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Hoosiers Qualify Four for Final Night of NCAA Championships

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 INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 15-ranked Indiana University women’s swimming and diving team qualified three swimmers and one diver for the final night of finals at the 2017 NCAA Championships on Friday at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind.

IU will have three in Championship Finals and one swimmer in a Consolation Final, not counting the 1,650 freestyle. That event uses five heats as the final and the Hoosiers will have two swimmers participating later Saturday afternoon.

200 Backstroke

Kennedy Goss continued her great week at the NCAA Championships, qualifying fifth overall for the Championship Final of the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:50.62. Goss’ time is the fifth-fastest time in school history and the second-best mark for Goss in her career.

200 Breaststroke

Lilly King, the defending NCAA champion in the 200 breaststroke, qualified fourth overall for the Championship Final on Saturday night with a time of 2:05.90. King’s time is the fifth-best in IU history.

King, who won the NCAA title in the 100 breast for the second-straight year on Friday night, will be looking to claim her fourth NCAA crown in two years on Saturday night.

200 Butterfly

Gia Dalesandro, the four-time Big Ten champion in the 200 butterfly, earned a spot in the Consolation Final, qualifying 14th overall with a time of 1:55.03. Dalesandro’s time is the seventh-best in school history.

Bailey Pressey placed 33rd overall in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:57.78, improving nine spots from her seed of No. 42.

Platform Dive

Jessica Parratto was in full control of the platform dive semifinals on Saturday afternoon, earning the No. 2 seed in the Championship Final with a total score of 333.40. Parratto, the two-time Big Ten champion and 2015 NCAA champion in the event, changed her fifth and final dive difficulty to 1.9 with her spot in the A Final secure.

The Indiana University women’s swimming and diving team will conclude competition at the 2017 NCAA Championships on Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. ET with the finals of the 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, platform dive and 1,650 freestyle.

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.

200 Backstroke

Kennedy Goss – 1:50.62 (Championship Final)

200 Breaststroke

Lilly King – 2:05.90 (Championship Final)

200 Butterfly

Gia Dalesandro – 1:55.03 (Consolation Final)

  1. Bailey Pressey – 1:57.78

Platform Dive

Jessica Parratto – 333.40 (Championship Final)

 

Kentucky House Unanimously Passes Bill to Define Horses as Livestock in Kentucky Law

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SB 139 now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The Kentucky House of Representatives today unanimously passed Senate Bill 139, which would amend the definition of livestock in Kentucky to include horses and equines. The bill now moves to Governor Matt Bevin for his signature. Securing livestock classification has been among the top policy priorities of the Kentucky Equine Education Project since its 2004 creation.

“SB 139 is an important step forward for the Kentucky horse industry, and legislative success like this is a product of years of commitment and hard work,” said KEEP Chairman Corey Johnsen. “Many KEEP members have been instrumental in getting this legislation to this point, but we owe particular recognition to Frank Penn for being a tireless leader and advocate on this issue from the start.”

“Having horses and equines included as livestock in Kentucky law has been a key policy priority for KEEP since its founding over 12 years ago,” said Penn, KEEP Board member and Chairman of the organization’s Equine Sales Tax Equity Task Force. “I applaud the Kentucky legislature for their unanimous support of SB 139 and recognizing horses’ rightful place along side other agriculture commodities in Kentucky.”

Senator Robin Webb, an accomplished horsewoman from Carter County, sponsored the bill, a measure she’s worked on for several years.

“The continued and consistent designation of equine as livestock is imperative for the ownership and utilization of the animals that we have relied on for centuries,” Webb said. “The equine industry contributes to the quality of life for Kentuckians and the economic bottom line of the Commonwealth.”

SB 139 does not address the state’s 6-percent sales tax on feed, bedding and equipment used for horses. All other livestock are exempt for sales tax on those necessities. However, passage of the bill does strengthen the case for tax equity.

Rep. Susan Westrom, whose district is in Fayette County, said the measure is a major step toward putting horses on equal footing with other livestock.

