CHEBOYGAN I enjoycoming up withthese lists. Recently, I went over the best male and female athletesIvecovered since working at the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.Then, I figured, why not do another topic. BEST MALE ATHLETES: The best male athletes I've covered in the Cheboygan area | GreenleafBEST FEMALE ATHLETES: The best female athletes I've covered in Cheboygan area | GreenleafFrom when I returned to the Daily Tribune in 2020 to the present,Ivebeen fortunate enough to cover some excellent high school sports programs. When it comes to the elite of the elite, these teams are it.So,heresa look at the most successful programs since March 2020.Cheboygan Bowling (Coach Brian Taylor)Main accoladessince 2020:Girls; Three MHSAA Division 3 regionalchampionships (2021, 2022, 2024), One MHSAA Division 3 state runner-up (2022),SixNorthern Michigan Bowling Conference titles (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026); Boys; Six Northern Michigan Bowling Conferencechampionships(2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026)Notable players:Boys;Cole Swanberg, Tommy Jones, Dawson Campbell, Lawrence Duffiney, Luke Marsh, Jacob Pluszczynski;Girls; Morgan Jones, Izzy Portman, Izzy Taylor, Alicia Vieau, Lily McKervey, Jenna Knaffle, Zoey BurThoughts:Both programs have been exceptional during coach Brian Taylors tenure, as the Cheboygan girls nearly won a state title in 2022, while the boysfeatured the stellar Cole Swanberg, who won a singles state title in 2020 and regional crowns in 2020 and 2022. These programs were also spearheaded by brother and sister Tommy Jones and Morgan Jones, who won singles regional titles.Inland Lakes Football (Coach Travis Meyer)Main accoladessince 2020:Three MHSAA 8-Player Division 1regional championships (2020, 2023, 2024); Five Ski Valley 8-Player Conference championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025); One MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 state runner-up (2023); Two MHSAA state semifinal appearances (2023, 2024)NotablePlayers:Mason Blumke, Aidan Fenstermaker, Jake Willey, Andre Bradford, Avery Enos,Wyatt Hanel, Grant Blumke, Sam Mayer, DJ Buhr, Mitch Crawford, Beau Vizina Thoughts:Since 2020, Travis Meyers Inland Lakes Bulldogs have been one of the most decorated programs in the area, consistently winning at a high rate.If it hadnot been for an improbable late-game comeback by Martin at the Superior Domein 2023, the Bulldogs would be on this list with a state title in hand. Either way, Inland Lakes football has shined since the start of this decade.Inland Lakes Volleyball (Coach Nicole Moore)Main accolades since 2020:FiveMHSAA district championships (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); Two MHSAADivision 4 regional championships (2021, 2022);One MHSAA Division 4 state runner-up (2021);TwoSki Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023)Notable Players:Natalie Wandrie, Ryann Clancy, Alyssa Byrne, Olivia Monthei, BrooklynLaBrecque, Hannah Robinson, Chloe Robinson, Jenna Stubbs, Addison Byrne Thoughts:Since Nicole Moores arrival in the program in 2020, the Bulldogs captured district titles in each of her first five seasons, while also earning a pair of regional crowns, and finishing runner-up in the2021MHSAA Division 4 state final. Year by year,Moores Bulldogs consistently won and produced all-state players like Natalie Wandrie and Ryann Clancy.Moore stepped down following the 2025 campaign.Inland Lakes Girls Basketball (Coach Daryl Vizina)Mainaccoladessince 2020:One MHSAA Division 4 regional championship (2025-26);Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26);One Ski Valley Conference championship (2023-24)Notableplayers:Chloe Robinson, Mary Myshock, Ava Belford, Addison Byrne, Natalie Wandrie, Brooklyn LaBrecqueThoughts:Before Daryl Vizinas arrival in 2020, the Bulldogs were a struggling program. By the end of it, the I-L coachand his many stars throughout the years turned the program into a winning machine, culminating with the programs first-ever regional title in the 2025-26 campaign.Inland Lakes Baseball (Coach Josh Vieau)Main accolades since 2020:Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024);Three Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023, 2024)Notableplayers:Connor Wallace, Aidan Fenstermaker, Mason Blumke, Grant Blumke, Jake Willey, TyKolly,Cash DePauw, Andre BradfordThoughts:When you go unbeaten in your conference like Josh Vieaus Bulldogs did during multiple seasons, thats pretty darn impressive, especially whenGaylord St. Mary is also a part of that league.Vieaus I-L teams have won consistently and produced multiple all-staters like Connor Wallace, Aidan Fenstermaker and TyKolly.Inland Lakes Girls Track and Field (Coach Sarah Furman)Main accolades since 2020:Three MHSAA Division 4 regional championships (2023, 2024, 2026); Three Ski Valley Conference championships (2022, 2023, 2026); One MHSAA Division 4 state runner-up (2023)Notable athletes:Natalie Wandrie, Larissa Huffman, Chloe Robinson, Kaylee Taglauer, Mary Myshock, Christy Shank,Hannah Robinson, Luci BunkerThoughts:In 2023, coach Sarah Furmans Bulldogs were a super team, led by Natalie Wandrie, who won D4 state titles in the discus and shot put, as well as Larissa Huffman, an 11-time all-state performer.Over the last decade and change, Inland Lakes girls track has embodied the unselfish, team-first mindset, anditsresulted in several trophies.Mackinaw City Girls Basketball (Coach Jake Huffman)Main accolades since 2020:One MHSAA Division 4 regional championship (2022-23);One MHSAA Division 4 district championship (2022-23);Five Northern Lakes Conference championships (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)Notable Players:Madison Smith, Larissa Huffman, Marlie Postula, Gracie Beauchamp, Jersey Beauchamp, Julia Sullivan, Raeann HingstonThoughts:Perhaps themostimpressive stretch on this list came from thisMackinaw City program. While none of those Comet teams were deep by any stretch, they found a way to make it work behind elite teamwork and exciting play. Their golden moment was a thrilling regional title victory over Inland Lakes in 2023. Onaway Boys Basketball (Coach Eddy Szymoniak)Main accolades since 2020:Four MHSAA Division 4 district championships (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24);Two Ski Valley Conference championships (2021-22, 2022-23)Notable Players:Jager Mix, Jadin Mix, Austin Veal, Bridger Peel, Mason BeebeThoughts:Eddy SzymoniaksCardinals were as thrilling and successful as anybody on this list, ending a 63-year Ski Valley title drought by winning the conference outright in 2022, and earning a share of the crown the following season. Fueled by stars like Jager andJadin Mix, Austin Veal and Mason Beebe, the Cardinals won four straight district titles.Honorable MentionsCheboygan Softball (Coach Mike LaLonde),Cheboygan Volleyball (Kris Jewell and DarcieMlynarchek),Inland Lakes Softball (Coach Krissi Thompson),Onaway Volleyball (Coach Steve Watson)Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf atjgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@sportsCDTThis article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Which Cheboygan-area sports programs have been the best since 2020?