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Hayden Sets Personal, Program Bests as Hoosiers Beat Evansville

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Hayden Sets Personal, Program Bests as Hoosiers Beat Evansville

 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Senior diver Kristen Hayden broke a program record and set two personal bests on Friday (Jan. 28) as Indiana swimming and diving defeated Evansville inside Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.

Hayden’s 399.38 in the 3-meter dive marks the new dual meet standard for IU swimming and diving, besting the previous record set by Christina Loukas in 2006 (373.95). Her best dive, a forward 3 ½ somersault pike, scored a 76.73.

Hayden’s 335.33 in her 1-meter dive victory also marks a career-high for the Hillsborough, N.J. native.

“It was a great showing for IU women’s diving with Kristen Hayden breaking a dual meet record and trending towards some great diving that we hope to see in the postseason,” IU head diving coach Drew Johansen said. “All our athletes did well, as we had multiple personal bests. Right now, the focus is to stay healthy and get them right for Big Ten Championships coming up in just a few weeks.”

Both the men’s and women’s teams earned victories in IU’s final meet before Big Ten Championships. The Hoosier men finished the regular season 9-0 after collecting their 15th straight dual meet win, a streak that goes back to 2019. IU’s women’s team improved to 7-2 on the year.

“I want to thank the University of Evansville for coming to the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “I thought the meet was beneficial for both programs and got them ready for the conference championships in a few weeks. We were able to get a little healthier, try some different things out on relays and make sure we keep it fun and keep that passion level and that joy high for the sport that we’re competing in.”

“It was awesome to see [IU President] Dr. Pamela Whitten drop by the meet today, and I want to give her a shoutout as the first female president of IU. It was an honor to have her on the deck today.”

TEAM SCORES

Men

No. 5 Indiana 140, Evansville 104

Women

No. 13 Indiana 148, Evansville 111

HOOSIER WINNERS

Men

Luke Barr – 200 Medley Relay (1:27.16)

Jasper Davis – 200 Freestyle (1:41.70)

Jacob Destrampe – 200 Freestyle Relay (1:20.39)

Michael Draves – 1,000 Freestyle (9:29.86)

Tomer Frankel – 200 Medley Relay (1:27.16), 200 Freestyle Relay (1:20.39)

Corey Gambardella – 100 Freestyle (45.42)

Logan Graham – 200 Backstroke (1:47.81)

Brandon Hamblin – 200 Medley Relay (1:27.16), 200 Freestyle Relay (1:20.39)

Van Mathias – 100 Breaststroke (54.74), 50 Freestyle (20.21), 200 Freestyle Relay (1:20.39)

Ben McDade – 500 Freestyle (4:32.50)

Rafael Miroslaw – 200 IM (1:50.47)

Joseph Radde – 100 Backstroke (49.16)
Jacob Steele – 200 Medley Relay (1:27.16), 200 Butterfly (1:52.90)

Women

Brearna Crawford – 200 Medley Relay (1:44.51), 100 Butterfly (55.86)
Anna Freed – 200 Medley Relay (1:44.51)
Catherine Graham – 200 Medley Relay (1:44.51), 100 Backstroke (1:04.61)

Kristen Hayden – 3-meter dive (399.38), 1-meter dive (335.33)

Elyse Heiser – 500 Freestyle (4:58.68)

Aislinn Holder – 50 Freestyle (23.94)

Dominika Kossakowska – 200 Freestyle (1:49.52), 100 Freestyle (51.33)

Mackenzie Looze – 200 Freestyle Relay (1:35.30)

Kacey McKenna – 200 Freestyle Relay (1:35.30)

Cat Minic – 200 IM (2:07.31)

Samantha Muma – 200 Freestyle Relay (1:35.30)
Noelle Peplowski – 200 Medley Relay (1:44.51), 200 Backstroke (2:02.38)

Ella Ristic – 100 Backstroke (56.85), 200 Freestyle Relay (1:35.30)

NOTABLES

  • Like Hayden, three more IU women’s divers set personal bests on Friday. Freshman Morgan Casey (282.68, 309.45) and redshirt junior Margaret Rogers (272.25, 304.80) each had career days in both events, while junior Carmen Hernandez set a career-high in the 3M (306.40).
  • In her third event as a Hoosier, freshman Ching Hwee Gan tallied an NCAA B Cut in the 1,650-Yard Freestyle, touching the wall in 16:14.67.
  • Freshman Dominika Kossakowska, also in just her third collegiate event, won both the 200 and 100 Freestyle races.
  • Senior Van Mathias led all Hoosiers with three wins on Friday, coming in the 100 Breast (54.74), 50 Free (20.21) and 200 Freestyle Relay (1:20.39)

NCAA CUTS

A: None.

