Swimming and diving on campus to face USI on Friday
Meet set for 4 p.m.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time this season, the University of Evansville swimming and diving squads will be competing on campus. On Friday, the Purple Aces welcome USI to Wyttenbach Pool for a 4 p.m. meet.
Last weekend, UE took on McKendree at Deaconess Aquatic Center. One of the top teams in the nation at the Division II level, McKendree picked up the final team wins, but Evansville had multiple individual performances that provide momentum heading into the contest against the Screaming Eagles.
Daniel Santos Lopez had the fast time in the 50-free. In a finish that came down to the wire, his 21.27 edged the #2 finisher by 0.04 to pick up the victory. Patrik Vilbergsson brought home the win in the 200-back. With a 1:52.17, he earned the top finish by just over a second.
Carlos Souto was the runner-up in the 100-breaststroke. With a 57.50, he completed the race less than a second off the winning pace. Souto picked up another 2nd place finish in the 200, finishing in 2:12.12. Joao Pereira finished just behind him to take third.
Evelyn Chin grabbed a win in the 100-fly, finishing with a time of 57.72. She edged the competition by 0.21. In the 200-IM, it was Sveva Brugnoli recording a win for the Aces. Her 2:10.85 was close to two seconds ahead of the runner-up.
In the 200-yard breaststroke, Mari Mueller and Rafaela Makariewicz took second and third. Mueller was less than a half second behind the winning time. Hannah Krings picked up a pair of second-place efforts. In the 1000-free, she swam an 11:10.69 while her time in the 500-free was a 5:27.37. Ane Garate registered a 1:00.54 in the 100-backstroke to take second.
Terry named OVC Men’s Runner of the Year
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana senior Brady Terry has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year in an announcement by the league office Thursday afternoon.
Terry becomes the first men’s runner in program history to earn OVC Cross Country Runner of the Year and the second runner in both genders since the Screaming Eagles moved to Division I in 2022-23. Lauren Griewe was the 2022 OVC Female Runner of the Year.
The Philpot, Kentucky, native has earned three OVC Runner of the Week honors this season and owns the fastest eight-kilometer time in the conference following his performance at the Angel Mounds Invitational two weeks ago. Terry finished second out of 233 competitors with a time of 24 minutes, 10.5 seconds.
A finance major at USI, Terry is undefeated against OVC competition in each of the last three meets he has competed. He won the UT Martin OVC Preview last month before finishing 58th at the University of Missouri’s Gans Creek Classic.
Terry, a second-team All-OVC honoree a year ago, becomes the 11th USI men’s runner to claim Runner of the Year honors in cross country, with the previous winners earning the award by winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships during USI’s time in Division II.
One of the favorites to win the OVC title, Terry and the rest of the USI men’s and women’s runners compete at the OVC Championships Friday in Martin, Tennessee.
The women are scheduled to toe the start line at 9 a.m., while the men’s 8K follows at 10 a.m. The races will be held on the University of Tennessee Martin campus.
Swimming and Diving head across town to face off against Evansville
EVANSVILLE, Ind.– University of Southern Indiana Swimming and Diving will travel across town to face the University of Evansville at Wyttenbach Pool on Friday evening at 4 p.m.
The two teams have previously matched up last fall. Both squads met in a tri-meet at Deaconess Aquatic Center that also included Valparaiso University. The Purple Aces won both contests, topping the men 162-70 and the women 126-110.
The Screaming Eagles hosted a diving only meet with the Aces last January. Sophomore Nathan Deputy prevailed in the men’s three-meter dive (271.88), setting the USI record at the time. Evansville won both the one-meter and three-meter events on the women’s side, but sophomore Maranda Uttke led the Eagles in the one-meter (225.90) and the three-meter (220.05).
Men
The men look to bounce back after falling to Bellarmine University in their last meet, 206-88. USI was led by sophomore Cole Baker, placing second in the 100 backstroke (54.13). The sophomore’s time marks the fastest 100 backstroke time of the season for the Eagles. Freshman Luke Rich earned the Eagles another second-place finish in the 200 breaststroke (2:12.57)
Junior Lane Pollock took the top spot in the three-meter dive (252.53), along with Deputy finishing second (252.53).
