The Ionia High School Hall of Fame Class has been selected for 2025.
The Ionia High School Hall of Fame Class has been selected for 2025.
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Ionia High School Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2025

Ionia High School has announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2025, which includes four athletes and one team.

The induction will take place on the weekend of Sept. 26-27. The inductees will be introduced at halftime of the Ionia football game on the Sept. 26 and the banquet will take place at the Ionia Moose Lodge on Saturday, Sept. 27, beginning at 5 p.m.

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It is open to the public, including former players, coaches, friends of the inductees and the community. Interested parties can contact Scott Swinehart at 616-446-8317 or Gary Swinehart at garys1958@live.com or 616-813-3240.

Scott Shattuck – Class of 2006      

Inductee – Ionia High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Scott Shattuck, a 2006 graduate of Ionia High School, was a standout three-sport athlete, earning an impressive 11 varsity letters—four each in wrestling and track & field, and three in football.

As a heavyweight wrestler, Scott recorded 102 career wins, becoming just the eighth wrestler in school history to surpass the century mark. He was a four-year varsity letterwinner, two-time All-Conference selection, and a two-time state qualifier. He capped off his wrestling career with back-to-back All-State honors and served as team captain for two seasons. Scott was also a key member of the 2006 wrestling team that captured the only District Championship in Ionia’s history.

In track and field, Scott was a two-time team captain and a two-time All-Conference performer. As a senior, he qualified for the state finals in the shot put, where he placed 10th and earned All-State recognition.

On the football field, Scott was a dominant force during his three-year varsity career, helping lead Ionia to three consecutive playoff appearances. He was part of the 2005 CAAC Championship team and was recognized as an All-Conference selection twice. As was a Two-Time honoree on the Lansing State Journal Dream Team and was a two-time All-County honoree. He also received Honorable Mention All-State honors his senior yea as well as team Captain. Scott’s football coach, Terry Johnson, commented, “It was my privilege to coach Scott for three years on  the varsity football team. He was the captain and leader in his senior year and he excelled both on the offensive and defensive lines.” Johnson went on further to state, “I believe he was the best lineman that I ever coached.”

Following high school, Scott continued his football career at Ferris State University, where he earned three varsity letters. Scott started 34 games as an offensive lineman at Ferris, was named the team’s Most Improved Offensive Player in 2008, earned All-Conference honors, and was a GLIAC All-Academic selection for multiple seasons. He also served as a team captain during his senior year in 2010.

Scott Shattuck’s legacy as a leader, competitor, and multi-sport athlete makes him a fitting inductee into the Ionia High School Hall of Fame.

Scott resides in Ionia with his wife Sarah and daughter Jordyn.

Dan Andersen – Class of 2007

Inductee – Ionia High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Dan Andersen was a 2007 graduate where he was a four-year varsity letter winner in track and field and was a member of the Cross Country and Swim teams,  setting school records in the 110 meter hurdles in 2006 (14.3) and 300 meter hurdles in 2005  (39.42) . Both records still exist today. Dan is an 11-time All-Conference performer. He is a five-time champion in the hurdles; as a sophomore he was first in the 110 meter hurdles and second in the 300 meters and was first in both events as a junior and senior. Also placed second in the 110 meter hurdles in the Honor ‘Roll of Champions setting a school record in 14.9, before finishing first in both hurdle events in 2006 and 2007.Dan earned All- conference honors in four events as a junior, winning both the 110 and 300 meter hurdles, placing second in the 200 meter dash third in the 400 meters and placed fifth in the 300 meter hurdles as a freshman.

Dan had an outstanding career in the Regional State Meets, as he was a two-time regional champion in 2007 with first place finishes in the 110 meter and 300 meter hurdles. As a junior in 2006, he placed third in the 110 meters and second in the 300 meter hurdles at the region meet. In 2005, he placed third in the 110,  fourth in the 300 meter hurdles.and fourth in the 200 meter dash, tying a school record in 22.7. 

In addition, Dan was a six-time All-State performer. As a sophomore, Dan placed fourth in the 110 meter and sixth in the 300 meter hurdles at the State Meet, while also qualifying in the 200-meter dash. In the State Meet in 2006 he finished fifth in the 110m and eighth in the 300 m hurdles. As a senior, he came in fifth in the 110m and 10th in the 300m. Dan’s track coach Chris Young, commented, Dan was very talented and capable of running  multiple events as he  often ran back to back in some meets.”

His dominance in the hurdles for Ionia makes him a fitting inductee into the Iona Athletic Hall of Fame

Dan and his wife Candace and son Graysen reside in Bunker Hill, West Virginia.

Renae (Tubergen) Leander – Class of 2009

Inductee – Ionia High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Renae (Tubergen) Leander distinguished herself as a multi-sport athlete at Ionia High School, competing in volleyball, track and field, softball, and basketball, earned  nine letters, despite suffering two ACL tears.

In track and field, Renae made an immediate impact as a freshman, capturing the league title in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.76 seconds and placing second in the 300-meter hurdles, while participating in softball. She also competed in the 200-meter dash and was a key member of the 800-meter relay team that placed sixth at Regionals.

