TERRE HAUTE —
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.
A complete list with season stats will be included in an upcoming “College Report,” but here are some of the highlights:
• Engle on sidelines — Terre Haute South grad Michael Engle thought his football days were over when he graduated from DePauw last spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
He had previously planned to attend law school upon graduation, but the allure of the gridiron won out.
“I was presented with the opportunity to return to DePauw as an offensive assistant this summer, specifically coaching running backs,” said Engle, who patiently waited three years for his turn while Spud Dick was destroying the school record book, but put together an outstanding senior season of his own.
“I felt it was a great chance for me to continue to stay involved in football, which is still a significant part of my life,” Engle said. “I am very thankful to continue to be a part of this program and to work on a day-to-day basis with a great staff and a great group of players.”
Coaching is sort of a family tradition, as Engle’s father Jay coached for many years at Terre Haute South.
Whether it becomes Michael’s long-term career goal remains to be seen, but he’s enjoying it for the time being.
“Each day is a learning experience for me, as I continue to develop my knowledge of the game itself,” he said. “This job has been amazing for me to this point, and I look forward to what the future may hold.”
• Oden lands at Lamar — Anthony Oden, younger brother of NBA center Greg Oden, is now the starting left tackle for Lamar University in Texas after transferring from Arkansas.
Oden was dismissed from the Razorbacks this summer after some legal trouble, and has lost some weight and now stands as a 6-8, 308-pounder.
Oden started as a freshman at Arkansas, helping a Razorback offense that lead the Southeastern Conference in scoring (36.0 points per game) and passing offense (295.5 yards a game).
“Certainly, because of his size, we are looking forward to having Anthony as a member of our football team,” Lamar Coach Ray Woodard said. “He has great feet to go with his size, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in a Lamar uniform.”
Oden only appeared in one game last season and was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA, giving him three years of eligibility at the Division I school that competes in the Southland Conference.
“Oden is a big, physical kid, and is probably as talented as any player we have on the team regardless of position,” offensive line coach Nathan Reeves said. “There’s no reason he shouldn’t be the best tackle in the Southland Conference this season.”
• Wheeler running second-string — Northview grad Scott Wheeler, who redshirted last year at Kent State, is the only other athlete with Wabash Valley ties competing for a BCS conference school.
He is the second-string right guard for Kent State, which opened its season on Saturday at No. 2-ranked Alabama.
• Weatherford makes debut — After redshirting last year, Scott Weatherford of Terre Haute North has earned the starting punter’s job for Eastern Illinois and made his debut in a win over Illinois State on Thursday night.
Weatherford punted four times for 153 yards for a 38.2 average, with a long punt of 50 yards. He had one punt downed inside the 20 and another that was a touchback.
Weatherford is the younger brother of New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford.
Marshall grad Taylor Duncan also redshirted last year, and also made his EIU debut Thursday.
He attempted only one pass, as he is the backup to standout sophomore Jimmy Garappolo. Garappolo passed for more than 300 yards in Thursday’s win after a dominant freshman season last year.
Duncan’s only pass Thursday was incomplete.
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Bits and pieces — Former Terre Haute North running standout John Mascari will be redshirting this fall, but will start running in 2012 for the Indiana University men’s cross country team.
Mascari placed third in the 3,200 meters in the state track meet last spring, and Coach Ron Helmer is looking forward to adding another ex-Patriot to his lineup.
“John comes from the same solid Terre Haute North program that gave us Zach Mayhew,” he said. “He is very talented, has trained consistently in high school and has consistently put good times on the board. John’s PR of 9:00.83 in the 3,200 was run indoors, indicating both his talent and potential. He could have the talent to make an impact sooner than expected.”
Mayhew is a junior standout for the Hoosiers, who are ranked eighth nationally to start the season.
Last year, Mayhew placed 78th overall in 30:56.8 in the NCAA championships at the Lavern Gibson Cross Country Course east of Terre Haute as the Hoosiers recorded a seventh-place team finish.
• Former Riverton Parke baseball standout Tim Johnson, who competed in the Indiana All-Star series this summer, originally signed to play for Southeastern Illinois College but has had a change of plans.
He now attends Vincennes and will play for the Trailblazers, who competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association subregional tournament last spring.
• Former Terre Haute resident James Kirkendoll, who played collegiately at Texas, went undrafted last spring but signed with the Tennessee Titans this summer as a free agent.
He had two catches for 19 yards in the team’s first preseason game against Minnesota, but did not have any catches in Tennessee’s last three preseason games.
On Thursday, he returned one kickoff for 12 yards. He likely found out on Saturday whether he will make the Titans’ 53-man roster.
• Sullivan basketball standout Rhagen Smith made an unofficial visit to Butler last weekend and picked up a scholarship offer from the Bulldogs.
The 6-2 post player, regarded as one of the top juniors in the state, also holds offers from Indiana State, Evansville and Ball State and will likely add to that list as the school season arrives. She currently helps anchor a strong front line for the outstanding Sullivan volleyball squad.
Sycamore hoop fans would love to see her in ISU blue joining her brother Rhett, a Golden Arrow senior who will begin his ISU career next winter.
• North grad Sarah Potter has gotten her Marian University tennis career off to a good start.
Potter and No. 1 doubles partner Olivia Pursell recently won 8-2 over Indiana-Southeast, and Potter won her match at No. 4 singles by a 6-1, 6-0 margin.
Potter then won 8-1 at No. 1 doubles and 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles in a match against Goshen. Marian won both matches 9-0.
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.
College Report
COLLEGE REPORT: Engle coaching at DePauw, younger Weatherford punting for Eastern Illinois
- 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




