Another Hurdle Of Adversity For Tuscola

TUSCOLA — With no more film to watch, Rick Reinhart couldn’t keep his eyes open to watch Thursday night’s NFL game even though he hoped to.
Reinhart’s week leading up to Tuscola’s quarterfinal game against Astoria South Fulton was busier than he ever wanted.
On Tuesday, two days after his team notched a come-from-behind win against unbeaten Mount Sterling Brown County, Reinhart’s mother died. As Reinhart’s biggest fan, Irene helped talk him into taking the Tuscola job so she could be in the stands and watch her son coach. She did that once this season, but a fall led to further health problems that kept her at home.
“It’s been tough,” a choked up Reinhart said. “My mom was a great example of a football mom. We had all these plans, but she never quite made it back from the fall.”
Reinhart and Tuscola are no strangers to adversity. In the spring of 2008, wide receiver Gunnar Edwards’ mom died after falling on stairs at the family’s home. Thankfully for Reinhart and Tuscola, the practice field has given them a place to escape.
“I think what has made it able to cope is just the great coaches and the kids,” Reinhart said. “Just the fact on the practice field that you forget everything.”
The field has been a savior all year for the Warriors, who have battled bits of adversity related to the roster. Injuries and suspensions have dramatically changed the lineups between Game 1 and Game 12. The response from the players on the field every week has been the same — we can win with who we have.
“It seems like every week there is a different adversity and they have learned to stay focused and get better,” Reinhart said. “It’s a great credit to these kids who have stuck with it and had faith.”
Sophomore Josh Brookins was one of those players in last week’s win. Without stud linebacker Jordan Knerr, Brookins filled in and helped keep Tuscola’s defense strong and steady. Along with Brookins, T.J. Onstott, Chase Little, Phillip Meyer and Jack Leonard are some others who have stepped into roles.
“Every week something new seems to come up and it’s always tough, but we have a lot of players who we’re always confident in to put out there,” senior Matt Pflum said.
Reinhart credits his coaching staff for its talent evaluating skills because each roster move it makes seems to work, especially on defense. The Warriors (8-3) enter today’s game giving up only 7.2 points a game.
“The defense just continues to get better,” Reinhart said. “You look at who we started with and it’s totally different, but it hasn’t mattered.”
A Tuscola win would cap an emotional week for Reinhart and send his team to the semi-finals. Pflum said the team is ready to do “something special for him,” but Reinhart insists that he wants this win for the players who continue to battle each week.
“A win would mean a lot, but I want them to play for themselves,” Reinhart said. “I want them to win this game because we have so many kids who have made mistakes and the kids who haven’t deserve to win.
“This is for them.”
South Fulton brings similar style of defense
Tuscola quarterback Phillip Meyer is going to be seeing a lot of what his own team does defensively.
South Fulton (8-3) mirrors the Warriors on the defensive end with hopes of pressuring the quarterback into poor decisions. Rebels’ coach Dave Wilson knows what to expect from Tuscola and he thinks his team is ready.
“They only have 11 out there just like we do,” Wilson said about Tuscola. “It’s a game of football with basics of blocking and tackling. We’re playing pretty well and hopefully we can show up and play hard.”
South Fulton does have a quarterback who’s passed for more than 1,600 yards, but he left last week’s game against Greenfield in the first quarter with an injured ankle. His status for today’s game is unknown.
The Rebels also have a 1,300-yard back in Tyler Perry, who’s also scored six touchdowns.
Today’s game kicks off at 4 p.m. in Tuscola.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in November 2009.

Cumberland Reloads For State Title Run

TOLEDO — When a team loses four of its most productive players, the following season is usually one of rebuilding.
That hasn’t been the case for Cumberland’s volleyball team.
After a run in the postseason that led to a third-place finish in Class 1A a year ago, the Pirates lost its top hitter, setter, defender and their second-best blocker, along with five-year coach Drew Robertson.
Insert coach Monica McNeil, who coached the Pirates before Robertson, and the team hasn’t stumbled at all. In fact, the group enters tonight’s sectional with fewer losses (2) than last year’s team (4).
“It has been fun,” said McNeil, who coached all of her players at the junior high level during the last several years. “I am familiar with this group and it’s a good group. They’ve worked really hard to be where we’re at.”
McNeil was talked into taking the job back by her husband and her assistant. The logic was simple considering she helped these same girls to state during the junior high years. Other than age, nothing has changed with McNeil and the girls.
“She has always made us work hard and pushes us to be our best,” senior setter Brittany Whitaker said. “She really wants us back at state.”
Before the team can enjoy a return trip to state, it has to overcome two familiar opponents this week.
South Central and Edwards County were the only teams to beat Cumberland this season and both are in its sectional. First up is South Central who beat the Pirates without starting hitter Macy Shupe, one of the team’s best players.
“With her back, I think we have a really good chance,” Whitaker said. “We have improved tremendously.”
McNeil remembers the match against South Central all too well. Everything went wrong for her team and not having Shupe in the lineup didn’t help an off night for the Pirates.
“It will be a good fight,” McNeil said about the match against South Central. “South Central is a tough team and we know what kind of match we’re walking in to.”
If Cumberland gets by South Central, it’s likely that Edwards County will be waiting. During their run to state last year, the Pirates outlasted Edwards County in three sets in the sectional.
“It would be so big because we lost a lot of talent,” Whitaker said about getting back to state. “We had to become a new team and it’s been about putting it all together.”
After fighting illnesses, injuries and other distractions, McNeil is confident that her team can put it all together for this week’s competition.
“Honestly, if the girls are at 100 percent both nights, we have a chance to get out of this week,” McNeil said.
Cumberland’s match against South Central is at 7 tonight at Red Hill High School. If the Pirates win, they will play the winner of Edwards County and Eldorado at 7 p.m. Thursday.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in November 2009.