The Aces’ men have begun their season 1-1, after an opening meet victory over Centre College 189-105. Evansville fell in its last meet against McKendree University at Deaconess Aquatic Center, 195-95.
Women
The USI women look to build on the momentum against Bellarmine. Despite losing 153-141, the Eagles saw massive improvement from the last time the squads faced off in October of 2022.
USI had two record-breaking performances against the Knights. Freshman Elizabeth Ketcham placed first in the 100 butterfly (57.71), along with her new school record. Ketcham contributed to the record-breaking 200 freestyle relay (1:39.21) that also included freshman Simone Green, sophomore Caiya Cooper and sophomore Reagan Holmes.
Freshmen Anna Bunnell and Gabbie Meier continued their diving excellence in the last meet. Bunnell topped the scoreboard in the one-meter dive (212.83), while Meier finishing second (194.78).
The University of Evansville women have started their season 0-2, falling to Centre 162-132 and McKendree 156-91.
UE cross country begins the postseason at the MVC Championships
Eighteen Purple Aces head to Iowa for the MVC Cross Country Championships race on Friday, November 1st. The MVC Championships is being hosted by the Northern Iowa Panthers at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course with the women’s 6K starting at 11 a.m. while the men’s 8K starts at 12 p.m. Bradley and Belmont have been predicted to take home the Missouri Valley Conference cross country championship titles in 2024 in a pre-championship vote by the head coaches. UE was picked to finish 10th on the men’s side and 11th on the women’s side.
Evansville heads into Friday’s championships after a strong showing at the Angel Mounds Invitational on Friday, October 18th. Sophomore runner Rafael Rodriguez (Sergovia, Spain) earned the fourth-best time in program history for a men’s 8K race at 24:43 for a sixth-place overall finish. Rodriguez’s time helped propel the Purple Aces men’s team to sixth place out of 16 teams improving four sports from 2023. On the women’s team sophomore Avery Stephens (Newburg, Ind. / Castle HS) led the team with a personal best of 23:25.4 in the women’s 6K for an 11th-place finish out of 16 teams.
On the women’s side the Aces will have running freshman Megan Allgeier (Batesville, Ind. / Batesville HS), sophomore Kyndall Anthis (Pakota, Ind. / Princeton Community HS), freshman Lauren Bradley (Russiaville, Ind. / Western HS), senior Hannah Bryan (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS), freshman Skyler Dickenson (Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg HS), sophomore Chase Hayes (Noblesville, Ind. / Western HS), freshman Aleks Parmer (Fort Branch, Ind. / Gibson Southern HS), junior Olivia Pennington (Fort Branch, Ind. / Gibson Southern HS), and sophomore Avery Stephens (Newburg, Ind. / Castle HS). On the men’s side UE will have running sophomore Woody Burrell (Ceaderburg, Wis. / Ceaderburg HS), sophomore Cedrik Flipo (Beloeil, Quebec), sophomore Samuel Lea (Worchester, England), sophomore Tommaso Losma (Bergamo, Italy), freshman Kadin McAlister (Lilburn, Ga. / Parkview HS), sophomore Jakub Nowicki (Poznan, Poland), freshman Andrew Potter (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community HS), senior Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS), and Rodriguez.
Evansville fans can follow along with the MVC Championships through Wayzata Timing.
UE men’s soccer set for Top 25 showdown at No. 17 Missouri State
The Aces relied on a six-save performance by goalkeeper Michal Mroz (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove HS) to shut out Bowling Green on Friday. With the win against the Falcons UE extends its unbeaten streak to five matches. The win signified Mroz’s eighth of the year, marking the most by a keeper since 2022 and the most by a freshman keeper since 2016.
Mroz is also back in the national ranks as he’s tied for 22nd in the country with 61 saves in 15 matches. Mroz is also one of three goalkeepers in the Valley with more than 50 saves, leading the conference with 61.
“IS IT TRUE” November 1, 2024
We hope today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address rationally and responsibly.