“I am pleased to know that my colleagues finally understand that the equine industry in their own backyard was never treated ‘business friendly’ by the state,” Westrom said.

Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne of Oldham County said the action “highlights the importance of the horse industry to our overall agricultural economy.”

“Finally, horses in Kentucky have received the proper designation as livestock,” he said. “For years, our statutes have been unclear with the designation of horses, and as a result one of our signature industries has suffered. This designation will clear the way for tax equity and other legal parity within the entire equine industry, which will strengthen the future for years to come.

“Additionally, despite some confusion, this bill in no way opens the door for horse slaughter in Kentucky, or weakens horse protection laws. In fact, on this same day, the Legislature gave final passage to House Bill 200 to make it easier for local officials to intervene and remove horses in abuse and neglect cases. These bills combined will greatly benefit the entire equine industry in Kentucky, and help to solidify our global role as the Horse Capital of the World.”

Osborne, an owner of both Thoroughbreds and Saddlebreds, said the bill affords protections to horse farmers in ways that might surprise people.

“You can’t be included in an agricultural conservation district unless you are a livestock and agricultural enterprise,” he said. “Well, horses were not included in that definition until now. It gives you certain advantages and legal standings as far as zoning, city annexation, things like that…. Right now, it’s a crime to cut somebody’s fences if they have cattle or other livestock. But horses are not defined in that statute.”

Rep. Richard Heath of Mayfield, head of the House Agriculture Committee, said SB 139 makes an overdue correction.

“As Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, I am pleased to lend a hand to the equine industry in Kentucky and vote to classify horses as livestock, which brings long-overdue fairness and equity,” he said. “I am proud to support every type of farm in Kentucky, whether it be a family farm, a dairy farm, a crop farm, or a horse farm. Today we finally righted a wrong: Horses belong in the livestock classification where they are overseen by the Department of Agriculture, and not in the companion animal or pet classification.”

Other members of the House Agriculture Committee voiced equally strong endorsements.

“Horses in Kentucky are a staple, and in Central Kentucky we not only have scores of internationally renowned farms but we have the tourist and competition draw of the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Rep. Phillip Pratt of Georgetown. “After all these years of interested parties attempting to make this change, I’m proud to be a part of the new voice in Kentucky that respects and takes action to protect this multi- billion dollar industry that employs tens of thousands of hard-working Kentuckians. Our action today will ensure the success of the industry for generations to come.”

“As a cattle farmer with my husband, I am keenly aware of the previous livestock classification issues in Kentucky,” said Rep. Kim King of Harrodsburg. “In the past, horses have been left out of this important classification, and it has taken its toll on the industry. However, with this passage, Kentucky now accurately classifies horses as livestock. This move will create the foundation for further progress, including tax implications, and will offer the protections that the equine industry deserves. I commend the leadership shown by all involved to create parity that should have been granted years ago.”

“This legislation is a crucial step forward in recognizing the importance that the equine industry has in our Commonwealth,” said Rep. Dean Schamore of Hardinsburg. “Senate Bill 139 affords protection for the industry not currently included in statute, and I am glad to support this significant measure.”

Rep. Wilson Stone, whose district includes Ellis Park, called it “a good day when we can recognize Kentucky livestock.”

“The stockmen of Kentucky have historically and traditionally considered horses as part of their livestock,” Stone said. “Sometimes they are the livestock in which owners take the most pride. SB 139 simply shows respect to horses and stockmen by placing horses in our statutes where livestock is referenced.”

Said Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer of Scott County: “I’m pleased that SB 139 has passed the House and is headed to Governor Bevin’s desk. Redefining horses as livestock is an appropriate step to take in the Horse Capital of the World.”

“The legislature’s understanding of the importance of this issue is demonstrated by its unanimous approval in the Senate and the House,” said Joe Clabes, KEEP executive director. “We’d like to thank and congratulate Sen. Webb for introducing consensus legislation and guiding it through the legislative process. We also appreciated the support we received from (Kentucky Agriculture) Commissioner Ryan Quarles, who attend both Committee hearings to support SB 139. It is gratifying to see such strong bipartisan support for Kentucky’s horse industry.”

