Wendy Martin, Laney Lewis inducted into Lynchburg-Clay Athletic Hall of Fame

Lynchburg-Clay inducted Wendy Martin and Laney Lewis into the Lynchburg-Clay Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb. 9 prior to the varsity boys basketball game.

Wendy Martin was an all-around athlete for the Lynchburg-Clay. As a member of the Lady Mustang Soccer program, Martin anchored the defense as a three-year starter in the goal.  A foot injury kept her from playing her freshman year, but her final three years more than made up for the absence. 

As a sophomore in 2004, Martin only allowed 14 goals in 20 games, and the team won the SHAC and sectional championships and were district runners-up. In 2005, Martin gave up 22 goals in 20 games, and the team won the SHAC, sectional and district championship and were regional runners-up. For her accomplishments, she was named second-team All-Southeast District. 

In 2006, Martin recorded four shutouts and led the team to the sectional championship and were district runners-up. Individually, Martin was named to the All-SHAC team and first-team All-District. During those three years, Martin recorded 347 saves and had 19 shutouts.

Martin also played a significant role on the basketball court. In the 2005-06 season, Martin was a key contributor to a 20-win team that won the SHAC and sectional championships and were district runners-up. She was named to the All-SHAC team and was Honorable Mention All-District 14 and Honorable Mention AP All-District. 

In 2006-07, Martin averaged 18 points per game and seven rebounds per game. She was named to her second All-SHAC team, second team All-District 14, second-team Associated Press All-District, and Honorable Mention All-Ohio. During both seasons, Martin was also named a OHSBCA scholar-athlete.

Martin rounded out her athletic career at Lynchburg-Clay by earning a spot on the All-SHAC team in softball in 2007. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Martin was more than just an athlete at Lynchburg-Clay. She was member of the National Honor Society and Student Council as well.

After graduation, Martin was still a prominent figure for the Lynchburg-Clay Athletic program. She joined the Lady Mustang soccer coaching staff as an assistant in 2009, where she served until 2018. During that time, Martin helped the Lady Mustangs compile a 155-33-8 record; win eight SHAC championships, including seven Gold Balls; and earn nine sectional titles, six district titles and the first regional championship and Final Four appearance for the soccer program. 

Upon graduating from Lynchburg-Clay, Martin attended Southern State Community College, graduating with a degree in criminal justice. She has been in law enforcement for 14 years and currently patrols for Cincinnati Police Department.

Presenting Martin with her Hall of Fame plaque were current Lady Mustang soccer coach Dennis West and former Lynchburg-Clay soccer coach Daryl Mount. 

Laney Lewis was a two-sport star for Lynchburg-Clay. In the fall, Lewis ran cross-country. During her running career, she earned places on the All-Southern Hills Athletic Conference teams three times. She finished third in 2010, second in 2011 and 11th in 2012.

While she was an accomplished runner, her most significant athletic contribution was on the basketball court. Lewis was a role player on the varsity team her freshman year that was laden with upperclassmen. 

As a sophomore, Lewis began to develop into an all-around player. That year, she was named to the All-SHAC team and third-team All-District 14.  As a junior, Lewis’s growth as a player continued when she was named All-SHAC and third-team All-District again. 

Lewis’s senior season is when she became a dominant, all-around force as a player. During that year, she averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocks per game. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended Lewis’s playing career in the sectional finals, but she still received numerous individual awards. She was named All-SHAC for a third time, first-team All-District 14, first-team AP All-District and special mention All-Ohio. 

When Lewis’s career ended, she was a part of two sectional championship teams and had career totals of 1,087 points, 865 rebounds, 294 steals, 225 assists and 175 blocks. 

After graduating from Lynchburg-Clay, Lewis attended Ursuline College, where she played basketball for the Lady Arrows. After overcoming another knee injury as a freshman, Lewis led the Lady Arrows to two conference championships and two NCAA Division II tournament appearances, which were the first in school history. When her career was over at Ursuline, Lewis had been named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year three times.

Since graduating from Ursuline College in 2018, Lewis has served as the assistant head coach for Thomas More University, where she helped lead the Lady Saints to a Division III National Championship and a perfect 33-0 season. Lewis finished her assistant coaching tenure at Ohio Dominican during the 2020-2021 season.

Presenting Lewis with her plaque was Lady Mustang basketball coach Whitney Lewis. 

The goal of the Athletic Hall of Fame is to honor past Lynchburg-Clay athletes and their accomplishments. To get more information about past inductees or to nominate an athlete for consideration, please go to https://www.lynchclay.k12.oh.us/AthleticHallofFame.aspx.