Pana Proves It Can Play Physical

PANA — Pittsfield got a great look at what Pana football is all about a week ago.
It’s unlikely Pittsfield would describe it as explosive or thrilling. But there’s no doubt they would label it effective.
The Panthers didn’t waver from its defense-first style of play that allows the offense to settle into games. In fact, with the game far from over, Pana used a punishing 20-play drive to melt nine minutes off the clock and seal its first-round 12-8 upset against the eight-win host.
“When you keep the ball that long, the other team’s offense can’t hurt you,” Pana (7-3) coach Al Stupek said.
Considering his defense has thrived all season behind five roaming linebackers, it’s a surprise he doesn’t want his defense on the field more. Stupek, in his second year at Pana, employs the 3-5 defense because he’s got great linebackers. The reasons they’re great are simple — they like to tackle and they work hard.
“It’s not a surprise to us that we’re playing good defense,” Stupek said. “Our linebackers are versatile, quick and they make plays. We have a whole bunch of guys who like to tackle people.”
Making life easier on the backers is nose tackle Alan Handy. Handy is 6-5, 320 pounds and demands double teams, which allows Stupek to bring blitzing linebackers from different places all game.
“It’s old,” Handy said about facing double teams. “But that’s the goal every game so a backer can come through free.”
Senior linebacker Jake Wicks has been one of those backers running free. He’s totaled 114 tackles, third-most in the area, while the unit is one of the area’s best. Pana hasn’t allowed any team to score more than 24 points and has allowed only 9.3 points a game.
“We have to try and get a helmet on all their defenders in every play and that’s a tall order,” Anna-Jonesboro (7-3) coach Brett Detering said.
Stupek likes that his aggressive, hard-hitting defense is complemented by a similar offense. While the group hasn’t put up incredible numbers (only averaging 21.1 points a game), it’s been able to win games just like last weekend.
“We are lining up and trying to run at people,” Stupek said. “If it doesn’t work then we’ll keep trying. But if we can control the clock by chewing up time and yardage, we’re going to do it.”
Anna-Jonesboro likes to run the ball, too, but it’s out of an option attack. Detering is hopeful that Pana’s too aggressive and that will allow his quarterback to make the correct read and pitch, which will create positive gains.
“Some times teams are still aggressive and disciplined, but there are breakdowns and we need to take advantage of those,” Detering said.
Handy compared the Wildcats run game to a Vandalia team that Pana beat 22-14. The Vandals rushed for 154 yards on 55 carries in the loss.
“They’re a good team, but we’re not too worried,” Handy said about Anna-Jonesboro. “If we play like we can, we should beat them.”
The smash-mouth football offensively and defensively has helped Pana to its most wins in 11 years and at 2 p.m. today the Panthers host Anna-Jonesboro. All three of Pana’s losses — Carlinville, Greenville and Hillsboro — came at home.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in November 2009.

Palla Brothers Enjoying Success

MONTICELLO — Ben Palla’s been waiting four years for a game this big.
After finishing last season winless, not many people thought Palla would ever play in an important October game. But all of that’s changed with undefeated No. 4 Tolono Unity hosting Monticello, who’s a surprising 5-1, tonight.
“It’s a statement game,” the Monticello quarterback said. “Any top 10 team is going to have a target on its back. It’s their game to lose and our game to win.
“We need to come out and prove to everyone that we belong.”
That’s the attitude Palla and the rest of the seniors developed once Cully Welter took over the program after the Sages’ 0-9 2008 season. Immediately, Welter knew he had to change the approach to day-to-day obligations.
“It’s a matter of becoming more intense and building confidence,” said Welter, who’s won three state championships. “We’re trying to work hard all the time so when adversity strikes during the season, we’re ready.”
Monticello’s built plenty of confidence as the team is on pace for its best season in seven years, including wins against Meridian (3-3) and Central A&M (4-2). The Sages are also receiving seven votes in the latest Associated Press poll.
Emerging from the stellar start has been Palla, who leads the area in every passing category. He’s racked up 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 58 percent completion rate.
“The offense is just more consistent,” said Palla, who’s also thrown five interceptions. “Last year, we had big plays and put points on the board, but we didn’t do it consistently. This year, coach’s expectations have grown with ours and we expect each play to go well.”
In the past, Monticello’s offense has centered on running the ball, but Welter wants balance. The option of establishing the run or the pass each game has allowed Palla to take advantage of his talent at wide receiver.
“Throughout the summer in 7-on-7, I thought our skill guys could stack up really well,” Welter said. “It was a matter of protecting the quarterback and we have been able to do that.”
Monticello’s big-play combination sends the Palla family into a frenzy as it’s Ben throwing to his brother Matt. Through six games, Matt has 21 catches, seven of which are for touchdowns.
“Matt’s great because I know when I put the ball in his hands only 5 yards down the field, he can break it open for 65 yards,” Ben said. “I know a lot of my success depends on what he does after I get him the ball, so I am thankful to have him out there.
“It’s really fun to have Palla to Palla out there.”
There’s been the typical brotherly fighting through the years, but Matt, who’s a junior, loves having his brother at QB.
“On the field it’s a lot of fun,” Matt said. “We both depend on each other a lot.”
The two will need each other tonight against Tolono (6-0, 2-0) in a conference game that could decide the Okaw Valley championship. Considering Tolono is coming off a 32-14 win against powerhouse No. 9 St. Teresa, the Pallas know things won’t come easy.
“Seeing them beat St. T (5-1, 1-1) was kind of threatening,” Matt said. “But if everybody plays hard, we can have a good game against them and it should be interesting.”

Published in the Herald & Review in October 2009.

