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TWELVE SENIORS TO BE HONORED WITH IHSAA/CATO SCHOLARSHIPS
The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. is proud to announce a group of 12 senior student-athletes will be honored this week with the 2011 IHSAA / C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Awards.

Each individual will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their prep accomplishments and be recognized on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis as part of the Brady Sports Achievement Awards established by Methodist Sports Medicine.

To reward the efforts of Indiana’s complete student-athletes, the IHSAA, Methodist Sports Medicine – The Orthopedic Specialists, the Indianapolis Colts and Sport Graphics, Inc. have partnered in sponsoring the program.  These well-rounded, positive role models have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character, sportsmanship and citizenship.

This year’s recipients are:

2011 IHSAA / C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Award Recipients
Kelsey Carr	Muncie Burris High School
Katye Clark	Clinton Prairie High School
Alison Curtis	Lebanon High School
Rachel Dalton	Eastern (Pekin) High School
Justin Gilbert	Hamilton High School
Robert Hawthorne	Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School
Hope Jordan	Bremen High School
Haley King	Elkhart Memorial High School
Jacob Martin	Center Grove High School
Kyle Overway	Logansport High School
Cecilia Oxford	Heritage Hills High School
Amy Stucker	Evansville Bosse High School

 

Each student completed and submitted a formal application and had to meet certain criteria to qualify including: 1) be enrolled and participating in interscholastic athletics at an IHSAA member school during the 2010-11 school year; 2) be a senior at an IHSAA member school who will graduate during the 2010-11 school year; 3) win a varsity letter as an athlete in at least one of the 20 IHSAA sanctioned athletic programs; 4) be nominated by the school’s principal; 5) carry a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or the equivalent; 6) have no violations of the school’s athletic code of conduct; 7) must not have been ejected from any IHSAA contest due to unsportsmanlike behavior and; 8) verify that he/she has made a commitment to remain substance-free throughout high school.

A panel of five individuals decided upon the final recipients. They are: Dr. Mark DeCarlo, Vice President of Clinical Services, Methodist Sports Medicine; Robert Gardner, Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations; Melissa Mann, Manager of Advertising, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; Chuck O’Hara, Senior Director of Marketing, Indianapolis Colts and; Bobby Cox, Commissioner, Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

The scholarship pro­gram is named in tribute to late former Commissioner C. Eugene Cato who led the IHSAA from 1983-1995. “Gene” also served as assistant commissioner of the Association from 1976 to 1983. His passion for athletics and his belief in the intrinsic value of athletic competition on the forma­tion of a child’s character enabled Gene to positively impact generations of young men and women with his well-known “Firm, Fair, and Friendly” approach to caring for others. He passed away in 2008.

Since 2003-04, the IHSAA has recognized 89 outstanding student-athletes with scholarships totaling $222,500.

Biographies

Kelsey Carr of Muncie Burris has been a three sport athlete in basketball, volleyball, and track and field all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.  She also serves as secretary of the Key Club, three-year leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and captain of the Burris volleyball and basketball teams.  She has been a part of four 2A volleyball state championships and was selected as the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winner in 2010.  Kelsey volunteers at the Better Way Domestic Abuse Shelter, is a member of College Avenue United Methodist Church Youth Council, and is an active member of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee.  She is the daughter of Brain and Rebecca Carr.

Katye Clark has excelled in track and field, volleyball, and wrestling at Clinton Prairie.  She is the valedictorian of her class and holds a 4.0 GPA in addition to her many school activities:  Student Council, Science Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, Academic Team, and band.  Katye is active in 4-H, the COACH Kids Mentoring and Tutoring Program, and has taken the lead in organizing a food drive and voter registration drive.  She is the daughter of Jim and Judy Clark. 

Four-time scholar athlete Alison Curtis has excelled in the classroom and on the basketball court and soccer fields at Lebanon High School.  Just as impressively, she has amassed 152 hours of community service work throughout her high school career.  Alison is vice president of the Student Council and is a member of the National Honor Society, Zonta’s Sorority Club, Kiwanis Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee.  She is the daughter of Jeff and Theresa Curtis.

