On Wednesday evening (5/18/22), MSHS seniors Madalyn Stern (alpine skiing, girls soccer) and Austin Ridl (football, track & field) were honored with the MSHS Athletics Organizational Awards from the L.G. Kaufman Endowment School Fund.

Criteria for the award are based on demonstrated qualities in three areas: character, leadership and excellence.

Madlyn Stern is the daughter of Ryan and Hilary Stern.  Maddy is a four-year member of the MSHS Girls Alpine Ski team and was team captain for the 2022 season. Maddy had an incredible run in her final campaign that demonstrated the time, hard work and dedication that she has put into the sport over her career.

By season’s end, Maddy had earned a U.P. Championship in Giant Slalom (GS), an MHSAA Regional Championship in Slalom (5th in GS), and culminated when she captured the 2022 MHSAA Division 1 State Championship in Giant Slalom (8th in Slalom). To go along with these postseason finishes, Maddy was named as the U.P. Girls Skier of the Year and selected to the All-State and All-U.P. Teams.

Maddy’s commitment to excellence extends into the classroom as well. She earned the Academic All-State Award from the Michigan High School Ski Coaches Association (MHSSCA) both this season and as a junior in 2021.

Maddy hopes to attend Northern Michigan University and pursue a nursing degree while also competing on the Wildcats Alpine Ski Team.

Austin Ridl is the son of Jamie Ridl and Molly Mikesch.

Austin has been the leader of the MSHS Varsity Football team for the past three seasons. His play at the quarterback position guided the program to new levels of success with three consecutive MHSAA postseason appearances, three consecutive Great Northern Conference championships and the team being recognized as the U.P. “Team of the Year” for the past two seasons.

In his final season in red and white, Austin passed for 2,237 yards with 26 touchdowns and rushed for 355 yards with 3 touchdowns. These marks, along with his invaluable leadership and work ethic, earned him multiple postseason accolades including Honorable Mention All-State, All-Region; All-U.P. “Dream Team”; and All-Great Northern Conference honors.

In addition to football, Austin is also a member of the MSHS boys track and field program where is he a member of the reigning U.P. champion 800 Meter Relay team and was a member of the 400 Meter Relay team that set a new school record last season.

In February of this year, Austin signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Michigan Tech University, where he will participate as a member of the Huskies football program. His program of study has not yet been decided.