Rochester's Madilyn Calloway has advanced to state in cross country twice.  She has now added track and field to her resume.

Calloway finished third Tuesday night at the Goshen Regional to advance from that competition.  The Rochester junior finished in a time of 11:33.47 behind second place Julynne Spidell from Kokomo (11:24.96) and 3200 meter champ Lexi Allen of Culver Academies (10:55.99).

Calloway's teammate, sophomore Zoe Seward, finished 6th.

Rochester's 4 x 800 meter relay team, Elena Bode, Araceli Ochoa, Seward and Calloway, finished 12th.

Kenzie Bradley ran the 100 meter dash in 13.13.  She finished 6th.  Teammate Kami Burkett finished 15th.

Macie Nelson of Rochester was 16th in the 100 meter hurdles in 18.46. 

Rochester sophomore Kennedy Jackson was 10th in the shot put.

Tennis regionals

At Plymouth

Peru 3, Culver Academies 2                                                      

Bremen 5, Warsaw 0

Softball sectionals

2A        At Wabash

Tippecanoe Valley 4, Rochester 1

TVHS beat Rochester for the second time this season.

Corinna Stiles pitched a three-hitter.

Vikings play Whitko in 7:00 pm championship Thursday.  Whitko shut out Lewis Cass, 6-0.

2A        at Winamac

#7 Winamac 18, North Judson 1 (5 inn)

Ella Gearhart 12^th HR

Winamac will play winner of tonight’s semifinal between #1 Pioneer and Boone Grove

1A        at South Central (Union Mills)

Culver 21, Triton 11

Culver to play top-ranked South Central in Wednesday night semifinal

3A        at Bremen

Bremen 8, Knox 7

RHS Senior Kyle Reinartz signed with Grace College Monday at Rochester High School.

Reinartz plans on majoring in business and continuing his baseball team by pitching for the Grace College Lancers. 

He says there is a lot about RHS he is going to miss. 

Reinartz credits his family and friends for their support in encouraging him to be where he's at today. 

Beginning with the 2022-23 season, a 35-second shot clock will be permitted in high school basketball games by state association adoption. The sentiment among many coaches and athletic directors is now not a matter of if, but when, a shot clock will become a reality.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee voted against a proposal for a national rule mandating a shot clock at its annual meeting.

Head coach of the Rochester girls basketball program Brian Jennings leans toward favoring the implementation of the shot clock but he understands the debate.

Coach Jennings says the pressure now falls on schools and officials to prepare for the anticipated shot clock.

Rule 2-14 states that each state association may adopt a shot clock beginning in the 2022-23 season -- according to guidelines outlined in the Basketball Rules Book -- to encourage standardization among states. Guidelines include displaying two timepieces that are connected to a horn that is distinctive from the game-clock horn, and using an alternative timing device, such as a stopwatch at the scorer’s table, for a shot clock malfunction. The guidelines also allow for corrections to the shot clock only during the shot-clock period in which an error occurred and the officials have definite information relative to the mistake or malfunction.

The Zebras head coach says he doesn’t think you’ll see the shot clock as early as 2022-2023. 

He noted changes at the AAU level may come before Indiana high schools.

Rochester rallied with three runs in the top of the 7th to get by Manchester in TRC baseball Wednesday.

Brock Beehler's 2-run double capped an inning where the Zebras (9-10, 3-3 TRC) did all their damage after two were out.

Beehler also earned the win with four innings of relief work after replacing starter Kyle Reinartz.  

Tarick McGlothin picked up the save by striking out the side in a perfect bottom of the 7th.

Ranked teams battling for the conference lead provided some hype for area softball fans of Winamac and Caston.  The game didn't disappoint.

#13 (2A) Winamac's Ella Gearhart smacked a walk-off 8th inning home run in a 3-2 win over the top-ranked (1A) Caston Comets Tuesday.

Isabel Scales drove in both Comet runs with a single and a home run.  

Caston (20-2) and Winamac (17-6) are now both 4-1 in the Hoosier North, trailing #2 (2A) Pioneer (4-0 HNAC).  Pioneer has a win, 7-2, over Winamac on April 19.  Caston will host Pioneer next Tuesday, May 18.

The loss snapped Caston's 14-game win streak.

Beginning with the 2022-23 season, a 35-second shot clock will be permitted in high school basketball games by state association adoption. A proposal for a national rule mandating a shot clock was not approved.

