Greencastle native Andrew Bretscher will once again be performing for one of the nation’s elite collegiate swimming programs this year, but it will be a different one.
The former two-time prep All-American has transferred from Auburn, which has won the last five men’s NCAA swimming and diving championships, to Ohio State, which placed 12th in last year’s national collegiate meet.
Bretscher’s mother, Mary, confirmed the transfer on Friday and said that Andrew will be eligible immediately due to a new NCAA rule allowing one-time transfers without sitting out a season as in the past.
Bretscher is a 6-foot-3 sophomore who specializes in the freestyle, backstroke and butterfly events.
Last season at Auburn, Bretscher had personal best times of 20.93 in the 50 free, 46.81 in the 100 free, 4:56.75 in the 500 free, 50.42 in the 100 back, 1:02.59 in the 100 breast, 49.08 in the 100 fly and 2:02.46 in the 200 fly.
While all excellent times, none was listed in the top five of any event for the Tigers — who dominate their sport as much as any other program in the entire collegiate athletic arena.
Bretscher comes from a strong swimming background. Mary Bretscher swam collegiately at Western Michigan and is the associate athletic director and women’s head swimming coach at DePauw. His father, Paul, swam collegiately at Valparaiso.
He will be one of three former Tiger Cubs swimming collegiately this season, along with freshman Dustin Wood (Evansville) and junior Tracy Menzel (Kenyon).
In other college news:
• As the list accompanying today’s column indicates, Terre Haute North has an incredible total of 10 tennis players competing collegiately in addition to Rose-Hulman coach Dan Hopkins and his daughter, Julie.
This total is the second best of the fall season, with only North’s total of 17 football players and two coaches surpassing that mark. When considering how many more players that football teams have, this achievement by Jim Cook’s annually strong program becomes even more impressive.
n Terre Haute South freshman Anna Pigg is the Valley’s only Division I soccer player, and has started all 11 matches for IUPUI this year. The defensive specialist has two attempted two shots this year, one on goal, for the 2-8-1 Jaguars.
• University of Indianapolis junior Kristi Piepenbrink shot rounds of 74 and 76 to take medalist honors at the Midwest Shootout held at Kokopelli Golf Club at Marion, Ill., on Sunday and Monday.
In a preview of the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship, Indianapolis took second place overall in the 13-team field. All 12 GLVC teams participated in the event, which was played at the course which will host the conference championship next spring.
Piepenbrink is the daughter of UI Coach Ken Piepenbrink, a former Terre Haute resident.
• The Taylor golf team finished second in the three-team Grace Invitational recently. Grace won the match with a total score of 319, while TU was just five strokes back at 324.
Clay City’s Tyler Harrison, a freshman, put up an 82 to finish second for Taylor.
Earlier, in the Mid-Central Conference Tournament at Noble Hawk Golf Club in Kendallville, Taylor finished in eighth place overall. Harrison had a 93 in the final round for a 255 total to place fifth for Taylor.
• Freshman Rachael Pruett of Linton placed fourth for Ball State and 43rd overall with a 249 in the Nittany Lion Invitational. Pruett had rounds of 82, 87 and 80 as the Cardinals placed seventh as a team.
• North grad Justin Hall caught a six-yard touchdown pass last week for Marian in its 45-28 loss to Malone. Through four games, Hall had five catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns.
Northview grad Jaime Bays is the team’s primary kickoff returner, with 12 attempts through four games for 227 yards (18.9 average). His longest return was 60 yards. Bays has played on both sides of the ball for the Knights, recording six tackles and being the team’s third-leading rusher with 13 carries for 92 yards with a longest run of 53 yards.
• Terre Haute North grad Matt Sherertz competed for Western Kentucky in the Xavier Invitational at the Oasis Golf Club and Conference Center, finishing with a score of 243.
• Northview grad Jared Freeman participated for the Air Force Academy’s Blue team in the Falcon Invitational, shooting rounds of 78-85-70 for a total of 233 (tied for 83rd out of 100 golfers).
• Terre Haute South grad Garrett Fredrick was named one of three captains for the Ancilla men’s soccer team as a freshman, but the defensive midfielder was injured early in the season and his playing time has been limited.
• Kelsey Hartman of Rockville played in three tennis matches for the University of Indianapolis this fall, going 2-1. One of her matches was against DePauw’s Trace Hassler of Northview, which Hartman won by scores of 6-3, 7-5.
• The Humpolick siblings of Terre Haute South are both seeing collegiate action. Marie has started nine of 11 matches for Manchester, with one goal, one assist, three points and 17 attempted shots. Brice has played in six matches for Illinois Wesleyan, but has not yet scored.
• Butler’s football team went 4-1 through the first five weeks of the season, winning its first four games before losing to top-ranked San Diego last weekend.