Twins Picked Up Tennis Early

Amy and Tracy Kuhle picked up tennis rackets before they started learning math.
Since age 3, the twin sisters who have carried St. Teresa this season as freshmen have prepared for competition similar to the state tournament. Their father, Chuck, is a local tennis connoisseur, who comes from a family of tennis players.
“Once I saw them throw a ball,” Chuck said about knowing they would be good at tennis. “They both have above average service motions. A lot of players don’t have the fluid motion they had, so I knew.”
Tennis is in the Kuhles blood.
So, it’s not a surprise for some who hear about Amy and Tracy blanking opponents night in and night out. The duo has combined for 23 singles wins and only one loss. The loss came to Urbana’s No. 1 Katarina Marjanovic, who’s earned a scholarship to college.
As a doubles team, the two haven’t lost when playing together, including a 7-6, 6-2 win against Marjanovic’s doubles team. Split them up, and they’re still undefeated in doubles. They’ve helped St. Teresa to a 10-2 record.
“To have girls your age supporting you is really fun,” Amy said about playing her first year of high school tennis. “It’s not as competitive as USTA tennis, but it’s really fun playing with others.”
With thousands of matches already behind them, Amy and Tracy are freshmen playing with the experience of seniors. They’ve traveled around the country playing top-notch talent and their domination at the high school level has been a long time coming.
“They can play with anybody,” said first-year St. Teresa tennis coach Mike Brannon. “They’re already very accomplished.”
With the sectional play starting Saturday, not many know the true potential of the combo this year. Chuck, Amy and Tracy downplayed the expectation of winning a doubles state title now. In fact, Amy and Tracy simply want to outplay their brother, Patrick, who won four doubles matches at state as a St. Teresa freshman last year.
“We’re not hoping for anything huge this year,” said Amy, who’s also been helped by assistant coach Julie Heim. “We want to try and win more than our brother and just see how the competition is.”
Tracy added, “We’re just going to try and work hard and try to win it by our junior or senior year.”
It was two quality answers identical to their dad, who wants them to keep sharpening their game with hard work and determination.
“There are no guarantees,” Chuck said. “I don’t ever want to be the one who says they’re going to win it, but they have a shot at it eventually. They have a lot of work left to do.”
Amy admitted her backhand isn’t as strong as it should be. Tracy wants to work on her big serve because it’s her strength when it’s in. And other than Tracy being left-handed, the two are tennis twins, too, with not many holes in their game.
“Usually when people ask I say me, but honestly we’re dead even,” Tracy confessed in response to who was better.
What surprises Brannon the most is their easy-going personalities despite being so talented. He expected them to be a lot more intense, but they get the job done with ease.
“It’s unusual to see kids who are super competitive and laid back,” Brannon said. “They just like playing tennis and having fun and are really good at it.”
The Kuhles quest begins Saturday at the Casey-Westfield Sectional, which isn’t expected to provide any serious hurdles. Then it would be off to state a week from today, where the possibilities are still unknown.

Published in the Herald & Review in October 2009.

Another Hileman Moves From The Line To QB

It’s not often a player goes from being an offensive lineman to quarterback.
The last time North White coach Jim Davis can remember it happening was more than two decades ago.
It was D.J. Hileman who made the move. Now, his son Tyler is the tough guy making the switch.
“It’s an unusual switch,” Davis said of a player moving from the line to under center. “It’s kind of funny that it was his dad who was the only other player to make that move.”
That says something about the Hileman family. D.J. was the very first to lead Davis’ team at QB. There was a large gap until D.J.’s son Dustin came around but Davis was still at North White.
“Yeah, pretty much so,” Davis said to the Hileman’s being his quarterback family.
During Dustin’s time, the Vikings experienced a fair amount of success and were able to air it out because of Dustin’s arm. Now, with Tyler, who’s a junior, the offense has changed a bit. It’s not a pass first, run second team as it was with Dustin.
“We’re not going to ask him to throw the ball 25 times like we did with his brother,” Davis said.
The different quarterbacking styles have helped Tyler’s transition into the position. Because Tyler’s a runner, he’s not being compared to how Dustin threw the ball all the time.
“Dustin told me ‘You and me are different,’” Tyler said. “It’s a lot easier because I’m just trying to work on what I can be better at. I’m a different player.”
Dustin didn’t lack aggressiveness but Tyler volunteered to play on the line just to see the field as a sophomore. It’s obvious the two operate with a different mindset on the playing field.
“That’s really the kind of kid he is,” Davis said about Tyler’s willingness to play offensive line last season. “That’s what he’s willing to do.”
Tyler admits the position change made him tougher. But the move back to QB hasn’t been easy for Tyler. He’s spent a lot of time regaining his throwing routines and relearning the position.
“It’s been a hard process,” Tyler said. “But it’s going really well. I feel like I’m improving and the team’s improving every day.”
Tyler better hope for improvement because North White coaches have talked about moving him back to the line if his performance is sub-par. It’s all in fun, of course.
“He’s just a good kid,” Davis said. “He’s going to do whatever. He’s not your pre-Madonna quarterback kid.”
Davis and North White are hoping he continues his development this week against Tri-County on Friday.

Published in the Herald Journal in August 2009.

Twin Lakes Football Season Preview

Conference Making Way For CC

The pieces are falling into place for Central Catholic to join the Hoosier Athletic Conference.
The conference changed its bylaws on Wednesday to allow a team to join without having a unanimous decision by its members. Now, it only takes four of the seven schools.
“The meeting was about amending constitutional changes and bylaws that may down the road help adding a team,” Twin Lakes athletic director Kent Adams said.
Former AD Scott Leverenz said changing the rule has been talked about for more than two years. He also said the change was pushed because Central Catholic is looking for another conference after the 2010-11 school year.
“(Twin Lakes) is involved with everything, except football, with Central Catholic,” Leverenz said. “We’re looking at competition 12 months around and our kids are involved with Lafayette area schools.”
Central Catholic athletic director Tim Bordenet didn’t know about the rule change when contacted Thursday, but he does think it will help further conversations that the two sides have had.
“That would be a positive sign that at least some of their members are looking at adding,” Bordenet said. “Hopefully it will bode well for us in the future.”
With the prior rules the conference would have struggled reaching a unanimous decision on adding a team because of the conference’s diversity. Now, only one school can’t control the vote.
“Our conference is so diverse,” Adams said. “A unanimous decision is going to be difficult to get because of the size and interests with the schools.”
For instance, some schools don’t have teams to compete in conference tournaments. So, to have the ability to expand the conference with worthy schools is an option it needed and now exists.
“I know that the Hoosier Conference knows that we have interest,” Bordenet said.

