jrussell@ihsaa.org

Tournament competition in the six IHSAA spring sports begins next week in girls track and field, boys track and field, and girls tennis. Those will be followed in short order by softball, boys golf and baseball.

Pairings for the 2001 IHSAA softball and baseball tournaments will be drawn May 9 and May 17, respectively, at the IHSAA Office. Pairings will be posted on the IHSAA website within two hours of the start of each draw.

Pairings for the 17th annual IHSAA Softball Tournament Series will be made at 8 a.m. Wednesday (May 9). Pairings will be posted on the IHSAA website by 10 a.m. Wednesday under Softball/2001 Tournament Pairings. The information also will be expedited to the Associated Press for use on its subscriber network.

Pairings for the 35th annual IHSAA Baseball Tournament Series will be made at noon on May 17. Pairings will be posted on the IHSAA website by 2 p.m. May 17 under Baseball/2001 Tournament Pairings. The information also will be expedited to the Associated Press for use on its subscriber network.

Pairings for the 27th annual IHSAA Girls Team Tennis Tournament Series will be made Monday (May 14) at the 64 sectional sites. The pairings will be posted on the IHSAA website as they become available from the host schools. Sectional competition begins May 17 and is scheduled to conclude May 19. Results will be posted on the IHSAA website under Girls Tennis/2001 Sectional Results as they become available from the host schools.

Competition begins May 15 in the 28th annual IHSAA Girls Track and Field tournament series at 32 sectional sites. Sectional competition in the 98^th annual IHSAA Boys Track and Field tournament series is May 17 at 32 sites.

Starting times vary by site. A complete list of sectional starting times will be posted on the IHSAA website under Girls Track and Field/2001 Tournament Information or Boys Track and Field/2001 Tournament Information.

The 2000-01 IHSAA Media Pass will be valid for media admission to all IHSAA state finals events in the spring season. Media outlets were issued those passes last fall. Outlets who need replacement or additional credentials should contact Jim Russell at the IHSAA office at their earliest opportunity.

Because of an IHSAA By-Law change enacted at the April 30, 2001, meeting of the Board of Directors, Covenant Christian of Indianapolis and Lakewood Park Christian of Auburn and are now eligible to compete in all IHSAA tournaments. Both applied for IHSAA membership and were accepted in 1998. Under the new by-law, the waiting period for inclusion in IHSAA tournaments has been reduced from four years to two years from the date a school is approved for membership.

Covenant Christian has no spring sport teams and will not enter the 2001 spring tournaments. Lakewood Park Christian will enter the softball and baseball tournaments in Class A. In softball, Lakewood Park Christian has been assigned to the Churubusco Sectional. Because of that assignment, Central Noble has been shifted from the eight-team Churubusco Sectional to the Bremen Sectional that will now have eight teams. In baseball, Lakewood Park Christian has been assigned to the Fort Wayne Blackhawk Sectional.

Matt Barber, a senior at Jimtown, became the seventh player in state history to hit four home runs in a game May 1 as the Jimmies defeated host Glenn 19-10 in a Northern State Conference game. A left-handed hitter, Barber went deep on three different pitchers and totaled eight RBI. According to the 2001 Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Record Book, Barber is the first player to accomplish the feat since New Castle’s Jack Tompkins in 1998.

Jim Bates, softball coach at McCutcheon, celebrated his 300^th victory April 26 as the Mavericks defeated Pioneer 3-2. Bates is in his 16^th season.

Jack Campbell, baseball coach at Chesterton, celebrated his 500^th coaching victory April 26 as the Trojans defeated Valparaiso 14-13. Campbell is in his 31^st season at Chesterton.

Jasper broke the school record for consecutive baseball victories May 1 when it topped Forest Park 6-1 for its 29^th consecutive triumph over the past two seasons. The previous record of 28 was set by the 1979 team. Through Monday’s 9-7 victory over Gibson Southern, the Wildcats have won 32 straight and stand 18-0 this season. Jasper, ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A coaches association poll, is the defending Class 3A state champion. Its last loss came May 16, 2000 against Boonville.

Portage ran its softball winning streak to 42 games before falling 8-5 to Crown Point on May 2. The winning streak, which began April 19, 2000 and included Portage’s run to the IHSAA Class 3A title in 2000, is believed to be the longest in state history.

Ken Seitz, baseball coach at Hamilton Southeastern, won his 500^th game April 2` as the Royals defeated Anderson 11-5.

Sherry Severson, the only coach in Lakeland softball history, recorded her 200^th career victory April 25 as the Lakers defeated Angola 10-9. The program is in its 14^th season.

Bill Tutterow, baseball coach at Martinsville, celebrated his 500^th coaching victory in 29 seasons with the Artesians April 25 in a 11-0 triumph at Bloomington South.

Gene Wise, baseball coach at Columbus East, recorded his 100^th career victory May 2 as the Olympians downed Columbus North 6-5.