ABOUT KEEP

The Kentucky Equine Education Project is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature horse industry. Support for KEEP’s activity comes directly from the horse industry and horse industry supporters. To learn more about how you can become a member or make a contribution, please visit www.horseswork.com.

New Tech Institute Students to Host Hoosier Veterans Consortium

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New Tech Institute Students to Host Hoosier Veterans Consortium
Monday, March 20
9 a.m.
Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, Assembly Hall, 1901 Lynch Rd. 
Students at the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s New Tech Institute will host their fourth annual NTI Hoosier Veterans Consortium Monday. As part of the consortium, freshmen students will invite veterans from World War II through the Afghanistan and Iraq occupations to discuss their experiences in combat.
Students will interview the veterans as they share stories of their combat experiences and memorabilia, including pictures, from their service. Not only are the stories shared educational and informational, they also are moving, inspirational and heart-warming.
Students will record their interviews and send transcripts to the veterans as well as the Library of Congress to be documented for posterity.
Contact at the event: Chris Gibson, New Tech principal.
Monday, March 20
9 a.m.
Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, Assembly Hall, 1901 Lynch Rd. 
Students at the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s New Tech Institute will host their fourth annual NTI Hoosier Veterans Consortium Monday. As part of the consortium, freshmen students will invite veterans from World War II through the Afghanistan and Iraq occupations to discuss their experiences in combat.
Students will interview the veterans as they share stories of their combat experiences and memorabilia, including pictures, from their service. Not only are the stories shared educational and informational, they also are moving, inspirational and heart-warming.
Students will record their interviews and send transcripts to the veterans as well as the Library of Congress to be documented for posterity.
Contact at the event: Chris Gibson, New Tech principal.

Griggs drives in 3 runs as Eagles win 5-4

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University of Southern Indiana junior third baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) drove in three runs to lead the Screaming Eagles to a 5-4 victory over Quincy University in game two of the three-game series Saturday afternoon in Quincy, Illinois. USI watched its record go to 6-8 overall, while Quincy goes to 9-8 in 2017.

The Eagles got the scoring going in the second inning when junior designated hitter Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) doubled in the first run of the game for the 1-0 lead. Griggs increased the USI lead in the next frame with a two-run single to push the advantage to 3-0 after two-and-a-half innings.

After the Hawks rebounded to tie the score, 3-3, in the bottom of the fourth, Griggs would give the Eagles the lead once again in the top of the fifth. The junior infielder drove in freshman centerfielder Spenser Deom (Tell City, Indiana) from third when he reached on an error on the leftfielder to make the score 4-3.

The 4-3 lead would last two innings until Quincy knotted the game up at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh. USI took the lead for good in the top of the eighth when junior shortstop Angel Torres (Puerto Rico) drove in McNamara with the fifth and winning run in the 5-4 final. McNamara had moved into scoring position after singling to lead off the inning, moving to second on a sacrifice, and third on a wild pitch.

Griggs finished the day three-for-five with a run scored and three RBIs. McNamara and junior leftfielder Buddy Johnson (Shelbyville, Kentucky) followed with two hits each at the plate.

On the mound, junior right-hander Kyle Griffin (Henderson, Kentucky) picked up his first win as an Eagle. Griffin (1-3) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out nine in seven frames of work.

Freshman right-hander Tyler Hagedorn (Evansville, Indiana) and junior right-hander Justin Watts (Bryan, Ohio) finished the game on the bump for the Eagles. Hagedorn pitched a scoreless eighth, while Watts notched his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

USI and Quincy conclude the three-game series Sunday at noon. The Eagles return to the friendly surroundings of the USI Baseball Field March 22 when they host the University of Missouri-St. Louis for a non-conference match-up. Coverage for all of USI Baseball can be found on GoUSIEagles.com.

