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

9. Anna Peplowski – 1:51.32 (Consolation Final, Career Best)

   100 FREESTYLE

10. Kristina Paegle – 47.99 (Consolation Final, Career Best)
11. Ashley Turak – 48.59

200 BREASTSTROKE

3. Noelle Peplowski – 2:06.35 (Championship Final)
4. Mackenzie Looze – 2:09.78
5. Brearna Crawford – 2:11.12

PLATFORM DIVING

2. Skyler Liu – 320.00 (Championship Final)
3. 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
 
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.

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.”

“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.”

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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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.

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 15-seed Vincennes University Trailblazers will look to continue their already strong postseason run this week at the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

But before the Trailblazers left VU, sophomores Caleb Johnson (N. Preston, Nova Scotia) and Tasos Cook (Columbus, Ohio) and freshman Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.) were all named to the 2023 All-Region 24 team earlier this week.

VU sophomore Caleb Johnson served as one VU’s most consistent scorers this season, leading the Blazers with an average of 16.8 points per game, while also averaging 4.4 rebounds and three assists per game.

Johnson has scored in double-figures in 31 of VU’s 32 games this season, with the only game under 10 points coming in November when he scored nine points in VU’s win over Northeast Mississippi.

Johnson likely moves himself into NJCAA history with this All-Region selection as one of the only players to earn All-Region honors three times and earning All-Region honors in three different Regions in his career.

Johnson began his collegiate career at Williston State in North Dakota where he earned All-Region 13 honors in 2021.

Johnson would then transfer to Angelina College in Texas and earn All-Region 14 honors last season for the Roadrunners.

Johnson’s best games this season both came against Harry S. Truman College when Johnson finished with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double in Chicago and a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double in the rematch at VU.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of the All-Region 24 team,” Johnson said. “Our team has been working hard all year, so it has allowed me to be successful in our system. I am proud to be recognized as one of the best players in Region 24.”

“My experience here at Vincennes has been different from my first two years because of the platform that has been created by the history of Vincennes basketball,” Johnson added. “We have played against good competition all year, which played a factor in us getting better as a unit and me as an individual player.”

“My favorite memory at VU this season was definitely having one of my brothers come here and watch me play,” Johnson said. “Also the experience of watching the National Selection Show with my teammates and finding out that we made the National Tournament.”

Freshman Michael Osei-Bonsu made a noticeable impression on many Region 24 coaches and players this season with his impressive size in the low post.

At just six-foot four Osei-Bonsu weighs in at 265 pounds and had little trouble creating space under the basket both rebounding and scoring in the paint.

Osei-Bonsu has averaged 9.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season for the Blazers and has finished with a team-high six double-doubles this season.

Osei-Bonsu’s season-high for points sits at 25, which came against Volunteer State.

Osei-Bonsu has scored in double-figures 13 times this season and has grabbed 10 or more rebounds 14 times for the Blazers, with his best game on the glass coming at Shawnee when Michael grabbed 17 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds.

“It honestly means so much to be selected as a member of the All-Region 24 team,” Osei-Bonsu said. “It motivates me to play better and work harder for next year. I am extremely grateful to be selected and have this opportunity along with my fellow teammates Caleb Johnson and Tasos Cook. Overall, it is a great honor and accomplishment to receive this award.”

“When I first arrived at VU, I did not know that Coach Franklin would push me as hard as he did,” Osei-Bonsu added. “He encourages us to be the best and makes you work hard in every rep and possession around him. When I came in, I thought I wouldn’t be the best player and I would have to work way harder than I ever had to get my spot on the team. Which is what happened and I preserved throughout the entire season.”

“My favorite memory from this season so far was the team bonding,” Osei-Bonsu said. “Hanging out and joking around with the team made me feel welcomed here at Vincennes.”

Sophomore Tasos Cook came to VU this season after playing last year at Stetson University in Florida.

Cook set the tone early for his season with the Blue and Gold, scoring 48 points combined in his first three games this year.

Cook served as VU’s sophomore point guard this season and has posted a season average of 10.9 points and a team-high 4.3 assists per game. Cook has also grabbed nearly three rebounds per game for Vincennes.

