Indian Lake Schools honored excellence in athletics with the annual Athletic Hall of Honor Ceremony at a recent boys basketball game. 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. Five individuals from the Class of 2025 were inducted and officially put their photo on the wall. They are Quest Clay, Ava Faler, Madden Lillard, Owen Pummel and Halle Roby. (Read more about them below)
In addition, the ILHS 1979 Boys Cross Country team was also recognized at the ceremony and asked to rise in the stands. This was the first Indian Lake team in history to make it to the State Championships. That year they finished 5th at State. This is still the highest placement in Indian Lake Cross Country's history. They also brought home conference and regional championships on their way to the state meet. Team members hung their picture on the wall during a special reception held by the Indian Lake Cross Country program. Team members included: John Emrick, Carson Mummey, Troy Oakley, Tim Morton, Dan Alspaugh, Gerry Lehmkuhle, Mike Dickerson, Pat Plikerd, Steve Chivington, Ben Davis, Joe Brenner, Denise Pickering, Bryan Gonterman, Mark Freeman, John Dickerson, Bill Coyer, Alan Elliot, Mark Smith, Steve Smith, Scott Owens, Bill Bodi, Mike Arthur, Paul Cummins, and Coach Jeff Kerns.
Quest Clay was a two-sport stand out during his time at Indian Lake Schools and he was honored for excellence in both sports. First, Quest advanced to the Ohio State Track and Field Championships in Long Jump during his junior season. He placed 10th in the state with a jump of 20-feet, 3 inches. Quest also qualified for the OATCCC Indoor state championships for Triple Jump. Finally, after a phenomenal senior football season, Quest was named to First Team All Ohio as a wide receiver and CBC Offensive Player of the Year. He is currently studying Business at Ashland University where he is a member of the Eagle football team. Quest is the son of Anna Clay and nephew of Lanny Greer.
Ava Faler was honored for her accomplishments in Track and Field. Ava advanced to the Ohio State Track and Field Championships her senior season in high jump with a regional jump of 5-feet 2 inches. She also earned Academic All-Ohio honors. In addition, Ava holds the school record in Triple Jump and earned an impressive 4th place finish in the triple jump at the D3 Indoor State Track and Field Championships earlier this year! She also qualified for the State Indoor Track Championships in Triple Jump her junior year. Ava was also an accomplished Basketball and Competition Cheerleader for Indian Lake! She is currently studying Flight Science at Western Michigan University. Ava is the daughter of Chad and Fame Faler. Congratulations Ava!
As a senior, Madden Lillard stepped into the role of quarterback for the Indian Lake Lakers and led the team to their first ever Elite 8 appearance! For his efforts Lillard was selected Honorable Mention All Ohio Football as a QB. Madden was a three-sport standout for Indian Lake, also playing basketball and baseball. Earlier this year, he was also selected as the CBC Mad River Division Player of the Year and the Division 4 Southwest District Baseball Player of the Year. Madden is currently a student-athlete at Wright State University Lake Campus where he plays baseball. He is the son of Ryan and Tia Lillard.
Indian Lake Wrestling star and four-time state qualifier, Owen Pummel was represented by his brother, Hayden, as he was competing at a wrestling tournament for the University of Northern Michigan. Owen was recognized for this stellar career on the wrestling mats representing Indian Lake High School. He is a four-time qualifier to the OHSAA State Wrestling Meet. During his freshman season, Owen took the podium in 8th place. As a junior, he moved up to 4th place and finally, as a senior, Owen wrestled to State Runner Up. In addition, he holds the record for most wrestling wins in Indian Lake High School history with 156. He is a student-athlete studying environmental science and a member of the Greco Roman wrestling team at Northern Michigan. Owen is the son of Rick and Keeley Pummel.
After helping lead the Lady Lakers Softball program to numerous CBC titles, a District Championship, a Regional Championship and a State Runner-Up title, Halle Roby was selected as Honorable Mention All Ohio Softball. Halle was First Team All CBC in Softball for several years. She was also a star on the volleyball court, holding multiple setting records. She is currently a student-athlete at Ball State University and she will travel with the Cardinal Softball team as the bullpen catcher this upcoming season. Halle is the daughter of Ben and Malesia Roby.
Congratulations everyone!