INDIANAPOLIS — Kaycee Ruble isn’t done. Not by a long shot.
On Tuesday night, Ruble placed third in the shot put at the Ben Davis Regional to automatically qualify for the state finals in Bloomington on June 3.
Ruble placed seventh at the state meet as a first-time qualifier in 2015 with a toss of 40-1½. Along her march to state as a junior, she shattered her own school record in the event at every step.
At regional this year, Ruble reached 39-9½ to secure another shot at an all-state finale in her career. She won the Pendleton Heights Sectional last week with a throw of 32-2¾.
Ruble won regional last year with a toss of 38-10 before posting her personal best at the Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex at Indiana University.
Additional results from the Ben Davis Regional were not available by deadline.
Tennis
Marauders fall 3-2 at regional
The Mt. Vernon girls tennis team didn’t go quietly on Tuesday night. Reaching the North Central Regional for a third straight season, the No. 28 Marauders fell just short 3-2 against Lawrence North.
“Although we lost, it doesn’t take away from the journey this year that some coaches wait a lifetime to have,” Mt. Vernon head coach Gabe Muterspaugh said. “This team will always have a special place in my heart and in my wall of fame. We have a lot of bullets in our gun for next year, so I know we’ll be ready.”
The Marauders finished the season 17-2. Of those victories, 12 were 5-0 results. Mt. Vernon won seven duals in the past eight by 5-0 margins, including its third straight sectional championship and sixth in eight years.
Their state ranking was the first for the program since 2004. Their loss to Lawrence North was the first since dropping a 5-0 match to No. 11 Delta on April 20. In between losses, the Marauders won 13 straight duals and won 35 consecutive matches at one point.
Against Lawrence North, No. 2 singles player Alaina Nelson won 6-1, 6-2. The No. 1 doubles team of Brianna Partin and Emily Annakin battled to a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 victory.
Cassie York lost a tough match at No. 1 singles 2-6, 6-7 (4-7). Olivia Spicer went three sets at No. 3 singles before succumbing 4-6, 6-4, 4-6.
Sophie Williams and Maeve McCafferty lost at No. 2 doubles 4-6, 2-6.
Softball
Royals cruise to sectional title game
The Eastern Hancock softball team didn’t waste any time punching its ticket to the Class 2A Sectional 42 championship game.
The Royals jumped out fast, leading 9-0 in the top of the first inning before winning 32-0 against Irvington Preparatory Academy in five innings on Tuesday night.
The sectional semifinal victory pushed the Royals season record to 17-3.
Their potent lineup entered the postseason with a .346 batting average and 137 runs scored. Eastern Hancock built a 15-0 lead by the top of the third and were up 27-0 in the fourth.
The Royals will compete for the Triton Central Sectional crown today at 5 p.m. Eastern Hancock last won a sectional title in 2012-13 and with a win today will secure the program’s third in six years.
