Volume 2, No. 15 ● “One (Sports) Nation Under God” ● April 3, 2012

LOCAL SPORTS IN YOUR INBOX E-mail: [email protected] 2 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL | April 3, 2012

Named Second Best New Business By The Kokomo Tribune!

A NEW KNIGHT AND DON’T MISS Eastern’s Blake Thomas signs 7-8 UK and Collegiate Update 3 with Marian University 13 Need to Know 16 Will Power wins at IndyCar at Barber CAREER DAY 17 NASCAR announces all-star changes Western grad Sam Hemming 6 comes swinging for IWU 18 Fun & Games 19 The Dean’s List

WEEK IN PICTURES A CLASS DEBATE High school baseball and track IHSAA to hold town hall 9 are featured 11 meetings on class hoops

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Sports Journal of Central Indiana is published weekly by Hockney (Photo by TOM BIRCH) Publishing Company, Post Office Box 1145, Kokomo, Indiana 46903. Copyright © 2012 by the Sports Journal of Central Indiana A Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

3 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012

Blake Thomas signs his letter-of-intent to play football for head coach Ted Karras Jr.

at Marian University. DEAN HOCKNEY SJ Photo: Photo: SJ

Eastern’s Blake Thomas signs to play football at Marian University

STORY BY DEAN HOCKNEY

or the second time in two months, mem- But it wasn’t necessarily his weight room num- bers of Josh Edwards’ Eastern High bers that caught the eye of Marian football F School football team gathered to watch coach Ted Karras Jr. It might have been the one of their own make a college declaration. On 1,082 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns he March 28, Blake Thomas signed on the dotted posted during his senior season for the Comets. line to attend Marian University in Indianapolis Or maybe it was the 25 catches for 503 yards just 56 days after Josiah Price signed to play at and six receiving touchdowns. Or just maybe, Michigan State University. Thomas caught the eye or recruiters by return- ing three kickoffs for touchdowns and scoring “It is a good time for our program and a great one more time on a special teams play. Whatev- time for Blake,” said Edwards, moments after er the case, Thomas will dress for the Knights Thomas signed his letter-of-intent. “Blake is very next season and he plans on earning playing gifted. His genetics and his body adapts well to time as a freshman. training. When you see him in the weight room he is the one putting up very impressive num- “They want to see me at running back and re- bers – especially for a kid his size.” turns,” said Thomas. “I definitely want to get 4 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 some playing time.”

Edwards said one of the attributes that Thomas will bring to the Knights is his work ethic and de- sire to win. Thomas was part of a senior class BIRCHTOM that went 1-9 their freshman year but finished 7-

3 this year – one win short of a Mid-Indiana Con- SJ Photo: Photo: SJ ference title. With 18 wins, Thomas, Price and the current crop of seniors posted the best four- year span since the Comet senior class of 2003.

“He was a tremendous work ethic in the off- season and he understands that as far as him being a success – not just as an athlete but as a person – he will have to commit himself to the books and following the guidelines of the coach- ing staff,” said Edwards, who had one win in his first two Comet seasons, but with the help of Thomas, has 17 in the past three. “He has done that here at the high school and I am sure he will carry that with him to Marian.”

Edwards noted that Thomas gave up so he could concentrate on off-season workouts, which is a big factor in his earning a college scholarship in football. Thomas said he could tell From 2011, Eastern’s Blake Thomas leaves an a difference once he stopped pulling on the Oak Hill defender on the ground. 5 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 wrestling singlet. one year after finishing No. 7 in the final regular season poll. “Being able to train throughout the winter al- lowed me to bulk up a lot and get stronger,” he “Definitely, the chance to play for an NAIA na- said. “I could tell when I came into track that the tional championship is a reason I chose Marian. speed I gained as a junior would be great in foot- I wanted a place that was competitive,” said ball.” Thomas, who will study business. “And the cam- Marian has a strong foot- pus is just really friendly. ball program under Karras, Everyone knows every- and that is one of the rea- body and gets along. But sons Thomas chose the it really was the chance to play for a national Knights. The Marian football program was start- title.” ed by Karras in 2007. In five short seasons he has built an empire that has an overall record of Who knows, with any luck Greentown will watch 36-22, including a 12-1 2011 season in which Thomas play for an NAIA national championship the Knights were MSFA Mideast League cham- on the CBS Sports Network at about the same pions and NAIA Football Championship Series time Price is playing in a Bowl Championship national semi-finalists. They finished the 2011 Series game. It sure is a good time to be a Com- regular season as the No. 1-ranked NAIA squad, et fan. 6 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012

ARION, Ind. - Freshman leftfielder and 2011 "Wind was tough today and that made it difficult to pitch," Western High School graduate Sam Hemming said Babinski. "Abbie Forman threw well and I can't justify M did all she could on March 30 to help keep the all the runs she gave up other than the ball fell sometimes Indiana Wesleyan University win streak alive. and we didn't make some plays at times."

