Hoosiers Ready for Final Night at NCAA ChampionshipsÂ
 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 10-ranked Indiana women’s swimming and diving is all set for the final night of competition on Saturday (March 18) at the 2023 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships inside the Allan Jones Aquatic Center.
Indiana totaled four finalists from the preliminary session, three from swimming and one from diving. The Hoosiers will also have two swimmers in the 1,650-yard freestyle as well as the No. 11-seeded 400-yard freestyle relay.
Sophomore Skyler Liu was the second-best qualifier in the platform diving event as she looks to capture Indiana’s third straight title in the event after Tarrin Gilliland repeated as champion in 2021 and 2022. Liu tallied a 320.00 score in the afternoon, just 3.95 points behind the No. 1-seeded diver.
Sophomores Ching Hwee Gan and Mariah Denigan are set to compete in the 1,650 free. Gan, the No. 8 seed in the event, will swim in the sixth and final heat which will kick off the evening session at 6 p.m. ET. Denigan is entered in the fifth heat, which is slated to begin at 4:58 p.m.
Senior Noelle Peplowski improved her seed in her best event. As the No. 6 seed in the 200-yard breaststroke coming into the meet, Peplowski went 2:06.35 to capture the No. 3 seed in Saturday’s championship final. Peplowski’s 2:05.52 made her IU’s second-fastest woman in the event all-time, only behind Olympian Lilly King.
Sophomore Anna Peplowski is the top qualifier in the 200-yard backstroke after swimming a career-best 1:51.32. As the No. 25 seed coming into the 100-yard freestyle prelim, freshman Kristina Paegle swam a lifetime best 47.99 to qualify for the final spot in the consolation final; an improvement of nine seeds. Anna Peplowski and Paegle have each earned a team-best five All-America honors.
RESULTS
200 BACKSTROKE
- Anna Peplowski – 1:51.32 (Consolation Final, Career Best)
100 FREESTYLE
- Kristina Paegle – 47.99 (Consolation Final, Career Best)
- Ashley Turak – 48.59
200 BREASTSTROKE
- Noelle Peplowski – 2:06.35 (Championship Final)
- Mackenzie Looze – 2:09.78
- Brearna Crawford – 2:11.12
PLATFORM DIVING
- Skyler Liu – 320.00 (Championship Final)
- Anne Fowler – 241.65
HOOSIER ALL-AMERICANS
Elizabeth Broshears (200 Medley Relay*, 200 Freestyle Relay)
Ching Hwee Gan (800 Freestyle Relay, 500 Freestyle)
Anne Fowler (3-Meter)
Skyler Liu (3-Meter*, Platform)
Mackenzie Looze (800 Freestyle Relay, 400 IM*)
Kristina Paegle (200 Medley Relay*, 800 Freestyle Relay, 50 Freestyle*, 200 Freestyle Relay, 100 Freestyle*)
Anna Peplowski (200 Medley Relay*, 800 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke*)
Noelle Peplowski (200 Medley Relay*, 200 IM*, 100 Breaststroke*, 200 Breaststroke)
Ashley Turak (50 Freestyle*, 200 Freestyle Relay)
* – Denotes Honorable Mention
Â
UP NEXT
Saturday night is the final session of the 2023 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. IU will look to climb the leaderboard and seal a final team standing among the country’s top programs.
CELEBRATING OF JUDY HEUMANN
Judy Heumann was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. As the Mother of the Disability Rights Movement, she broke through and exposed societal and systemic barriers she faced in her own life while remaining consistently passionate about improving the lives of people with disabilities everywhere.
She understood that her story wasn’t the only story that needed attention, even though she personally faced being denied a classroom as a child or being discriminated against for a job. Her focus remained on empowering people with disabilities across the nation. Because of her work, essential disability legislation was passed, including Section 504 of the 1972 Rehabilitation Act which “forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services†(HHS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Heumann went on to lend her support and leadership to several disability organizations and initiatives, inspiring young people with disabilities to advocate for access and inclusion.