 

Eagles Fall to Division I Foe

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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Tennis fell to Wright State University, 7-0, Saturday afternoon at the Evansville Racquet Club.

Freshman Lauren Hambrock (Terre Haute, Indiana) and senior Kymberly Brannon (Louisville, Kentucky) teamed up at number-two doubles to give the Screaming Eagles their only win of the match. In a close contest, the duo came away with the 7-5 victory in the final doubles decision. In the process, the two moved to 3-0 on the year together in doubles matches.

Wright State was able to come away with all six points in singles action. Junior Kelsey Shipman (Olney, Illinois) was competitive at number-one singles, pushing her opponent to a close decision in the second set. Eventually, Shipman would fall 6-2, 7-5.

It is a quick turnaround for the Eagles as the University of Missouri-St. Louis comes to Evansville for another afternoon matchup Sunday at 1 p.m. The nonconference contest is scheduled to take place at the USI Tennis Courts.

 

University of Southern Indiana Tennis
Wright State University vs Southern Indiana (Mar 18, 2017)

Wright State University 7, Southern Indiana 0
Mar 18, 2017 at Evansille, Indiana (Evansville Raquet Club)

Singles competition
1. Karoline Haller (WSU) def. Kelsey Shipman (USI) 6-2, 7-5
2. Linsey Verstrepen (WSU) def. Lauren Hambrock (USI) 6-1, 6-3
3. Elaine Colern (WSU) def. Brenna Wu (USI) 6-0, 6-1
4. Taylor Culbertson (WSU) def. Kymberly Brannon (USI) 6-2, 6-1
5. Vanessa Madrigal (WSU) def. Alex Jamison (USI) 6-0, 6-1
6. Aby Madrigal (WSU) def. Haley Jones (USI) 6-2, 6-1

 

Doubles competition
1. Tori Turner/Taylor Culbertson (WSU) def. Kelsey Shipman/Brenna Wu (USI) 6-2
2. Lauren Hambrock/Kymberly Brannon (USI) def. Karoline Haller/Linsey Verstrepen (WSU) 7-5
3. Elaine Colern/Haily Morgan (WSU) def. Alex Jamison/Jennifer Mizikar (USI) 6-1

Adopt A Pet

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 Mango is a female American Staffordshire Terrier mix. She is 1 ½ years old, and she’s completely deaf! You’d never notice this if you watched her in the big dog park at VHS – she loves playing with toys and all the staff & volunteers. Mango’s adoption fee is $100 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more! Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

UE Softball sweeps doubleheader over Loyola

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Aces look for series sweep on Sunday

 All three facets of the game were working well as the University of Evansville softball team used strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting contributed to a doubleheader sweep for the Purple Aces over Loyola on Saturday at Cooper Stadium.

“This is a great way to start Valley play with two wins,” UE head coach Mat Mundell said.  “Our pitching staff did great job, the defense made some outstanding plays and our bats came alive with some timely hits and our outs were hard outs.  It is just a great day for our program.”

By clinching the series, UE (10-12, 2-0 MVC) won its first MVC-opening series since 2008.  In a pitchers duel in game one, Evansville took a 1-0 win while game to saw the Aces top Loyola (16-6, 0-2 MVC) by a final of 6-2.

Morgan Florey was on point in game one, striking out eight batters through four innings while not allowing a baserunner.  Loyola made its first big threat in the top of the fifth, putting runners on second and third with one out.  Michal Luckett made a huge play to finish the inning as she dove to grab a liner and threw out the runner at second to keep the score knotted up at 0-0.

Evansville recorded four hits through the first five frames, but a pair of walks saw the Aces put runners on first and second.  That is when Chandra Parr came through as a single through the right side plated Michal Luckett to give UE a 1-0 lead.  Florey got it done from there, going the distance allowing just one hit while striking out 11 to give UE the win.  Evansville outhit Loyola, 5-1, in the game.  Parr finished with two of those hits.

