Nearly 60 Wabash Valley area high school graduates are playing college football this fall, along with five more serving as assistant coaches.
For the second straight fall, no players who attended area schools are competing at the 1-A Bowl Championship Series level. Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard is the son of former local resident Kelli (Miller) Pritchard.
About two-thirds of those are playing at the Division III or other small college levels, while many are playing at the former I-AA (now Bowl Championship Series Subdivision) level – including 10 at Indiana State.
Terre Haute North leads the Valley schools with 14 players competing, while Terre Haute South, Marshall and Northview each has six players competing. It’s a young group, with only eight players being members of the senior class at their respective schools. Such youth offers even more potential for greater success in the future.
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• Hanover-Butler game cancelled — Due to the heavy winds that devastated the Hanover College campus last Sunday, the Panthers cancelled all classes and athletic events for the past week.
Included on that list was the scheduled football game at Butler on Saturday, which will not be rescheduled. Missing out on one of their final collegiate appearances were Hanover senior offensive lineman Brock Goggins and Butler’s starting tight end, senior Luke Johnson of Terre Haute North.
• Scoring scarce — Touchdowns are normally hard to come by for the Valley graduates, many of whom are youngsters who are either waiting on their chance to shine, defensive players or offensive lineman.
North grad Justin Hall has already recorded 12 points this year, as the Marian sophomore wide receiver had caught nine passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns entering Saturday’s game with Valparaiso.
• A specialist in specialists — Cloverdale has only two players in college, but they are both kickers. Raine Young is a freshman placekicker at Manchester, while sophomore Brandon Mescall is a punter at Franklin.
• Early successes — Marian, with eight Valley grads on its roster, won two of its first three games. Included in the wins was a victory over No. 25-ranked McKendree.
Wabash is ranked No. 7 and Franklin No. 17 in the d3football.com national poll.
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Other college news:
• Mardis lands in Missouri — Wendell Mardis, the well-traveled point guard from Terre Haute North, will complete his college basketball eligibility this winter at Division II Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.
SBU is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and will open its season with a trip to play at the University of Utah on Nov. 15.
SBU Coach Jeff Guiot commented on his team’s trip to Salt Lake City.
“We’re very excited to start things off with Utah, a high-major D-I program. We’re starting the season with this game because we have very high expectations for this team.”
The Bearcats are the reigning MIAA regular-season champions, were a perfect 15-0 at home during the 2007-08 campaign, and were ranked as high as No. 15 in the nation last season.
The Bearcats return four starters to the 2008-09 team. Matt Rogers (6-10, junior), D’Ante Harris (6-3, senior), Nick Kovacevich (6-5, senior) and Brandon Burgette (6-0, senior) will be joined by key newcomers including transfers Mardis, Tomas Brock (6-1, sophomore, Missouri State), and Gerren Rogers (6-8, junior, Lincoln College).
Mardis played one season each at Southeastern Illinois and Illinois Central junior colleges, and played last season at Division I Alabama State before transferring to SBU over the summer.
• Doss to VU — Turkey Run senior point guard Meghan Doss has made a verbal commitment to play basketball for the Vincennes University women’s team starting in 2009.
VU Coach Harry Meeks expects the 5-1 Doss to fit into his program well.
“She’s fast and almost impossible to press,” Meeks told the Vincennes Sun-Commercial. “Along with being very good at getting the ball where it needs to be, she can shoot the three like you wouldn’t believe.”
Doss averaged 14 points per game last season, shooting 46 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range. Hoosier Basketball Magazine has chosen her to be a second-team all-state selection in this year’s edition.
“She’s had a great summer and is working hard on her strength, conditioning and explosiveness,” Turkey Run Coach Sam Karr told the Sun-Commercial. “She brings instant excitement to the floor and should have an outstanding senior year. Meghan will be one of the main reasons we’ll be ranked this year.”
Wabash Valley football products
Casey-Westfield
Nick Murphy, Rose-Hulman, Jr.
Cloverdale
Brandon Mescall, Franklin, So.
Raine Young, Manchester, Fr.
Hutsonville-Palestine
Ryan Roberts, Indiana State, Fr.
Local connections
Shaine Tierney, St. Francis, So.
Tavita Pritchard, Stanford, Sr.
Linton
Brock Goggins, Hanover, Sr.
Dan Allen, Marian, So.
Ethan Brewer, Indiana State, Fr.
Lance Irwin, Rose-Hulman, Fr.
Marshall
Troy Johnson, Indiana State, assistant coach
Derek Eitel, Rose-Hulman, Jr.