Hemming smashed four home runs in the doubleheader Game two was Hemming's second straight career-game. but Indiana Wesleyan lost 9-8 in the nightcap to Corner- The freshman was 2-for-3 with a walk, four RBIs, and stone (Mich.) University to see the impressive win streak three runs scored. Hemming a solo blast in the seventh stopped at 17 wins in a row. IWU did earn one last win in to bring Indiana Wesleyan within one at 9-8. the day's first game as Indiana Wesleyan out-slugged Cor- nerstone 12-11. Indiana Wesleyan (23-5) gained a 3-1 lead after the first but Cornerstone responded with six in the second to lead Hemming finished the day with a combined line of 4-of-6 7-3. It was a lead that Indiana Wesleyan could never re- with four home runs, two walks, eight RBIs, and five runs cover from. scored. Hemming began the day with one career "Weather was bad," added Babinski. "I think the wind home . changed three different times. It was blowing straight out to center to begin the "Sam Hemming went day, then changed from unconscious today," right to left, and then said Indiana Wesleyan ended blowing straight in head coach Steve Ba- over the last five binski. "She was swing- when of course we were ing the bat with a ton of down 7-3." confidence and was looking for pitches she The Wildcats scored two runs in the third to narrow the could extend through. deficit to 7-5 but gave those two runs back to the Golden She laid off some pitch- Eagles when they scored runs in the fifth and sixth es she normally would innings. IWU plated a pair of runs in the sixth on a go after and only swung Katie Smith single. She was credited one RBI and the se- at pitches she knew she could hit on a button." cond run scored on the play after a wild throw in the infield to make it a 9-7 game. Hemming's would cap Game one featured a combined 23 runs on 31 hits. The the scoring in the seventh as IWU fell just one run shy. teams also combined for five home runs, two doubles and a as took a beating. Sam Hemming and Katie Smith accounted for most of the Indiana Wesleyan offense in the game with four of the six Sam Hemming had a career-best game as she went 2-for- hits. Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. 3 with two home runs, four RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. Her home runs in the first and third innings helped (Courtesy of Kyle Schmidt, Indiana Wesleyan University) Indiana Wesleyan build an 8-5 lead after three innings.

7 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012

EXINGTON, Ky. - For the first time in school his- tory, Western High School graduate Matt Reida and his University of Kentucky baseball team have soared to a No. 1 national ranking, as Col- Llegiate Baseball tabbed the blistering-hot Wildcats as the top-ranked team in the NCAA in its weekly poll, it was an-

nounced on Monday afternoon. DEAN HOCKNEY

UK’s No. 1 national ranking marks a first in program histo- ry, as UK had ascended as high as No. 2 in the Collegiate Baseball poll for a week in 2008 and for the last two Photo: SJ weeks in 2012. The Collegiate Baseball Newspaper top- 30 weekly poll is the oldest in the nation and dates back to 1957.

“It is a honor to be ranked No. 1 but no one gives out re- gional bids for where you are ranked on April 2,” UK head coach Gary Henderson said. “We are just three weekends into the toughest 10-week grind in college baseball and our guys have really en- Western graduate Matt Reida is shown during joyed competing. We have a lot of things to im- a Kentucky game last year. prove on and can’t wait to get out to Cliff Hagan on second-best in the history of the program. Through Wednesday for a five- their first six tilts with teams ranked in the top 25, the game homestand.” Wildcats own a 5-1 mark. After Sunday’s games, the Wildcats now sit alone atop the SEC standings, just Reida, Kentucky’s starting three weeks into the grueling 10-week slate. shortstop, is batting .265 and has ripped 27 hits for UK’s series win at Foley Field and 26-run output over the top-ranked Wildcats. Georgia came against a strong team that entered the He has five doubles and 12 RBIs during his sophomore series leading the SEC in ERA (2.75), with the Bulldogs season - and he is one of four Wildcats to have played in facing No. 5 UCLA, Tennessee and Vanderbilt over the all 29 games this spring. last three weekends. After the weekend series, UGA’s team ERA dropped to 3.36 from the league-leading 2.75, UK’s ranking last week by Baseball America (No. 10), also eighth in the league. The Wildcats belted six homers in marked its highest ranking in that poll in program annals, the series and now lead the SEC in average (.325), on- with its No. 8 ranking on Monday the new program record. base percentage (.421), runs (228), hits (323), RBI (208), Last week, UK was also ranked No. 7 by USA Today/ doubles (60) and hit batters (57). ESPN and No. 10 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. UK moved up to No. 4 in the USA Earlier on Monday, centerfielder Austin Cousino was Today/ESPN coaches’ poll on Monday, with the NCBWA named SEC Freshman of the Week, after hitting .375 (6- poll released late Monday afternoon. for-16) during a four-game week, with three homers and nine RBI. Cousino has homered in four of his last five Kentucky (27-2, 7-2 Southeastern Conference) is off to the games, reaching base safely in 27 of his 28 career best start to a season in the over 100-year history of the games. program, leading the NCAA in wins and sitting alone atop the SEC standings. UK has won all three of its league The Wildcats will put its school-record 19-game home win- slate, including road series wins at No. 18 Georgia and ning streak on the line against Dayton in a midweek tilt Tennessee, in addition to a series sweep over No. 2 South Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET. UK will then host No. 10 Ole Carolina, the two-time defending NCAA champions, to Miss in a three-game series, with the Rebels fresh off a open SEC play. series win over consensus No. 1 Florida.

