Two of the most recognizable names from the last 10 years of Wabash Valley athletics are in the news.

Former Union High School and Iowa basketball Brody Boyd has left the Wabash Valley for a second time to go to Iowa City, while ex-White River Valley and Butler basketball star A.J. Graves has started a pro career in Europe.

Boyd came back to the Wabash Valley after graduating from Iowa, and last winter served as an assistant coach on Mike Saylor’s staff at Terre Haute South. He has returned to what he calls his “second home” of Iowa City and is a program director at the North Dodge Recreational Club, while also helping coach the high school basketball team at Regina High School in Iowa City.

The lofty status given to former Hawkeyes, as well as the great experience he had there, guided Boyd back to his collegiate home.

“There are no pro sports here, and the kids look up to every Hawkeye player that comes through,” he said. “It is now my turn to be an inspiration to the kids and people who watched me play. I love it here.”

Boyd tells the players he is guiding that what happens to them is under their control.

“They want to know what it takes to get to the next level,” Boyd said. “I tell them to have a basketball and a pair of shorts and shoes, and the future is in their hands. It takes work, work, work.”

Boyd led the Hawkeyes in steals in 2004 and in 3-point shooting percentage in 2003.

Graves finished his Butler career as one of the best players in school history, but after one year of working in the private sector in Indianapolis the absence of basketball in his life led him to hire an agent and eventually land a job playing for the PBG Basket Poznan team in the Polska Liga Koszykowki league in Poznan, Poland.

“A year ago, I thought I had life figured out,” Graves told the Greene County Daily World. “I was completely mistaken. I wanted to walk away from the sport knowing that I could have played pro if I had chosen to. However, as the months passed by, I realized that the ‘not knowing’ was driving me crazy.”

In the regular-season opener Graves played 22 minutes and scored two points on two free throws, and had three assists.

During the preseason Graves said he averaged between 20 and 25 minutes a game, and had games of 19 and 17 points.

I I I

n Bits and pieces — The local connections of DePauw quarterback Spud Dick were overlooked in the Oct. 4 College Report.

Dick is the son of Roz and Gerry Dick, the former WTWO on-air personality who today hosts “Inside Indiana Business With Gerry Dick.” Spud’s grandmother, Judy, lives in Terre Haute with her husband, also named Gerry.

The family is originally from Clinton and has numerous relatives throughout the Wabash Valley.

Spud (yes, also named Gerry) graduated from Lawrence Central before moving on to Greencastle to destroy the DePauw record book. He led Lawrence Central to 10 victories his senior year.

n Several spring sports athletes have also found new homes.

Terre Haute South senior Jacob Hayes officially committed to play baseball for Ohio State last month, while former South softball standout Kelly Fougerousse has landed at Mid-Continent University in Kentucky. Fougerousse played one season at South Georgia College, qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships, and played last season at Olney Central.

Turkey Run’s Alex Woody, a left-handed hitting catcher, is on ISU’s softball roster while former Casey-Westfield infielder Heather Austin is on the roster at IUPUI.

n Northview grad Matt Crooks made his first collegiate game appearance in a JV contest in September. Crooks, a junior, kicked five extra points. He and Terre Haute North grads Justin Hall and Dan Watson are three of the 10 remaining players from Ted Karras’ inaugural recruiting class three years ago.

n Southern Indiana head coach Rodney Watson has hired Chrisman native and former USI player Brent Owen as a graduate assistant coach.

Owen makes the switch from player to coaching staff after four seasons with the program. The three-time Academic All-GLVC performer, who appeared in 54 games as a member of the Screaming Eagles, posted his best game last season with career-high eight points in the win over Maryville University.

Prior to playing for USI, Owen was an Illinois All-State performer at Chrisman High School.

“Brent has already proven to be an invaluable member to our coaching staff,” said Watson. “Brent loves this university, appreciates his education, and is proud of USI basketball. He has helped us maneuver throughout the campus and community.

Owen graduated from USI this spring with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He is beginning work on a master’s degree in education.