B: Ching Hwee Gan – 1,650 Free (16:14.67)

NCAA ZONE QUALIFYING SCORES

1-Meter: Morgan Casey (282.68), Tarrin Gilliland (313.65), Kristen Hayden (335.33), Margaret Rogers (272.25)

3-Meter: Morgan Casey (309.45), Tarrin Gilliland (363.90), Kristen Hayden (399.38), Carmen Hernandez (306.90), Margaret Rogers (304.80)

UP NEXT

The Hoosiers direct all attention towards Big Ten Championships. The women’s meet is scheduled for Feb. 16-19 in Madison, Wisconsin. The men will compete a week later, Feb. 23-26, in West Lafayette, Indiana.

@IndianaSwimDive

Be sure to keep up with all the latest news on the Indiana men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams on social media – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

#GoIU

Supporting Public Safety By Reducing Jail Overcrowding

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by Wendy McNamara

This session, I co-authored legislation to help address jail overcrowding and boost resources to fight crime. 

House Bill 1004 would provide judicial flexibility so Level 6 felony offenders can be sent to the Indiana Department of Correction.

A recent report by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute shows nearly 75% of all felony criminal filings in 2021 were Level 6 felonies, with many of those substance-related, like possession of meth or operating while intoxicated.

With the DOC often offering greater access to mental health and addiction treatment services than many local jails, more offenders can get additional help to stay out of the criminal justice system.
According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, 77% of Indiana’s jails are overcrowded or at capacity. Alleviating county jail overcrowding issues will help locals redirect resources to where they matter most. 

To learn more about House Bill 1004,

What To Expect If USI Moves From NCAA Division II to Division I

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What To Expect If USI Moves From NCAA Division II to Division I

BY CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER STAFF

The University of Southern Indiana (USI) campus on Evansville’s Westside has been transformed during the last few decades from a commuter campus to a fully equipped campus with state-of-the-art classrooms, advanced degrees, student housing, and a plethora of athletic facilities that are only exceeded by big nationally recognized programs.

Most recently the Screaming Eagle Arena which seats 4,800 spectators has been the scene of an increasingly successful basketball program. USI crowds for home games draw roughly 2,500 to 3,000 attendees on a regular basis. The most notable opponent this year has been the #1 ranked Auburn Tigers, which are coached by former USI coach Bruce Pearl. That is the same Bruce Pearl that coached USI to a Division 2 NCAA championship in 1995 after finishing the 1994 season as a runner-up.

USI has always been competitive in every NCAA Division II intercollegiate that they participate in and starts most years with realistic visions of winning another national championship in multi-sports.

If the USI Trustees elevate the athletic teams to NCAA Division I, Evansville may become one of the smallest markets to have the distinction of being home to two Division I teams. That is a worthy distinction for the people down at “Visit Evansville”  and “SPORTS CORP” to tout as worth a visit.

Evansville, Indiana has a long and distinguished history when it comes to NCAA Division II basketball. The University of Evansville Aces have 5 national titles and those banners hang in the downtown Evansville Ford Center. Since making the move to Division I, the Aces have hung no more national championship banners. They have earned a trip to March Madness on several occasions and advanced to the round of 32 once. Their last appearance in March Madness was in 2000. This year’s Aces are struggling and have only won very few games. The official attendance in the 10,500 seats Ford Center for Aces games is typically only 3,000 and the stands never seem like they are that full. When the Aces were in Division II, they usually filled Roberts Stadium to its capacity of over 10,000 people and knocked off some nationally-ranked opponents. Most would conclude that the move to NCAA Division I has not been good for the Aces. It must be noted that college basketball has changed a lot since those good old days at Roberts where the Aces always played up to the competition.

The trend in lifestyle campuses like what USI has transformed into is to move to NCAA Division I. Former conference members Northern Kentucky and Bellarmine are among the teams that have made the jump. NKU is now in the Horizon League and has a 12-10 record. Bellarmine is in their 2nd Division I season and has a 13-10 record with notable losses to the #1 Gonzaga and then #2 UCLA on a west coast tour. Bellarmine has been to four Division II final fours and won one championship during the last decade. They also play their home games in Louisville’s Freedom Hall which seats 18,750. Despite the seating capacity in the off-campus facility, the Bellarmine Knights seldom draw over 2,000 attendees.