Chris Stepp, Indiana State, Fr.
Travis Johnson, Indiana State, Fr.
Morgan Miller, Greenville, Fr.
Alan Wolter, Greenville, Fr.
Tyler Howard, Greenville, Fr.
Martinsville
Ross Shotts, Blackburn, Sr.
Bobby Short, Rose-Hulman, Fr.
Ethan Nash, Rose-Hulman, Fr.
North Central
Ira Drummy, Anderson, Jr.
Michael Woodsmall, DePauw, Fr.
Scottie Austin, St. Joseph?s, Fr.
Northview
Joe Evinger, College of the Canyons (Calif.), So.
Matt Crooks, Marian, So.
Broc Miller, Indiana State, Fr.
Dayne Upperman, Marian, Fr.
Jered Timm, Marian, Fr.
Dylan Kruse, Marian, Fr.
Owen Valley
Ethan Kestenman, Rose-Hulman, Fr.
Paris
Chip Keys, Eastern Illinois, Sr.
Michael Mattingly, Franklin, Fr.
Robinson
Ben Wassel, Rose-Hulman, Jr.
Rockville
Mitch Downs, Franklin, So.
Zach Clapp, DePauw, Fr.
Kyle Fahey, Manchester, Fr.
South Putnam
Josh Buis, Eastern Michigan, assistant coach
Drew Christy, Rose-Hulman, Jr.
Terre Haute North
Steve Englehart, Rose-Hulman, head coach
Kevin Dean, Rose-Hulman, assistant coach
Jared Lange, Wabash, Sr.
Drew Oehler, Wabash, Sr.
Pat Hancewicz, Franklin, Sr.
Luke Johnson, Butler, Sr.
Shawn Hines, Franklin, Jr.
Seth Woodason, Harding (Ark.), Jr.
Derek Guggenberger, Butler, Jr.
Paul McGuire, SE Missouri State, Jr.
Dan Millington, Indiana State, Jr.
Justin Hall, Marian, So.
Daniel Watson, Marian, So.
Chris Russell, Anderson, So.
Matt Seliger, Indiana State, Fr.
Jake Schaffer, Wabash, Fr.
Terre Haute South
Trent Miles, Indiana State, head coach
Kyle Toney, Indiana State, So.
Pat Duncan, Rose-Hulman, Jr.
Michael Engle, DePauw, So.
Kyle Harruff, Southern Illinois, So.
Koby Kraemer, Indiana State, Fr.
Brock Lough, Indiana State, Fr.
West Vigo
Zach Avary, Marian, So.
Joey Bennett is a former Tribune-Star sports reporter who now teaches and coaches at Northview High School in Brazil. He can be reached at tribstarcollegereport@yahoo.com.
College Report
College Report: Plenty of Valley atheltes suiting up in college football ranks
- College Report
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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.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Some odds and ends from College Report mailbag
Here are some odds and ends from Santa’s mailbag:
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COLLEGE REPORT: Hayne makes immediate impact at Lindsey Wilson College
Coming from a long line of volleyball players, including standout sisters Madison (Hayne) Minnick and Casey Hayne, it shouldn’t have been surprising that Terre Haute South grad Taylor Hayne made a big impact as a freshman this fall for the Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College squad.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Witt wraps up great season for Grand Valley State
It’s 337 miles from Shakamak High School to Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., if you’re thinking of taking a long jog.
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COLLEGE REPORT: North senior O’Leary signs with Loyola (Chicago)
Two standout senior basketball players were among several Wabash Valley athletes who made previous college sports commitments official this week, with others expected to make their commitments official soon.
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COLLEGE REPORT: A battle of Witt’s: Shakamak grad has championship aspirations at Grand Valley State
It’s 337 miles from Shakamak High School to Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., if you’re thinking of taking a long jog.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Potter named to all-conference team after freshman season
There are many clear differences between high school tennis and collegiate tennis.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Younger Weatherford following in brother’s footsteps
“Weatherford punts well for central Illinois college” is an example of a frequent newspaper headline around eight years ago when Terre Haute North grad Steve Weatherford was booming long punts for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
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COLLEGE REPORT: West Vigo grad Coombs excels for Wallace State volleyball
Wallace State volleyball may not come to mind when you think of college athletic dominance, unless you happen to follow Alabama Community College Conference volleyball.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Engle coaching at DePauw, younger Weatherford punting for Eastern Illinois
Pigskins are now flying through the muggy, late summer air and several Wabash Valley grads are continuing their careers at the next level as either players or coaches.
