With a roster one-third full of Wabash Valley natives, the University of Indianapolis women’s basketball team is ranked fourth in the 2009-10 Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll, released this week.
UIndy (24-10 in 2008-09) enters the season returning most of the nucleus of a club that made its first NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance a season ago.
Terre Haute North junior Samantha Meissel, who needs only 42 points to reach the 1,000 mark for her young career, leads nine returning players for third-year Head Coach LeAnn Freeland.
Meissel was named a first-team pre-season all-Great Lakes Valley Conference selection. South Putnam senior Jessica Canary was a second-team all-GLVC pick. Canary needs just 25 points to join the 1,000-point club.
Owen Valley freshmen guards Nickole and Heather Gonser are newcomers for the Greyhounds this year.
Last season, Meissel averaged 18.7 points per game in earning first-team all-GLVC honors. Canary led the team in rebounding and blocks and averaged 14.4 points per game.
The Greyhounds ended the season ranked 24th in the USA Today/ESPN/Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division II Final Poll.
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• Whitted first-team all-Summit — IUPUI senior post player Julia Whitted of Northview was recently named to the pre-season first-team all-Summit League women’s basketball team.
IUPUI, which finished fourth in The Summit League a year ago, returns two starters from the 2008-09 squad, including Whitted, who averaged 13.2 points per game to go along with 8.4 rebounds. In conference play, the 6-foot-5 center upped her play, posting 14.2 points and 9.3 boards in 18 games.
She became the 19th IUPUI women’s basketball player to go over the 1,000-point plateau in her final game of the 2008-09 season and has 1,004 points in her career. Overall, the first-team selection was the fourth straight for Whitted, who earned the honors at the end of her sophomore year and was on both preseason and postseason first teams last year.
IUPUI was picked to finish sixth in the conference, and will open the 2009-10 campaign with an exhibition versus Kentucky State on Monday at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Jaguars will open the regular season at Akron on Nov. 13 and will head to Bloomington to take on Indiana at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15.
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• Duncan to EIU — Marshall quarterback Taylor Duncan recently made a verbal commitment to play college football at Eastern Illinois.
He also considered Illinois State and Ball State.
Eastern loses both starter Jake Christensen, who is a graduate student after transferring from Iowa, and previous starter Bodie Reeder, also in his final year of college eligibility.
“My mindset is to go there and compete,” Duncan told the Mattoon Journal-Gazette. “I can’t tell you what’s going to happen. I’m not expecting to start or anything. I am expecting to go there and work hard.”
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Duncan has passed for more than 1,000 yards this season. As a junior he racked up 1,891 yards on 105-for-186 passing with 24 touchdowns and four interceptions and 743 yards and 13 touchdowns on 156 rushes for a 7-4 team.
“Last year we were a pass-oriented team and this year we’re 50-50,” Marshall Coach Todd Evers told the Journal-Gazette. “He’s done a good job taking on the leadership as a senior. His (passing) attempts are 60 percent of what they were last year. His numbers being down really don’t reflect how he has progressed. He’s a very smart quarterback. I know he’ll succeed at the next level.”
FOOTBALL
Casey-Westfield
• Nick Murphy, Rose-Hulman, Sr. — Has two interceptions, including one he returned 52 yards for a touchdown.
• Mitch Snyder, Rose-Hulman, Fr. — Has completed 3 of 7 passes for 24 yards and one touchdown.
• Aaron Rhoads, Eastern Illinois, Fr. — No statistics this season.
• Kaleb Brandenburg, McKendree, Fr. — No statistics available.
• Andrew Kuhn, McKendree, Fr. — No statistics available.
Greencastle
• Kyle Nobles, Indianapolis, Fr. — Has not played this season.
Hutsonville-Palestine
• Ryan Roberts, Indiana State, So. — Has rushed 70 times for 279 yards and four touchdowns, while completing 38 of 83 passes for 360 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.
Local connections
• Shaine Tierney, St. Francis, Jr. — Has rushed 55 times for 373 yards and seven touchdowns, and has also completed 120 of 180 passes for 1,448 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
• James Kirkendoll, Texas, Jr. — Has made 22 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown.
• Anthony Oden, Fr., Arkansas — No statistics available.
Linton
• Lance Irwin, Rose-Hulman, So. — Has made four tackles, including 0.5 for losses.
• Derek Barker, Rose-Hulman, Fr. — No statistics available.
Marshall
• Derek Eitel, Rose-Hulman, Sr. — Has completed 143 of 240 passes for 1,989 yards and seven touchdowns with nine interceptions.
• Tyler Howard, Indiana State, So. — No statistics available.
• Travis Johnson, Indiana State, Fr. — Has completed 22 of 48 passes for 152 yards with three interceptions.