Terre Haute North grad Derek Guggenberger, a sophomore, is the leading tackler for the Bulldogs with 20 solos and 15 assists for 35 total tackles. He also has five tackles for loss (including three sacks), one interception and one forced fumble.
Junior tight end Luke Johnson of Terre Haute North has caught two passes for 20 yards and is also a key member of the team’s kickoff squad.
Joey Bennett is a former Tribune-Star sports reporter and copy editor who now teaches at Northview High School in Brazil. He can be reached at tribstarcollegereport@yahoo.com.
Casey-Westfield
Jon Matthews, sophomore, Monmouth
Clay City
Fred Modesitt, freshman, Vincennes
Tyler Harrison, freshman, Taylor
Cloverdale
Daniel Williams, senior, Rose-Hulman
Former area residents
Ken Piepenbrink, head coach, Indianapolis
Kristi Piepenbrink, junior, Indianapolis
Linton
Chris Taylor, sophomore, Vincennes
Rachael Pruett, freshman, Ball State
Northview
Jared Freeman, senior, Air Force
Paris
Ben Laborde, junior, Grace
Sullivan
Justin Ridge, sophomore, Franklin
Terre Haute North
Matt Sherertz, junior, Western Kentucky
Matt Payne, sophomore, Franklin
Terre Haute South
Kelli Holloway, senior, IUPUI
Diana Price, freshman, Indiana State
West Vigo
Jacob Brown, freshman, Evangel (Mo.)
Soccer
Greencastle
Francie Glenn, freshman, Franklin
Northview
Taylor Montague, freshman, Franklin
Sullivan
Paige Gill, freshman, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Briauna Davis, freshman, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Cassie Phegley, senior, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Terre Haute North
Lauren Sullivan, junior, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Erin Pugh, freshman, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Terre Haute South
Anna Pigg, freshman, IUPUI
Marie Humpolick, junior, Manchester
Brice Humpolick, freshman, Illinois Wesleyan
Jana Orman, junior, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Garrett Fredrick, freshman, Ancilla
Swimming
Former area residents
Ashley Thompson, junior, Delta State
Greencastle
Andrew Bretscher, sophomore, Ohio State
Dustin Wood, freshman, Evansville
Tracy Menzel, junior, Kenyon
South Vermillion
Cheri Baratto, junior, Akron
Terre Haute North
Meghan Bradley, senior, Illinois
Olivia Bayer, senior, IUPUI
Kristy Shew, sophomore, Valparaiso
Terre Haute South
Brent Noble, junior, Eastern Illinois
Donny Brush, assistant coach, Indiana
Tennis
Former area residents
Julie Hopkins, sophomore, Rose-Hulman
North Central
Eric Hardin, freshman, Lake Land
Austin Drake, freshman, Wabash
Northview
Trace Hassler, senior, DePauw
Rockville
Kelsey Hartman, freshman, Indianapolis
Terre Haute North
Scott Conner, sophomore, DePauw
Sean Jastillano, sophomore, Hanover
Katie Fleschner, junior, Hanover
Blake Douglas, sophomore, Indiana State
Andrew Gregory, junior, Olivet Nazarene
Anthony Gregory, freshman, Southern Indiana
Andrew Bostrom, freshman, Southern Indiana
Dan Hopkins, head coach, Rose-Hulman
Caleb Anderson, freshman, Rose-Hulman
Brian Sutterer, freshman, Rose-Hulman
Katie Clagg, sophomore, Southern Indiana
White River Valley
Mandie Gehring, senior, Rose-Hulman
College Report
College Report: Greencastle native starring for different swim team this year
- College Report
-
-
Catching up as the school year winds down
Odds and ends from here and there as the school year quickly winds down. For starters, high jumper Nick Jaeger of Terre Haute South was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s male track & field newcomer of the year:
-
College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Jake Newton makes big impact for Lincoln Trail College
Jake Newton had a long time between playing in competitive basketball games, a span of about 18 months, and used the frustration from that long dry spell to produce a stellar freshman season for Lincoln Trail College this winter.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: A.J. Reed earns SEC Player of the Week honors
After belting three home runs during a five games last week, Kentucky sophomore left-handed pitcher/first baseman A.J. Reed was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Spring newcomers making marks
Several freshman baseball and softball NCAA Division I players from the Wabash Valley have already made immediate impacts at their new schools, while others are waiting for their turns to shine.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: A.J. Reed named third-team preseason baseball All-American
Two-way sophomore standout A.J. Reed was one of three University of Kentucky players named third-team preseason All-America by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Sponsler honored after big week for Wabash men's hoops
Wabash College freshman Ross Sponsler of Terre Haute North was named the North Coast Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 6.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: North grad Hughes finds success after facing preseason adversity
A.J. Hughes knew he was in for a battle as he competed with three other walk-on punters in the preseason for the lone starting job on the Virginia Tech football team.
