Eastern Hancock wins Triton Early Bird Invitational
SHELBYVILLE — The Eastern Hancock girls cross-country team opened the 2015 season with a top finish at the Triton Early Bird Invitational on Monday at Blue River Park in Shelbyville.
The Royals were first in Division 2, led by six runners placing in the top 15.
Senior Karlee Gray was 12th overall and fourth in Division 2 with a time of 22 minutes, 36 seconds. Cara Johnson was close behind at 22:45 to take fifth in the division.
Freshman Taylor Stine completed the team’s 4-5-6 division finish with a run in 22:58.
Hope Spaulding (23:40), Annie Floyd (24:06) and Liberty Durham (24:57) rounded out the championship effort.
“I was very proud of the season-opening performance by our young ladies. We will return to this course in about a month to try to win our fourth consecutive Mid-Hoosier Conference title,” head coach Rex Putt said. “Our seniors are determined to make this a special year for the cross-country program and their desire was evident in their first meet performances.”
The Royals’ boys were shorthanded in the event, but sophomore Will Huffman placed eighth in the division with a personal-best 20:13.
Greenfield-Central take 3rd in Division 3
The Greenfield-Central girls cross-country team was third at the Triton Early Bird Invitational on Monday, competing in Division 3.
Sophomore Sydney Cook was first in the division at 20:51.93 and second overall to Greenwood Christian Academy’s Allie Dalton (18:34.08).
Freshman Sarah Muckerheide placed 24th overall and 11th in her division. The Cougars’ remaining five runners all finished in the top 25 of Division 3, with Nicole Stephenson om 13th at 23:59.65.
Marauders fall to Brownsburg
The Mt. Vernon girls cross-country team lost to Brownsburg 8-15 at the Mt. Vernon Hokum Karem on Monday night.
Placing third for Mt. Vernon was Erin Lyday and Kaylee Walkey (26:38). Chelsea Foster and Addison Collum were fourth.
In the boys race, the score was canceled due to a thunderstorm, but before the race was halted Christian Noble and Brandt True were in first and Aaron Rush and Ashton Jordan were in second. No score was taken.
“Wait all summer then wait for a storm,” Mt. Vernon head coach Bruce Kendall remarked. “Only the second time in my 40 years; still the flat course combined with the part of the track surface made for fast times.”
Noble and Rush both kept their miles all under five minutes, with Noble running a blistering 4:34, 4:39, 4:46, said Kendall.
BOYS TENNIS
Marauders beat Raiders
The Mt. Vernon Marauders topped the Shenandoah Raiders 3-2 to open the season Monday night.
No. 2 singles player Ryan Beck won 6-0, 6-2, and Matt Hays was victorious 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles to help secure the win.
The No. 2 doubles tandem of Jacob Swift and Nathan Grandstaff, 7-6 (1), 6-1, applied the finishing touch.
GIRLS GOLF
Marauders stay perfect
The Mt. Vernon girls golf team made it five straight match wins, defeating Eastern Hancock, 201-271, at Old Oakland on Thursday.
Facing coach Chelsie Kelley’s Royals, Mt. Vernon was led by freshman phenom Charley True, who earned medalist honors with a 41.
Senior Molly Yee finished with a 45, and classmate Briley Wills was second with a 44. Savannah McKemie and Ava Hampton both had 71s.
Abby Fout, the Royals’ No. 1 golfer, shot a 64, followed by Alexis Young (68), Emma Lewis (68), Logan O’Neal (71) and Kensie Watson (72).
New Palestine wins three-way
The 15th-ranked New Palestine Dragons scorched Whiteland and Knightstown to win their three-way match Monday.
The Dragons combined for a 162 behind a career-low 38 from Carly Jones.
Mackenzi Black followed with a 39, Cassie Rooks had a 42 and Cassidy Harp carded a 43.
Whiteland was second with a 181. Knightstown shot 233.
BOYS SOCCER
Marauders blank Red Devils
The Mt. Vernon Marauders opened the season at home with a 5-0 shutout against Richmond on Monday night.
The duo of Carson Jones and Timmy Clone combined for four goals — two each. Seth Luke also had a goal.
Jarret Whitehouse added a pair of assists while Matthew Pruitt, Luke Yeadon and Jeffrey Boxberger each recorded one.
Goalkeeper Josh Powell posted the shutout.
GIRLS SOCCER
Cougars get going early
The Greenfield-Central Cougars got off to a fast start Monday, defeating Warren Central 4-1 on Monday.
Scoring two goals in the first half before tacking on another two in the second, the Cougars allowed just one goal late after leading 4-0 at one point.
Reagan Collins, Allie Geswein, Alex Rupley and Lucy Brand were credited with the Cougars’ goals.
Kate Helgason had an assist. Goalkeeper Kayla Enochs recorded seven saves.
Dragons slay Falcons
The New Palestine Dragons scored some revenge Monday with a 1-0 victory against the Perry Meridian Falcons.
Losing to the Falcons in last year’s regional semifinal 3-0, the win marks the first for New Palestine vs. Perry Meridian in three years.
Olivia McKilligin scored the Dragons’ lone goal, with the assist going to Lauren Heitman.
VOLLEYBALL
New Palestine opens with win
The New Palestine Dragons swept Connersville at home Monday night to open the season with a perfect showing.
The Dragons defeated the Spartans 25-15, 25-11, 25-16.
Allison Dennenmann was the star of the night with 14 kills and 12 digs. She added four aces to lead the Dragons.
Mia Long contributed 10 kills and three blocks.