Martinsville
• Bobby Short, Rose-Hulman, So. — Has made eight tackles.
• Ethan Nash, Rose-Hulman, So. — No statistics available.
Northview
• Joe Evinger, Louisville, Jr. — Has moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart at left guard after missing the first two weeks of practice due to administrative problems with his transfer. Has played in the last three games against Southern Mississippi, Connecticut and Cincinnati.
• Matt Crooks, Marian, Jr. — Has not yet kicked in a varsity game.
• Dylan Kruse, Marian, Fr. — No statistics available.
• Damon Smith, Indiana State, Fr. — No statistics available.
Owen Valley
• Ethan Kestenman, Rose-Hulman, So. — No statistics available.
Robinson
• Ben Wassel, Rose-Hulman, Sr. — Has made 20 tackles, including 2.5 for losses.
• Logan Laflin, Rose-Hulman, Fr. — Has carried the ball twice for four yards.
• Josh Kincaid, Southern Illinois, Fr. — Has made one solo tackle.
Rockville
• Mitch Downs, Franklin, Jr. — Has 57 carries for 247 yards and two touchdowns to lead team in rushing.
• Zach Clapp, DePauw, So. — Has not played this season.
• Kyle Fahey, Manchester, So. — No statistics available.
• Matt King, Indiana State, Fr. — No statistics available.
South Putnam
• Drew Christy, Rose-Hulman, Sr. — Remains sidelined due to injury.
• Conor Frame, Wabash, Fr. — Has played in one game this season.
Terre Haute North
• Steve Englehart, Rose-Hulman, head coach — Coached team to 4-4 record through eight games.
• Mike Ellis, Rose-Hulman, assistant coach — Has helped coach team to 4-4 record through eight games.
• Ethan Tyler, Rose-Hulman, assistant coach — Has helped coach team to 4-4 record through eight games.
• Derek Guggenberger, Butler, Sr. — Ranks third on team with 38 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and also has three sacks and one fumble recovery.
• Shawn Hines, Franklin, Sr. — No statistics available.
• Dan Millington, Indiana State, Sr. — Has made 31 tackles, six for loss, with three sacks.
• Justin Hall, Marian, Jr. — Has made four catches for 38 yards.
• Dan Watson, Marian, Jr. — Has played in one game this season.
• Chris Russell, Anderson, Jr. — Has 12 catches for 96 yards.
• Matt Seliger, Indiana State, So. — Has one incomplete pass this season.
• Aaron Edwards, Indiana State, So. — No statistics available.
• Jake Schaffer, Wabash, So. — Has not played this season.
• Scott Weatherford, Eastern Illinois, Fr. — Has not punted yet this season.
• Wade Bush, Indiana State, Fr. — Has no statistics this season.
• Frank Willis, Taylor, Fr. — Has one reception for four yards.
Terre Haute South
• Trent Miles, Indiana State, head coach — Picked up first collegiate head coaching victory against Western Illinois on Oct. 24.
• Pat Duncan, Rose-Hulman, Sr. — Has made 33 tackles, 7 for losses, 3.5 for sacks and four passes broken up.
• Michael Engle, DePauw, Jr. — Has rushed 6 times for 14 yards and one touchdown, and also has completed 22 of 41 passes for 420 yards with three TD passes and one interception.
• Kyle Harruff, Southern Illinois, Jr. — Has one pass reception for 14 yards.
• Kyle Toney, Indiana State, Jr. — Has no statistics for this season.
• Derrelle Hankins, Marian, So. — Has played in nine games, starting six, with 22 tackles (one for loss) and one fumble recovery.
• Koby Kraemer, Indiana State, So. — Has returned 23 kickoffs for 423 yards with a long of 36.
• Brock Lough, Indiana State, So. — Has four carries for seven yards and four receptions for 37 yards.
• Michael Mardis, Indiana State, Fr. — Has six catches for 30 yards this season.
• Josh Bridwell, Indianapolis, Fr. — Has started last eight games as offensive lineman.
• Brandon Heaton, Indianapolis, Fr. — Has not played this season.
• Elias Brown, Indiana State, Fr. — Has no statistics this season.
West Vigo
• Kameron Silcock, Franklin, Fr. — Has one pass reception for 19 yards and one kickoff return for 15 yards.
• Lucas Mackey, Hanover, Fr. — Has made one interception and ranks eighth on team with 22 tackles (two for losses).
College Report
College Report: Valley natives helping UIndy girls basketball thrive
- College Report
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COLLEGE REPORT: Kentucky baseball star Reed earns All-SEC
Kentucky sophomore baseball standout A.J. Reed of Terre Haute South Vigo High School earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in voting by the league coaches for the recently completed season.
- COLLEGE REPORT: Wabash College All-American relay team has TH flavor
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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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