CROSS COUNTRY

Bloomfield

Laura Riggins, Jr., Indianapolis – Finished 275 overall in 22:21 at the 37th Annual Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational.

Clay City

Adam Schroer, Jr., Taylor – Has not run this fall.

Greencastle

Joe Franklin, head coach, New Mexico – Has coached the Lobos to No. 21 rankings for both men and women.

Bethany Schroeder, Jr., Indianapolis – No results available.

Andy Weatherford, So., Indiana – Ran second for Indiana in the Indiana Open.

North Central

Robert Shiflett, Jr., Purdue – Has not run this fall.

Ethan Jacob, Fr., Southern Indiana – Has not run this fall.

North Vermillion

Clint Burney, So., Hanover – Finished 216th out of 265 runners with a time of 6:27.2 in the Wilmington Fall Classic.

Northview

Emily Pugh, Sr., Indiana State – Finished 63rd overall and fifth on team at Notre Dame Invitational in 19:11.

John Latta, So., Southern Indiana – Ran seventh on the team in 26:26.20 in the GLVC-MIAA Challenge, finishing 46th.

Kylee Thacker, Fr., Indiana State – Finished 117th overall and seventh on team at Notre Dame Invitational in 20:00.

Allie True, Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Finished in the team’s top 10 in the Greater Louisville Classic.

Casandra Barnett ,Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Finished in the team’s top 10 in the Greater Louisville Classic.

Owen Valley

Micah York, Fr., Taylor – Had a time of 25:28 in the Bethel Invitational.

Robinson

David Ulrich, So., Olivet Nazarene – Finished 161st overall in 10:20 in the Brissman/Lundeen Invitational.

Shakamak

Austin Witt, Fr., Grand Valley State – Ran fourth on the team in the Michigan Intercollegiates, placing 17th in 25:53.1.

South Putnam

Caitlyn Croan, Jr., Franklin – Finished 117th in 7:02.2 in the Wilmington Fall Invitational.

Shannon Egold, So., Franklin – Finished 27th in 6:29.89, third on the team, in the Wilmington Fall Invitational.

Tyler Heavin, Fr., Franklin – Finished 59th in 32:11.31 in the Sodexo Grizzly Invite.

South Vermillion

Julia Costello, Sr., Indiana State – Finished 13th overall and third on team at Bradley Open in 18:56.

Terre Haute North

Kayla Alexander, Sr., Indiana State – Finished 28th overall, third on team, in Notre Dame Invitational in 18:38.

Josh Bedford, Jr., Indiana State – Placed 14th in Sycamore Pride in 16:45.0.

Zach Mayhew, Fr., Indiana – Named Big Ten “Runner of the Week” for winning his first collegiate race in the Indiana Open. He won by more than two seconds with a career-best time of 25:31.96.

Chad Braun, So., Rose-Hulman – Had season best time of 30:14 in Wilmington Invitational.

Kaycee Swofford, So., Taylor – Ran seventh on the team and 39th overall in a time of 21:09 in the Bethel Invitational.

Brandon Query, Fr., Indiana State – Finished 16th in Sycamore Pride in 17:14.0.

Terre Haute South

Adriane Wunderlich, Sr., Indiana State – Finished 112th overall and sixth on team at Notre Dame Invitational in 19:56.

Kristy Twitchell, So., Indiana State – Finished 62nd overall and ninth on team at Bradley Open in 20:55.

Andrew Sullivan, Fr., Indiana State – Finished 13th in Sycamore Pride race in 16:36.5.

Brianne Steppe, Fr., Franklin – Finished 206th overall in 8:00.4 in the Wilmington Fall Invitational.

White River Valley

Jennifer Hughes, Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – No results available.

GOLF

Casey-Westfield

Jon Matthews, Sr., Monmouth – Stats not available.

Greencastle

David Lilly, Jr., Heidelberg – Opened play with a team-best round of 75 in the Mount Union Invitational and returned with an 81 to finish at 156, good enough for a tie for 30th.

Linton-Stockton

Chris Taylor, Sr., Southern Indiana – Shot a 76-79-155, fourth best on the team, as USI won the Maryville Fall Invitational.

