CHEBOYGAN Fifteen years and change sure goes by in a flash.Back in 2010, I was a nervous wreck when I started my new job as the sports editor of theCheboygan Daily Tribune.U.P.'S GREATEST MALE ATHLETES: Looking at greatest male athletes from Michigan's Upper PeninsulaGREATEST U.P. FEMALE ATHLETES: Looking at greatest female athletes from Michigan's Upper PeninsulaMAYBANK QUALIFIES FOR 2026 U.S. AM: Cheboygan native, OU's PJ Maybank III qualifies for 2026 U.S. AmateurI really had no idea what I was doing, and I think my editor at the time (Zac Britton) wanted to fire me a fewdifferent times(thanks for giving me some time, Zac!).Since then, however,Ivehad the chance to cover some unbelievable athletes from this area. Being inspired by some of the best athlete listsIveseen from colleagues in recent days, I decided tocome up withthe top athletesIvehad the chance to follow in the 15-plus years of being your sportseditor.Heresthe look at the 11 best male athletesIvecovered since starting at the Tribune. Damon Proctor, Cheboygan Arguably Cheboygan High Schools greatest-ever pitcher, Proctor helped lead the Chiefs to their first district baseball title in 2013. Following high school, Proctor became an NAIA all-American pitcher at the University of Northwestern Ohio. In his final collegiate campaign, Proctor finished with a 13-0 record and a 1.50 earned run average.Christopher Hass, Pellston During his prolific career in the 2010s, Hass who racked up 2,522 career points averaged 27.7 points, 8.2rebounds and five assists in his senior season, which saw him lead the Hornets to a state quarterfinal appearance. Following Pellston, Hass earned all-Patriot League honors at Bucknell University.Aidan Fenstermaker, Inland Lakes The most dynamic football playerIvecovered, Fenstermaker earned all-state first team honors in his final two seasons at Inland Lakes. In his senior season at quarterback in 2024, Fenstermaker rushed for1,612 yardsand 24 touchdowns and passed for944 yardsand 20 touchdowns. Fenstermakerearned all-state baseball honors and starred in basketball.After Inland Lakes, Fenstermaker signed for Alma College football.P.J. Maybank III, Cheboygan While he technically played just one season with Cheboygan golf, he made it a memorable one by coasting to an MHSAA Division 3 individual state title in 2021. Maybank, who's won numerous tournaments throughout his golf career, signed with the University of Oklahoma, wherehesentering his fourth season.Luke Munger, CheboyganIn my opinion, thebestCheboygan High School football player over the last two decades. Munger earned 2024 all-state first team honorswiththe Chiefs as an offensive and defensive lineman. Munger is currently in his secondseason at Northwood University (Midland).Stan Swiderek, CheboyganOne of those elite three-way starsyoullnever forget, Swiderek was a standout in football,hockeyand baseball. While Swiderek did his part in Cheboygan baseball winning a first-ever district title in 2013,I thought his best sport was hockey, as he was an outstanding defenseman who was pivotal in the Chiefs winning the programs first regional crown in 2012.Aaron Chatfield,Burt LakeNMCA Though I only got to watch this superstar soccer player a couple of times, Chatfield had a sensational career (2009-12) that saw him become the MHSAAs current record holder for goals in a season (68 in 2012), goals in a career (201), and points in a career (296 201 goals,95 assists).BEST INTERVIEWS: These Cheboygan-area athletes were my favorite to interview in 2025-26BOYS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: Cheboygan basketball is Daily Tribune's boys sports team of the yearGIRLS SPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR: Inland Lakes basketball is 2025-26 area girls sports team of the yearConnor Wallace, Inland LakesAn elite left-handed flamethrower, Wallace picked up all-state baseball honors in three of his four varsity seasons with the Bulldogs, including a senior campaign that saw him finish 13-2 with a 0.479 ERA, 144 strikeouts and just 26 hits allowed. Another three-sporter, Wallace also secured all-conference in cross country and basketball.Wallace later signed with Grand Rapids Community College baseball.Lars Huffman, Mackinaw City One of the best all-around athletesIvehad the opportunity to watch, Huffman starred in cross country,basketball, baseball and track and field. Huffman, who earned all-state accolades inbasketball and baseball, currently runs for the St. Norbert College mens cross country and track and field squads.Jager Mix, Onaway One of those cant-miss athletes, Mix was superb in football,basketball and trackand field. During an impressive basketball career, Mix earned all-state honorsand lifted the Cardinals to a state quarterfinal appearance in 2022. In addition to football, Mix was also a country runner in the fall.He eventually signed with Alpena Community College mens basketball following Onaway.Blake Cassidy, Pellston Another Pellston basketball great,this smooth-shooting guard collected all-state accolades in his junior and senior seasons, with the latter being a2019-20seniorcampaign where he averaged29.7, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. The eventual Lake Superior State University signee inspired the Hornets to a state quarterfinal appearance during his junior season in 2019.Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf atjgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@sportsCDTThis article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: The best male athletes I've covered in the Cheboygan area | Greenleaf