UK won its series in Athens, Ga., for the first time since (Compiled by the University of Kentucky and the Sports the 2000 season, with its start to conference play ranking Journal staff) 8 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012

A look at Howard County student-athletes playing collegiately

#35 MATT BRANKLE Brankle has had a great start for Earlham, posting a 2-1 record and a 3.86 ERA in Earlham College five games started. Through March 27, his two wins are tied for second best on the Freshman team and he has one of the team’s two

Taylor High School complete games. He has thrown for a team high 30.1 innings and 41 (nearly the second highest on the squad). In addition, teams are batting just .193 off Brankle.

TYLOR GAUGER Gauger swam for the Big East Conference champion Fighting Irish, who upset No. 9 University of Notre Dame Louisville to claim the title. He was select- Swimmer - IM and Fly ed to swim in the 200 butterfly, 200 inter- Junior mediate and 400 intermediate at the con-

Kokomo High School ference meet. At the Iowa Invitational Meet, he scored a platform finish in the 5-7, 142 pounds 200 IM with a time of 1:54.37.

#21 KAYLA DRAKE Unfortunately for Drake, she suffered a season-ending injury on Jan 14 during a University of St. Francis game with NAIA nationally ranked Grace Guard College. At the time of her injury, she was Junior averaging a team-high 19 points per game

Kokomo High School and was connecting on more than 37- percent of her 3-point attempts. In addi- 5-3 tion, she averaged 4.9 rebounds, 4.0 as- sists and nearly four steals per game. 9 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 boys VARSITY MARCH 29, 2012 TRACK & FIELD 73 59 Northwestern’s Brandon Curry appears to be running away from the competition while win- ning the 100-meter hurdles.

SJ Photos: TOM BIRCH

Western’s Braedon Cannon won the 300 high Western’s Jacob Bradshaw leads the way in hurdles. the 800-meter run. 10 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 boys VARSITY MARCH 29, 2012 BASEBALL 2 0 Kokomo’s Parker Sanburn is called out on a bang-bang call as Taylor Cole Acord makes the play.

Taylor’s Korey Sexton is hit by a pitch in the first inning against Kokomo.

SJ Photos: DEAN HOCKNEY Wildkat Channing Webster puts down a .

Kokomo Eli Grimes fires to first base for the out in a win against Class 2A No. 2 Taylor. 11 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 IHSAA announces Town Hall’s

HSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox and State Sen- gered three-year terms. The Board of Directors ator Mike Delph, R-Carmel, announced a series meets annually with the responsibility of establishing I of town meetings which will allow Hoosier citi- the Association’s rules and regulations. zens an opportunity to voice their opinions on the topic of the old single class tournament On April 29, 1996, the IHSAA Board of Directors ap- and the current multiple class format. proved by a 12-5 vote a proposal from the Class Sports Study Committee which recommended multi- The Commissioner and Senator will travel to 11 dif- ple class tournament formats in the sports of boys ferent high schools around the state over the next basketball, girls basketball, boys soccer, girls soccer, several weeks to interact with fellow citizens begin- baseball, softball and with a maximum of ning Tuesday, April 10, at Fort Wayne Northrop High four classes. Implementation of the new formats be- School. gan with the 1997-98 school year with the exception of soccer. Individuals will be allowed two minutes each to voice their opinions, and a straw poll will be taken at each The vote prompted the first referendum of school meeting. Member principals in IHSAA histo- school principals, athlet- ry in September 1996, ic directors as well as IHSAA TOWN HALL MEETING SCHEDULE and the membership up- boys and girls basket- held the action by a 220- ball coaches at those Apr. 10 Fort Wayne Northrop HS 7 p.m. 157 count. schools will be able to Apr. 16 Vincennes Lincoln HS 7 p.m. share their views elec- On May 3, 1999, as man- tronically with the IH- Apr. 17 Plainfield HS 7 p.m. dated by the original vote SAA. in 1996 that implemented Apr. 23 Seymour HS 7 p.m. the multiple-class format, “While the IHSAA is a Apr. 24 Pendleton Heights HS 7 p.m. the Board reviewed the private, non-for-profit initiative and rejected by a membership organiza- Apr. 25 Merrillville HS 7 p.m. vote of 13-5 a motion to tion with elected repre- May 1 Milan HS 7 p.m. return to a single-class sentation, I feel it is im- tournament in those portant for our organiza- May 8 Plymouth HS 7 p.m. sports. The Board had the tion to listen to the opin- May 10 Marion HS 7 p.m. option of retaining a multi- ions of the general pub- ple-class format, returning lic in an effort to clearly May 16 Connersville HS 7 p.m. to a single-class format or communicate those May 24 Gary Roosevelt HS 7 p.m. approving a hybrid of the sentiments to our mem- two formats. ber schools,” said Cox. “The principals within our 408 member schools rely In November 2005, Com- on the Association for current and relevant data to missioner Blake Ress conducted a survey of the IH- equip them to make informed decisions regarding SAA membership in response to a non-binding Indi- education-based athletics within our state. I look for- ana House resolution asking the IHSAA to stage a ward to travelling the state with Senator Delph and single class basketball tournament. Results present- visiting with Hoosiers during the next two months.” ed at the January 2006 meeting of the IHSAA Exec- utive Committee show that 341 of the 400 member History of the multi-class basketball era schools responded to the survey with just 10.6- percent (36 yes, 305 no) favoring the addition of a The IHSAA is governed by its legislative body, the single-class basketball tournament. Board of Directors. Composed of 19 members who are elected by member school principals from three (Courtesy of the IHSAA) IHSAA legislative districts, the directors serve stag- 12 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 Reggie Miller headed to Hoops Hall

INDIANAPOLIS – Reggie Miller, the Indiana “We’re very happy as an organization to have Pacers’ all-time leading scorer who played all 18 one of our own make the Hall of Fame,” said of his NBA seasons with the team, was named Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Monday to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Bird. “Reggie’s career speaks for itself, but he during a press conference in New ranks at the top with any player at Orleans, La. making end-of-game shots. I was fortunate enough to see it first-hand Miller scored 25,279 points in his ca- as a coach and his ability and lead- reer and up until last season, was the ership helped drive this franchise to NBA’s all-time leader in 3-point field another level. I know he’s happy to goals made with 2,560. He is also be put in a class with all of the elite regarded as one of basketball’s all- players. It’s a great honor.” time great clutch shooters, particular- ly during the playoffs where his hero- “He’s a Hall of Fame player, flat-out,” ics with the Pacers have been well- said former Pacers President Donnie documented, including eight points in 8.9 se- Walsh, who drafted Miller out of UCLA with the conds during a playoff game against the New team’s first-round pick (11th overall) in the 1987 York Knicks. He is in the Pacers’ top 10 in 13 NBA Draft. “He has had a Hall of Fame career positive statistical categories. He is a five-time and I’m very happy for him. I thought he was go- NBA All-Star. ing to be a very good player, but what you couldn’t predict was Reggie became a great “t’s a humbling experience, obviously,” Miller player because he could rise to the occasion said during the press conference. “To be part of and hit shots in the most crucial times of games. this exclusive club is special. It’s a proud day for He was able to elevate everyone around him me. It’s special for me. I get a chance to join because of how hard he worked and how he Cheryl, the first brother-sister act in the Hall of could win the game at the end. It’s a great day Fame. She was a role model.” for the Pacers that they are getting two guys into the Hall of Fame.” Miller joins former Pacers player Mel Daniels in this year’s class. Daniels earlier this year was “It’s much deserved and I’m thrilled for him,” voted in by the Hall’s ABA committee. “I’m hon- said Pacers’ Owner Herb Simon. “It makes us all ored because I’m the second Indiana Pacer be- proud of what he accomplished for the Pacers.” hind the No. 1 Pacer,” said Miller. (Courtesy of the ) 13 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012