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IS IT TRUE that the Parks Board voted 3-2 to pass a $24 million bond measure that will raise your taxes? …that at the city council meeting Monday, city controller Robert Gunter estimated the tax cost $60 for a $100,000 property valuation for the first year and $30 for each subsequent year. …Vanderburgh County controller Brian Girth has told people that the tax difference will be higher for county residents? …that the parks board was not involved in the development of the parks bond? …that Parks and Recreation Director Danielle Crook presented the fully written park bond to the parks board in late September?
IS IT TRUE that we are still paying on $10 million in parks bonds that were passed two years ago? …that in the 2022 bond, $240,000 was allocated to improve Hartke and Helfrich pools and both of those pools are closed? …that in 2025 we will pay $1.8 million toward the 2022 debt?
IS IT TRUE that at the recent Parks Board meeting, one citizen commented that meeting at noon on Wednesdays, prohibits ordinary working people from attending and commenting? …that board president Michelle Peterlin makes every effort to keep the meeting under an hour to accommodate those who attend during their lunch hour? …that the beginning of the bond hearing was delayed for over 20 minutes due to technical issues?
IS IT TRUE that 20-year parks board veteran Jerome Stewart stunned the attendees of the Parks Board meeting when he methodically made a case for why the $24 million bond should be denied by the board? …he pointed out that after the giraffe barn was removed from the list of projects to fund, the total of the other projects added up to $9 million? …that $15 million dollars of the bond sits unappropriated? …that Stewart’s full comments can be heard on the video record of the meeting by clicking here? …that we wonder how sensible people could pass a bond issue without identifying how the funds will be spent?
IS IT TRUE that Parks Director Danielle Crook said the giraffe breeding barn is still needed? …that “still needed” is code for the “Longneck Hotel” will be built one way or another?
IS IT TRUE that, earlier in the week, the Evansville City Council voted unanimously to approve the $24 million parks bond? …that the only two officials to vote for good public policy and refuse to approve further debt and expense to the taxpayers were Michelle Peterlin and Jerome Stewart?
IS IT TRUE that it is time for the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County to keep a watchful eye on our government officials to get spending under control and promote “Good Public Policy?
Parks Board Member Jerome Stewart Speaks Against the $ 24 Million Bond
On Wednesday, the Board of Park Commissioners met to determine whether to pass a $24 million parks bond. Before voting, he made a strong presentation to his fellow board members. Following is the text of his presentation:
December 31 will be the end of my time on this board for a total 20 years as an appointee to the board of Park Commissioners, by two previous Mayors, Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel for two terms and Republican Mayor Lloyd Winnecke for 3 terms.
There have been many improvements to our Parks system. Outstanding citizens that care about this city such Steve Bohleber Jay Ritter, Gary Shetler as well as myself have serve as Presidents. All served with passion and concern, yet in the spirit of civility.
We now have our first female President, that I know of, Michelle Peterson who I think has been just as passionate as the other past Presidents. I am confident progress will continue to be made with the administration of Mayor Stephanie Terry. I personally wish her the best.
Before I go any further I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul to the brethren in Colossians 4 vs. 6 which says; “Let your speech always be with grace seasoned with salt.” Which means in conversation and discourse, be absolutely at all times under all circumstance kind and gracious.
In 2022 the board in place at that time approved 2 bond issues. Here’s what I want to note; Series A bond was for 5.5 million dollars of which $5,050,000 in projected are listed with the amount of each to be funded. Series B bond is for $5,000,000 of which 19 projects were listed to be funded at $4,640,000 dollars.
So in 2022 the board in place at that time approved 2 bonds for a total of $10.5 million dollars. Take note: Bond B has Hartke Diving board $40,000 and Hartke Slide and Improvement $150,000 and Helfrich pool repairs $50,000. Both were closed for the summer.
Moving forward I want to reiterate that I have been on this board with 4 meetings to go for 20 years. At least twice in the last couple of months this board was kindly reminded that we approved the 5 year Master Plan which I will allude to. As to being reminded of approving the 5 year Master Plan I was President at that time. My signature is on the approval document.
