TERRE HAUTE —
I’m sure most of you with office jobs can relate.
When work gets busy, sometimes it’s easy to skim over our emails. After all, how many times do we need to read the same nonsense from alleged Nigerians wanting to make us rich if we’ll send them several thousand dollars first?
So after having three consecutive days off, that almost happened to me when I returned to work Tuesday. Then I realized that the message from Jeff Thompson, Terre Haute South High School’s boys and girls swimming coach, contained significant news.
Thompson said two former Wabash Valley athletes will be competing in the NCAA Division I swimming and diving championships March 28-30 in the Indiana University Natatorium at Indianapolis.
“During my competitive swimming career in TH [Terre Haute], since the early ‘80s, we have NEVER had a swimmer from this area compete at the D-One championships and now we have TWO!” an excited Thompson said in the email. “The only swimmer, to my knowledge, who has EVER competed at this level is Melissa Card … when she swam at SMU [Southern Methodist University] from 1991 to 1995.”
Thompson realized later that North graduate Jenny Somerville of Villanova also competed in the Division I championships in the mid-2000s. But then again Card is now Melissa Thompson, his current wife, so no wonder his memory was cloudy.
Back to the present, the two athletes Thompson spoke of are IU freshman Nolan Roach, who will represent the Hoosiers on their 200-yard freestyle relay squad, and Louisville sophomore Addison Bray, who will swim in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 400 medley relay. Both are South graduates.
“This is quite a big deal for these two young men and their families,” Thompson emphasized. “It is a huge accomplishment.”
I’ll attempt to follow up with Roach and Bray before March 28.
There haven’t been many opportunities for me to provide boxing news in the sports section lately, but we will have five amateurs representing Terre Haute’s Sweatbox Gym in the 2013 Indiana Golden Gloves state championships in the coming weeks.
The annual tournament will start this Thursday and continue every Thursday through April 25 at Tyndall Armory in Indianapolis.
The five men being trained by pro boxer James Porter:
• Terre Haute South graduate Justin Smith, 26, will box in the 152-pound weight class of the open division. Porter said he’s had 11 bouts so far.
• Current South senior Tucker Ray, 18, will compete in Sub-Novice 178. He’s had five bouts and won a Silver Gloves state title in 2009 when he weighed only 142, so he’s clearly bulked up in the last four years.
• Anthony Carson, 21, of Terre Haute will be in the Open 165 class. Porter said Carson, an Ivy Tech student, has had approximately 14 bouts already and he’s been boxing about four years.
• Tony Gable, 17, of Clinton will see action in the Novice 123 class. Porter said Gable, a South Vermillion High School junior, has had 10 fights.
• Trevon Childs, 23, of Terre Haute will be battling among the novice heavyweights. Porter said this will be the amateur boxing debut for Childs, a former South basketball and football player and current Indiana State University student.
Smith’s first Golden Gloves bout will be March 28. The other four will debut on one of the Thursdays in April.
“The team has been working really hard,” Porter said. “Looks like we have a nice group of young men. We’re really working hard to try to be successful in the Golden Gloves this year. Hopefully, we can get a couple of state championship winners.”
Bouts are scheduled to have three two-minute rounds until the championship matches in the open division when there will be an increase to four three-minute rounds.
Cards will start at 7:30 p.m. each night. Ringside tickets cost $12 and general-admission tickets go for $10.
David Hughes can be reached after 4 p.m. by phone at 1-800-783-8742, Option 4, or at 812-231-4224; by email at david.hughes@tribstar.com; or by fax at 812-231-4321.
Sports
Recent South swimmers Roach, Bray heading to DI nationals
- Sports
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Hulman Classic on Friday at Action Track
With rainouts having postponed his only two Terre Haute Action Track cards so far in 2013, promoter Bob Sargent remains optimistic about the rescheduled Tony Hulman Classic for U.S. Auto Club sprint cars taking place Friday night.
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Finding best talent the key to all sports, including auto racing
The success of any sporting franchise often rests with the ability of owners to find and mold talent into a winning combination.