Published in the Herald Journal in August 2009.

County's Class A Teams Slim Down

The county’s three Class A football teams are meager this season.
Not one team has more than 35 players, which is about average for all three.
Frontier has added a couple late in the week to reach 31, while North White is right at 30. Tri-County, meanwhile, is under 30 for the second-straight season with 21 kids.
“A couple classes that have gone through are small and it’s killing us,” Tri-County coach Jeff Hettinger said. “Football’s a numbers game. It’s hard to scrimmage and create depth if you don’t have the numbers.”
As it stands, all three junior varsity seasons have been nixed. It’s a move none of the coaches want to make but the numbers have forced the decision. The result of no JV squad is limited to no playing time for back-ups and no development.
“I don’t think there’s any question it does make it difficult,” North White coach Jim Davis said about not having a JV team. “There’s not a chance in the world some kids will see time in a varsity game. They would have had the chance to develop in JV.”
Each coach has a different perspective on the lack of players but none are confident they know why all three schools are down this year. For Tri-County, two small senior and sophomore classes are hitting football hard.
“It’s really going to impact all Tri-County sports,” Hettinger said.
Martz is pleased with his 11 seniors on the team. He thinks the numbers game goes in cycles for all Class A schools.
“If you’re around single A long enough it comes and goes in cycles,” said Martz, who’s been as low as 21 players at Frontier. “I don’t know that it’s a concern but it’s more of a reality that you know your numbers aren’t always going to be great.”
Davis doesn’t know if it’s just one thing keeping kids away from coming out for football.
“These kids 15-18 years of age, you just never know what to expect out them,” Davis said. “I don’t have any answers for it.
“There’s probably a different reason for each kid.”
Regardless of the reason, all three coaches will think about trying to develop some of the talent that was supposed to be playing JV. And all three coaches will be hoping to avoid injuries.
“Single A is hard,” Martz said. “I take a lot of pride in coaching single A.”

Published in the Herald Journal in August 2009.

Rock Bottom

Vikings Victorious

Bringin' The Heat

Final Four Preview Strip

Frontier Pulls It Out

Bringing Up Dirt

Maybe It Will Go In

Reason To Celebrate

Chip Away

Fourth of July Front Page

This was the front page I designed for the Friday before the Fourth of July.

2009 All-White County Baseball

This was a full-page poster I designed for the 2009 All-White County baseball.

Front Page Refers

I designed the front-page refers for the 2009 All-White County softball and baseball teams, which were the front page centerpiece.

2009 All-White County Softball

This was a full-page poster I designed for the 2009 All-White County softball team.

Moratorium Week Signals Break

Kent Adams had been waiting on this week to come for some time.
For the first time in about a year, the Twin Lakes athletic director and boy’s basketball coach doesn’t have to do anything related to high school athletics. That’s because Monday marked the beginning of the IHSAA’s mandated week-long no contact and no athletic activity period.
“I’ve been looking at this week for several weeks,” Adams said. “It’s a good time to catch our breath. I’m trying to stay away and not get caught up in anything athletic related.”
Fewer than 10 years ago the IHSAA instituted the seven-day period to give families time away from school activities. Every year around July 4, athletes, administrators, coaches and parents get this break.
“Families have one guilt free week away from school,” said Bobby Cox, assistant commissioner of the IHSAA. “
Finding time away from high school athletics is difficult these days, especially for smaller schools. At schools like all four in White County, many of the athletes compete in multiple sports, which doesn’t allow for any time off. Couple that with summer leagues, AAU and conditioning for future seasons and schedules become tiresome.
“There is a lot of pressure on athletes to get all their sports in,” Frontier athletic director and football coach Greg Martz said. “Throw in conditioning and AAU and there is so much going on. Where does it stop? We need this guiding hand to say there is too much.”
Martz was able to escape for a vacation with the break from all athletic activities. With the football season and the fall sports schedule inching up, Martz won’t have any time to take a break until this time next year.
“Most of our kids are going to start practice on August 3 and then they’re going until next June,” Martz said. “Rest is an important aspect of athletics that is often times left out.”
Cox said there has been some discussion of extending the mandatory week-long break for high schools. Nothing is immediately in the works but Martz thinks it should be longer.
“I think it should be two weeks,” Martz said. “They are weeks you aren’t supposed to be doing anything and people look forward to them. It should be longer but the IHSAA probably doesn’t want to tackle that issue.”
Adams is fine with the week-long break as it is. He just hopes his athletes take advantage of that time.
There is one other week that the IHSAA monitors and that’s the week before fall sports officially begin practice. Starting July 27, only fall sports are allowed to condition.

Published in the Herald Journal in June 2009.

Resume

Where 2009 Cover

I designed the cover for the 2009 Where magazine. The 48-page magazine is an annual tourist publication for the Monticello area that details information about restaurants, entertainment, etc.