On the softball field, Renae was a dominant four-year starter and earned All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors each season. She played a pivotal role on the record setting 2006 Bulldog softball team, which was later inducted into the Bulldog Hall of Fame in 2021. That team won the CAAC Division 2 Championship, District and Regional titles, and advanced to the MHSAA Quarterfinals and Final Four. Individually, Renae’s accolades included being named Team MVP as a junior, Team Captain her junior and senior years, and receiving honors such as Lansing State Journal Dream Team, All-District, Michigan All-Star, and Ionia County Dream Team Honorable Mention. She was a member of two teams with the best records in IHS History, the 37-7 2006 Team and the 2009 Team that went 35-5 and played in the Lansing Diamond Classic. In the words of her softball coach, Terry Johnson, “I was honored to have coached Renae for her freshman softball year, She was a very skilled athlete who was wi;ld amnd funny.” Terry further commented, “she could sense, and relax the team, when they got stressed during game situations and at practices.”

In basketball, Renae was recognized for her leadership and work ethic, earning the 100% Award as a junior and the Kaye Breining Award as a senior, while serving as Team Captain for two seasons.

Renae continued her athletic career at Aquinas College, competing in both basketball and softball before focusing on softball. She finished her collegiate career ranked among the top five in multiple single-season and career statistical categories, including doubles, home runs, RBIs, total bases, at-bats, and hits. She was a three-year team captain and earned All-Conference honors in each of those seasons.

Following her playing career, Renae transitioned into coaching, achieving tremendous success at the high school level in Illinois. Over the past decade, her teams have consistently excelled, highlighted by a state runner-up finish in the IESA in 2023 and capturing the 2024 Class 1A IHSA State Championship. Her coaching excellence has earned her multiple prestigious awards, including:

Renae (Tubergen) Leander’s outstanding career as a student-athlete, collegiate standout, and state championship coach exemplifies the spirit and excellence of Ionia High School athletics. She is a proud and deserving inductee into the Ionia High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Renae and husband Eric, along with son Evert and daughter Easton and newborn reside in Cambridge, Illinois

Austin Gregory – Class of 2015

Inductee – Ionia High School Athletic Hall of Fame

A 2015 graduate of Ionia High School, Austin Gregory made a lasting impact as a dynamic two-sport athlete in football and basketball. As the Bulldogs’ varsity quarterback for three seasons, Austin rewrote the school’s passing record book, graduating as the All-Time leader in passing attempts (498), completions (268), yards (4,265), and touchdown passes (43). He owns three of the top 10 Single-Season Passing marks as he  ranks second in single-season passing yards (1,683), fifth (1394) and 10th (1181) and second in Single-Season touchdown passes (19). A true dual-threat quarterback, he has three of the top four Single-Season rushing marks in Bulldog history,  2,602 rushing yards—second in program history—including 1,175 yards in 2013 (third all-time) and 1,078 in 2014 (fourth all-time), while his 23 rushing touchdowns ranks as third best..

Austin’s achievements on the basketball court were equally remarkable. A four-year varsity player, he set the Ionia career scoring record with 1,506 points and holds the best single-season scoring record with 498 points. He ranks second and fifth in single-season scoring average (23.7 points per game and 20.3)) and third in total games played (84), leading the Bulldogs with consistency and skill throughout his career. Austin was a prolific scorer as he tallied the third and fourth best single game points with 37 and 35. In addition, he topped the 30 point or more mark nine-times, scored over 20 points or more in a game 38 times and hit double digits in 67 of his 84 games played.

His list of accolades reflects his dominance. In football, Austin was a three-time All-Conference selection, two-time team MVP, Lansing State Journal All-Area Honoree twice in Football, and earned Class B All-State recognition. On the hardwood, he was a three-time team MVP, three-time All-Conference selection, Three Time LSJ All-Area and received  All-State Honors as a senior.

Austin Gregory’s Bulldog legacy is defined by his exceptional athleticism, leadership, and record-breaking performances in both football and basketball.

2004 Girls basketball Team 

Inductee – Ionia High School Athletic Hall of Fame

The 2004 Girls Varsity Basketball Team, led by Head Coach Andy Barr, delivered a historic season that cemented their place in Ionia High School history. Finishing with an impressive 21-5 record, the Bulldogs captured the CAAC Championship and the MHSAA Class B District Championship and secured the first-ever Regional Title in the history of the girls’ basketball program.

Their 21-win season set a school record for most victories by a girls basketball team.  Notably, all four regular-season losses came against Class A schools, including two to eventual Class A state champion Waverly (finished with a 27-1 record). The overall record of the teams that defeated Ionia had a combined record of 99-5.

Known for their dominance on both ends of the court, the Bulldogs won 18 games by double digits. Offensively, they averaged 53.3 points per game, with a season high of 76 points and a remarkable 15 three-pointers made in a single game — another program record. Defensively, they were just as formidable, allowing only 40.7 points per game and holding opponents under 40 points in 14 games, including a low of just 26 points allowed in one game.

This article originally appeared on Ionia Sentinel-Standard: Ionia High School Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2025

Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / Ionia Sentinel-Standard

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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