A shot clock was among the topics discussed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its annual meeting April 20-22 held virtually this year. All recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Rule 2-14 states that each state association may adopt a shot clock beginning in the 2022-23 season -- according to guidelines outlined in the Basketball Rules Book -- to encourage standardization among states. Guidelines include displaying two timepieces that are connected to a horn that is distinctive from the game-clock horn, and using an alternative timing device, such as a stopwatch at the scorer’s table, for a shot clock malfunction. The guidelines also allow for corrections to the shot clock only during the shot-clock period in which an error occurred and the officials have definite information relative to the mistake or malfunction.

“We provided the committee with a lot of information regarding the shot clock, including responses to a 46-question survey sent to states currently using a shot clock,” said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee.

Rule 3-5-4e was added to allow players to wear head coverings for religious reasons without obtaining state association approval. The head covering shall not be made of abrasive or hard materials and must be attached so that it is highly unlikely to come off during play. Basketball is the sixth sport in which a rule related to the wearing of head coverings or other equipment for religious reasons has been adopted, following volleyball, field hockey, soccer, spirit and swimming.

The official signals were also modified to use the same hand signal for a player control foul and a team control foul. Officials should use Signal 36, which is a hand placed at the back of the head, for both types of fouls. Previously, a team control foul was communicated with a punch of the hand.

“It is redundant to have different signals to communicate that a foul will be charged to a member of the team in control of the ball,” Wynns said. “Officials don’t understand the need to differentiate between a player control foul and a team control foul, and many game participants, table personnel and fans don’t know the difference.”

A complete listing of the basketball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Basketball.”

The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. is pleased to announce this year’s group of 13 senior student athletes who will be honored with the 2021 C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarships.

To reward the efforts of Indiana’s complete student-athletes, Methodist Sports Medicine, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Fever, Indiana Pacers, Sport Graphics, Inc., and Franciscan Health Systems have all partnered with the IHSAA and the IHSAA Foundation to sponsor the program. These well-rounded, positive role models have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character, sportsmanship, and citizenship.

Each individual will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their prep accomplishments and be recognized at this year’s Thomas A. Brady Sports Achievement Awards Dinner established by Methodist Sports Medicine on June 3, 2021.

2021 IHSAA / C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Award recipients

Tate Cowan, Wawasee

Abigail Fulton, Southwestern (Hanover)

Aubrey Gearhart, Winamac Community

Kennedy Hallam, North Posey

Drew Labhart, Perry Central

Jake Martin, Northwestern

Kennedy Peggs, Tri

Bennett Schmitt, Jasper

William Staggs, South Knox

Summer Stogsdill, Lebanon

Deven Suhka, Culver Academies

Megan Wagner, Carroll (Flora)

Noah Zahn, Huntington North 

Nine-time varsity letterman Aubrey Gearhart of Winamac Community High School ranks second in her class of 67 students with a 4.18 GPA. She lettered four times in basketball and softball and served as senior captain for both teams. Aubrey also earned a varsity letter in volleyball her senior season. She earned All-Conference recognition in softball.

Outside of her athletic achievements, she was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Athletic Leadership Council, the Conference Math Team, and the Sunshine Society.

Aubrey also made time to make a difference in her community serving through her local church by volunteering at vacation bible school and providing meals for families in need, offering lawn care service to elderly members in the area, collecting toys and gifts for youth in need around Christmas time, raising money for Riley Children’s Hospital, and giving back to youth sports in her community through mentoring and coaching.

Aubrey will be attending Indiana Wesleyan University. 

Deven Suhka is a two-sport varsity athlete, competing in and serving as senior captain in football and baseball. Deven has earned a 3.95 at Culver Military Academies.

Unlike the average high school student, Deven spends extra time completing the various duties that come along with attending a military school. Those range from cleaning and inspecting rooms to participating in parade and drill formation numerous times a month. There may also be other various meetings, training events, and tasks given to each Culver Cadet throughout their time at the academy.

Deven is currently serving as Infantry Battalion Operations Officer at Culver. Aside from what is expected at a military academy, Deven has taken time to participate in sports, Model UN, and Culver’s conservation and environmental program, Green Life. He also has a part time job at a local hotel.

Deven plans to attend Princeton University. 

If Monday’s drama is any indication then the sectional rematch between Tippecanoe Valley and Rochester should be a good one. 

Tippecanoe Valley rallied with three runs in the 7^th to turn a 5-4 deficit into a 7-5 TRC softball win over Rochester (4-9, 0-4 TRC) Monday.