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JOEY BENNETT: ISU baseball assistant headed to Iowa JUCO
Following a standout baseball career at Terre Haute North, Max Hutson took his talents to one of the nation’s most prestigious collegiate programs at Wichita State.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Terre Haute North’s O’Leary drawing Division I offers
Interest has picked up tremendously lately for Terre Haute North senior-to-be Matt O’Leary, as the 6-7, 200-pounder now has eight college basketball scholarship offers and six at the Division I level after a strong July AAU season for the Indiana Elite One squad.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Sullivan's Trimble to run for IPFW
Summertime comings and goings:
• Sullivan standout to IPFW — Sullivan grad Olivia Trimble will be taking her track and field talents to the Division I level at Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne next spring.
Trimble comes to IPFW with personal-bests of 13.1 in the 100-meter dash, 27.5 in the 200-meter dash, 1:04 in the 400-meter dash, and a long jump personal best of 15-5. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Some final notes on the spring season
Cleaning out the end-of-year college sports mailbag:
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COLLEGE REPORT: Eberle to play for ISU, Fulkerson going to Rose for baseball
Michael Eberle and Parker Fulkerson are both Terre Haute North grads who were key hitters in the middle of the lineup for last summer’s Wayne Newton Post 346 state championship American Legion baseball team.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Vicars pitches Alcorn to top seed
Terre Haute South grad Cole Vicars was the fifth leading hitter for Alcorn State’s baseball team last spring, but this year he has found more success on the pitching mound in leading the Braves to the top seed in the Eastern Division for the upcoming Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Three North volleyball players to play at next level
Terre Haute North’s volleyball program has made tremendous strides over the past few years, and the college ranks are starting to notice.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Eighty Valley natives playing college softball, baseball
Eighty Wabash Valley natives are playing collegiate softball and baseball this spring, while another 11 serve as college coaches.
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COLLEGE REPORT: North grad’s college softball career off to strong start
The transition from high school softball to college softball has been a smooth one for Terre Haute North grad Bethany Sullivan.
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College Report: Akers’ D-1 dream comes true, heading to nearby EIU
Austin Akers hoped to land a Division I scholarship two years ago following a standout high school career at Northview, but that goal wasn’t achieved at that time.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Molly Martin ends college career with run in NCAA Division III Tournament
The stellar college basketball career of Terre Haute North grad Molly Martin came to an end March 4, as Hanover College’s women’s team dropped a 76-62 decision to the University of Chicago in the opening round of the NCAA Division III national tournament at Grand Rapids, Mich.
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COLLEGE REPORT: SV'S Craigmyle to play football at Division II Harding
Harding University knows exactly what it wants in terms of football players to fit Coach Ronnie Huckeba’s system.
South Vermillion’s James Craigmyle knew exactly what he was looking for in a college. -
COLLEGE REPORT: WRC diamond standouts make college plans
Three Wabash River Conference diamond standouts have decided where they will continue their careers collegiately after graduating this spring.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Meggs helping with Cal-Irvine resurgence
California-Irvine’s women’s basketball program is undergoing a revitalization under third-year coach Molly Goodenbour, and the Anteaters are off to a 10-4 record this year following a 9-21 mark a year ago.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Bray among nation’s top recruits heading to Louisville
The University of Louisville men’s swimming program has looked heavily toward the waters of Indiana pools to maintain its elite national status.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Mahurin to play two sports for Racers
Beth Mahurin made a verbal commitment to play volleyball at Indiana State in the fall of her junior year, which would have put her close to home and at the same school as her brother, R.J., who is a freshman on the men’s basketball team.
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South’s Seibert, Lee looking forward to playing for IPFW
Terre Haute South will have five former Braves playing women’s college basketball this year, and two current Braves have already made verbal commitments to keep that streak alive for the next several years.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Former Valley prep athletes run well
Several Wabash Valley area cross country standouts had excellent outings last Saturday to help their teams to outstanding team finishes.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Mayhew helps IU cross country to big victory at Wisconsin
Several Wabash Valley area cross country standouts had excellent outings on Saturday to help their teams to outstanding team finishes.
Indiana’s men’s cross country made a bold statement at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational on Saturday at Madison, Wisc., with an impressive win over a highly-ranked field of opponents, including No. 6 Wisconsin. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Engle named SCAC Player of the Week
Terre Haute South grad Michael Engle of DePauw was selected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Football Offensive Player-of-the-Week for games played last weekend.
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