Emotional End For Softball Seniors

Twin Lakes senior Katie Reiff could barely watch the final three outs of Monday’s sectional game to Benton Central.
Reiff and her teammates had battled all the way back from a 6-0 deficit with the Indians taking a 7-6 lead in the sixth. Now, trailing 8-7 in the seventh, Reiff buried her face in a towel to escape the situation.
She didn’t want to end her fabulous four-year softball career without a sectional title. She didn’t want to get knocked off again in the sectional by a Benton Central team the Indians beat twice this season. But all she could do was watch from the dugout.
“Oh yeah, it’s tough,” Reiff said of the loss while battling tears. “The girls just don’t give up. We could have lost 6-0 but it was 8-7.”
When senior Abby Dilling entered the pitching circle against the Bison she knew they would have a feel for her pitches. That’s because Dilling earned two W’s against them during the season. What she didn’t know is that BC would jump on her immediately. After being relieved in the second inning, Dilling had surrendered six runs – four of which were earned – and two triples.
“They got on me and I knew it was going to happen,” said Dilling, who finished 1-for-3 from the plate. “BC’s a good team and if we faced them four times it would probably be 2-2.”
As TL (24-6) entered the third inning, the players set a goal of two runs an inning to narrow the margin. A triple from Ashlee Keil helped the two-run third, a double from Tabby Bonnell helped the two-run fourth and Savanna Gaumer’s contact helped the two-run fifth.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Twin Lakes coach Desiree Swaim said. “It was back and forth. The girls don’t give up and made things happen.”
All the while, Bonnell had silenced BC’s bats and was rolling into the sixth inning. With two outs and no one on, two errors and one hit resulted in two BC runs, including the go-ahead run that scored when Reiff tried getting a runner out at third. Third baseman Chelsea Hicks thought Reiff was throwing home so she ducked and then got hit in the side with Reiff’s throw.
“It was a game of a lot of freak things,” Reiff said. “They scored a lot of freak runs. They’re a good team but the run at the end was real weird.
“That’s part of it, I guess … Get lucky at the right time. We left everything on the field. We left it all out there.”
The loss was difficult for Swaim to handle because her seniors were “special to her.”
“It’s sad for the seniors,” Swaim said. “It’s emotional for me that they’re done because they’re a good bunch. I’m so proud of them.
“We had a great season.”

Published in the Herald Journal in May 2009.

Prepare To Swing

The Indians' Tabby Bonnell launches a pitch during their sectional win in May 2009.

Bracing For Impact

Twin Lakes' Blake Underhill lands in the long jump sand pit.

Hurt Or Not

Tri-County's Amanda Coty leaps over a hurdle in first place despite an injured right leg.

Returning A Serve

Chelsea Cardwell, TL's No. 1 singles player in 2009, returns a serve during the Indians' sectional match against Lewis Cass.

Diving Snag

Twin Lakes' right fielder makes a diving catch against Macanaquah during the 2009 season.

Come Back Here

A Twin Lakes hurdler chases a Tri-County runner during the annual Bi-County Meet at Twin Lakes High School.

Throwing The Discus

A Twin Lakes thrower competes during a spring 2009 track meet.

Batter's Viewpoint

Twin Lakes pitcher Drew Guingrich throws a pitch during a game in May 2009.

Stopping The Ball

Twin Lakes senior first baseman tries to corral the ball during a sectional game in 2009.

Weather Creates Havoc For ADs

By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor

Wet and cold weather has prevented this year’s spring sports season from gaining momentum.
Tuesday was no different after six more varsity events were canceled.
Out of this month’s 21 days, 11 have seen rain and temperatures have dropped below 30 degrees. The result has been constant cancelations, postponements and indoor practices, which complicates the job of all four of the area’s athletic directors.
“It’s usually not as bad as this year,” North White athletic director Mark Woodcock said. “It’s raining every three or four days. We’re running out of days to reschedule games on.”
Each Monday and Tuesday of the month has been rainy and it’s caused cancelations to pile up, especially with North White baseball. Woodcock has seen six canceled games and has been able to reschedule only two of them. Because playing the games is valuable it has forced the team to play five games in five days to start the month of May.
“It’s important. That’s why they give you a certain number of games to play,” Twin Lakes
For coaches, the weather is supremely frustrating because practices are indoors and the games that are played are outdoors.
“We’re optimistic that this weekend will bring better weather,” Twin Lakes softball coach Desiree Swaim said. “We are definitely ready for that kind of weather.”
The 10-day forecast does show relief for teams this weekend but that soon disappears next week. Rain is expected from Monday-Thursday, which will bring another host of problems for athletic directors.
“I would say after (Tuesday) it’s going to be difficult to find dates,” Tri-County athletic director Denny Stitz said about rescheduling games. “We have had enough dates to fill up the voids in the calendar so far. The best hope is that the bad weather is behind us.”
If poor weather continues to cause cancelations as the calendar moves along the only option will be to eliminate games from the schedule and save room for conference clashes. But that’s an option the ADs don’t want to use.
“It puts a damper on what everyone is trying to accomplish,” Woodcock said of the weather. “You can’t accomplish and achieve your goals as a player or coach.” athletic director Kent Adams said about playing an entire schedule. “You want to be careful you don’t over burden the athletes but that experience is important.”

Published in the Herald Journal in April 2009.

Front-Page Refer

I designed this refer to the all-county team for the front page.

