Two Munising High School student-athletes, seniors Dayne Behning and Trevor Nolan, have been named recipients of the prestigious Michigan High School Athletic Association/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award.

This recognition celebrates their achievements in academics, athletics and leadership, cementing their place among Michigan’s top student-athletes.

The MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award is a highly competitive scholarship awarded to student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence both on the field and in the classroom. With a required 3.5 GPA or higher and a history of varsity sports participation, the award emphasizes sportsmanship, academic success and community involvement.

Each recipient earns a $2,000 scholarship and will be recognized at the MHSAA boys basketball finals on March 15 at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Only 10 students across the state in Classes C and D earned this award.

“This award means a lot to me,” Nolan said. “With so many strong applicants, I felt honored to be selected. But the best part was seeing how excited my teachers and administrators were for me.”

For Behning, the honor is just as significant. “It’s a reflection of all the hard work and the support I’ve had from my family, my teachers and my coaches,” she said. “To be recognized at this level is something special.”

Nolan, a four-sport athlete, has excelled in varsity cross country, basketball, track and field and football while also earning all-state and academic all-state honors.

He was a key player on Munising’s 2023 Division 4 state championship basketball team. He has won multiple league championships in cross country, earned all-Upper Peninsula honors and was a finals relay champion in track. On the football field, he received all-conference honorable mention. Nolan also served as a captain for both the cross country and basketball teams.

Beyond athletics, he is in his second year with the National Honor Society and Key Club. He was elected class president as a freshman while serving on student council.

When asked about his most rewarding athletic experience, he didn’t hesitate.

“The state championship my team won my sophomore year,” Nolan said. “That was the best athletic memory of my life.”

Behning, another standout, has balanced multiple sports while maintaining academic excellence. She is a five-sport athlete, excelling in basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country and tennis. Her achievements include all-state honors in cross country, all-Upper Peninsula recognition in tennis and all-conference selections in both volleyball and basketball. Additionally, she has earned academic all-state team and individual honors in cross country.

Beyond athletics, Behning has taken on leadership roles, serving as a captain for the tennis and volleyball teams. She is in her second year on student council, holding positions as both council vice president and class vice president. She is also an active member of Key Club, currently in her fourth year and serving as vice president.

Her extracurricular involvement extends to her second year in the National Honor Society, her third in Youth in Government and her third on the yearbook staff. This year, she is also competing in quiz bowl for the first time.

“This award is proof that hard work pays off,” Behning said. “Balancing five sports while keeping up with academics and other commitments hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve had an incredible support system. I hope this encourages younger athletes to push themselves and take pride in their efforts.”

Both Behning and Nolan have demonstrated leadership on and off the field, mentoring younger athletes and embodying the values of teamwork and dedication.

In his essay for the award, Nolan reflected on his journey with sportsmanship.

“A coach once told me that the reason why high school sports are so successful is that they teach young kids how to mature into adults,” he wrote. “Growing up, I was not always a good sport, but as I got older, I learned the importance of sportsmanship through many important lessons.”

In her essay, Behning noted the unique camaraderie of Upper Peninsula athletics.

“Long bus rides and years of competition turn opponents into familiar faces,” she wrote. “Over time, rivalries evolve into friendships, and competition becomes a shared language. We end up being each other’s biggest cheerleaders.” Munising Public Schools teachers Sarah Johnson (Mather Elementary) and Hillary Ludecke (Munising Middle/High), whom Behning and Nolan credited as influential during their elementary years, reflected on the significance of this achievement.

“Trevor and Dayne represent everything this award stands for,” Johnson said. “They’re committed, they work hard and they bring a positive attitude to everything they do.”

Ludecke echoed that sentiment: “These are the kids you hope for as a teacher. They lead by example, not just in their sports but in the classroom and the community.”

Athletic success is never an individual journey. Terry Kienitz coached Nolan in basketball, while Matt Mattson coached Behning. Both played instrumental roles in helping Nolan and Behning develop into the athletes they are today.

“Trevor has an incredible work ethic,” Kienitz said. “He leads by example and lifts up his teammates. His passion for improvement is contagious.”

Mattson noted Behning’s growth and determination. “Dayne’s commitment to her sports and studies is what sets her apart,” he said. “She’s an athlete who understands the importance of balance, and it’s been a privilege to coach her.”

For Nolan’s mother, Amie Nolan, the award is a culmination of years of dedication.

“Trevor has worked so hard for this,” she said. “But what makes me the most proud is the way he gives back — whether it’s mentoring younger athletes or his deep commitment to his faith.”

Behning’s grandparents, Lew and Brenda Behning, expressed their pride as well.

“Dayne has always been dedicated, and this award is proof of her perseverance,” Brenda Behning said.

Lew Behning added, “We couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Nolan will continue his athletic and academic career at Bay College, where he plans to study physical therapy or kinesiology while playing basketball.

Behning is considering Michigan State University or Baker College to pursue a career as a veterinary technician. Baker College’s program allows her to start immediately and finish in two years, while Michigan State offers a more traditional college experience but requires general coursework before entering the vet program.