Cook scored in double-figures 17 times this season and was the only member of the Trailblazers to start in all 32 games so far this season.

Cook’s best scoring game this season came in a 26-point outing against Kaskaskia, including hitting a perfect 13 of 13 from the free throw line. Cook also twice dished out nine assists, just missing out on a double-double.

“It means a lot to be recognized as a member of the All-Region team,” Cook said. “Our Region is one of the most competitive in the country, I believe and holds a lot of talent within all the teams in it. So for myself, Michael and Caleb to be recognized is great. I wouldn’t have got it without my team and I believe we have a team full of guys who could also be recognized no doubt.”

“Stetson was a good experience for me and I built many relationships there that I will always have but Vincennes has been a completely different experience,” Cook added. “My time here in Vincennes has been one of the best experiences for myself as a competitor, that is what we do everyday and it drives me to keep working. Our culture here is nothing like I had last year and it is easy to see that it’s not false. We have a loyal family here that Coach stresses that has been carried on since he started coaching and will continue to carry on as the years go by.”

“The environment is one for someone who loves the sport and has a passion to win, which is why this school has been perfect for me,” Cook said. “There aren’t many distractions and it has allowed me to lock in on what is important. Besides basketball, Coach not only helps with that aspect, but also pushes us so we can be successful in life after we leave here. The education has been great and I know it will set me up for my future in the years to come. Overall, my time here is something that I needed to experience and has been completely worth my time.”

“My favorite memory from this season so far was when we got our first win in the first game of the year,” Cook added. “It was a different excitement in all of us that the season had started and we all knew we were in for a good year. It was the start of something that none of us will forget.”

This trio of Blazers has helped guide Vincennes to a very impressive bounce back 28-5 season this year and earned VU’s 10th NJCAA Tournament berth in the last 11 seasons.

Vincennes will look to continue their 2023 postseason run Monday, March 20 when No. 15-seed VU takes on No. 18 Trinity Valley at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Tip-off time Monday is set for 3 p.m. eastern.

ALL-REGION 24 HONORS

Player of the Year – Curt Lewis – John A. Logan

Freshman of the Year – Mershan Dickerson – Olney Central

ALL REGION 24 TEAM

Curt Lewis – John A. Logan

Quimari Peterson – John A. Logan

Mershan Dickerson – Olney Central

Jakobi Heady – Wabash Valley

CALEB JOHNSON – VINCENNES

Jhei-R Jones – Kaskaskia

Jaquias Franklin – SWIC

Isaiah Stafford – John A. Logan

AK Hazley – Shawnee

Amar Kuljuhovic – Lake Land

Clint Wickliffe – Lincoln Trail

Jylen Petty – Kaskaskia

MICHAEL OSEI-BONSU – VINCENNES

TASOS COOK – VINCENNES

Ksuan Casey – Wabash Valley

Johnny Close – Lake Land

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers sophomore Cherrelle Newsom (Indianapolis, Ind.) and freshman Elikya Baseyila (Paris, France) concluded their strong 2022-23 season’s by receiving All-Region 24 honors earlier this week.

Cherrelle Newsom earns All-Region 24 honors for the second time in her VU career, improving on a very impressive freshman season this year as a sophomore.

“Being selected as a two-time member means a lot,” Newsom said. “I have been through so much mentally and physically and being able to accomplish this with the obstacles I had is big.”

Newsom was VU’s leading scorer this season, averaging 14.4 points per game for the Lady Blazers and serving as the only Vincennes Lady Blazers to play in and start in all 32 of VU’s games this season.

Newsom also led the Lady Blazers with 130 assists.

Newsom’s biggest impact of the season is obviously her three-point shooting ability, finishing the season with 114 three-point makes, placing her second All-Time in school history for threes in a season and currently third in the NJCAA this season.

Newsom hit a very impressive 41-percent of her three-point attempts this season, including four times hitting six threes in a single game.

Newsom closed out her Lady Trailblazers career with a two-year total of 820 points, 224 assists and set a new school record with 198 three point makes. Newsom also scored in double-figures in 45 of her 61 games at Vincennes University.

