Lake Orion, MI – On a beautifully sunny day at Lake Orion High School, seven Ionia Bulldogs took the powerlifting season to the final day. In doing so, they represented themselves, their family, their team, and their community as exemplars of G.R.I.T. and F.A.M.I.L.Y. Personal records were set, laughter was shared, and careers came to a close. However, the framework for future Bulldog lifters was solidified today in the MHSPLA community. 

The morning started with our five Women State qualifiers taking to the platform, showing why Ionia is known for G.R.I.T. in her first year as a powerlifter. Harliegh Kruger finished in 15th place in the 105lb weight class. Cashmere Austin, her platform sister, capped off her senior year with a 5th-place finish, bringing home a medal and a 435lb total in the 105lb weight class. 

Nelly Shippey was our other medal winner, with a 9th-place finish in the 168lb weight class. As a junior, she is positioning herself for a big senior year not just as a lifter but as a team leader. She finished the day with a 675lb total.

Summer Clark and Jadyn Gardner, though not finishing with a medal, were true representations of the Ionia F.A.M.I.L.Y. motto. Spending the day lifting well, setting PR’s, and building relationships with peers at their racks. Jadyn finished in 13th place in the 148lb weight class. Not what she was hoping for, but her energy and mentorship of younger athletes will speak volumes to her value to this program for years to come. Summer Clark finished 20th in the 243+ division, but she gained valuable experience for her senior campaign next year. 

The afternoon had two of our Senior Men lifting side by side. Carlos Ogden (SHW) and Charles Frost (275) Competed for the Dawgs. Both pushed hard and were fighting for the podium all day. Carlos, in the end, just fell short of the hardware, finishing 11th with a 1195lb total. Charles, however, fought hard, as he had all season, and ended up placing 7th and bringing home the last medal of the day for the Bulldogs. With a 1225lb total, Charles capped off his Senior season on the podium, smiling and laughing. 

As this season comes to a close, I cannot help but look back and be grateful for the blessing of our athletes, our parents, our community, and the Ionia School District. I get choked up looking at the growth in our students, not just in their muscle growth but in their mental toughness, sense of community, and desire for more. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all who have helped carry us this season. You make days like this possible.