Crothersville spring athletes honored at awards program

CROTHERSVILLE - Amber Lucas and Harley Hensley were named the top female and male athletes for the 2008-09 school year during Crothersville's spring sports awards program Thursday night in the school cafetorium.

"Both have done what it takes to be an athlete," CHS Principal David Schill said in presenting Lucas and Hensley with trophies.

Lucas will attend the University of Indianapolis on a volleyball scholarship, while Hensley plans to concentrate on his studies at Indiana State University this fall.

Both were members of their respective track teams for four years. Neither of them were able to compete in the Southern Athletic Conference meet this spring because of a class trip that week.

Both competed in sectionals, with Lucas qualifying for the regional in the high jump, while Hensley helped the 1,600 relay team place seventh after it was seeded 16th going into the sectional.

Hensley is also a member of the golf team this spring.

Lucas was named the most valuable member of the girls team this spring. She topped the team in points while competing in the sprints and high jump.

The girls track awards were presented by middle school coach Cheryl Nehrt since girls coach Andrew Nehrt was coaching a basketball game at Edinburgh.

Karlie Schoenfelder was named the most improved member of the track team.

Crothersville had two SAC champions, Courtney Killey in the high jump and Bailey Lundy in the shot put. The Lady Tigers were 10-6 in dual and triangular meets.

Boys track coach Carl Bowman said his team was short on numbers with seven team members, but he said he felt like the team had a lot of strong individual performances.

Bowman said a highlight for his team was finishing second in a triangular at the end of the season, and the 1,600 relay team finishing strong in the sectional.

Eric Prewitt was named most valuable member of the team.

"He did extremely well," Bowman said. "He finished fourth in the SAC in the 100 and 200."

Zach Elliott and Logan Oakes shared the most improved award.

Softball coach David Baker said his team will have some big shoes to fill next season, as it is losing five seniors.

One of the seniors, Veronica Rider, received the hitting award.

Baker said two freshmen did the pitching this spring.

"We started out pretty rough, but by the end of the season we showed a lot of improvement," he said.

Freshman Kelsey Hoskins received the pitching award.

The Tigers were winless this spring.

Assistant baseball coach Dan Hodge said the team had high hopes going into the season, but they won only one game, against Springs Valley.

Head coach Ryan Canada presented special awards, and Jared Richey received the pitching award and Cody Brasher the hitting award. Both are seniors.

Hodge said the seniors provided good leadership.

"The underclassmen can learn from the seniors," he said. "We've got to turn this around and that takes hard work. Next year we need to turn hope into reality."

Golf coach Marc Bowman said he was pleased with the improvement his team showed throughout the season. They are playing in the Bedford North Lawrence Sectional today.

Cameron Royalty was named the most valuable golfer, Chase Ackeret was named the most improved and Richey received a plaque for breaking the school record with a score of 42 at Westwood Golf Course in Scottsburg.

Varsity letter winners
Girls track: Amber Lucas, Denise Maxie, Karlie Schoenfelder, Ashleigh Allen, Courtney Killey, Kylie Hensley, Bailey Lundy, Courtney Luedeman, Kayla Barnett
Boys track: Harley Hensley, Zach Elliott, Corey Lewis, Logan Oakes, Aaron Wilp, Eric Prewitt, Thiago Fiuza
Softball: Trista Engle, Courtney Luedeman, Veronica Rider, Karly Wayt, Michele Spicer, Leigha Sawyer, Joey Needler, Lauren Tippin, Erica Lowe, Kaylyn Luedeman, Kelsey Hoskins, Sydney Robinett
Baseball: Cody Brasher, Jared Richey, Cameron Royalty, John Hunt, Thiago Fiuza, Tyler Tilford, Anthony Martin, Kyle Davis, Richie Whipple, Chris Walker, Mickey Nichols, Jared Davis
Golf: Jared Richey, Harley Hensley, Dillon Maxie, Chase Ackeret, Corey Lewis, Cameron Royalty, Darin Briner, Logan Isenhower
Middle school track
(Special honors)
Girls
Record: 5-9
Most improved, Wendy Collman; most valuable, Chandler Nehrt; SAC champion, Nehrt (hurdles)
Boys
Record: 11-3, second in SAC
Most improved, Gene Hodge, Ean Lakins; most valuable, Jarrod Royalty; SAC champion, Royalty (hurdles, 200, long jump)