Living History Series | Garnette Smith Turns Into World Traveler

By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor
Just before midnight 65 years ago, Garnette Smith thought his life was about to get cut short.
Aboard a U.S. Naval ship in the middle of the English Channel, Smith was prepping for a four-hour watch duty. Then the ship was rocked by what Smith thought was a mine.
“I thought that was my last day,” Smith said.
Masked in complete darkness, Smith’s ship was nearly split in half by another vessel. The outcome was much less severe than first thought and it put Smith on land as D-Day approached in the summer of 1944.
“We were in dry dock for a big share of the big invasion,” Smith said.
Smith – now 91 years-old and living in Delphi – was in year number two at the time after joining the Navy in 1942. The lure of $50 a month pushed Smith into the service and at the time he thought it was going to be a one-year stint. Like many others, he was wrong.
“Everybody else was going at the time so I thought ‘I might as well go,’” Smith said. “It lasted a lot longer than I first thought but it didn’t bother me. It was a good experience.”
Waiting for him after his time in the Navy was Marilyn Holloway. The wedding plans were set and they were tying the knot. It was the classic high school sweethearts scenario from when he was a senior and she was a freshman.
“I fell in love with her and I just knew it,” Smith said.
With his service time behind him and now married, Smith was still searching for the right job. He had spent time at Alcoa before the service and ended up there again once returning but he didn’t like it. He knew there was something better.
“That’s part of the reason I went to the service because I figured it was going to get me anyway,” Smith said about working at Alcoa. “I just didn’t like the factory.”
The pay pushed Smith to keep the job but he found a long-term solution at the Delphi REMC using his business degree. For 22 years, Smith was the office manager.
“I finally used some of my bookkeeping skills,” Smith said. “I was always pretty good with figures so it was a good fit.”
With a steady job and some land that he and his wife acquired from her family, Smith took some inspiration from a golfing magazine to build a par-3 golf course. There weren’t many courses around, so Smith made it happen and opened the Hollow Acres golf course in 1960.
“We couldn’t figure out what to put down there on the corner,” Smith said. “I looked into it and built it. It did put me in some debt, though.”
Financial backing from both families helped Smith early on and he has no doubt that the investment paid off.
“I made a living on it,” Smith said of the Hollow Acres golf course.
The course put him to work during the days of his owernship. Smith left the REMC in 1970 and worked full time at the course for 16 years doing it all. He cut the grass, managed the money and fixed the problems.
“I was pretty hardworking until we sold it,” Smith said. “Anything and everything, I did. I did enjoy those years. I met a lot of people.”
His kids – Jeff Smith and Suzie Vogel – worked hard every summer at the course. Garnette said Jeff enjoyed running the place when dad wasn’t around but Suzie never enjoyed it.
“We had a good system,” Smith said. “It worked out pretty good.”
During Smith’s childhood, he never knew he was going to see as much of the world as he has. After graduating from Delphi High School in the late ’30s, Smith became a world traveler through the service and on his dime.
“I never really thought about traveling,” Smith said. “I was just trying to get a job for a while.”
He has spent time all across the U.S., in Europe and Africa. But he’ll never forget fulfilling a lifetime dream of travelling to Alaska. In 1987 when the course was sold, him and Marilyn loaded up a newly-purchased motor home and headed north for eight weeks.
“Every where you look is like a picture postcard,” Smith said. “We should have spent another month up there.”

Published in the Herald Journal in April 2009.

Manahan Earns Player of the Year Honors

By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor
The boot on Emileah Manahan’s recently fractured foot says it all.
It’s bulky frame is protecting a stress fracture that was a result of too much activity. It’s not shiny and she probably won’t save it, but it’s her trophy of sorts. It represents her domination of the White County athletic landscape during her four-year high school career.
“I didn’t think it was going to be this big,” Manahan admitted about her success in athletics. “It turned out to be my life.”
Originally, the 2009 White County Player of the Year just wanted to make Twin Lakes’ varsity team. And before that, her parents weren’t even sure if she would ever compete in a sport. That’s because Manahan was all about civic plays and crafts.
“She was not athletic at all,” her mom, Susan, said. “She just wasn’t in to sports at all.”
All that changed the summer before seventh grade. That’s when Emileah joined a traveling team with some of the area’s best players her age. At the time, practices were held in Lafayette, so the then timid Manahan spent a lot of time in the car sobbing on her way to and from the gym.
“I would cry because of fear on the way there and I would cry because I got in trouble on the way back,” Manahan said. “(The rides) seemed like they took forever.”
Despite the tears, Manahan wanted to continue playing and it paid off. That seventh grade traveling team competed against high school varsity teams and would win by double digits. The team’s success and Manahan’s production pushed her to new heights.
“She really cut her teeth that summer,” Susan said. “It gave her so much confidence and then she realized she could compete with the best of them. That opened up this whole new world that she hadn’t seen before.”
Couple the confidence with her No. 1 fan – her father, who played Division I college basketball – having a passion to help his daughter improve and Emileah’s athletic ability was in full bloom.
“It’s great because he has the answer to every question I have,” Emileah said of her dad, Pat. “There have been nights after the crying that we’re going out to the court at my house and making me practice for hours out there.
“He was always trying to make my game better even though I didn’t always want to get better. He made me get better and now I want to make myself better.”
That drive made Emileah’s presence on the basketball court bigger than ever this season. She was the cornerstone of an 18-4 Twin Lakes team on her way to averaging a double-double with 14.7 points and 11.2 rebounds a game. Both of those stats were easily the best in the county. Oh, by the way, she shot a county-best 47 percent from the field.
“She’s a very talented, athletic girl,” Twin Lakes coach Brad Bowsman said of Manahan. “She’s worked hard. I’m very proud of her. We knew that she was someone special and was going to be an integral part of the program.”
During her four years on varsity at Twin Lakes, the Indians won 68 games, she scored more than 1,000 points and captured the career rebounding record. How’s that for someone who’s going to Illinois State on a volleyball scholarship?
“It’s a mix of emotions,” Emileah said about graduating high school and moving on to play collegiate volleyball. “I’m excited because it’s a new level of play and a new step in my life but I’m nervous because it’s all new people and a whole new level.
“It’s going to be hard and it’s going to take up a lot of my time.”
She should be ready because it sounds a little bit like those car rides back-and-forth to Lafayette.

Published in the Herald Journal in April of 2009.

2009 Girl's All-White County Basketball

Here's the spread I designed for the 2009 Girl's Basketball All-White County team. I compiled all the information and wrote the story on the player of the year, Emileah Manahan.

Tee Time 2009 Alternate

This was another option that I designed for the cover of the annual golfing guide. I liked this one but it wasn't the one chosen to run.

Tee Time 2009

Every year Kankakee Valley Publishing publishes a golf guide. I designed this year's cover.

I Remember (pg 2)

This is the second half of the doubletruck.

I Remember

I designed a doubletruck with this page and the one above that went in the tornado magazine. The essence of the piece centers on what people remember when the tornado hit Monticello 35 years ago.

Our Defining Moment

I designed this cover for the 35-year remembrance of the deadly tornado that swept through Monticello.

Smiling Success

Twin Lakes sophomore swimmer Kylie Vogel smiles after winning one of her three events at a 2009 sectional. The wins advanced Vogel to the state meet.

