Spartan Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Simley High School

Sports run deep in Inver Grove Heights, and Simley High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Spartan uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Simley High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

Zach Lerner – Simley’s Triple-Threat Hall of Famer

Zach Lerner’s name is etched across nearly every inch of Simley High School’s athletic history. A 1991 graduate, Lerner starred in football, basketball and track, earning All-State honors, setting records and claiming school-firsts across all three sports. At the college level, he was a Drake Relays champion and an All-Conference safety. Later, he spent nearly two decades coaching high school football, including a state title with DeLaSalle in 1999 and a Prep Bowl run with Simley in 2014. With records that still stand and a reputation for shaping athletes both on and off the field, Lerner was inducted into the Simley Hall of Fame in 2023. (Source: Matt Krumrie / Medium; Simley Athletics Hall of Fame)

Charli Raymond – Minnesota’s First Four-Time Girls Wrestling Champ

Charli Raymond made wrestling history not just at Simley High School, but statewide. The Randolph native and Simley junior became the first girl in Minnesota to win four girls state wrestling titles, and the first to do so consecutively. Her 2025 title at 124 pounds capped an undefeated season (40-0) and solidified her dominance, with victories over three top-10 ranked opponents. (Source: Cannon Falls Beacon)

Wade Short – Three-Sport Standout Turned Dance Sensation

Wade Short’s athletic résumé is staggering: a two-time state champion wrestler, all-conference tennis player, football standout and member of three Simley wrestling state title teams. But his success didn’t stop on the field or mat. After high school, Short transitioned into dance, winning national titles, appearing on shows like Star Search and Dance Fever, and launching a celebrated career as an educator and choreographer. With more than 80 choreography awards and four businesses under his belt, including Short Dance Studios in Inver Grove Heights, Short was inducted into the Simley Hall of Fame for his unique blend of athleticism and artistry. (Source: Matt Krumrie / Medium; Simley Athletics Hall of Fame)

Debbie VanSchooten – Multi-Sport Athletic Hall Of Famer & College Basketball Record-Breaker

Before she became a beloved middle school teacher in Inver Grove Heights, Debbie Van Schooten was rewriting the record books at Hamline University. A Simley alum and 1998 college graduate, Van Schooten was the first women’s basketball player in school history to earn All-American honors, win MIAC Player of the Year and notch three consecutive All-Conference selections. Also a softball player and communications major, Van Schooten was inducted into the Hamline Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 and in 2016 became the first woman honored on the university’s prestigious Row of Honor. She was also inducted into the Simley Hall of Fame in 2016 for her excellence in tennis, basketball and track & field. (Sources: Hamline Athletics; Simley Athletics Hall of Fame)

Jackson Ryan – NCAA Qualifier & All-American Champion Wrestler

Simley High School alum Jackson Ryan built a wrestling career defined by durability, grit, and consistent results. A four-time section champion and two-time Minnesota state placewinner, Ryan capped his senior year with a 43–4 record and a state title. He went on to compete at Southwest Minnesota State, where he became a two-time NCAA national qualifier and earned All-American honors in 2021. (Source: SMSU Mustangs)

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