Rachel Dalton of Eastern (Pekin) has lettered in track and field, cross country, and basketball and is part of the Renaissance Excellence Club, Spanish Club, and Campus Connection Prayer Group.  She leads as president of the Student Council and National Honor Society, and still finds time to volunteer at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Washington County Youth Foundation, and Salem First Baptist Church Youth Group.  She is the daughter of Larry and Shari Dalton.  

A letterwinner in four different sports (basketball, track and field, cross country, and soccer), Justin Gilbert of Hamilton High School also carries a 4.0 GPA.  In addition to his academic and athletic prowess, Justin has been a member of the English Academic Team, Science Academic Team, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Spell Bowl.  He is currently in his 10th year of membership in 4-H and actively participates in his church youth group.  Justin is the son of Dennis Gilbert.

Crispus Attucks High School’s Robert Hawthorne has participated in five different sports (basketball, cross country, soccer, track and field, and wrestling) during his tenure and will graduate as valedictorian of his class.  He sits first chair trombone in Advanced and Symphonic bands, and has interned at the Butler School of Pharmacy and the IU Simon Cancer Center.  Robert is active in his community as a youth wrestling coach and member of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association.  He is a math, physics, and instrumentals tutor and is highly involved in his church youth group.  He is the son of Robert and Charlotte Hawthorne.

Basketball, cross country, swimming, and track and field keep Bremen’s Hope Jordan busy year-round.  She serves her school and community with her involvement in the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, Key Club, and IHSAA Student Advisory Committee.  She is part of the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program and is an ambassador for the NCAA Stay in Bounds program.  She served as co-chair of the Riley Dance Marathon raising money for Riley’s Children Hospital and is involved in other various food, coat, and clothing drives.  She is the daughter of Jack and Hope Jordan.

Haley King of Elkhart Memorial has lettered four times each in basketball and golf.  Her school activities include: Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, Student Government, National Honor Society, and ‘Peers Educating and Encouraging Responsible Decisions’ program.  She also dedicates her time to service projects, through school and church, and her academics.  She will graduate as valedictorian of her class with a 4.0 GPA.  Haley is the daughter of Tim and Kelly King.

Center Grove’s Jacob Martin is an All-State honoree in track and cross country and is a member of the Student Government, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Honor Society.  He volunteers at local food and clothing banks, community track meets, and has helped raise money for local families through the French National Honor Society.  Jacob is the son of Steve and Judy Martin.

Logansport’s Kyle Overway will graduate at the top of his class in 2011.  The cross country standout holds titles as sectional champion, regional champion, semi-state champion, state finalist and has been recognized four times as Logansport’s cross country MVP.  He is a youth baseball coach and belongs to the Key Club, Pep Club, and Student Rotarian.  He is the son of Craig and Laura Overway.

Cecilia Oxford of Heritage Hills races for the Patriots’ cross country and track teams and earned honors as valedictorian of her class with a 4.0 GPA.   As a student leader, she is involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, and is a class officer.  Her time outside of school is spent involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 4-H, and her church youth group.  She is the daughter of Marty and Charmaine Oxford.

Amy Stucker has lettered in tennis, swimming, soccer, and golf during her time at Evansville Bosse High School.  The 4.0 student is involved in marching band, Student Council, multiple academic teams, and serves as yearbook editor-in-chief.  Her extracurricular activities extend into community with programs such as the Teen Advisory Council, Youth Praise Band, and Church Youth Council.  Amy is the daughter of Steve and Kathy Stucker. 

 

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ANNUAL IHSAA BOARD MEETING IS MAY 2
With 56 proposals to review, the IHSAA Board of Directors will conduct its annual meeting on Monday, May 2 at 8 am ET / 7 am CT in Indianapolis. The 19-member board, with Castle High School Principal Phillip DeLong presiding as President, has four options on each proposal: affirm, deny, table or amend. A simple majority is necessary to act on any measure. All proposals are considered in the order that the affected rule appears within the current by-laws.