Tri-County Battling North White

North White's Jesse Philo battles Tri-County's Luke Pritchett during an intra-county game in 2009.

One Big Day

This page has the preview for the wrestling sectional as the centerpiece. The other story is about the Twin Lakes basketball team letting a win slip away.

Trio Of Winners

This was a centerpiece I did for the three seniors on the Twin Lakes girl's basketball team for senior night.

Four More Stars

This is a preview for the White County Tournament. I highlighted four of the local players who have had quality seasons.

Indians, Manahan dominate Rennselaer

This sports page has some girl's basketball and swimming featured on it.

Indians Fade Down the Stretch Despite Impressive Defense

A sports page with all local content on it from a busy weekend.

TL Girls Brace For A Big Week

A sports page previewing the big week ahead of the Twin Lake's girl's basketball team.

Hummel Battled Weight Loss, Now Stronger Than Ever

BY LEROY BRIDGES
Times Correspondent

WEST LAFAYETTE | Losing 25 pounds and erasing any physical gains Robbie Hummel gained during his freshman year at Purdue wasn’t the way he wanted to start his offseason.
But just after the spring semester, Hummel battled salmonella that put him in the hospital and wouldn’t let him eat for six days. Then the sophomore forward from Valparaiso endured a tonsillectomy to relieve sleep apnea that limited his eating and eliminated physical activity for more than two weeks.
In just three weeks of his summer, he was frail and unsure of his basketball abilities.
“At the start I was worried because I had lost so much weight,” said Hummel, who was named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Sunday.
The weight loss came only two months after Purdue was dispatched from the NCAA Tournament in the second round by a “bigger, stronger” Xavier team. The undersized Boilers made the weight room their No. 1 priority for the offseason and Hummel found himself weighing around 180 pounds – 48 pounds less than today.
“When I was a freshman in high school I remember I weighed like 175,” Hummel said. “So, it was frustrating because that Xavier loss was on the physical side and to lose all that I had built up was tough.”
Once Hummel stepped on the court for his first workout after his weight loss, he knew he had to structure his eating and lifting to regain and surpass where he was months before. His diet featured grilled chicken breasts, vegetables, peanut butter sandwiches and no fast food or pop as he spent hours in weight room.
“I ate the most healthy I have all my life,” said Hummel, who started to see progress in June. “I lifted as hard as I could and I got my body back to where it was and even farther.”
Now, Hummel is lifting personal-bests to go along with his teammates who took advantage of one-on-one time in the weight room during the summer.
“We are definitely a much stronger team,” said sophomore guard and E.C. Central grad E’Twaun Moore. “We knew what we had to do in the weight room this summer and we did it.”
Sophomore forward JaJuan Johnson, who is expected to be Purdue’s starting big man, is up 10 pounds from last season to 220 and is benching a lifetime best 255 pounds. Painter is fine with Johnson not being a “Charles Oakley-type guy” as long as he uses his athleticism to his advantage.
“He doesn’t have a great base,” Painter said. “He has to do a better job playing with a base and having balance. When he uses his athleticism, he is a productive guy. I thought overseas he was able to do that.”
Overseas was a trip to Australia to further the team’s maturation. The competition was 30-and-40-year-olds and Painter was pleased with the trip’s outcome.
“I thought in Australia, from a physical standpoint, it was a great learning tool, especially on the glass,” Painter said. “I think it really exposed one of our weaknesses and I think that’s important to do, especially when the games don’t count.
“I think it will definitely help us come this winter.”
Moore, who was named first-team All-Big Ten Sunday, said he doesn’t think Purdue will face a more physical team than the Boilers played in Australia. Ideally, that experience helps Purdue improve its rebounding after being outrebounded by three boards a game last season. Purdue finished the season ninth in rebounding in the Big Ten
“I think our rebounding is going to be better,” Painter said. “We’re not going to lead the Big Ten in rebounding. We have to fight like hell to get in the middle of that pack.”
Purdue tips off its exhibition season at 8 p.m. Friday in Mackey Arena against Florida Southern.

Published in the Northwest Indiana Times in October of 2008.

Hummel Solves Foul Trouble, Returns To Form In 66-46 Win

BY LEROY BRIDGES
Times Correspondent

WEST LAFAYETTE | Sophomore forward Robbie Hummel solved his foul troubles and Purdue fans finally got to see the Hummel who was voted preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Saturday.
The Valparaiso grad dropped 20 points and grabbed 11 boards in No. 11 Purdue’s 66-46 routine win against Coppin State (1-1). His sixth-career double-double came in 26 minutes of play, which is the most he’s played in a game this season.
“I got to watch a lot film with coach Ray and coach Lusk and they figured out what I was doing wrong and why I was picking up a lot of cheap fouls,” Hummel said. “I felt like I got in more of a flow tonight.”
Hummel said he wasn’t moving his feet well on the defensive end in the team’s first three games. He had four fouls in two of those games but Saturday he committed only one foul.
“I think it was good for him and good from a fan’s standpoint to be able to watch him play and stay in the game,” said coach Matt Painter. “He just needs to play. He needs to get out there and get some minutes.”
Fellow Region teammate E’Twaun Moore (E.C. Central) loaded up the stat sheet, too. Moore, who became the first player to log at least 30 minutes in a game this season, had 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks; however, the 3-point shooting woes continued. Moore shot 1-of-5 from deep and the team finished 6-of-22.
“If we keep taking open shots, they will fall,” Moore said. “It’s going to fall some time. It can’t get no worse.”
Purdue’s inability to hit those 3s was frustrating for Painter who wants his players to change their mindset offensively if their shots aren’t falling. Entering Saturday’s game the Boilers were shooting 35 percent from long range.
“I thought we were inconsistent (offensively) and shot too many 3s. That’s something that’s remained consistent for us, we’re shooting a lot of 3s and not at a high percentage,” Painter said. “It’s something we’re going to have to take a hard look at. We have to probe the defense a little more.”
The Boilers don’t have long to correct their shooting because they travel to New York early this week to face Boston College in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals.
Coppin State’s leading scorer was its senior leader Tywain McKee with 17 points. McKee battled foul trouble and turned the ball over six times.

