The Otsego Athletic Boosters will induct two people into the Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, February 10th between the girls’ and boys’ varsity games. The 2023 inductees are  Jenna (Matthews) Leyndyke (2007) and Jared Klein (2012).

A ceremony to honor the inductees will take place at center court at approximately 7:00 p.m. where each recipient will receive a plaque. They will be treated to a private reception prior to the ceremony. Hall of Fame honors are presented every two years from the Athletic Department and Otsego Athletic Boosters. 

About the inductees:

Jenna (Matthews) Leyndyke
A 2007 graduate, Jenna participated in five sports at Otsego High School. She ran cross country and track for four years and played two years each of basketball, volleyball, and soccer. She earned ten varsity letters excelling in cross country and track. 

In Cross Country she was All Conference, All County, All Region, and All State all four years and a three-time USA Track & Field All American.  In her senior season she was the Wolverine Conference Champion, Regional Champion and County Champion. Jenna is a one-time record holder for the 5K with a time of 18:37 and still ranks in the school’s top 10 for girls’ cross country. 

In track she ran middle and long distance events earning four All-Conference awards, four All-County awards, five All-Region Awards and one All State honors.  She was also a former school record holder of the 1600M run with a time of 5:10.51.

Jenna attended Western Michigan University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management; she earned her Masters degree in Recreational Therapy from Indiana University. At WMU she ran cross country and indoor and outdoor track from 2007-2011. She racked up considerable achievements earning 12 varsity letters and was All Mid-American Conference in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase. Jenna is still the current WMU record holder for the steeplechase. 

Jenna is most thankful for Coach Steve Long who started her running career and is still coaching her today in preparation for her 5th Marathon, the Boston Marathon in April.  She would also like to thank her parents, Tom and Jerri Matthews, along with her three brothers Matt, Kevin and Bobby for their support over the years.

Jenna is married to Major Matthew Leyndyke (OHS ‘04) and has four wonderful children Evelyn (7), Kenton (6), Weston (4) and Madelyn (2).

 

Jared Klein
A 2012 graduate, Jared was a three-sport athlete earning 9 varsity letters in football (three), basketball (four) and baseball (two). He was a captain of the football and basketball teams his senior year. 

As the quarterback, he helped guide his teams to three playoff appearances and still holds several school records: Total Offense, Passing Yards, Passes Completed, Passes Attempted, All Purpose Yards, Longest Pass Play from Scrimmage and Longest Punt.  Season Team Records include Most Team Rushing Yards, Most Team Passing Yards, Most Team Total Yards and Most Team Points. Jared was named 1st Team All Conference his senior year.

In basketball Jared earned four varsity letters and was named 1st Team All Conference three times.  He helped the Bulldogs to a 21-4 record in 2011-12 when the team captured the school’s first Wolverine Conference Championship. In his senior year, Jared was named Kalamazoo Gazette Class A-B Boys Basketball Player of the Year, averaged 21.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 2 rebounds per game, and earned All-State honors. He earned All-County and All-Conference honors in three straight seasons from 2009-12. He held the school records for most assists in a career with 294 assists until it was broken in 2019, and most free throws made in a career with 368 made.  

Jared attended Western Michigan University earning a Bachelor's degree in business. He played basketball for four years at WMU earning four varsity letters and helped win a Mid American Conference Championship in 2013.  After his collegiate career, Jared has helped young basketball players as a personal trainer and coached at the high school and youth AAU levels.

Jared is appreciative of Mark Haase, his basketball coach and Otsego High School teacher, who was a positive influence and supported Jared in athletics and in life. Jared is thankful to his mom and dad (Becky and Paul Klein) and his brother Derek who pushed him to be his best. 

Jared’s best memories at OHS are being able to play on the same varsity football and basketball teams with his brother Derek and having Gabe Porter involved with the basketball teams.

Jared currently works for Globus Medical as a Medical Sales Representative.