RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesCHEBOYGAN — Talk about a difficult list to come up with.
This was it, as it took me through the middle of the night to figure out the greatest Cheboygan-area female athletes I’ve covered over the course of my 15 years or so up here.
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Here’s a look at those elite athletes, some of which came during my early years, others whom I covered during the middle of my career, and those who competed rather recently .
Mandy Paull, Cheboygan — In a soccer career that saw her net 174 career points — 79 goals and 95 assists — Paull earned Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state first team honors in her junior and senior seasons and was named to the all-state squad in all four seasons she played with the Chiefs. Paull continued her career at Ferris State University. That’s not all. In addition to an elite soccer career, she was a stellar cross-country runner who picked up all-state accolades.
Cloe Mallory, Inland Lakes — The greatest softball pitcher I’ve covered, Mallory, an all-stater multiple times in her career, lifted the Bulldogs to the 2017 Division 4 state title and was a part of 2016’s state runner-up squad. In addition to the 416 strikeouts and career earned run average of 0.60 in high school, Mallory hit .495 with 20 career home runs. After Inland Lakes, Mallory pitched and earned all-MAC honors at Central Michigan University .
Aspen Williams, Cheboygan — Another softball superstar who earned Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association all-state first team honors with the Chiefs in 2013. A prolific offensive player and an elite defender, the outstanding Williams continued her career at Western Michigan University , where she earned all-MAC accolades.
Natalie Wandrie, Inland Lakes — Earning all-state in four different sports was Wandrie, who led Inland Lakes volleyball to an MHSAA Division 4 state title game appearance in 2021 . In softball, her powerful hitting and strong defensive play helped her secure all-state first team accolades. In basketball, she became I-L's all-time leading scorer with 1,301 total points. To top her high school athletic career off, Wandrie won D4 state titles in the discus and shot put in track and field. Currently, Wandrie is now a member of the Lindsey Wilson University (Kentucky) volleyball and softball squads.
Madison Smith, Mackinaw City — A superb basketball and volleyball player with the Comets, Smith earned all-state accolades in both sports. Smith was a major part of Mackinaw City’s 2023 regional title-winning basketball squad . In that senior basketball season, Smith averaged 16.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists, 3.6 steals and 3.5 blocks. After Mackinaw City, she spent time as a member of Saginaw Valley State University’s volleyball team and Mid Michigan College basketball.
Tayler Friend, Pellston — I only got to cover this Pellston star for one season in 2010 , but it was an incredible one for Friend, who earned Class D all-state first team honors as a senior. Friend’s exceptional play helped the Hornets — who reached the state championship game a year prior — to a second consecutive trip to Battle Creek for the state semifinals. Friend played two years of volleyball at Grand Rapids Community College following her Pellston career.
Larissa Huffman, Mackinaw City — Another athlete who earned all-state honors in multiple sports, Huffman was a star on Mackinaw City’s first-ever regional title-winning basketball team in 2023. As a co-op member of Inland Lakes’ state runner-up track and field team in 2023, Huffman claimed all-state in the 100 and 300 hurdles . Over the last few years, Huffman has competed as a member of the St. Norbert College (Wisconsin) basketball and track and field teams .
Megan Murphy, Cheboygan — A three-time district champion in soccer, Murphy was a sensational midfielder who earned all-state honors during her senior campaign with the Chiefs. Overall, she finished with 101 career points. During what was a successful golf career, Murphy was a state qualifier.
Emily Estep, Onaway — Though I didn’t arrive in Northern Michigan before Estep’s elite pitching spearheaded the Cardinals to a Class D state runner-up finish in 2010 , I did get to watch the final three seasons of her athletic career, which saw her star in softball as well as volleyball, as she was a tremendous libero who helped the Cardinals reach the 2012 Class D semifinals. After Onaway, Estep played multiple seasons with Lake Superior State University softball.
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Chloe Robinson, Inland Lakes — One of the best three-sport performers I’ve watched, Robinson is one of the most decorated athletes on this list, having earned all-state honors in basketball two different times. In basketball, Robinson won district titles in each of her four seasons and lifted the Bulldogs to their first-ever regional title in 2026 . During a highly successful four-year track and field career , Robinson was a part of three I-L teams that won regional championships and two that captured Ski Valley titles. Robinson will ...
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