Girls basketball: MVP – Anastacia Kirby; Most Improved – entire Lady Kats team; Mental Atti- Need to Know tude – Bri Poe; Defensive Award – Arienne Beard; Total Wildkat Award – Jordan Johnson; Jesse Dunn Lady Kat Leadership Award – Lisa (Do you have an upcoming event or recent re- Hopkins and Stacia Fletcher; All-NCC First sults that you would like to see on the Need to Team – Anastacia Kirby; All-NCC Second Team Know pages? If so, send the information to edi- – Jordan Johnson. [email protected] and we will do our best to publicize it.) Wrestling: MVP – Jesse Goodnight; Most Im- proved – Chad Gaddis; Mental Attitude – Blake PRICE BREAKS 51 YEAR-OLD EHS RECORD Brutus and Trenton Lewis; All-NCC – Bo Butler, Cameron Colby, Jesse Goodnight, Andrew Led- Days after setting the ford and Fletcher Miller; NCC All-Academic school shot put record, Team – Blake Brutus, Cameron Colby and Bran- Eastern’s Josiah Price don Minton. broke his own record with a throw of 52 feet, 5 inch- Boys : MVP – Bryan Parks and Ting es. Two days earlier, Zhou; Most Improved – Chase Jackson; Mental Price broke a 51-year Attitude – Blake Brookshire; NCC All-Academic Comet record with a throw – Pat Cole, Luke Johnson, Matt Scharenbroch of 50-11.75. The previous and Ting Zhou. mark of 50-10.25 was set by Art Hammond in 1951.

WILDKATS NAME AWARD WINNERS

Kokomo High School Athletic Director Jason Snyder recently announced the winners of the Wildkats winter sports season awards.

Boys basketball: MVP – D.J. Balentine; Most Improved – Erik Bowen and Tayler Persons; Mental Attitude – Jalen Tinder; Defensive Award – Armon Bridgeforth; Wildkat Hustle Award – LaBradford Sebree; All-North Central Confer- ence First Team – D.J. Balentine; All-NCC Se- cond Team – LaBradford Sebree and Tayler Persons. 14 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 Girls swimming: MVP – Jenna Gilbert; Most Improved – Katie Harbaugh; Mental Attitude – Alyson Rohfling; All-NCC – Jenna Gilbert; NCC All-Academic – Jenna Gilbert, Stephanie Droll () and Taylor Gregory (manager). Tweets and ReTweets that you HOLES IN ONE may have missed from the Sports Journal last week. At the Kokomo Country Club, Robert Lutz hit a hole in one on the 180-yard second hole using I thought about dimming my electricity for an 8-iron. Witnessing the shot were Mark Mar- #EarthHour but the #NCAA Final Four was shall, Carmen Christianson and Rob Lutz. on. Poor timing. #MarchMadness

At Rice’s Course, David Miller aced the 70- If Kentucky would have shot free throws yard 11th hole using a 9-iron. Witnessing the shot last weekend like they are tonight, we would were Phillip Miller and Gracie Gish. be watching the Hoosiers right now. #IUBB #GoBigRed WESTERN SUMMER SWIM TEAM @adidasUSPRGuy says the Louisville uni- Western High School swim coach Brad Bennett forms are Infrared. I am not buying it - they will offer the Summer Swim Team program once look orange on television. again this year. For high school and middle school-age swimmers, practice begins May 7 @IWUWildcats freshman and and sessions are from 2:50 to 3:50 p.m. For Ele- @WHSSportsPage graduate Sam Hemming mentary-age swimmers, practices begin May 7 slugged FOUR home runs in today's IWU and sessions are from 4 to 4:50 p.m. softball double-header. Way to go, Sam!

On the Summer Swim Team calendar, dates of @INGovernor If anyone deserves an award note include: Practice meet, May 17 during nor- from you, it is the Henryville bus driver who mal practice time; swim meet at Lewis Cass on got her kids off the bus before the twister hit June 7 at 6 p.m.; Last practice party for all it! teams, 10 to 11 a.m. on June 14; and a swim meet at Clinton Central on June 14 at 5:30 p.m. RT @IHSAA1: "Hoosiers for Henryville" Project Raises More Than $32,000! Thank The Western Summer Swim Team cost is $60 you, Indiana! #ihsaa http://mbcurl.me/4SW for swimmers of all ages. For those with more than one swimmer in the family, the cost is a flat Is it fair to ban players and a team from $100 fee. For more information, contact Coach 2013 #NCAA tourney for academic failure Bennett at 883-5541 Ext. 4056, or via email at in 2010-11 when those players are long gone? #UConn

Gotta give it up for the NAIA player taking down the #NCAA D1 high fliers in the dunk contest. Heck, I had to Google Martin Meth- odist.