We feel that the University of Southern Indiana is most certainly NCAA Division I ready as NKU, Bellarmine, or any of the other teams that have made the transition. From a facilities perspective, USI already has established an impressive collection of on-campus facilities that many NCAA Division I universities would love to have. Millions of dollars have been invested and much will be expected. The City-County Observer would like to encourage USI to grab for the brass ring and become Evansville’s second NCCA Division I athletic program. This move will have positive impacts on campus life and even may serve to enhance academics.

We also would caution against expecting to hang any additional national championship banners. The new goal will be to make the March Madness field of 68 with an occasional victory to advance to the field of 32 or even 16 as teams like Southern Illinois and Murray State have. Both of those programs enjoy much more national visibility for making the transition to NCAA Division I and USI can too.  Murray State is likely to be ranked in the top 25 soon with its 21-2 record and being ranked is something our Eagles can aspire to as an NCAA Division I team. The Eagles can also aspire to beat some very good highly ranked teams as the Aces did a few years ago at Rupp Arena knocking off the Kentucky Wildcats.

Go for it USI, former coach Bruce Pearl, College administrators, alumni, student-athletes, coaching staff, faculty and staff, and the people of Evansville will be proud that you did

Finally, we would like to publicly recognize USI President Ronald S. Rochon, USI Board of Trustees Chair Ronald Romain, and USI Athletic Director Jon Mark Hall for the outstanding work they quietly did behind the scene to ensure that USI will be in a position to continue to provide our community with the educational, economic, cultural, and athletically offerings that will make us proud.

EVSC FOUNDATION TO HOST HANGERS BENEFIT GALA

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 The EVSC Foundation is excited to host the fifth annual Hangers benefit Gala on Saturday, March 5 at 5:30 pm. The family-friendly event will take place at Cambridge Golf Course and will include a dinner, program, silent and live auctions and games. 

All gala proceeds go to support Hangers, the EVSC clothing resource, funding clothing and basic hygiene products (shoes, coats, uniforms, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap) for the ~2,500 at-need students who visit Hangers annually. 

“There are many reasons why families may need our support,” says Dave Schutte, Director of Hangers. “From house fires, to homelessness, to a death in the family, life circumstances can change swiftly at any given moment. Hangers lets us act immediately to help families in need and to empower young people with confidence and dignity; the simple gift of clothing allows students to focus on their education instead of their struggle.” 

Single tickets to the event are $75, and reserved table seating for eight is $600. Auction item donations and monetary gifts are also appreciated. Individuals interested in supporting the program beyond the gala can donate gently-used or new clothing by dropping off items at Hangers (located at the Academy for Innovative Studies – former North High School – by door 27 on Wedeking Ave.). 

“A $150 donation sponsors one child,” Schutte says. “Funds raised through the gala will help us continue supporting students in need and even expand our services working with similar agencies who share a common mission of helping young people.” 

To learn more about Hangers and the Gala, contact Dave Schutte, Director of Hangers, at (812) 483-9474 or dave@evscfoundation.org. 

Men’s Basketball Travels To Missouri State Today

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Aces And Bears Meet For the First Time In 2021-22

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Missouri Valley Conference action continues for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team with a road trip to Missouri State on Saturday evening for a 7 p.m. tip.  ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network will have the coverage.

Approaching 1K

– Noah Frederking has 954 points in his UE career and is set to become the 51st member of the programs 1,000-point club

– The last player to reach 1,000 was K.J. Riley, who did so in 2019 and finished with 1,062 in his career

 

THE BRIAR PATCH

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THE BRIAR PATCH

GAVEL GAMUT By Jim Redwine

Hitler’s troops easily conquered that part of Stalin’s USSR known as Ukraine in 1942. Total world victory was almost in Germany’s grasp. Then Hitler decided to bring Russia to its knees at the Battle of Stalingrad. Six hundred thousand dead German soldiers and six months later Germany was on its way to total defeat. The Russians sacrificed one and one-half million of its soldiers to confront Hitler’s arrogance. Neither Russia nor Germany has forgotten this carnage.

