On Oct. 6, two college football quarterbacks with Terre Haute connections had big days as first-time starters replacing their team’s regular signalcallers.
Stanford’s Tavita Pritchard, the son of former Terre Haute resident Kelli Miller Pritchard, led the Cardinal to a stunning 24-23 win over then-No. 1 Southern California.
Closer to home, former Terre Haute resident Shaine Tierney saw his first extensive action for St. Francis and scored a pair of touchdowns as the Cougars defeated Marian 57-7.
Pritchard threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mark Bradford on fourth-and-goal with 49 seconds left as Stanford won over the Trojans despite being a 41-point underdog. He completed 11 of 30 passes for 149 yards in that game, and completed 12 of 27 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 38-36 loss to TCU.
Kelli Pritchard and her family — parents George and Jeannie and siblings Mike, George and Kathy — moved to Washington in the late 1970s. Tavita’s father, David Pritchard, was a starting center at Washington State who played in the 1981 Holiday Bowl. His uncle is Jack Thompson (”The Throwin’ Samoan”), legendary quarterback at Washington State.
The Pritchards still have relatives in Terre Haute. George Wright is Jeannie Miller’s brother, and he and his wife Marti are the parents of former Terre Haute North basketball player Mark Wright and Kristen Gauer, wife of North assistant football coach Greg Gauer.
Pritchard, a redshirt sophomore, became the Stanford starter when T.C. Ostrander suffered a seizure at a Palo Alto restaurant on Sept. 30 and was held out of the USC game for precautionary reasons.
Saint Francis quarterback Jeff Wedding sat out the Marian game due to a nagging injury, and Tierney took advantage of the opportunity.
Tierney completed 9 of 14 passes for 115 yards and scored Saint Francis’ first two touchdowns on runs of 1 and 15 yards. He finished with 57 rushing yards.
Tierney is a redshirt freshman, and shared quarterback duties on the day with true freshman Jordan Wise
“It was a concern when you have your No. 1 guy out, so that lies on the shoulders of a couple young freshmen that have never been in that situation in their college career,” SF Coach Kevin Donley told the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. “I was really proud of both of them. They really stepped up and did an outstanding job.”
Tierney completed 9 of 12 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns in last Saturday’s 69-29 win over Taylor.
He is the son of Leo and Deb Tierney.
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In other news:
• Evinger shining for Canyons — Northview grad Joe Evinger has started every game at left guard for the College of the Canyons, and helped the Cougars to a 5-1 record going into this weekend’s game against East Los Angeles Junior College.
Cougar Coach Garett Tujague said he has seen a lot of improvement so far in the 6-6, 330-pounder and hopes to see that improvement continue.
“Joe has steadily improved from week to week, playing left guard for us through out the year,” Tujague said. “We saw film on him in high school, and you never know until they get here if guys like Joe are going to be able to adapt to the speed of the game.”
Tujague said that Evinger leads the team in “pancake” blocks, which drive defenders flat on their backs.
“Joe is getting better each and every day, and I think that all the big schools will come back around after the effort Joe has put in with our strength and condition coach,” Tujague added. “His overall speed and strength have greatly improved, not to mention his foot speed and his pad level. Joe has lived up to our expectations and then some.”
• Phegley regains stroke — The Indiana baseball team concluded its fall practice season last weekend, with the Cream team taking the intrasquad series 3-2. Sophomore catcher Josh Phegley of Terre Haute North led the Cream with a pair of home runs.
“Overall we had a strong fall practice season,” IU coach Tracy Smith said. “It was nice to see a good number of our players step up, particularly Josh [Phegley] and [pitcher] Matt [Bashore].”
Phegley hit .425 with his two home runs and 17 RBI for the fall scrimmage schedule.
Indiana returns 22 letterwinners, including seven starting position players and nine pitchers from the 2007 team.
• Hoosiers down Purdue — On Wednesday, the Indiana Hoosiers battled Purdue in a conference volleyball match televised on the Big Ten Network.