@Sports_Journal 15 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 [email protected]. April 28: 2nd Annual Run, Walk, & Roll 5K to benefit Bona Vista. Registration will take place KOKOMO SUMMER DISTANCE CAMP from 6:30-8 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. at Kokomo’s UAW Local 292 at 1201 Alto Road. The 42nd Annual Koko- mo Summer Distance May 5: OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Camp will take place in Indianapolis. Note, this event is sold out. over five Tuesdays from June 19 through May 12: Norris Insur- July 24. The cost is $30 ance 4 mile run and 3 (includes T-shirt), or $7 mile walk. Registration per session, and will will take place from take place at the Kokomo High School’s Walter 6:30-7:30 a.m. and the Cross Field. Distance coaches will be available race begins at 8 a.m. during these sessions, including Indiana All-Star at Jackson-Morrow and KHS cross-country and track distance Park in Kokomo. coach Ricke Stucker. Ribbons will be awarded at each session to top performers, and plaques May 19: MCF Prison will be given to winners at the conclusion of the Breakout 5K Run in camp. Male and female age groups include 10 Bunker Hill. Registra- and under, 11-13 years-old, 14-19 years old and tion will take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. and the open. For more information contact Ricke Stuck- race begins at 9 a.m. at the Pipe Creek Depart- er at [email protected]. ment, 339 Pearl St.

UPCOMING RUNNING EVENTS May 26: 17th Composer Classic 5K race begins at 8 a.m. at Kokomo’s Highland Park. April 7: Club Kokomo's Ultimate Road Race, 10 mile hilly run, 5 mile run, 5 mile walk. The event HOWARD COUNTY FREE PHYSICALS starts at Tierney Warehouse at 1401 W. Cliff Drive in Logansport. Registration begins at 8 Once again, the five Howard County school cor- a.m. and the race kicks off at 9 a.m. For more porations will team for the annual free physical information, visit www.ckrr.in.us. night at Kokomo High School. This year’s event will take place on May 9 for student-athletes April 28: 4th Annual Oh Baby Run 5K Run at presently enrolled in grades 8 through 11 at Ko- Riverside Park in Logansport. Registration from komo, Northwestern, Eastern, Taylor and West- 8:30-9:45 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m. ern. For more information, contact a school ath- letic office. www.indianasportsjournal.com Twitter: @Sports_Journal 16 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 Will Power races to win at Barber

IRMINGHAM, Ala. - On April 1, Will Power points lead by finishing second. Saavedra is eight held off Scott Dixon on a restart with 16 points behind heading to the street course race at laps left to win the Honda Indy Grand Prix Long Beach on April 15. of Alabama for the second year in a row. B Esteban Guerrieri, who started fourth in the No. 11 Dixon, who was 3.3709 seconds behind in the No. 9 Pistas Argentinas/Sam Schmidt Motorsports car, ad- Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, has the distinction vanced to claim a podium finish. of being the race runner-up all three years (twice to Power and in the inaugural race to Helio Castrone- GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA POST-RACE NOTES ves). He broke a tie with teammate Dario Franchitti with 27 second-place finishes on the all-time list and  Will Power won the Honda Indy Grand Prix of is one behind Castroneves. Alabama for the second straight season after starting ninth. It is Power's 16th career Indy car "Yeah that was an awesome race,” said Power. “Tim victory and his first victory of 2012. Power has Cindric kept putting me in such a good position so never finished outside of the top-four in three we could use our speed. That last restart was kind of starts at the track. hairy. I knew Scott (Dixon) was going to be really quick and hounded me for a couple laps there. It's  Team Penske remains the only team to win an good to get the Verizon 12 car in victory lane with a IZOD IndyCar Series race at Barber Motorsports Chevy engine. It was awesome. “ Park. It has won the last two years with Will Pow- er and in 2010 with Helio Castroneves. Power also commented on how vital his pit crew was to the road course race victory.  Scott Dixon finished second for the second con- secutive week. It is Dixon's third consecutive run- “(My crew was) on the money today,” he said. ner-up finish at Barber “Without these guys, there's no way we could have won today."  Dixon clinched the two bonus points for the most laps led for the second week in a row. Castroneves, the pole sitter, finished third to maintain the points lead in the young season and continue his GRAND MARSHALL BART STARR resurgence after a disappointing 2011 season. He held off Graham Rahal in the No. 38 Service Chip Pro Football Hall of Famer Bart Starr was the grand Ganassi Racing car by 0.2245 of a second. marshal of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and waved the green flag to start the race. Simon Pagenaud finished fifth and James Hinchcliffe was sixth after starting on the front row for the first "It was quite a thrill to be in that flagstand," the Ala- time in his IZOD IndyCar Series career. Mike Con- bama native said. "It was unique." way, who provided A.J. Foyt Racing its best non-oval starting position (fourth) since 2007, finished sev- Before the pre-race festivities, Starr met with four- enth. time Indianapolis 500 winner and IZOD IndyCar Se- ries team owner A.J. Foyt. Starr won the Super Bowl Also on April 1, Sebastian Saavedra outpaced the 15 with the Green Bay Packers in 1967 and Foyt won -car field in efficient manner in the 40-lap Grand Prix the Indy 500 three months later. of Alabama. It was the fourth victory in the series for Saavedra, driving the No. 27 Team AFS car, and first (Courtesy of the IndyCar Series) this season.

