Crothersville honors fall sports athletes

CROTHERSVILLE — Crothersville volleyball players and cross country runners were honored Tuesday night when Crothersville Junior-Senior High School held its fall athletic awards program.

Assistant volleyball coach Kara Hunt presented the volleyball awards.

Jessica Wischmeier was scheduled to coach varsity this fall, but was only able to coach a few matches because of having back surgery.

Kylie Hensley received the serving and hitting awards for the varsity volleyball team.

“We only lose one senior, and she will be missed,” Hunt said of Hensley.

Kayla Barnett received the serve receive award.

“She is one of the best passers I saw all season,” Hunt said. “She hustles and doesn’t let balls hit the floor.”

Kaylyn Luedeman received the setting award and Chandler Nehrt received the mental attitude award.

“(Nehrt) does what you ask of her,” Hunt said, “She was at weights all summer.”

The junior varsity players were introduced and Jessica Schmelzle received the serving award and Lauren Barnes was awarded the serve reception trophy.

The varsity Tigers finished 7-19.

With the junior varsity posting a winning record and the varsity having most of its players back next year, Hunt said she is hopeful the Tigers can turn things around next fall and have a winning record.

“We had a lot of ups and downs, and the girls did a good job of playing through that,” Hunt said.

Carl Bowman said he had one of his most successful years in the 30 seasons he has coached cross country at the school.

“In positive things, we had quite a few at the varsity level and quite a few at the junior high,” he said.

The varsity boys finished fourth in the sectional to advance to the regional for the first time in 19 years.

Several invitationals were added to the schedule, and the boys won the Edinburgh Invitational and placed third at the Salem Invitational.

Zach Elliott broke the course record at Trinity Lutheran High School.

“We had three runners make all-conference, and that is the first time we’ve ever had that happen,” Bowman said.

Elliott placed second and Chase Ackeret placed seventh in the SAC boys race, while Courtney Killey finished seventh in the girls race.

Killey was named the Lady Tigers’ most valuable runner.

In addition to playing volleyball, Nehrt and Barnett ran cross country. Barnett received the mental attitude award and Nehrt was named the most improved runner.

Elliott was Crothersville’s first runner in all the races and was named most valuable.
Ackeret was named the most improved and Tony Martin was awarded the mental attitude award.

“Cross country is a tough sport, but we had a lot of fun.” Bowman said.

The junior high coaches introduced their teams and presented special awards.

Mackenzie Farmer was awarded the serving award and Morgan Muncy received the serve receive award for the sixth- and seventh-grade volleyball team.

Tara Bedwell received the serving award for the eighth-grade team, while Sam Spall received the serve receive award.

Tori Boltney was named the most improved runner on the girls cross country team, while Claudia Henry was named most valuable runner.

Michael Mains was named most improved runner for the boys, and Dakota McMahon was named most valuable.