CHEBOYGAN — What a great school year it was for sports in the Cheboygan area.
From fall to winter to spring, we saw a lot go down during the 2025-26 high school sports year.
Let’s look back at the most interesting stories from this past school year.
Vizina takes Cheboygan boys basketball job
Following a highly successful six-year stint with Inland Lakes girls basketball, Daryl Vizina found interest in coaching the Cheboygan varsity boys, applied, and got the job this spring.
This will be a new and exciting challenge for Vizina, who guided Inland Lakes to the program’s first regional championship in March, four district titles in six years, and a Ski Valley crown.
Now, he’ll look to have success with a Cheboygan team that’s coming off a first district win in 11 years.
Regional glory
Speaking of Vizina, I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t go into more detail about his Bulldogs going on a challenging yet thrilling run to a regional title and a berth in the state quarterfinals.
Ironically, the Bulldogs won their regional title on a Saturday in Cheboygan by beating Newberry.
The Bulldogs were fueled by the likes of seniors Chloe Robinson, Mary Myshock, Addison Byrne and so many others who were instrumental in the landmark moment for the program.
I-L’s season ended a few days later at the hands of Ishpeming, which won the MHSAA Division 4 crown.
Friday calls it a career, guides Chiefs to district title
Six years ago, Jason Friday got a crack at coaching the Cheboygan boys. There were some ups and downs along the way, but eventually, he turned the program into a winning one.
This year, Friday’s Chiefs broke through by ending an 11-year district championship basketball drought with a memorable victory on Cheboygan’s home court.
It ended up being a great curtain call for Friday, who stepped down as Cheboygan’s coach shortly after and then retired from Cheboygan after nearly 30 years as a teacher, coach and athletic director.
Nightingale returns home
One of the most unique days of the year came in May, when a famous Cheboygan High School alum returned home and spoke in front of a big crowd.
That was 1998 Cheboygan graduate Adam Nightingale, who’s now coaching a successful Michigan State University’s men’s hockey program. Nightingale’s return saw him talk to students, who also had plenty of questions for the MSU coach during the session.
For Nightingale, it was his first time inside Cheboygan’s gym since he graduated.
2005 Cheboygan girls reunite, get honored
One of Cheboygan’s most legendary basketball teams returned home as the 2005 Lady Chiefs, who went on an epic journey to the Class B state semifinals, reunited in their home gymnasium in January.
Former Cheboygan greats like Amanda Blaskowski, Cathleen Louisignau and many others were in the house to celebrate. Cheboygan coach Jason Purcell spoke during the ceremony.
It was a tremendous way to celebrate one of the best teams in Cheboygan history.
Moore steps away from I-L volleyball
During the school year, one of the most successful area coaches in recent memory stepped down.
That was Inland Lakes volleyball coach Nicole Moore, who guided the program to multiple regional and district championships, as well as a berth in the 2021 MHSAA Division 4 volleyball state title match.
While Moore will no longer be guiding the Bulldogs, she exits with an elite legacy intact.
Scott Hancock Court
Cheboygan’s done some cool things over the last few years to honor community icons.
Last December, Cheboygan High School paid tribute to longtime coach Scott Hancock by renaming its basketball court in honor of Hancock, who’s coached for 50 years in Cheboygan.
Just like when it named its Western Avenue Field press box in honor of Mike Grisdale a few years ago, this was also a wonderful gesture by the Cheboygan sports community, as perhaps no other coach at Cheboygan High School has been more influential than Hancock.
NMCA basketball stuns Harbor Light
One of the most thrilling stories of the year came from the Northern Michigan Christian Academy boys, who stunned many by winning a first-ever district title with a victory at rival Harbor Light.
NMCA coach Josh Ferraiuolo, along with NMCA stars Joshua Ferraiuolo, Jeremiah Tucker and others, outlasted Landon Jakeway and the Swordsmen on a history-making basketball night.
NMCA’s magical tournament run ended after a loss to Pickford in the regional final, but it was one of the feel-good stories in the area.
Klinge hired as Cheboygan’s new AD
A few years ago, Steve Klinge was Onaway’s head football coach.
Then he moved to Kingsley, where she served as an assistant coach on a team that won a state title.
Just a few years later, Klinge is returning to this part of Northern Michigan after being hired as Cheboygan’s High School athletic director during the spring.
Klinge replaces Jason Friday, who guided the athletic program for several years before stepping down.
Honorable Mentions
— Inland Lakes football wins fifth straight Ski Valley title
— Onaway and Pellston softball capture district title glory
— Inland Lakes girls earn regional and Ski Valley track titles
— Mackinaw City boys cross country qualifies for state finals
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: What were the biggest stories of 2025-26 Cheboygan-area sports year?
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune | USA TODAY Network