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Rex regain first place with 8-2 win at Springfield
Two former Vigo County high school baseball players played big roles Wednesday night as the Terre Haute Rex regained first place in the West Division of Prospect League baseball with an 8-2 win over the Springfield Sliders.
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Northview's Taylor Carter to play in state all-star softball game
Recent Northview High School graduate Taylor Carter will compete Saturday in the annual North-South All-Star softball doubleheader at the Cherry Tree Complex at Carmel.
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Hughes, News & Views: Terre Haute ‘hacker' accomplishes Mark’s Par Three first
It’s no secret that Mark’s Par Three is not the most difficult golf course in Vigo County.
But it’s enjoyable for beginners and golfers of modest skill levels and it doesn’t lack for activity during warm-weather months.
Open since 1964, it’s had its fair share of players test their skills, probably several better than 43-year-old Brian Brown of Terre Haute. -
Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
At first glance, it would be easy to look at first-year Terre Haute Rex manager Ronnie Prettyman and expect him to have a difficult journey during his maiden voyage as a baseball manager.
Managing in the Prospect League isn’t the easiest job in the world.
Rosters change constantly, especially early in the season when players are still reporting from their college teams. The travel is arduous — a night game in far-off Quincy, Ill., could be followed by a home game, followed by a game at equally far-off Hannibal, Mo. The players have to acclimate themselves to playing every day after having played a maximum of five games a week at the college level. -
Metro roundup: ISU’s Gant to go to Africa with Athletes in Action
Indiana State junior Justin Gant has been invited to travel to the Ivory Coast this summer as part of an Athletes In Action basketball tour.
“I am extremely honored to be given this opportunity to not only play basketball with and against some great players during this tour, but to also share my Christian faith with those in the Ivory Coast,” Gant commented. “I’m looking forward to growing as a person by delivering aid to those in Africa and by sharing my faith with those we come in contact with. This will also be a great chance to continue to improve on the basketball court just before we start our workouts at Indiana State in the fall.” -
Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
In a battle for first place in the West Division of the Prospect League baseball standings, the Terre Haute Rex fell just short Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Seven players from Terre Haute Rex taken in Major League draft
Seven players who are alumni of the Terre Haute Rex in the past four years achieved their dream of becoming professional baseball players when taken in the Major League Baseball draft earlier this month.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Catching up on some things
Catching up — on all-state softball honors and a new basketball coach in Illinois.
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Hulman Classic on Friday at Action Track
- Local Interest
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Score: Post 346 runner #6 Jacob Johnson scores after a collision with the Pate catcher in the fourth inning Sunday afternoon.
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
It’s an interesting dance that Wayne Newton Post 346 and Evansville Pate Post 265 have developed in American Legion baseball’s Terre Haute Invitational, and the last waltz was saved for the host team Sunday.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Wayne Newton 2-1 on young season
Wayne Newton Post 346 improved to 2-1 in American Legion baseball with a late 8-3 victory over Effingham on Thursday night.
Craig Peters was winning pitcher for Post 346 and T.J. Decker and Cody Thornton led a 16-hit attack with three hits each. -
Rex looking to return to pitching dominance Sunday against Springfield
During a 7-1 start and franchise-best seven-game winning streak, Terre Haute Rex pitching was the catalyst. Through eight games, the Rex led the Prospect League with an earned-run average of 1.11.
Even after giving up 10 runs Friday night in a 10-6 loss to the Quincy Gems, the Rex (7-2) are still the league leader in ERA at 2.09. -
FROM TERRE HAUTE TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES: Former Scamore hurlers doing well in White Sox system
Brian Omogrosso was promoted to Chicago and appeared in 11 games. The big right-hander compiled a 5.14 earned-run average in 14 innings of relief. He struck out 14 and walked seven.
- COLLEGE REPORT: Wabash College All-American relay team has TH flavor
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
- High School
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Northview's Taylor Carter to play in state all-star softball game
Recent Northview High School graduate Taylor Carter will compete Saturday in the annual North-South All-Star softball doubleheader at the Cherry Tree Complex at Carmel.