Tristan Vautier, driving the No. 77 Mazda Road to Indy/Sam Schmidt Motorsports car and the race win- ner at St. Pete, retained the series championship @IndyCar 17 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 New NASCAR All-Star race format

AYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 28th running of or 2012 season through May 12 or any past champions of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will provide the all-star event or NASCAR Sprint Cup Series over the some additional incentive for drivers to win previous 10 years are eligible for the race. In addition, the D one of the four segments heading into the final top-two finishers in the Sprint Showdown, a 40-lap prelimi- 10-lap shootout, as the emphasis on winning and pit road nary race scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the winner of the strategy have never been more prevalent in this special Sprint Fan Vote, all advance into the all-star race lineup. night of NASCAR star-studded competition. Through the annual Sprint Fan Vote, under way now, fans can again Fans can vote by using the NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile cast ballots for their favorite eligible driver. The driver re- Android™ application on their Sprint phone, or by texting ceiving the highest number of votes will earn a spot in the “VOTE” to 229466 on any wireless carrier (standard text field. messaging and data rates apply). Voting is also open at NASCAR.com/AllStar or by visiting the Sprint Experience, The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race set for Saturday, May located in the midway at all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 19 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (SPEED, 7 p.m.), will races. Voting will continue until 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday, consist of four 20-lap segments, concluding with a 10-lap May 19. As an added customer benefit, votes submitted sprint and a $1 million payout to the race winner. This from a Sprint, Boost, Nextel or Virgin Mobile device count year’s format will place a higher premium for drivers who double toward an individual driver’s total. win one of the four segments, however, as the winners of the first four segments will move to the front of the field Individual tickets for the May 19 NASCAR Sprint All-Star and line up 1-4 prior to the field coming to pit road for the Race and Blake Shelton pre-race concert presented by final mandatory pit stop. Target are on sale now starting at just $39. Fans can also purchase an All-Star Four-Pack for just $99. Tickets can When the drivers come down pit road, crew chiefs will be obtained online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com have to decide on their best pit strategy, as multiple sce- or by calling Charlotte Motor Speedway at 1-800-455- narios will unfold. The team that makes the best call, com- FANS. bined with the optimum per- The eighth annual NAS- formance on CAR Sprint Pit Crew Chal- pit road, is lenge returns to kick off likely to be in the all-star week’s compe- the driver’s tition, Thursday, May 17 at seat for the 7 p.m. at the Time Warner final 10 laps Cable Arena. The event’s of competi- finishing order determines tion. Wherev- pit selection for the NAS- er the drivers CAR Sprint All-Star Race. are positioned The No. 11 FedEx Toyota as they come team is the defending Pit off pit road Crew Challenge champi- after that pit on. Tickets for the NAS- stop is where CAR Sprint Pit Crew Chal- they will line lenge start at $15 and can up to start the final 10-lap segment. be purchased online at www.pitcrewchallenge.com or by calling the Charlotte Bobcats ticket office at 800-745- “This new addition to the format is going to provide even 3000. greater incentive for the drivers to go all out to win one of the four segments,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice Drivers currently eligible for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint All- president of competition. “It also puts even more focus on Star Race (as of March 27) include: Marcos Ambrose, the pit crews and how they perform during that final pit Trevor Bayne, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Carl stop. The team aspect of the sport will be highlighted more Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jim- than ever and it helps set the stage for an exciting race mie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Kese- and an exciting evening for the fans.” lowski, Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Ryan Newman, David Ragan, Regan Smith and Tony Stewart. The eligibility standards for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race remain the same: race winners from either the 2011 (Courtesy of NASCAR) 18 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 Fun & Games Guess Who ??? Sports Trivia

Let’s see how well you know Kokomo baseball leg-

end : 1. In what city was Tom Underwood born? 2. In what year and for what team did Tom Under- wood break into the major leagues? 3. What was the last team Tom Underwood

pitched for in the major leagues? DOUGLAS HOCKNEY DOUGLAS 4. How many major league games did Tom Under- wood pitch in? 5. How many divisional championship teams did Tom Underwood pitch for?

