhn, Boyne City
Kuhn is a Boyne City native that spent much of her high school career training out West before earning her spot in both the Beijing and Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games for freestyle aerial skiing. In 2021, she graduated from Boyne City after taking online classes and returned to walk with her class. She earned a gold medal in the 2026 Olympics.
Kerby Tamm, Petoskey
A four-year varsity starter for Petoskey and two-time all-state recipient, earned first team AP All-State as a senior in 2010. Earned BCAM Best of the Best. Finished with 984 career points and holds records at PHS for single-season points (360), career 3-pointers (155), season rebounds (246) and more. Signed with CMU and finished seventh all-time in career 3-pointers (121).
Theresa Proost, Maple City Glen Lake
A standout track and field star at Glen Lake, earned six individual state titles in the 100, 200 and 400, including four straight in the 400. Also earned four straight titles in the 1,600 meter relay from 1989-1992.
Holly Bullough, Traverse City (St. Francis)
More than just the sister of her MSU standout brothers, Bullough made her own name behind seven state titles in track and field and two cross country state titles at St. Francis. She claimed victories in the 800 and 1,600 in her freshmen, sophomore and senior seasons. She went on to run at Michigan State.
Elise Stuck, Charlevoix
If not for a torn ACL in final season, Stuck might be one of the state’s all-time scoring leaders. Missed all but five games her senior year and still finished with 1,584 points and 823 rebounds. Nominated for McDonalds All-America game. Three-time first team all-state and BCAM Best. Signed with Michigan and finished career at Ball State with 23 starts.
Stephanie Hass, Harbor Springs (Harbor Light)
Led the nation in scoring her final season at Harbor Light with 38.5 points a game in 2001 and 846 for the season. Was the all-time leading scorer in the state and now ranks No. 2 all-time with 2,732 points. Scored 50 or more points four times. She went on to play at SVSU.
Marley Spence, Petoskey
You don’t need many fingers to count the five-time state champions in girls skiing. You actually only need one. Spence is the lone on the list, claiming three giant slalom state titles from 2022-24 and two slalom titles from 2023-24. She also stood out in golf, helping Petoskey to a top 10 state finish her senior year.
Rylie Bisballe, Lake City
Earned multiple all-state basketball honors at Lake City. Went on to star as a center and lead Grand Valley State to the NCAA Championship where she was a first-team All-American and NCAA tournament MVP.
Olivia Flynn, Harbor Springs
Finished her career at Harbor with 2,301 points (11th) and as the Miss Basketball 2025 runner-up. One of just 34 players ever to score 2,000 points. Four-time first team all-state honoree and the Division 3 Player of the Year her senior season. Signed with Western Michigan and is now at University of Indy.
Nichole Cox, Empire (Glen Lake)
Won three consecutive golf state championships while at Glen Lake from 2015-17. Was a third place finisher as a freshman as well. Finished her career averaging 74 and earned All-State Super Team in 2015 and 2016. Went on to a strong career at Bowling Green.
Natalie Wandrie, Indian River (Inland Lakes)
You can find Wandrie’s name in the MHSAA softball record books a staggering 21 times. She hit 47 career homers from 2021-23 and hit for a career average of .651, third all-time. She also starred in basketball, track and volleyball, winning state titles in shot put and discus. She competes in volleyball and softball at Lindsey Wilson University.
Sally Sedlar, Manistee
The 1993 Michigan Miss Basketball recipient, Sedlar totaled over 1,500 career points, averaging 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists her final season. Went on to play collegiately at Toledo and then Central Michigan.
Jayden Jones, Gaylord
Earned the 2024 Michigan Miss Softball Award and a third team All-American by NFCA. Finished her career with a .498 average and 48 home runs. Named one of the top recruits in the country and No. 4 middle infielder in the nation as a senior. Went on to sign with Virginia Tech, before transferring to Oklahoma State to compete with her sister, Aubrey.
Megan Tompkins, Petoskey
A three-sport standout, she earned all-state honors in both basketball and track, to go with two all-state seasons in volleyball. Ended volleyball career with 1,988 kills and 583 blocks, eighth best all-time. Had 181 blocks in 2009 season. Signed with Michigan State and became a key defensive piece.
Christi Shibata, Harbor Springs
Capped her career as a two-time all-state guard for the Rams with 1,641 points and earned three all-state finishes on the track. She held the 3,200 meter record and 3,200 relay record when she graduated in 2000. Went on to play at Kent State, becoming a three-year starter and two-time co-captain.
Julia Flynn, Traverse City (Central)
A state champion in the 1,600 and 800 her senior season. She set a Michigan high school state mile record in 4:37.73, good for fifth in the nation in 2022. Was a runner-up finisher in Division 1 cross country in 2021 and signed with Stanford to run.
Jessica Hass, Harbor Springs (Harbor Light)
Finished her career with 2,252 career kills, top 25 all-time. Was a first team all-state honoree for three consecutive seasons. Finished fourth all-time in career aces with 477. Also shined in basketball and signed with Saginaw Valley State.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: The 34 greatest female high school athletes from Northern Michigan
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