- Goatee, Bertoli ran away with Spring Athlete of the Year
- Post 346 opens tournament with two victories
- North boys move up to 13th in golf state finals
- Big hill to climb for North golf
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Northview's Taylor Carter to play in state all-star softball game
- College
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Indiana starting pitcher Joey DeNato (23) celebrates throwing out Louisville's Coco Johnson (20) at first for the second out in the bottom of the ninth inning in an NCAA College World Series game in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, June 15, 2013 (AP Photo/The World-Herald, Ryan Soderlin) MAGS OUT; ALL NEBRASKA LOCAL BROADCAST TV OUT
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
Joey DeNato dispelled the notion that College World Series newcomer Indiana is all about offense.
The junior left-hander threw a four-hitter and the Hoosiers looked mighty comfortable at TD Ameritrade Park while beating Louisville 2-0 on Saturday night. -
Etherington, Moore happy to be with ISU basketball
Not even two weeks into their college experience, Indiana State freshmen men’s basketball players Alex Etherington and Demetrius Moore stood sentinel as 115 kids ran around them collecting basketballs and getting autographs at the Greg Lansing Basketball Camp on Thursday.
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ISU's Johnson invited to World University Games
Indiana State senior Felisha Johnson will be traveling the world this summer after being named to represent the United States in the women’s shot put at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
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FROM THE PRESS BOX: Close, but no cigar, theme for ISU sports in 2012-13
When I covered my first event of Indiana State’s 2012-13 season — ISU’s opening football game at Indiana — I was the first one in the press box at IU’s Memorial Stadium. I’m never the first one in the press box.
Maybe the prospect of ISU’s season had me so pumped that I decided to get it started close to three hours early? (Or more truthfully, maybe I was over-vigilent about predicted traffic horrors on the Indiana 46 bypass that never came to pass.) -
Q&A: ISU football coach Mike Sanford ready for fall
It’s hard to believe, but Mike Sanford has already been Indiana State’s football coach for six months.
Time flies, but Sanford’s task of preparing for his first season in charge of the Sycamores comes with few breaks.
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
- Sports Columns
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Finding best talent the key to all sports, including auto racing
The success of any sporting franchise often rests with the ability of owners to find and mold talent into a winning combination.
- Hughes, News & Views: Terre Haute ‘hacker' accomplishes Mark’s Par Three first
- RAMBLIN’ RECK: Catching up on some things
- TODD GOLDEN: Golf ... the beast within?
- Trackside: Midgets could be on rise in Wabash Valley
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Finding best talent the key to all sports, including auto racing
- Pro Sports
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has quickly earned a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up a bit.
- Deacon Jones of famed Fearsome Foursome dead at 74
- Seeking elite status
- Luck having fun with his first OTAs
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
- Terre Haute Rex
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Rex regain first place with 8-2 win at Springfield
Two former Vigo County high school baseball players played big roles Wednesday night as the Terre Haute Rex regained first place in the West Division of Prospect League baseball with an 8-2 win over the Springfield Sliders.
- Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
- Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
- Sliders’ frustration against Rex continues
- Sanchez stays hot to lead Rex to victory
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Rex regain first place with 8-2 win at Springfield
- Colts
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has quickly earned a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up a bit.
- Landry believes he'll acclimate to Colts system
- Colts in harmony with new coordinator Hamilton
- Pagano amazed by collection of veterans
- Opening Day: Terre Haute Rex host Quincy
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
- Auto Racing
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Hulman Classic on Friday at Action Track
With rainouts having postponed his only two Terre Haute Action Track cards so far in 2013, promoter Bob Sargent remains optimistic about the rescheduled Tony Hulman Classic for U.S. Auto Club sprint cars taking place Friday night.
- Finding best talent the key to all sports, including auto racing
- Kanaan can: Tony Kanaan finally wins Indy 500, ends heartbreak
- Crowd, competitors erupt in celebration for Brazilian driver
- Rookies fare well in 97th running of the Indy 500
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Hulman Classic on Friday at Action Track





