Negaunee defender Abby Nelson, left, closely guards Gwinn's Brenna Bruce during a Class C district tournament game played March 1 at Lakeview Memorial Gym in Negaunee. Nelson, a three-sport athlete for the Miners, was recently named to the MHSAA's statewide Student Advistory Council.(Journal file photo by Rachel Oakley)

NEGAUNEE — Sophomore Abby Nelson of Negaunee High School is among eight student-athletes statewide who have been chosen to serve a two-year term on the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Student Advisory Council.

She joins seven Lower Peninsula sophomores who will make up the 16-member SAC. Munising senior Marissa Immel is just coming to the end of her two-year term.

Nelson, the daughter of Beth Prusi and Brad Nelson, has competed in tennis, basketball and softball at NHS while also compiling a 4.0 grade-point average.

In tennis last fall, she was part of the No. 3 doubles Upper Peninsula championship that helped the Miners win the U.P. title.

In basketball over the winter, she started on the Miners’ varsity basketball teams as a freshman and sophomore that have won Class C district titles the last two years. Nelson was also named to the Second Team in the Mid-Peninsula Conference.

And in softball this spring, she has played varsity for the past two seasons.

The SAC provides feedback on issues impacting athletics from a student’s perspective, according to the MHSAA. It is also involved in the operation of MSHAA championship events and other programming.

Eight new members are selected annually to serve on the SAC, with nominations made by MHSAA member schools. Incoming juniors will join the group of eight seniors-to-be appointed a year ago.

Joining Nelson as new members of the group will be Taylor Adams of Allendale, Neil Bazaj of Ann Arbor Greenhills, Megan Corbe of St. Joseph, Shane Dolan of Clarkston Everest Collegiate, Chloe Idoni of Fenton, William Jontz of Brighton and Pierce Morrissey of Big Rapids.

The group meets seven times during the school year plus another time for a 24-hour leadership camp. The SAC also discusses issues dealing with the 4 S’s of educational athletics — scholarship, sportsmanship, safety (including health and nutrition) and the sensible scope of athletic programs. There also is a fifth S discussed by the group — student leadership.

This school year, the council judged the sixth Battle of the Fans after creating the contest during 2011-12 as a way to promote positive sportsmanship. The council also completed updates to the “Captains 101” leadership guide first published in 2009, and this fall will distribute a follow-up book titled “The Captains Playbook.” The 24-page book will be sent to schools throughout the state and also, by request, to other states and internationally.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.