WAYLAND, MI — Hanna Moulenbelt wasn’t wearing a long flowing gown and high heels when she was announced Wayland Union High School’s homecoming queen — because she’s on the football team and had a game to play.
Moulenbelt, a kicker on the team, marched out to the middle of the field Friday, Oct. 16, donning her green and black Wildcat uniform and wearing cleats to receive her tiara. She strolled off with the king, Jack Marcinek, before getting ready for a tough game against South Christian High School.
“I was filled with adrenaline when they called my name,” Moulenbelt said.
She was decked out in a red dress for the homecoming dance that Saturday.
“I was taken aback, because I was convinced another girl would win. It was very exciting.”
She said she was congratulated by her teammates, who she affectionately refers to as “my boys.”
One of three girls in her family, she said she always wanted a brother, and now she has more than 30 of them.
Moulenbelt said she was glad new Coach Mike Doupe gave her a chance to win a spot on the team this year, something the previous coach was not open to her junior year. She said she had the full support of both of her parents, although her mom was worried about her getting hurt until she explained the kicker’s role.
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Doupe said she approached him about being a kicker, and he told her she had to earn the position.
“We treat her like every other player,” said Doupe, who said Moulenbelt has been pretty consistent hitting the points after touchdowns. “She gets no special treatment and participates in hitting drills and lifting like the other players.
“She is a good kid who works hard, and a lot of people look up to her, so I think that’s why she got it (queen).”
Moulenbelt said she and fellow place kicker, Austin Wroblewski, worked out this summer with Andrew Haldeman, the kicker for Western Michigan University and a Wayland High alumnus. She said she is nine of 11 with points after touchdown before Wayland’s game Friday, Oct. 23.
The team is seeking its second victory of the season and embraced the motto “Pouring Concrete” this season because they are rebuilding the foundation.
Moulenbelt, who also plays girls soccer, said the team warmed up to her role over the summer during conditioning workouts, and now they are good friends. She said it feels good to be able to inspire younger girls.
“Football has taught me a lot of life lessons such as not giving up, persevering and not judging anyone,” she said. “I never watched football as a kid but listened to the boys in class talk about what an adrenaline rush it was.
“I was always in the stands cheering for ‘my boys,’ but there is way more of an adrenaline rush being on the field.”
She admits she has a secret dream of running with the ball to score a touchdown.
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