“Part of the problem is that we tend to think that equality is about treating everyone the same when it’s not. It’s about fairness. It’s about equity of access.†Judy Heumann
 |
| VIDEO: Easterseals reflects on Judy Heumann’s impact on disability advocacy. |
The progress that has been made in favor of disability rights would not have been possible without Judy Heumann. There is no question that her impact will be remembered for generations to come.
Read more on the Easterseals Blog: “In Celebration of Judy Heumannâ€
USI and EVSC partner for Academy of Future Educators Program
The University of Southern Indiana, in partnership with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), is offering a new program open to high school students in the Evansville and surrounding Tri-state area who are interested in pursuing careers in elementary education. The Academy of Future Educators is a half day program housed at Reitz High School and on the USI campus during students’ senior year.
High school students will have the opportunity to complete a minimum of 18 hours of college credit, complete their freshmen education coursework while still in high school, gain over 150 hours of classroom experience and could save more than $13,000 in college expenses. When they graduate from high school, students will have the opportunity for direct admission into the USI Teacher Education program.
The program comes as Indiana faces a teacher shortage. At the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, the Indiana Department of Education reported 1,700 open teaching positions, a downward trend of teachers entering the profession in the last decade and an uptick in current teachers leaving the profession.
Currently, EVSC teacher salary ranges from $41,500 to $80,500 for a 183-day contract, with benefit packages valued from $13,600 to $31,600. Teachers also benefit from more than 15 weeks of non-work time through the year and rewarding retirement benefits. Summer school employment opportunities and athletic coaching positions are also available for additional income.
USI will host an open house at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 5th at the Fuquay Welcome Center for parents and students to learn more about the Academy of Future Educators Program. To learn more and enroll, visit EVSCschools.com/FutureEdAcademy.
###
Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 9,200 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. The University offers study-abroad opportunities in more than 60 countries and hosts international students from around the globe. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. USI is online at USI.edu.Â
Nevel Meade Invitational up next for women’s golf
Tournament is to take place Sunday and Monday
 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – This weekend, the University of Evansville women’s golf team will be back on the course at the Nevel Meade Invitational in Prospect, Ky.
Nevel Meade Golf Club will be the host of the event with 36 holes set for Monday and the final 18 taking place on Tuesday. Play is set to begin with a 9 a.m. ET shotgun start.
A 13-team field for the event includes Cleveland State, Bowling Green, Bellarmine, Central Michigan, Dayton, Detroit Mercy, Eastern Illinois, Evansville, Indiana State, Oakland, Purdue Fort Wayne, Northern Kentucky, and Southern Indiana.
Last time out, the ladies came home in second place at the Bright Creek Intercollegiate. As a team, the Purple Aces shot a 308 in the final round to wrap up the 3-round event with a 947. Their score was just one behind Presbyterian College. Gardner-Webb took third with a 948.
Leading the way for UE was Kate Petrova. Her low score of the weekend saw her record a 2-over 74 to finish with a score of 232. She tied for fourth place. Allison Enchelmayer and Mallory Russell tied for the 7th spot with scores of 237. Enchelmayer had her low round of the tournament with a 76 on Sunday while Russell carded an 80.
Magdalena Borisova was the fourth UE player to earn a top 15 finish. Her 6-over 78 in the third round gave her a 242, which was good for a 12th place effort. Carly Frazier tied for 25th with a 256. Her third round finished at an 87. Destynie Sheridan recorded a score of 87 on Sunday to tie for 23rd as an individual.
Continuing to Invest in Law Enforcement
In recent years, Senate Republicans have taken the lead in supporting the men and women who serve and protect us by funding additional training, providing better equipment and increasing salaries for our police officers.Â
The Indiana State Police (ISP), as the state’s leading law-enforcement agency, offers assistance to nearly every law enforcement agency across the state. Yet, data shows our state troopers are among the lowest-paid law enforcement officers in Indiana. Â
That’s why Senate Republicans have made it a budget priority to increase pay for the ISP.Â
We must not take for granted the sacrifice law enforcement officers make each and every day. Increasing ISP pay is one of the ways the state can take care of the men and women who keep our communities safe, and I am proud to support them.
