Iron Maidens (back row, left to right): Alena Clem, Scarlet King, Aubrae Young, Mylla Vigiletti, Riley Schlaufman, Macie Stine and Kyleigh Schoonover. Ironmen (front row, left to right): Kieren Eberling, Jose Venegas, Jacob Capling, Vincent Villalpando, Trent Whiting and Tristan Wagner. Photo provided
IMLAY CITY — What started as a small fitness initiative for eighth-grade students at Imlay City Middle School (ICMS) has grown into a celebrated annual tradition promoting health, resilience and school spirit across grade levels.
The Iron Man/Iron Maiden Contest, inspired by a similar program at Van Buren Public Schools in southeast Michigan, has been a fixture at ICMS since 2016. Created with the help of Paul Druker and implemented by Greg Prendergast, the contest has expanded beyond its original format, now including sixth- and seventh-grade students during their physical education classes.
The event features six demanding fitness challenges: leg lifts, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a shuttle run and a sprint. Students accumulate points based on performance in each category — 10 points for first place, seven for second, four for third and one for fourth. The individual event winners receive Iron Man or Iron Maiden T-shirts, and the highest overall scorers take home a coveted blue version of the shirt.
Beyond physical development, the program has fostered confidence, motivation and camaraderie among students. The benefits are up to the individual, but organizers have consistently seen students supporting one another and taking pride in their achievements.
Judging the competition is a group effort, with ICMS staff and even former winners — now high school students — volunteering their time. This year, 13 high schoolers served as guest judges under the direction of ICHS Athletic Director Don Gauthier. They included Evelyn Zepeda, Lakynn Alessandrini, Lauryn Donahue, Addison Cameron, Charlotte O’Brien, Alexa Lengemann, Sarah Lauwers, Hannah Hayes, Aiden Furgerson, Jerry Zheng, Jaydin Hall, Zander Nash and Matt Evans.
The 2025 overall winners were Jacob Capling and Mylla Vigiletti, both scoring an impressive 31 points. Vigiletti led the Iron Maiden competition, followed by Kyleigh Schoonover (27 points), Scarlet King (24), Riley Schlaufman (15) and Alena Clem (12). The Iron Man runner-up was James Ford with 18 points, followed by Vincent Villalpando (12), Tristan Wagner (11) and a three-way tie for fifth place between Kieren Eberling, Jose Venegas and Trent Whiting (10 points each).
This year’s sixth and seventh-grade event winners were also recognized:
• Sixth grade: Talia Rojas, Jacob Phillips, Eryka Frickey, Harlee Hall, Deshawn Turner, Nevada Eads and Alijah Mays.
• Seventh grade: Lily Kasprzyk, John Jobson, Kaitlyn Sloan, Reid Williams, Wyatt Dwyer and Ella Everhart.
The event has received generous community support over the years. Diane Toombs of INKSPOT Custom T-Shirts continues to provide event gear, while Rick and Lynn Bogart have made donations to help sustain the program after hearing about its success from Druker.
Now nearing a decade of competition, the Iron Man/Iron Maiden Contest remains a proud tradition at ICMS — one that combines fitness, fun and the lasting impact of student achievement.