In the second game, the Aces offense wasted no time getting on the board.  Luckett hit a home run to right field in the bottom of the first to put UE on the board.  The defense took over in the top of the second as Luckett grabbed a ground ball and turned it into an inning-ending double play with two Loyola runners on base.

The Ramblers saw their first run of the day cross the plate in the top of the third on a Jordyn Cordell single up the middle to tie it up but UE quickly fought back.  Brittany Hay led the bottom of the third off with a double and Luckett made it a 2-for-2 start from the plate as she doubled to center to plate Hay and give UE a 2-1 lead.

Three more UE runs crossed the plate as Morgan Florey had an RBI while Morgan Lambert brought in two runs.  The lead was extended even more in the bottom of the fourth when Michal Luckett registered an RBI double to make it a 6-1 game.  Loyola added a run in the fifth as the final was a 6-2 Aces win.

UE outhit Loyola by an 11-4 margin in the second game as Lucket was a perfect 3-3 with 3 RBIs and two runs scored.  Hay, Florey and Lambert each finished with two hits apiece.

Tomorrow, the Aces look for the series sweep at 11 a.m.

 

TRUMP BUDGET

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Eagles settle for DH split with William Jewell

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University of Southern Indiana Softball settled for a doubleheader split with William Jewell College to open its 2017 Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule Saturday at the USI Softball Field. The No. 10 Screaming Eagles earned an 8-0, five-inning win in their home-opener, while the Cardinals stunned USI with a 7-6, nine-inning win in game two.

 

USI (18-4, 1-1 GLVC) returns to action Sunday at noon when it hosts Rockhurst University in a GLVC doubleheader. The Hawks (12-12, 2-0 GLVC) swept a conference twinbill from Bellarmine University Saturday afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Southern Indiana (18-4, 1-1 GLVC) 8, William Jewell (8-10, 1-1 GLVC)

–Box Score (5 inn.)

 

Sophomore second baseman Claire Johnson (Pittsboro, Indiana) went 2-for-3 with a double and a career-high five RBIs as USI Softball cruised to an 8-0, five-inning victory over William Jewell in the opening game.

 

Johnson’s three-run double in the last half of the second inning put the Eagles up, 3-0. Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt (Louisville, Kentucky) followed with an RBI-double in the next at-bat as USI extended its lead to 4-0.

 

Senior outfielder Grace Clark (Indianapolis, Indiana) had an RBI-single in the third inning to put the Eagles up, 5-0, while Leonhardt staked the Eagles to a 6-0 advantage with a sacrifice fly moments later. Johnson’s two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning ended the game via the eight-run rule.

 

Leonhardt (9-1) earned the win in the circle after scattering two hits and seven strikeouts throughout five innings. She allowed just two walks as she earned her third complete-game shutout of the year.

 

William Jewell 7, Southern Indiana 6

–Box Score (9 inn.)

 

Senior catcher Haley Hodges (Portage, Indiana) hit her program-record tying 38th career home run to cap off a five-run seventh inning as USI Softball rallied from six down to tie William Jewell, 6-6, and force extra innings.

 

The Cardinals (8-10, 1-1 GLVC), however, got a run in the top of the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly and a close play at the plate; and shut down the Eagles’ offense in the last half of the eighth and ninth innings to upend USI, 7-6.

 

William Jewell scored runs in the second, third, and fifth innings to build a commanding 6-0 lead, but USI responded with a tally in the sixth on an RBI-double by junior first basemanMarleah Fossett (Brownsburg, Indiana).

 

Trailing 6-1 in the seventh, the Eagles capitalized on a pair of William Jewell errors to get back into the contest. Senior outfielder Grace Clark (Indianapolis, Indiana) hit a two-run jack over the leftfield fence to cut the Cardinals’ advantage to 6-3; then, after an error and a sacrifice bunt by Leonhardt put junior outfielder Olivia Clark-Kittleson (Carbondale, Illinois) at second base, senior shortstop Lexi Reese (Lebanon, Indiana) had an RBI-single to get USI to within two tallies with Hodges due up next.