Published in the Northwest Indiana Times on Nov. 23, 2008.

Matt Painter's Hair Changes, He Doesn't

By Leroy Bridges
Executive Reporter

In four years at Purdue, Matt Painter has been through it all.
And yet the only thing that’s changed about the guy who landed a dream job at the age of 34 is his hair.
“Getting grayer,” said his wife, Jerri, about what’s changed with her husband since becoming head coach at Purdue. “It’s like a picture of the president before and after the term.”
Four years ago, an ambitious Painter walked into Morgan Burke’s office with a full-head of black hair and a national title on his mind. Burke knew from talking with legendary Purdue coach Gene Keady and Illinois coach Bruce Weber that Painter was ready to take on a restoration project.
“Gene and Bruce watched him evolve,” Burke said. “Bruce’s comment was ‘If Purdue isn’t going to hire him, someone else in the Big Ten will.’”
Despite a nine-win season in year one, Painter has led Purdue to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and a heap of attention this season. Burke’s not surprised by Painter’s early success but it does make him smile.
“I think he’s been exactly what we thought we would get,” Burke said. “We thought we had a guy who had an intensity and a love for the game.”
Painter’s ability to motivate players without “browbeating” them impresses assistant coach Rick Ray on a daily. That knack for pushing players has been evident from day one and is a staple to Painter’s coaching success, Ray said.
“That’s something refreshing because the players put it upon themselves because if the guys don’t play hard they hold each other accountable,” Ray said.
Senior guard Marcus Green was a part of Painter’s first recruiting class and appreciates Painter’s ability to get the most out of him every day without bullying him.
“He’s created a situation where we play hard because we don’t want to let the team down and that’s enjoyable,” Green said. “I would hate to see him when he has six or seven All Americans on the court.
“He’s doing great right now and if he continues it, people better watch out for him.”
Painter knows he’s fortunate. From time to time he reminds himself of the profession he lives every day even if it brings more gray hair.
“If I am not the coach here, I guarantee (Purdue) still has a season. I don’t take that for granted,” Painter said. “I try to teach (the team) the same beliefs. We’re all very lucky to be in this position.”
Painter’s position entering this season is a long way from when he trotted into Burke’s office spouting his dreams of winning a national title at Purdue. The preseason No. 11 Boilers return all five starters, including the team’s MVP, junior guard Keaton Grant; the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, junior guard Chris Kramer; and the Big Ten’s Preseason Player of the Year, sophomore forward Robbie Hummel.
“I think it’s always amazing how fast everything goes. It seems like you’re a freshman and you turn around and you’re a senior,” Painter said. “Time flies. That’s why you have to enjoy it while it’s happening. You have to make your hard work fun.”
Painter and his Boilers begin their fun tonight in their first regular season game. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. in Mackey Arena against Detroit Mercy.

Published in the Purdue Exponent in November 2008.

Season Preview Guide Page 6

Another inside page and this time it's with JaJuan Johnson and Chris Reid on it.

Season Preview Guide Page 4

Another inside page and this time it's with Ryne Smith and Mark Wohlford. This page also has a story I wrote about the team growing up.

Season Preview Guide Page 3

Another inside page and this time it's with Lewis Jackson and Chris Kramer on it.

Season Preview Guide Page 2

This is one of the player profile pages that displayed the majority of the guide's content. This page has Robbie Hummel and Keaton Grant on it. We contacted players' parents to get childhood photos of them to complete this guide. Everything from creating the crayon-effect to the cutout blocks to the composition of the guide was done by me.

Growin' Up

This was the cover for the 2008-09 men's basketball season preview guide. This photo was coordinated with the College Mentors for Kids and the men's basketball team and was one of the most stressful days of my life. ;)

Senior Kicker Makes First Field Goal Of Career

By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor

East Lansing, Mich. – With 4:49 left in the game and his team down by one, senior kicker Casey Welch attempted – and made – the first field goal of his career.
The 18-yarder gave Purdue an eventual 17-15 win and Welch an indescribable feeling.
"Something you've been waiting your entire life for (is) to go out there and kick," Welch said after the Boilers' win over Michigan State (4-6, 1-5 Big Ten). "To have this be my one kick, it's unbelievable."
Welch got his opportunity after freshman Chris Summers missed two field goals earlier in the game. Coach Joe Tiller said he made the switch because Summers, who is 8-for-18 this season, is less accurate on shorter attempts.
"Maybe we're going to have a short field goal kicker and a long field goal kicker," Tiller said. "I told (special teams coach Mark Hagen) to get Casey warming up because if we are kicking, Casey's going to do it."
Welch said he didn't know whether or not he was going to be kicking until just after a timeout was called. Fortunately for Welch, who transferred from West Virginia four years ago with hopes of winning the starting job, he had been warming up.
"I try to stay warm all game, so I was loose enough for it," Welch said. "I was just like 'Let's go out there and kick it.' I just kicked it."
The kick, which was a "no doubter" according to holder Curtis Painter, was Welch's first game-situation field goal since high school five years ago.
"It's a story-book ending to my career here," Welch said. "It's been five years since I've done that and to go out there and help my team get closer to a bowl is awesome."
Hagen said it was no surprise to him that Welch made the kick. In fact, there was no doubt in his mind Welch would come through in the high-pressure situation.
"Today his number was called and I knew he could do it," Hagen said. "It certainly was a crucial situation and he came through."
Welch said his emotion in the locker room following the game was overwhelming, especially since Purdue (6-4, 3-3) had lost four of its last five games.
"The emotions ran high and it me deep after the game," Welch said. "I'm a team guy and I am just happy to help us out anyway I can."
Welch's kick gives the Boilers their second win on the road this season and with one more win, they will be bowl eligible.

Published in the Purdue Exponent on Nov. 6, 2006.