When one visits the site of the battle in Volgograd, Russia today there is a 172-foot-tall statue of a Russian woman thrusting a sword into the sky. She stands erect on Mamayev Hill and guards the hallowed ground where so many died. There is a memorial close to her feet where the names of countless dead soldiers are carved into marble walls that line a descending walk to an eternal flame. No one makes a sound as they honor the fallen heroes.

When the United States government complains that Germany is not rushing to confront Russia’s belligerence on the border of Ukraine, a visit to Volgograd might explain Germany’s caution. As for us, we need only to recall our ignominious exits from our incursions into Afghanistan (2001-2021) or Viet Nam (1955-1975) to give us pause.

Most of us learn the hard way that angry and arrogant challenges often lead to dire repercussions. America may wish to tread cautiously in our efforts to dictate how other countries should handle their border crises. We did not brook Great Britain’s claims to territory below the 49th parallel (Fifty-Four Forty or Fight) in 1846.

And the same President, James Polk, demanded the Oregon country from Great Britain annex the Republic of Texas that Mexico believed should be a part of Mexico. Texas and Mexico share a border that is over 1,250 miles long. The border between Ukraine and Russia is over 1,400 miles long. About 40% of the residents of Texas are of Hispanic/Latino descent and for about 30% of Texans, Spanish is their native language. Of the 41 million Ukrainians about 17% are of Russian descent and for about 30% of Ukrainians Russian is their native language.

As Ukraine was a part of Russia for hundreds of years, until 1991, and there are deep geographical, cultural and historical ties between Russia and Ukraine, Russia may consider Ukraine much as we considered “Oregon” and Texas. That does not mean the world should ignore Russian aggression or Ukrainian independence. It should, however, advise government leaders and those who would bang the war tocsins to remember that briar patches might be easily entered but may result in much-lost skin to exit.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

Or “Like/Follow” us on Facebook & Twitter at JPegOsageRanch

BRIAN BILLETT, THUNDERBOLTS SHUT DOWN HAVOC 3-1 

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BRIAN BILLETT, THUNDERBOLTS SHUT DOWN HAVOC 3-1 

Evansville, In.:  Behind a strong night in net from goaltender Brian Billett and some timely goals, the Thunderbolts put together a solid performance and defeat the Huntsville Havoc 3-1 at Ford Center on Friday night. The Thunderbolts next home game will be on Friday, February 4th at 7:00pm CST as they host the Quad City Storm.  For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), buy online at EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or buy tickets in person at the Ford Center Box Office.

Austin Plevy opened the scoring only 2:44 into the game, right off an offensive zone faceoff from Brett Radford to give Evansville a 1-0 lead.  Huntsville threatened to tie the game on numerous chances, but thanks to Billett and some excellent penalty killing, the Thunderbolts maintained the lead, and extended the lead as Tyson Kirkby scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0 with 1:15 remaining in the second period.  Billett himself got the lone assist on the goal, and the goal secured a 2-0 lead for Evansville after two periods.

Through a mostly quiet third period, the 2-0 lead stood until 12:47, when Huntsville finally broke through to cut the lead in half, as Alex Kielczewski scored to make it 2-1.  The Havoc pulled goaltender Zane Steeves, and the Thunderbolts countered by scoring an empty net goal from Josh Adkins with 55 seconds remaining to clinch the victory for Evansville.

Kirkby finished with a goal and assist, while Plevy and Adkins scored one goal each.  Plevy’s goal was also his 92nd point as an Evansville Thunderbolt, breaking the franchise record previously held by Dave Williams.  Brian Billett finished with 30 saves on 31 shots and one assist for his 13th win of the season. The win was head coach Jeff Bes’ 41st win as head coach of the Thunderbolts, tying the franchise record held by Jeff Pyle.  The Thunderbolts do not meet the Huntsville Havoc again this regular season.

The Thunderbolts are currently competing in their fifth season in the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League).  Season tickets are less than $9 per game.  To order your tickets for this season, call 812-422-BOLT(2658).

FOOTNOTE: About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional 

hockey team.  The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the Southern Professional Hockey 

League (SPHL).  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of 

VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com 

UE Theatre Announces Spring 2022 Season

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EVANSVILLE, IN (01/27/2022) The University of Evansville (UE) Department of Theatre proudly presents the Spring 2022 season with two student-directed productions in the May Studio Theatre and one guest-directed production in Shanklin Theatre. Tickets are now on sale for all performances.

