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Michigan Class "D" Cross-Country coaches Assoc.
ryan shay memorial Scholarship In Memory of Ryan Shay, May 4, 1997 - Nov. 3, 2007 The only male Four-Time MHSAA Cross-country Champion since the inception of that race in 1924 Lower Peninsula Class D for the years 1993-96 |
This scholarship was established in 2016 by the Michigan Class "D" Cross-Country Coaches Association in memory of Ryan Shay who passed away from sudden heart failure on November 3, 2007, while competing in the 2007 United States Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City.
Ryan grew up in the rural northern Michigan town of Central Lake, and graduated as a valedictorian from Central Lake High School in 1997. He earned numerous awards and recognitions as a high school distance runner and won four consecutive MHSAA class D cross-country state championships in the scholastic cross-country seasons of 1993-1996. After graduating from high school, he ran for the University of Notre Dame where he became the most decorated athlete in Notre Dame’s history. He became a professional world class runner after graduating, with honors, from the University of Notre Dame, and specialized in the marathon distance.
These scholarship awards are a way for the Michigan Class D Cross-Country Coaches Association to give back to the running community in hopes of continuing to foster a passion for the sport of running and academic excellence while encouraging healthy, productive, and disciplined lifestyles. Scholarships are supported by the fund raising efforts of the Michigan Class D Championship race directors, coaches and volunteers.
Ryan grew up in the rural northern Michigan town of Central Lake, and graduated as a valedictorian from Central Lake High School in 1997. He earned numerous awards and recognitions as a high school distance runner and won four consecutive MHSAA class D cross-country state championships in the scholastic cross-country seasons of 1993-1996. After graduating from high school, he ran for the University of Notre Dame where he became the most decorated athlete in Notre Dame’s history. He became a professional world class runner after graduating, with honors, from the University of Notre Dame, and specialized in the marathon distance.
These scholarship awards are a way for the Michigan Class D Cross-Country Coaches Association to give back to the running community in hopes of continuing to foster a passion for the sport of running and academic excellence while encouraging healthy, productive, and disciplined lifestyles. Scholarships are supported by the fund raising efforts of the Michigan Class D Championship race directors, coaches and volunteers.
Download and Print Scholarship Application File:
Application available November 3, 2025
Applications must be postmarked no later than
April 2, 2026
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April 2, 2026
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Michigan Class D Cross-Country Coaches Assoc.
Ryan Shay Memorial Scholarship
Recipients
For School Years:
2025-2026
Pending June 2026
2024-2025
Joel Lange, Lenawee Christian High School
Leah Durfee, Forest Area High School
2023-2024
Leah Rorick, Morenci High School
Clay Shoup, Mason County Eastern High School
2022-2023
Grant Long, Lenawee Christian High School
Zoey Breznik, Lenawee Christian School
2021-2022
Chloe Behrends, Mendon High School
Eli Shoup, Mason County Eastern High School
2020-2021
Event and all awards cancelled due to COVID19 pandemic
2019-2020
Julien Nyberg, Pentwater High School
Teegan Dawson, Bellaire High School
2018-2019
Stacy Compagner, Libertas Christian School
Alyssa Vandegriff, Fowler High School
2017-2018
Brendan Delaney, St. Mary Cathedral H.S.- Gaylord
Halle Ciganick, Bellaire High School
2016-2017
Noah Heckenlively, Hillsdale Academy
Ashley VanElls, Fowler High School