Valley’s Mercedes Snapp drove in two runs with a single and Macy Kirchenstien drove in Snapp in the top of the 7^th for the win.

Rochester’s Sydney Haughs was 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI.  Kallie Watson drove in Rochester’s other run.

Tippecanoe Valley (9-7, 2-2 TRC) picked up a pair of RBI from Snapp and Abby Bowers.  Corinna Stiles and Madi Smith also drove in runs.  Kayleena Agnew had three hits on the day.

Rochester and Tippecanoe Valley will meet in the bye-game semifinal of the 2A Wabash Sectional.

Rochester got by rival Tippecanoe Valley 3-2 in varsity tennis Monday.

1 singles:  Hannah Houston (Roch) defeated Hannah Parson won 6-0, 6-4. 

2 singles:  Gigi Engstrand (TV) defeated Kim Banic 6-3, 6-4 

3 singles:  Ryli Rouch (Roch) defeated Peyton Oldham won 6-4, 6-3. 

1 doubles:  Kaitlin Neese / Mackenzie Costello (TV) defeated Molly Conley / Kylie Houston lost 2-6, 1-6. 

2 doubles:  Lilli Eaton / Carli Richard (Roch) defeated Bri Feldman / Kaydence Shepherd 7-6 (9-7 tiebreaker), 6-2. 

If you're a pitcher named Spin you're already in the conversation for an All-Name team.  It's even better if you're playing like Caston's Joey Spin.

Spin pitched five innings,struck out eight and gave up just one hit in a 16-0 win over Culver.

Spin added two hits for a Comet offense that scored six in the first and put up a seven spot in the fifth that put the game away. 

Caston stole 13 bases.

The Rochester Zebras scored three runs in the first and made it hold up in a 3-2 TRC baseball win over rival Tippecanoe Valley.

Tarick McGlothin went 2-for-3 with a run scored for Rochester (9-7, 2-2 TRC).  Kyle Reinartz was 1-for-3 with the Zebras only RBI and a run scored.

Reinartz went six innings with 12 strikeouts to record the win.  McGlothin worked the final inningfor the save.

Tippecanoe Valley's Braxton Davis had the Vikings (5-7, 1-2 TRC) only hit. 

Owen Kirchenstein took the loss.  He started and pitched five innings surrendering three runs, two of them earned.

Both teams left six men on base.

The second-ranked team in 1A softball will open postseason play in Sectional 52 at North Miami.

#2 Caston will play North White in an opening round game in the six-team field.  The winner will play either #15 Northfield or North Miami in the semifinals.

#7 West Central – Southwood is the other semifinal matchup.

Rivals Rochester and Tippecanoe Valley received first round byes in Sectional 37 at Wabash.  The Zebras and Vikiigs will play in one semifinal.

Wabash vs Lewis Cass and Whitko vs Manchester will determine the other semifinal.

379 high school baseball teams have been bracketed in sectionals for the 54^th IHSAA baseball tournament.

Rochester will play in 2A Sectional 37 at Wabash.  The Zebras opening round game will be against Lewis Cass.  The winner advances to the semifinals to play the winner of Wabash – #8 Carroll (Flora).

Whitko and Manchester will square off in the other semifinal.

Tippecanoe Valley is in the six-team field at Wawasee in 3A Sectional 21.  The Vikings first round game will against Jimtown.  The winner advances to the semifinals to play the winner of Lakeland – Wawasee.

West Noble – NorthWood is the other semifinal.

Caston will host a seven-team field in 1A Sectional 52.  The host Comets received a first round bye and will play the winner of #8 Southwood – Northfield.

West Central will play Pioneer and North White – North Miami will send winners to the other semifinal.

Sectionals begin May 26.

3-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser passed away Sunday.

Unser and his younger brother, Al, are the only pair of brothers to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”  Unser won the race in 1968, 1975 and 1981.  Al is one of only three 4-time winners with victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987.

Al’s son, Al Unser, Jr., won in 1992 and 1994.

Unser died at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He was 87.

Governor Eric Holcomb offered the following statement regarding the passing of Bobby Unser.

“The Unser name is synonymous with racing, and Bobby Unser carried that legacy proudly. Indiana loved watching him race and be a part of the largest single-day sporting event. He gave us some special moments at the Indianapolis 500. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Unser family today as they grieve the loss of an incredible man.”