The semester kicks off with Mac Beth by Erica Schmidt, based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, in the May Studio Theatre. Directed by senior theatre studies major Claire Himstedt from St. Louis, Missouri, this new take on Shakespeare’s classic tale of bloody violence explores asymmetry with rebellious teenage girls meeting to stage the play in a parochial school’s parking lot. Mac Beth begins at 7:30 p.m. on February 10, 11, and 12; and at 2:00 p.m. on February 12 and 13.

Next up is Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle with an English version by Eric Bentley, in the May Studio Theatre. Originally written at the end of WWII, it retells the story of a child claimed and fought over by two mothers, resulting in one of the most riveting trials ever staged. Teeming with political overtones and a sharp look at human nature, it is directed by senior performance major Obi Roberts of Arvada, Colorado. The Caucasian Chalk Circle runs at 7:30 p.m. on February 24, 25, 26; and at 2:00 p.m. on February 26 and 27.

The finale is Heroes of the Fourth Turning by Will Arbery in Shanklin Theatre. Guest-directed by Dylan Frederick, a 2014 alum, this 2020 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Drama is a meticulously fashioned story centering on four alumni of a conservative college. Their reunion spirals into chaos over spirituality, politics, and a nearly fanatical desire to be understood. This haunting and brilliant play begins at 7:30 p.m. on April 8, 9, 21, 22, 23; and at 2:00 p.m. on April 24.

After graduating from UE, Frederick attended the Yale School of Drama and ultimately made his Broadway debut in the 2021 Tony Award-winning production of The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez. Frederick will likely be remembered by UE audiences for playing the role of Master Harold in the 2011 smash-hit production of Master Harold…and the Boys by Athol Fugard, directed by John David Lutz. A native of Minnesota, Frederick returns to his alma mater to make his directing debut.

In following industry standards, as established by the Broadway League, all audience members must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result taken within 48 hours of the date on their ticket. Upon arrival at the theatre, proof of vaccination/negative test result and an ID will be checked before each performance. In compliance with the UE Coronavirus Task Force guidelines, all audience members must remain masked while indoors on campus. Additionally, both Shanklin Theatre and the May Studio Theatre will be seated at no more than 50% capacity.

Single ticket prices for Mac Beth and The Caucasian Chalk Circle are $12 for all patrons. Heroes of the Fourth Turning tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for senior adults, students, and UE employees. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12:00 p.m. on the day of the performance they wish to attend. Tickets may be purchased by calling (812) 488-2031, Monday through Friday, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

BOLDER People Podcast Installment Now Available On Streaming Platforms

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BOLDER People, a new podcast from the University of Southern Indiana Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) hosted by USI Professor of Gerontology Dr. Katie Ehlman, has released its third episode to streaming platforms.

BOLDER People explores the dynamic lives of older adults in southwestern Indiana and strives to preserve the narratives of elders. In its third installment, “Janeane Vickers & the Patchwork of Life,” Ehlman talks with Janeane Vickers, breast cancer survivor, educator, and former Mesker Park Zoo docent, about resiliency through breast cancer treatment, advice for formal and informal caregivers, her passion for volunteer work and more.

“This episode o the BOLDER People is unique from the others because of Janeane’s numerous skills, hobbies, and interests,” BOLDER People Producer and USI public relations and advertising student, Leah Flake ‘22, says. “The title plays along with Janeane’s interest in quilting, but it also represents the human experience. We go through life collecting elements which make us unique, and when we piece it all together, it creates a patchwork of our life—an expression of who we are.”

BOLDER People is available to download or stream for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. New episodes are available monthly. The podcast is produced on the USI campus with help from USI faculty, students and staff.

DNR Sets Up Shop At Indy Boat, Sport And Travel Show, Feb. 18-20, 23-27

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DNR

The DNR will have a strong presence at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Feb. 18-20 and 23-27, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The DNR’s main location is in Tackle Town, in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. The booth is a convenient one-stop shopping opportunity for licenses, state park passes, lake-use permits, and Outdoor Indiana magazine.

DNR biologists and State Parks interpretive naturalists will be on hand throughout the show to share program information and resources, as well as answer your fish and wildlife and parks questions. State Park Inns will have a separate information booth in the Travel and Tourism area of the show.

The Live Birds of Prey from Hardy Lake’s Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center will be presented Feb. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A “Snakes Alive, Snake Buffet” from O’Bannon Woods State Park will be offered Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Members of the Indiana Conservation Officers K-9 team will be available Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public will have an opportunity to interact with the officers and their K-9 partners. All times of the events listed are subject to change.

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