SJ Original SJ Artwork: 6. How many innings did Tom underwood pitch in his major league career? Answers can be found on the Sports Journal of Central Indiana website: www.indianasportsjournal.com.

It took three tiles to declare a winner, and Chuck McCoskey will forever be remembered for his correct guess of former major leaguer and Kokomo High “For 10 years I saw the entire U.S. School graduate Tom Underwood. The local baseball legend passed away in November 2010. for free and had five months vaca- Chuck wasn’t the only correct guess this week but we tion. I wish I could have played drew his name at random and he takes home a prize pack from the Sports Journal. the game longer.” A new puzzle will appear in the next edition of the Sports Journal, so be ready to guess and win a prize Tom Underwood pack of goodies. Former MLB player as told to the Kokomo Tribune 19 | SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA | April 3, 2012 Here comes the baseball season

he flowers are starting to bloom, trees are budding, The and I can finally hear the chants of “hey batter, bat- ter” rolling up the hill to my house from UCT Park. Dean’s TYes, spring is here and baseball is about to get into full By Dean W. Hockney swing. So let me sound off on some thoughts on spring List time and the coming baseball season. Sports Journal Publisher

April Fools’ Day and they could still show the tape delay for the casual fan to watch later. Seriously, it is the first two games of the Yes, April Fools’ Day was last Sunday, and thankfully, I season and you would think Commissioner Selig and his was not pranked this year. But I did stumble across a staff would want the game seen live. It just seems like a great one put on by Google and NASCAR. The following bad marketing ploy to me. is from NASCAR’s public relations team. Reds Opening Day NASCAR and Google confirmed what many expected throughout the morning (on April 1) – the two companies My beloved traditionally have opened the working together to bring autonomous vehicle technology major league season with the first game of the year. But in to NASCAR race cars was Google’s very popular, annual recent years, mostly due to huge television contracts, they April Fools’ Day joke. have been knocked back to day two as at least one game is played the night before. This year, MLB scheduled the The collaboration highlights an evolving relationship be- Reds to open on the third day of the season (not including tween the two organizations that currently has them ex- the games in Japan). ploring possible business and technology opportunities in the future. One prime example of that collaboration lies in Thankfully, an outcry from Cincinnati had MLB change its the recently created and launched NASCAR YouTube minds and move the Reds to day two. But still, baseball is Channel. built on tradition – which is why we still talk about Babe Ruth, the Cubs curse, historical statistics, and the use of “We have the best drivers in the world and would never the designated hitter. Why can’t they keep with the tradi- consider replacing them despite any technological ad- tion and allow the Reds to play the first game of Opening vancement,” said Brian France, chairman and CEO of Day in ? After all, the Reds are the NASCAR. “With that being said, technology is one of the first all- team – how much more his- most important sectors for the future of our sport, and tory and tradition can you get? we’re excited about our conversations with Google as we continuously explore ways to improve the fan experience Middle school baseball launches in Kokomo and expose NASCAR racing to new audiences.” For the first time, Kokomo High School baseball coach I am glad to see these two behemoth companies can have Tim Weeks and his staff have helped to form a middle a little fun with its followers and fans. school baseball program in Kokomo. While not officially a part of Kokomo-Center Schools, this program is located at Major League Baseball Kingsway Sports Academy and will have three teams in its inaugural season. The Monarchs, Kings and Royals will I am a huge baseball fan. I am such a big fan that I even play around 15 games from April 10 through May 30 took a baseball vacation to the East Coast to watch six against teams from Western, Northwestern, Taylor, Delphi games in six days at six different ball parks. But I was and Hamilton Heights. completely disgusted with MLB last week as I looked all over the television for the opening games in Japan be- This is an exciting first step and looks to be the way of the tween Seattle and Oakland. Guess what? They weren’t future as several other school systems and cities have televised live! Are you kidding me? The first two games of middle school programs. Hopefully, this program will suc- the year, and you can only see them on tape delay on the ceed and be a great lead-in to the normal Babe Ruth MLB Network. League and travel program summer schedule.

Okay, I understand that the games started in the middle of Until next time, remember to keep the man and ship in the night, but you would think the games would be live – sports – and I’ll see you at the game.