-
Etling, Meggs enjoying great year
It’s been a great year so far with more to come for a pair of longtime friends and St. Patrick’s School classmates.
Former Terre Haute resident Jack Meggs quarterbacked the Bellevue Wolverines football team to the Washington Class 3A state championship this fall, culminating with a 35-3 win over Sammamish Eastside Catholic — Bellevue’s fifth straight crown.
Danny Etling, meanwhile, has completed graduation requirements at Terre Haute South and is preparing for an upcoming high school all-star game and his first college classes in a couple of weeks. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley’s women’s college hoops players start strong
Several women’s college basketball players from the Wabash Valley have gotten off to good starts this season on the hardwood. Highlights:
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Mayhew, Mascari provide fall highlights
Several dozen Wabash Valley athletes enjoyed successful fall seasons collegiately in cross country and tennis this year. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Former North teammates start strong in college
Former Terre Haute North teammates Ross Sponsler and Matt O’Leary made their college basketball debuts last week and had outstanding initial performances. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Shoemaker OBP leads Chisox farmhands
Former Indiana State, Olney Central and Northview baseball standout Brady Shoemaker opened a lot of eyes last summer in the Chicago White Sox farm system, earning him a spot on a mlb.com blog team that highlighted the team’s outstanding minor leaguers at each position.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Boeglin has plenty of ISU memories, but not all are related to basketball
Melanie Boeglin, an All-American who played on the women’s basketball team at Indiana State from 2002-2006, will be inducted into the 21st class of the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: North grad leading DePauw volleyball in winning streak
DePauw’s volleyball team has won seven straight matches entering this weekend’s DePauw Invitational, including four straight wins last weekend to capture the Rose-Hulman invitational title.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Engle moving up football coaching ranks
Michael Engle graduated from DePauw University in the spring of 2011 with a degree in political science and future plans to advance his studies in law school.
Being a coach’s son and a competitive athlete by nature, Engle has put those plans on hold for now. -
COLLEGE REPORT: From Terre Haute South to Division I competition to coaching careers
Adriane Wunderlich and Katelyn Bishop both turned stellar high school careers at Terre Haute South into Division I collegiate careers at Indiana State and Southern California, respectively.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Former prep athletes getting ready for fall college season
An impressive total of at least 122 Wabash Valley athletes and coaches will be competing collegiately for the first time during the upcoming school year or have changed schools to continue their careers.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: SP’s Boetjer is Indiana’s Miss Softball
South Putnam’s Brooke Boetjer, who will be a freshman on the Indiana University softball team next spring, was named the 2012 Indiana Miss Softball last month between games at the North/South All-Star games in Carmel.
-
College report: North grad Mayhew is second team all-American at IU
Indiana University running standout Zach Mayhew of Terre Haute North was honored earlier this month as a second-team All-American by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
-
College report: Bloomfield runner to join IUPUI track, cross country teams
Bloomfield track/cross country standout Julie Riggins will be joining the developing IUPUI program next fall as one of six incoming recruits.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Roberts takes coaching position at UNC-Greensboro
Terre Haute native Mike Roberts is continuing his climb up the college basketball coaching ladder, recently departing Rice for a spot as the associate head coach at North Carolina-Greensboro.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley grads playing role for No. 13 Vincennes
A few springtime odds and ends:
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Shouse making his mark for Danville Community College
Derek Shouse definitely flew under the radar in his one season of playing for the Terre Haute South boys basketball team last winter.
Not highly recruited, he made his way to Danville Area Community College as a walk-on with the hopes he could find his way onto the court at some point. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Bullock finds sunny home to continue tennis career
Most college athletes progress along similar paths to get to their final destinations athletically, but Terre Haute South grad Taylor Bullock’s route to the Eckerd College women’s tennis team was a little different than most.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: TH South QB entertains Division I offers
Danny Etling’s trek to being a big-time college quarterback took a huge step this week when the Terre Haute South junior picked up a scholarship offer from Purdue, according to 247sports.com.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Seibert stepping up her game
Terre Haute South grad Haley Seibert has seen the usual ups and downs of her freshman basketball season at Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne and is making the most of her opportunities this season.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Vikings Waters, Barton excited about college basketball
West Vigo grad Lauren Dailey helped the Lady Vikings basketball program to a lot of success at the end of the 1990s, and went on to play for Eastern Illinois from 2001-2004.
- More College Report Headlines
-
Catching up as the school year winds down
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Music Therapy Bonds Parents and Preemies
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Obama Exhorts Good Deeds by Morehouse Graduates
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