 

Hodges didn’t disappoint as she tied Rachel Bowling’s all-time school home run mark, sending a 1-1 offering over the centerfield fence to tie the score.

 

William Jewell, however, took advantage of a pair of lead-off singles in the ninth inning to forge a one-run lead they would not relinquish. USI went down in order in the bottom of the ninth as it saw its season-best 10-game win streak come to a close.

 

Earlier in the game, the Cardinals capitalized on a pair of USI errors to plate their first run in the second frame. They had a three-run home run off the bat of freshman Emily Hoover in the third frame and scored two more in the fifth to build a 6-0 lead.

 

Sophomore utility player Caitlyn Bradley (Forest, Indiana) was charged with the loss after giving up three runs off seven hits in five innings of work. She came on in relief to begin the fifth inning.

 

Southern Indiana 8, William Jewell 0 (Mar 18, 2017 at Evansville, IN) (Game 1)

———————————————————————-

William Jewell…… 000 00 -  0  2  2      (7-10, 0-1 GLVC)

Southern Indiana…. 042 02 -  8  9  0      (18-3, 1-0 GLVC)

———————————————————————-

Pitchers: William Jewell – Lewis, Sarah; Friesen, Taylor(2) and . Southern Indiana –

Leonhardt, Jennifer and .

Win-Leonhardt, Jennifer(9-1)  Loss-Lewis, Sarah(1-3)  T-1:25  A-175

Weather: Cold & windy

Game: 21-WJC

 

William Jewell 7, Southern Indiana 6 (Mar 18, 2017 at Evansville, IN) (Game 2)

———————————————————————-

William Jewell…… 013 020 001  -  7 13  2      (8-10, 1-1 GLVC)

Southern Indiana…. 000 001 500  -  6  9  3      (18-4, 1-1 GLVC)

———————————————————————-

Pitchers: William Jewell – Biondo, Anna; Greenstreet, Maddie(8) and . Southern Indiana –

Atkisson,Courtney; Leonhardt, Jennifer(3); Bradley, Caitlyn(5) and .

Win-Greenstreet, Maddie(1-1)  Loss-Bradley, Caitlyn(3-1)  T-2:20  A-175

HR WJC – Hoover, Emily (5).

HR USI – Hodges, Haley (5); Clark, Grace (4).

Weather: Cold and windy

Game: 22-WJC

 

House Approves Bill helping Students Pay For College

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The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill sponsored by State Rep. Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville) that would prevent funds saved in a 529 education savings account from being considered as a determining factor when applying for public assistance programs or educational financial aid.

According to Sullivan, Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan was established in 1997 to help families save for post-secondary expenses. With flexible investment options and affordable minimum contributions, these plans strive to make it as easy as possible to start saving for higher education early. However, 529 savings can currently be considered an asset that can negatively impact an individual’s financial assistance eligibility.

“Thanks to Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Plans, more than $3.76 billion have been invested in over 321,000 accounts today,” said Sullivan. “We want to make these benefits more available to lower-income Hoosier families. By establishing that 529 savings cannot affect eligibility for financial aid or other state assistance programs, more people will be able to participate in the program if they desire.”

The bill is backed by the Indiana Education Savings Authority, which oversees the CollegeChoice 529 Plan program. Since November 2014, the IESA has seen 97,000 new accounts created and over $867 million in new assets saved.

“As the chair of the Indiana Education Savings Authority, I am thrilled to see Senate Bill 412 move one step closer to completion,” said State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell. “We should be encouraging and not deterring Hoosier families to save for college.”

Funds saved in a 529 education savings account can be used to cover the costs of qualified education expenses such as books, computers, tuition and room and board at any post-secondary educational institution that is able to receive federal financial aid nationwide. The beneficiary can make withdrawals from their account tax-free so long as the money is being used appropriately.

The bill passed through the House and the Senate and can now be signed into law by the governor. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.

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