The 2024 Michigan Excessive College Area Hockey Affiliation Division II title match was not solely the assembly of two nice groups, however these had been two varsity applications which had been begotten from the thought of one of many two coaches, Chelsea (Mich.) head coach Leslie Fry.
Thoughts you it wasn’t Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Dexter (Mich.) that earned Leslie Fry the co-award for United States Coach of the 12 months, but it surely was greater than 20 years of legwork by her and considered one of her closest associates.
Shortly after the flip of the century, Leslie Fry and Roxy Block, colleagues inside the teaching equipment at Ann Arbor Greenhills College (Mich.) courting again to 1979, had the purpose of including area hockey taking part in alternatives in Washtenau County, positioned west of Detroit.
The group, the Washtenau Whippets, began as a co-op membership program, taking part in aggressive area hockey in opposition to varsity groups in Michigan. They had been a singular program, carving their very own path and writing a singular story in American scholastic area hockey,
That effort bore fruit in Washtenau County — in addition to at the least 4 fully-fledged varsity groups. Starting in 2016, numerous school-based groups started play on account of the gamers and coaches who had been within the Whippets program. This included the Dexter (Mich.) Dreadnaughts, which might develop a 2024 Olympian, Abby Tamer.
The hassle was not with out battle. In 2010, the group was at a crossroads, going winless and incomes however one attract a attempting marketing campaign. It was additionally about that point when Roxy Block was recognized with most cancers.
The group had a mission — not solely to enhance the play on the sector, however to boost cash to battle most cancers. Two years later, the Whippets would win the 2012 Michigan Excessive College Area Hockey League title.
Fry would then embark on a second act, to carry a championship to Chelsea Excessive College. By dint of exhausting work and willpower, the varsity would win the 2015 MHSFHA Division I regular-season title on the first time of asking. Chelsea, nonetheless would fell simply wanting profitable a state championship that season, shedding to Ann Arbor Pioneer (Mich.) 1-0 within the state event.
Heartbreakingly, the Bulldogs wouldn’t have the ability to carry a title to Chelsea whereas Washtenau co-founder Roxy Block was alive; she misplaced her seven-year battle with most cancers in December 2017. And whereas Chelsea would have one other couple of state remaining appearances, they might not break by.
That’s, till 2024. Within the remaining, the Bulldogs would meet considered one of its spinoff groups, Dexter.
The Bulldogs would win the sport on a third-quarter purpose from Jikke Kerstens. Her shot deflected off a Dreadnaught defender and over the purpose line. The sport didn’t finish with no last-minute scare when Dexter put a ball into the cage from simply exterior the hanging circle. However the remaining whistle confirmed Chelsea as winners.
On the sidelines, Fry was joined by her assistant coaches — her daughter Casey and Corey Block, the daughter of Roxy Block. The three got the sector hockey Coaches Award from the Michigan Southeastern Convention.
The 2024 Chelsea championship was the primary state event championship for Chelsea however the final one underneath the aegis of the MHSFHA, because the event will probably be run by the Michigan Excessive College Athletic Affiliation beginning subsequent fall.
Fry, and her co-winner Jodi Hollamon, be a part of a bunch of luminaries who’ve received this award up to now:
2024: Leslie Fry, Chelsea (Mich.) and Jodi Hollamon, Delmar (Del.)
2023: Jeannette Eire, Ellicott Metropolis Mount Hebron (Md.)
2022: Ann Simons, Longmeadow (Mass.)
2021: Ruth Beaton, West Newbury Pentucket (Mass.)
2020-21: Carrie Holman, Vienna James Madison (Va.)
2019: Ali Good, Summit Oak Knoll (N.J.)
2018: Bri Value, Hershey (Pa.)
2017: Mary Werkheiser, Norfolk (Va.) Academy
2016: Jessica Rose Shellenberger, Mount Pleasure Donegal (Pa.)
2015: Danyle Heilig, Voorhees Jap (N.J.)
2014: Eileen Donahue, Watertown (Mass.)
2013: Jim Larkin, Fredericksburg Chancellor (Va.)
2012: Ashly Fishell-Shaffer, Edgemere Sparrows Level (Md.)
2011: Lil Shelton, Severna Park (Md.)
2010: Sarah Catlin, Cincinnati St. Ursula (Ohio)
2009: Danyle Heilig, Voorhees Jap (N.J.)
2008: Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, Pewaukee Trinity Academy (Wisc.)
2007: Wendy Reichenbach, Palmyra (Pa.)
2006: Barb Dwyer, Ladue Horton Watkins (Mo.)
2005: Robin Woodie, Fredericksburg Stafford (Va.)
2004: Monica Dennis, Grosse Pointe South (Mich.)
2003: Kearney Francis, Silver Spring Springbrook (Md.)
2002: Slade Gormus, Midlothian James River (Va.)
2001: Amanda Janney, Ft. Value Trinity Valley (Tex.)
2000: Eileen Allan, Pompton Lakes (N.J.)
1999: Amy Wooden, Bethesda-Chevy Chase (Md.)
1998: Diane Chapman, Backyard Metropolis (N.J.) and Brenda Beckwith, Winslow (Maine)
1997: Maryellen Clemencich, Allentown (N.J.)
1996: Tracey Paul, Escondido San Pasqual (Calif.)
1995: Nancy Fowlkes, Virginia Seashore Frank W. Cox (Va.)
1994: Mike Shern, Lacey (N.J.) Township
1993: Pat Toner, Newtown Council Rock (Pa.)
