At a recent basketball game, Indian Lake High School and Athletic Director Jeff Courter recognized the outstanding ILHS athletes from the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. In order to be eligible for the ILHS Athletic Hall of Honor, an athlete must have excelled to the level of state recognition by the Ohio High School Athletic Association during their high school years. Despite Covid-19 robbing them of at least one athletic season, these young men continued to persevere and excel to the highest levels. Each one was presented with his photo highlighting the state level accomplishments. Then the honorees placed the picture in the Hall of Honor after the ceremony.
Clay Jacobs was a force for Indian Lake High School on the football field, basketball court and baseball diamond. In 2018, he earned a spot on the All Ohio Baseball Team as an infielder. Jacobs continues his baseball career today at Edison State University. He is the son of the Cale and Andrea Jacobs of Huntsville.
Nathan Reichert was also a three-sport standout during his years at Indian Lake. Reichert dominated both the offensive and defensive lines as a member of the successful Laker football team. As a sophomore, he was selected as a Special Mention for the All Ohio Football Team. As a junior in 2018, Reichert made 2nd Team All Ohio Football and as a senior in 2019, he was chosen for 3rd Team All Ohio. Reichert also lettered in basketball and track. He is currently part of the Ball State University football team’s defensive line. Nathan is the son of Dan and Theresa Reichert of Lewistown.
Dustin Franks is the first and only athlete from Indian Lake to date to qualify for the State Track Meet in four events. During his senior season, Franks advanced to state in Long Jump, High Jump, the 110 meter hurdles, and the 300 meter hurdles. In addition, in 2019 Franks took third place in the Ohio Indoor Track Championships in Triple Jump. While in high school, Dustin was also an important member of the football team and mens' swim team. He is currently competing for Wittenberg University Track and Field. Dustin is the son of Travis and Kim Franks of Huntsville.
Lane Mefford became a member of the ILHS Athletic Hall of Honor in two sports. As a junior, Lane was an Honorable Mention All-State football player. As a senior linebacker, Mefford earned a spot on the All Ohio Football Second Team. Then, during wrestling season that same year, Mefford earned his 100th win and qualified for the State Wrestling Meet. He was also a valued member of the ILHS Baseball program. Mefford is currently serving our country as a member of the ROTC program at Bowling Green State University. He is the son of Darren and Missy Mefford of Lewistown.
The final inductee of the evening, was 2021 Division III 160-pound State Champion Wrestler Hayden Pummel. Dedicating his life to the sport, Pummel wrestled to a 7th place podium finish at the 2019 State Wrestling Meet as a sophomore. Pummel again qualified for the State Wrestling Meet as a junior in 2020, but Covid-19 concerns cut the season short. As a senior, Pummel triumphantly returned to the mat, setting a school record of more than 150 wins and becoming the first Indian Lake wrestler to earn 4 sectional championships. He continued on to the state meet, where he claimed the top spot on the podium, becoming State Champion in the 160-pound weight class. Pummel becomes just the third individual from Indian Lake to earn a state championship. Hayden is currently a member of the Northern Illinois University Wrestling Team. He is the son of Rick and Keely Pummel of Russells Point.
Congratulations to these awesome young men and we wish you continued success in all you do!