Which leads me to the next point I wish to make. Our longtime highly respected councilwoman Missy Mosby has said on more than one occasion the need for the city of Evansville to maintain what we have as related to our Parks.
In 2006 the city talked about replacing seven swimming pools under the administration of Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. I am very thankful we were able to replace at least 2. Mosby Pool which was Howell and Rochelle Landers pool due to the closing of Tepe pool.
I am very thankful for Councilman Connie Robinson’s help ensure we would have new neighborhood pool due to the closure of Tepe pool in an underserved area. Parks director the late Dan Schall said in an article I read quote; “Our pools are 50 to 60 years old. We have exhausted our main power to keeping them up and operational.” End quote.
That was in 2008. Today Hartke pool is closed, Helfrich pool is closed and Lorraine Pool is on its last leg.
Look it up a city the size of Evansville with a population of over One hundred thousand residents should have at least 7 pools. Cleveland has 10.8 per 100,000 residents.
It is a quality of life issue. I am thankful the $10,000,000 initially proposed for a Giraffe Barn was removed.
Now let’s look at the amount of the bond issues approved 2 short years ago and the amount left with the removal of the Giraffe barn. The combined total comes to 24.5 million dollars. That is a 3.5 million increase.
In the document titled General Information Sheet relating to Proposed City of Evansville 2024 Park District Bonds he projects identified amount to less than $9 million dollars with the removal of the Giraffe Barn.
That would come to $15 million dollars of yet to be announced appropriations. That is akin to approving a blank check for $15 million dollars.
I am not only a member of the Parks board, I am a taxpayer.
The bond attorney stated that we can borrow another $30 million dollars next year.
Thank you for allowing me to express my views to the public who have every right to know.
I cannot approve something that I do not know what it being approved for. My vote will be no.
USI Athletics receives $10 million gift from Liberty Federal Credit Union for Screaming Eagles Arena naming rights
During a press conference on Thursday, October 31, the University of Southern Indiana announced Liberty Federal Credit Union has made a historic $10 million gift to the University of Southern Indiana Foundation for USI Athletics, securing the naming rights to the Screaming Eagles Arena for the next 20 years. The Arena will now be named Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles. This landmark gift marks the largest single donation in the history of the University.
The new name, Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles, will be proudly displayed on the exterior of the Arena. Additionally, the Liberty Federal Credit Union logo will be featured prominently on both halves of the Arena floor.
“Liberty Federal Credit Union and the University of Southern Indiana have grown in this community together. In fact, I’ve personally banked with them for the last 35 years,” said Steve Bridges, Interim President of the University of Southern Indiana. “This generous gift from Liberty will greatly enhance our athletic programs and provide much-needed support as we continue our transition to Division I athletics. Liberty’s commitment will help pave the way for future success and ensure our student-athletes have the resources they need to thrive.”
The funds from this gift are unrestricted, allowing USI Athletics to direct them where they are most needed. This includes support for student-athlete scholarships, travel, Division I transition requirements and other essential needs. The gift represents a significant boost to USI Athletics, positioning the Screaming Eagles for continued success in their Division I journey.
Bill Schirmer, President and CEO of Liberty Federal Credit Union, noted the organization’s deep roots in education. “Our mission is to support our members and community through education,” said Schirmer. “As a credit union that was founded by Evansville teachers, our ties to the educational community in this region are strong. Supporting the advancement of USI students and their athletic programs aligns well with our mission of providing value to our members and the communities we serve.”
Jon Mark Hall, Vice President and Director of Athletics at USI, highlighted the importance of the partnership in furthering the University’s vision. “When we made the decision to transition to Division I athletics, we knew we had to align with progressive, forward-thinking partners within this community and region. This partnership with Liberty allows us to take our vision and make it a reality,” said Hall. “As we move into years three and four of our Division I transition, we are aligning with partners who share our drive for success at the highest level. Liberty and USI Athletics will both continue to be impactful in the community, striving for the highest level of achievements.”
This $10 million contribution is the largest gift Liberty Federal Credit Union has made to date, underscoring the credit union’s commitment to the University, the community and the future of athletics at USI.