Rachael Pruett, Jr., Ball State – Tied for 19th with a 75-77-152 as Ball State finished second of 16 teams in the Cardinal Classic.

Northview

Kade Baker, Fr., Rend Lake – Shot an 82 to lead Rend Lake’s No. 2 team in the Rend Lake Fall Classic.

Paris

Kadie Savoree, Jr., Valparaiso – Finished 29th overall with rounds of 144-140-284 in the Green Bay Lady Phoenix Fall Classic.

Robinson

Travis Whithaus, Fr., Vincennes – Shot 89-78-167 in the Vincennes Fall Classic.

South Putnam

Matt Hicks, Sr., Franklin – Played third on team at Manchester Fall Invitational by shooting 75-84-159.

South Vermillion

Joe Giacoletto, So., Rose-Hulman – Placed 49th among 58 golfers in Franklin Fall Invitational with 85-91-186.

Terre Haute North

Matt Payne, Sr., Franklin – Shot an 86-84-170, third on the team, in the Wittenberg Fall Invitational.

Emily Adams, Fr., Franklin – Has not played this fall.

Danielle Rosselli, So., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Information not available.

Terre Haute South

Diana Price, Jr., Indiana State – Has not played this fall.

Katelyn Gosnell, Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Information not available.

Zach Hosking, Fr., Millikin – Does not play a fall schedule.

Turkey Run

Nathan Smith, Fr., Franklin – Shot an 83-89-172 for the Franklin B team in the Franklin Invitational.

ROWING

Terre Haute South

Morgan Rebeck, Fr., Indiana – No results available.

SOCCER

Greencastle

Hannah Spencer, Fr., Marian – Has played in 10 matches, starting none, and has scored one goal.

Local connections

Austen Stoelting (daughter of Traci Russell Stoelting), Fr., Jacksonville (Ala.) State – Has played in 15 matches, starting 13, and has attempted two shots on goal.

Kaitlyn Blacha (former Terre Haute resident), So., Purdue – Has played in eight matches, starting none, and has attempted four shots.

Baba Omosegbon (former Terre Haute resident), So., Harvard – Has started all 11 matches this fall, but has not scored.

Northview

Cayla Yockey, Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Stats not available.

Riverton Parke

Nicco Ungari, So., Hanover – Has played in two matches, and has not scored.

Sullivan

Briauna Davis, Jr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Stats not available.

Emily Lahay, So., Indiana State – Has played in 11 matches at goalkeeper, starting 10, and has allowed only 18 goals while making 51 saves.

Katie Fogelsong, Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Stats not available.

Terre Haute North

Caitlin Smith, Sr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Stats not available.

Erin Pugh, Jr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Stats not available.

Chloe Laubert, Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods – Stats not available.

Terre Haute South

Brice Humpolick, Jr., Illinois Wesleyan – Has played in 12 matches, starting one, and has two goals and four points.

Anna Pigg, Jr., IUPUI – The defensive specialist has played in 14 matches, starting 13, and has not scored a goal.

Garrett Fredrick, Jr., Manchester – Has played in 12 matches, starting five, and has not scored this fall.

Nicole Forsythe, Fr., Franklin – Has played in nine matches, starting none, and has not scored this fall.

Zachary Pigg, Fr., Indianapolis – Has played in six matches, starting none, and has not scored this fall.

West Vigo

Chandra Cortez, Fr., IUPUI – Has not played this fall.

Pablo Castillo, So., Danville Area CC – No information available.

TENNIS

Bloomfield

Bailey Maryfield, Fr., IUPUI – Won the back draw championship in doubles in the IPFW Invitational.

Owen Valley

Adrian Gillaspy, Fr., Franklin – Played No. 5 singles in fall season.

Jordyn Henson, Fr., Taylor – Has not played this fall.

Paris

Hannah Church, So., Millikin – Has a 0-12 record at No. 1 singles.

Rockville

Kelsey Hartman, Jr., Indianapolis – Won her only singles match of the fall season and has gone 1-3 at No. 2 doubles.