Oblong libero Grace Flexter to join VU volleyball team
VINCENNES, Ind. – The two-time defending Region 24 Champion Vincennes University volleyball team made another big addition to their 2023 recruiting class this week with the addition of libero Grace Flexter from Oblong High School in Illinois.
Flexter is a five-foot two defensive specialist/libero who joins the Trailblazer volleyball program as a recipient of VU’s Val-Sal Scholarship.
“Grace initially contacted us due to her interest in our Nursing major and volleyball program,†VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “She had quite a bit of interest from a number of other programs and was highly recruited. We needed to recruit at least one person in the DS/L position for 2023. We wanted to get another experienced person like Morgan Netcott who has played their entire career in that position. Grace, who comes from the same club program as 2021 Region 24 Player of the Year Grace Earp, fits the bill with her skillset and athletic potential. Not only is she experienced but she has been well coached.â€
“Later, we found out that Grace was a candidate for the Val-Sal Scholarship,†Sien added. “She will join Alexis Chrappa and Morgan Netcott as fellow award recipients on next year’s team. As for Nursing, Grace will join Claudia Mendoza, Grace Earp, Kaley Roush, Hannah Graber and Kennedy Sowell as recent volleyball students in that major.â€
Flexter comes to VU with an already impressive resume at the high school level. Flexter is the school record holder for total digs in a career with 1,019 and in a single season with 316 digs last season.
Flexter also has 157 career aces after leading her team with 70 her junior year and tying for the team lead with 65 last season.
Flexter helped guide the Panthers to a 24-13 record last season, including going undefeated in the Little Okaw Valley Conference to win her second conference championship and winning the LOVC tournament last season.
Flexter also helped Oblong win the Hutsonville tournament last season, in addition to setting a new school record for wins in a season with 24.
Flexter was named First-Team All-LOVC her junior and senior seasons and was also named to the Edwards County Invitational All-Tournament team last season.
Grace is the daughter of Trent and Tammy Flexter and plans to major in nursing while at Vincennes University.
“Grace has loved volleyball from the beginning,†Oblong Head Coach Pam Johnson said. “She has always been our libero and I am so proud and excited for her. I cannot wait to see her succeed in this next chapter.â€
“We expect all of our back row players to serve receive on point and to aggressively play defense,†Sien said. “We are not just paying lip service to that. Like all of our defensive players, Grace will be required to be proficient in playing in all three back row positions. She will compete for playing time in the libero position, which would be true for all incoming players in every position.â€
“Besides being in the libero position, every defensive specialist has to be capable of playing in every position on defense. While having some similarities, each one has its own specific differences which needs to be mastered. It can be challenging and I would state that it is more demanding than to know how to play all three front row positions. Grace will step into a program where we pride ourselves on our exceptional individual and team defense.â€
In addition to playing at Oblong High School, Flexter was a member of the Club 217 volleyball club.
The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to welcome Grace Flexter to the 2023 recruiting class and wish her well as she finishes her senior year of high school.
Eagles drop conference-opening match to Panthers
DANVILLE, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Tennis (3-10, 0-1 OVC) began Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday evening at the Danville Tennis Center, falling to Eastern Illinois University, 7-0. The Screaming Eagles are now 0-1 in conference play with four league matches remaining this season.
Â
Doubles: USI found no success in doubles play, dropping two and not finishing the third. A new combination of junior Rachel McCorkle (Tulsa, Oklahoma)/sophomore Abby Myers (Evansville, Indiana) pushed their opponents to a 6-3 set loss at number two.
Â
Singles:Â Despite strong showings, the Eagles had no luck in all six singles, allowing the Panthers to secure the sweep and first conference victory of 2023.
Â
NEXT UP FOR THE EAGLES:
The Eagles return to Evansville, Indiana for a quick non-conference matchup with Hanover College on Tuesday at the USI Tennis Courts. The USI, Hanover match is a rescheduled contest from early February that was postponed due to a scheduling conflict.