In that match, IU improved to 13-7 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten with a 3-1 win.
Terre Haute South’s Lauren Ditteon had 15 kills on the night, second highest on the team.
• Rehmel to be redshirted — Sophomore guard Jared Rehmel of Shakamak will not play basketball this season for Olney Central College after suffering serious injuries in a car accident in August.
OCC Coach Mike Burris said last weekend that Rehmel, an all-Region performer last season, is being redshirted with hopes of returning next year.
“He’s lucky to be alive,” Burris said. “If he hadn’t been wearing a seat belt, he wouldn’t have made it. He’s been cleared for some light shooting, but he still has a long way to go. He’s a hard worker and we’re hopeful he makes a full recovery.”
Rehmel is one of two former Shakamak Lakers who will sit out due to injury at OCC this year, as baseball standout Ridge Inman is sidelined after having Tommy John surgery.
Burris said that Terre Haute South grad J.T. Hatfield is performing extremely well in preseason workouts and should be a big contributor this year.
• Russell getting back on track – Terre Haute North grad Mike Russell had his best game of the season last Saturday as 14th-ranked Wabash College remained unbeaten by defeating defending North Coast Athletic Conference champion Wittenberg 24-17.
Eight different Little Giants caught passes, led by Russell’s 9 receptions for 110 yards.
“It’s great to be back,” Russell said. “The guys are always awesome but to be able to get out there and play my best ball, and definitely against Witt, it’s good again.”
Russell also remembered last season’s tough 19-17 Wittenberg come-from-behind win and offered up his own redemption.
“Last year I left two interceptions on the field that were my fault,” he said. “I definitely felt like I needed to pay the team back. I took a lot of responsibility for last year and it feels good to get that off my chest.”
• Shiflett sets PR — Freshman Robert Shiflett of North Central ran second for Purdue in the men’s open division of the Pre-Nationals cross country race at the Lavern Gibson Course east of Terre Haute on Oct. 13.
Shiflett completed the course in a career-best time of 25:41.0.
• Trivia question — Name the person who fits the following description:
• Was a member of the Fort Wayne Northrop baseball team that defeated Terre Haute North 4-2 in the 1983 Indiana high school state championship game.
• Went on to star at a Missouri Valley Conference school.
• Is currently a major-league manager.
See the answer at the end of this column.
• Chagnon to VU — Sullivan senior setter Alyssa Chagnon has made a verbal commitment to play volleyball at Vincennes University next fall.
Chagnon was recently named to the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association academic all-state team. She is Sullivan’s career leader in assists with more than 2,100, and earlier this season she broke the school record for serving aces with 77.
Chagnon also ranks among the state leaders in kills, aces and assists.
Northview senior Lottie King has attracted interest from many schools, and has made an official visit to Southern Indiana.
Both Chagnon and King were members of the Crossroads of America 18 Red team that went 8-3 and finished third in the 18 Club Division of AAU Nationals last summer at Orlando, Fla.
• Blank retires – Luke Blank of Terre Haute North has transferred from Lindenwood to Indiana State to complete his degree requirements.
Blank attended the University of Indianapolis for three years and played two seasons there before going to play at the Missouri school last season.
Andre Dickson, another former North standout, is on the roster for Lindenwood Coach Ryan Cherepkai’s team.
• Woodason to ISU — Andrew Woodason, a 2007 Terre Haute North grad, had intended to play baseball at Indiana Wesleyan but has had a change of plans and is now a member of the team at Indiana State.
• Trivia answer — Eric Wedge, who was a freshman at Northrop in 1983 and went on to Wichita State before leading the Cleveland Indians to the American League Championship Series this year.
Joey Bennett is a former Tribune-Star sports reporter who now teaches at Northview High School. He can be reached at tribstarcollegereport@yahoo.com.
College Report
College Report: QBs with Terre Haute connections enjoy days as first-time starters
- College Report
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Valley grads playing role for No. 13 Vincennes
A few springtime odds and ends:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Catching up as the school year winds down
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