Terre Haute North

Dan Hopkins, head coach, Rose-Hulman – Coached women’s team to second place in HCAC tournament this fall.

Katie Clagg, Sr., Southern Indiana – Went 1-2 in singles matches and 2-2 in doubles during fall season.

Andrew Bostrom, Jr., Southern Indiana – Has not played this fall.

Brittany Farmer, Fr., Butler – Went 6-1 in singles during fall season, winning last four matches. Also went 4-2 in doubles.

Terre Haute South

Maddy Bogle, So., Kentucky Wesleyan – Went 5-2 in singles this fall, alternating between the No. 3 and 4 positions, and recorded a perfect 8-0 doubles record playing No. 1 and No. 2. Last fall, was an Academic All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honoree. She played in 11 singles matches primarily at the No. 3 spot with five wins, and participated in 15 doubles contests at No. 1 position winning nine. She posted six Great Lakes Valley Conference wins in singles and doubles and earned the Women's Tennis Team’s Academic Award. She was also nominated by her coach for GLVC Freshman of the Year.

Katie Bilyeu, So., Valparaiso – Had 0-5 record this fall at No. 3 singles. In fall 2008, played third and fourth singles for Valpo in the fall, earning first collegiate victory in three sets against Saint Joseph’s after dropping the opening set. Teamed with Stephanie York in doubles action and shared the team lead with two wins, downing Wayne State at third doubles and Saint Joseph’s (Ind.) at the number two spot in the lineup.

Hunter Bullock, Fr., IUPUI – proved she was a worthy of IUPUI No. 1 singles slot, posting a 2-1 record and taking the back draw championship recently in the IPFW Tennis Invitational. Bullock lost in the first round before winning the rest of her matches. This brings Bullock’s season singles record to 6-6.

West Vigo

Joel Modesitt, Fr., IUPUI – Picked up wins at No. 4 singles against Marian and Indianapolis.

VOLLEYBALL

Bloomfield

Leairra Thompson, Fr., Vincennes – Has seven kills and three blocks in 18 games played.

Linton

Megan Barnes, Fr., Vincennes – Has played in 110 games, recording 84 kills, nine aces, 26 digs and 69 blocks.

Northview

Kaley Huffman, So., IUPUI – Has one assist and six digs this fall.

Brianne Arvin, Jr., Stephens (Mo.) – Statistics not available.

Rockville

Laura Payne, Fr., Lincoln Land CC – Has 12 kills, 132 digs and 10 aces.

Owen Valley

Sidney Stines, Fr., Vincennes – Has played in 112 games with 102 kills, 15 digs, 26 blocks and 13 assists.

Shakamak

Jessica Gilbert, Fr., Black Hawk College – Information not available.

South Putnam

Liz Mink, So., Franklin – Has played in two games this fall.

Terre Haute North

Carol Weatherford, Sr., Anderson – Has played in all 71 games, ranking second on team in kills with 174 and also getting 23 service aces, 68 digs and 93 blocks.

Casey Hayne, So., Oakland City – Statistics not available.

Terre Haute South

Kristen Seaton, So., Pepperdine – Ranks fifth on team with 87 kills, and also has seven aces, 22 digs and 31 blocks for the 10-7 Waves.

Sara Telezyn, So., Rose-Hulman – Has played in 35 games with 2 kills, 1 ace and 34 digs.

Amy Telezyn, Fr., Indianapolis – Recorded 31 digs on Friday and Saturday as the No. 12 ranked Greyhounds won three matches in the GLIAC-GLVC Asics Challenge in Dimondale, Mich. Indianapolis is now 26-1 and has won 12 straight matches. For the season, Telezyn has played in 12 matches, starting none, with one kill, seven assists, five aces and 42 digs.

Brittaney Pugh, Fr., Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) – Has played in 20 matches, starting four, with 11 kills, 335 assists (second on team) and 28 service aces.



Joey Bennett is a former Tribune-Star sports reporter and copy editor who now teaches and coaches at Northview High School in Brazil. He can be reached at tribstarcollegereport@yahoo.com.