“(Breaking VU’s three-point record) means that I have really left my mark and I am blessed and proud of myself,” Newsom added. “I know my family is proud of me as well.”

On what advice she would give to future Lady Trailblazer players, Newsom said, “Even though things may be hard, continue to push yourself knowing there are goals to accomplish. If you play as a team, your light will always shine as an individual.”

VU freshman Elikya Baseyila burst onto the scene with the Lady Trailblazers this season and continued to prove throughout the season that she was one of the biggest low-post threats in all of Region 24 this season.

“My statistics were good for this season, particularly the last part of the season,” Baseyila said. “My selection is an honor and makes me happy because the people who chose me for the team are remarking on my abilities and success as a basketball player.”

After arriving to VU late from France and having very little practice time before the season, Baseyila set the tone early with 11 rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds and seven assists in her VU debut against John Wood in November.

Baseyila would finish the season averaging a double-double with 11.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

Baseyila finished the season with 145 offensive rebounds, good for seventh in the NJCAA and her average of 5.2 offensive rebounds per game this season places her fifth in the country.

Baseyila battled injuries for most of the second half of the season but still managed to record 19 double-doubles in 28 games played this season.

Baseyila had her most impressive and dominant game against Rend Lake College when Elikya recorded a 24-point, 17-rebound double-double, including 11 offensive rebounds, which came at the tail end of a stretch of four-straight double-doubles by Baseyila.

“My experience this season was what I expected but still difficult nonetheless,” Baseyila added. “As an international student, whose primary language is French and who competed exclusively in France, I had much to learn and become accustomed to. Especially at the start of the season.”

“It was difficult for me to speak and listen to English while at the same time learning the ins and outs of basketball in the US,” Baseyila said. “Also, I did not expect to play so often and have so much responsibility during games because I am a freshman. However, I thought it was a good challenge and I tried to step up to the plate, so to speak. One of the most powerful differences in expectation, though, was the support I received from my teammates and coaches. Before I got here, I thought they would just let me do my thing and not worry too much about whether I understood or whether people understood me. There were many times when my teammates and coaches helped me understand and even spoke with referees on my behalf if I could not think of how to say something in English.”

On what advice she would give to future Lady Trailblazer players, Baseyila said, “Just have confidence and believe in yourself because if you are here, on a college team, you know how to play basketball. Also, I try to think about Kylian Mbappe, who became a professional soccer player in France at just 18 years old and won his first World Cup at 20 years old. His confidence and positivity in telling himself, ‘I’m better’ and ‘I’m a better player’, even though he knew he was not a better player, was something I did this season. Repeating ‘I’m a better player’ forced me to become a better player and athlete. There is something about that pushes you to be better.”

“Question and challenge yourself sometimes too,” Baseyila added. “Be critical of yourself so that you make progress and also so that you do not get lazy. As Coach Meeks always says, ‘Be ready!’.

Together this duo helped guide the Lady Blazers to a 21-11 record this season, including a 14-5 record against Region 24 opponents and earned a spot in the 2023 Region 24 Championship game.

FULL REGION 24 HONORS

Player of the Year – Shaulana Wagner – Wabash Valley

Freshman of the Year – Brooklyn Gray – Wabash Valley

Coach of the Year – Luke Scheidecker – Wabash Valley

ALL-REGION 24 TEAM

Shaulana Wagner – Wabash Valley

Brooklyn Gray – Wabash Valley

Chanteese Craig – Wabash Valley

CHERRELLE NEWSOM – VINCENNES

Cheyanne Daniels – Shawnee

Lezhauria Williams – Rend Lake

Kiara Cruz – Shawnee

Bonnie Lew Ludlow – SWIC

Gracie Shorter – Olney Central

ELIKYA BASEYILA – VINCENNES

Yiesha Williams – Wabash Valley

Madison Roshelle – Wabash Valley

Courtney Lumpkins – Kaskaskia

Staisha Hamilton – Kaskaskia

Taylor Austin – Kaskaskia