Board Agenda

About the Board of Directors
The IHSAA is governed by its legislative body, the Board of Directors. Composed of 19 individuals elected by member school principals from three legislative districts, they serve staggered three-year terms. Twelve board seats are filled by any qualified individual (open seats), and seven board seats are filled by two qualified female representatives, two qualified minority representatives, two qualified urban school representatives and one qualified private school representative. The Board of Directors meets annually with the responsibility of establishing the Association’s By-Laws and regulations.

District, Seat	Board Member	Term Ends
District I, Class A	Debb Stevens, Caston	June 2011
District I, Class AA	Nathan Dean, Jimtown	June 2012
District I, Class AAA	Geoff Penrod, Columbia City	June 2011
District I, Class AAAA	Joe Santa, Warsaw	June 2012
District II, Class A	Ken Howell, Blue River Valley	June 2012
District II, Class AA	Jim Diagostino, Tri-West Hendricks	June 2011
District II, Class AAA	Steve Cox, Beech Grove	June 2012
District II, Class AAAA	Phillip Ford, Jay County	June 2011
District III, Class A	Jed Jerrels, North Daviess	June 2011
District III, Class AA	Tim Grove, North Knox**	June 2012
District III, Class AAA	Mike Whitten, Boonville	June 2011
District III, Class AAAA	Phillip DeLong, Castle*	June 2012
North District, Female	Nancy Alspaugh, Manchester	June 2013
North District, Minority	Deborah Watson, Fort Wayne Snider	June 2013
North District, Urban	Janis Qualizza, Merrillville	June 2013
South District, Female	Pam Noble, Connersville	June 2013
South District, Minority	Victor Bush, Indianapolis Public Schools	June 2013
South District, Urban	Paul Neidig, Evansville Central	June 2013
Private School	John Marks, Fort Wayne Concordia	June 2013

* President
** Vice-President

 

 

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NFHS CHANGES HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING WEIGHT CLASSES
The National Federation of State High School Associations announced today the most significant changes to high school wrestling weight classes in 23 years beginning in 2011-12. Click to read the NFHS News Release announcing the new weight classes along with other rule changes for next year.

 

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STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS
The following lists of statistical leaders are compiled by VarVee.com, the IHSAA’s official statistics gathering partner. The IHSAA encourages each of its member schools to participate by registering at www.varvee.com and updating statistics by each Monday through the end of the season.

Baseball: State Leaders
Softball: State Leaders

 

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NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE
Have an interesting note? A conference or school record, coaching milestone or something else of interest? Please e-mail IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org.

Forest Park baseball coach Jarred Howard picked up career win 200 with a 7-6 victory over Floyd Central on April 12.  In his 10 plus seasons, Howard has accumulated a 200-80 record while capturing six conference championships and a sectional championship in 2002.

Jonny Marlin set the Center Grove career assists record in boys basketball this season with 403 during his four seasons. The previous record was held by Rob Krause (1981-85) with 333.

Brebeuf Jesuit principal LaTonya Turner announced the appointment of a new athletic director, Brian Brase, Brebeuf Jesuit Class of 1977. Previously, Brase was Brebeuf’s athletic director from 1997-2006, and he returns to his alma mater after serving USA Track and Field as the Director of Events and Broadcasting (2006-present). Brase will assume leadership of Brebeuf’s athletic program on Monday, May 2.

Identical twin brothers Jeremiah and Lucas Windell of Corydon Central each hit grand slams in a doubleheader against Paoli on April 2. Jeremiah hit his grand slam in the second inning of the first game, wrapping a line drive around the left-field pole, leading to a 13-5 win. Lucas saved his shot to center-field for the second game, clearing the bases. The Panthers went on to win the second game, 14-4.