FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
No. 14 Trailblazers fall in National Quarterfinals to No. 6 Panola
No. 14 Trailblazers fall in National Quarterfinals to No. 6 Panola
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Vincennes University Men’s Basketball team hit the floor Wednesday night in the 2025 NJCAA Division I National Tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Kansas.
The Trailblazers played in the National Quarterfinals with another tough opponent waiting for them in No. 6 seed Panola College from Carthage, Tex.
The Blazers got off to a tough start, with Panola quickly jumping out to an early 14-5 lead over Vincennes.
VU would respond with a 9-2 scoring run later in the first half to cut the deficit down to one point.
Vincennes would finally break through late in the first half with an 8-0 scoring run to take a 36-31 lead.
Panola answered back with a pair of threes to regain the lead before the Blazers closed out the first half with a late basket to head into the locker room break even at 40-40.
Panola once again got off to a fast start in the second half, opening the period on a 12-2 scoring run to take a 52-42 lead.
Vincennes regained composure and would use an 11-4 run to cut the Ponies lead down to three at 56-53.
VU was stay trailing by three at 62-59 before Panola broke away late by outscoring VU 11-4.
Vincennes attempted a late comeback but were unable to erase the deficit as the Trailblazers fell by the final score of 75-67 to Panola.
The Blazers were led offensively by freshman Travelle Bryson (Anderson, S.C.) who got the VU offense going early with 17 first half points, including hitting five threes and grabbing three rebounds.
VU sophomore and 2025 NJCAA Division I Region 24 Player of the Year Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) also matched Bryson’s total of 17 points in the game, while also leading the Blazers with seven assists and six rebounds.
Thomas ends his Trailblazer career with exactly 1,000 career points in his two season in Blue and Gold, becoming the 40th player in VU Men’s Basketball history to surpass the 1,000 point milestone.
Sophomore Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) was the third VU scorer in double figures Wednesday night, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds while dishing out five assists.
The Trailblazers close out their 2024-25 campaign with a final record of 28-5, winning 22 of their final 24 games and holding an impressive 16-1 record against Region 24 opponents.
VINCENNES BOX SCORE
VINCENNES (67): Bryan Akanmu 5-12 0-1 10, Lebron Thomas 5-12 7-8 17, Travelle Bryson 5-7 2-2 17, Dayton Williams 2-2 0-0 5, Hussein Elmaraghy 1-4 4-4 6, Christian Andrews 0-0 0-0 0, Taveon Smith 0-1 0-0 0, Michael Cooper 1-1 4-5 6, Darstin Onye 0-0 0-0 0, Ali Sakho 1-2 0-0 2, Kenaz Ochogwu 2-3 0-0 4, Team 22-44 17-20 67.
VU (28-5, 16-1) – 40 27 – 67
Panola – 40 35 – 75
Three-point goals: VU 6 (Bryson 5, Williams). Rebounds: VU 34 (Akanmu 6, Thomas 6). Assists: VU 14 (Thomas 7). Steals: VU 3 (Williams 2). Blocked Shots: VU 3 (Thomas 2). Turnovers: VU 14. Personal Fouls: VU 19. Fouled out: Elmaraghy. Technical Fouls: Thomas (1st – 13:30), Coach (2nd – 17:57).
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The Vincennes University Men’s Basketball season ends with a final record of 28-5 and a 16-1 record against Region 24 opponents.
Hoosiers Break American Record on Opening Night
Hoosiers Break American Record on Opening Night
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Indiana’s all-American quartet of senior Luke Barr, graduate transfer Brian Benzing, senior Finn Brooks and junior Matt King broke the American record in the 200-yard medley relay Wednesday (March 26) night to open the 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships inside the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
Indiana’s 1:20.92 marks the program’s first time under 1:21, shattering the previous Big Ten and program record 1:21.39 set at conference championships one month ago. The time is six hundredths faster than the previous American standard set by NC State a year ago. IU finished fifth in the first event of the championships.
Barr led it off in 20.65, almost identical to his Big Ten time. Benzing’s 22.65 breaststroke marked the fastest among the non-disqualified relays. Brooks went 19.49 in the butterfly, and King brought the Hoosiers home in 18.13 – the field’s fifth-best anchor.
Indiana’s sixth place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay will help its chances in this week’s team race. The Hoosiers were seeded No. 14 in the event with a 6:11.39 but won the third of four heats with a 6:06.76 to reach the podium.
The Hoosiers sit tied for third in the team standings with 54 points after two events.
“It was a good start for the Hoosier program,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “An American record in the 200 medley relay, then a fantastic 800 freestyle relay to end the session. Prelims will be key tomorrow morning. We need to focus on all the little things and execute fundamentals.”
Junior Owen McDonald led off the 800 free relay with a 1:31.14, moving him from No. 9 to No. 4 all-time in the program’s all-time performers list. Senior Rafael Miroslaw followed up with a nearly identical 1:31.39. Senior Kai van Westering contributed a 1:32.79 before fifth-year senior Tomer Frankel anchored with a 1:31.53.
RESULTS
200 MEDLEY RELAY
5. Luke Barr, Brian Benzing, Brooks, King – 1:20.92 (All-America, American Record, Big Ten Record, Program Record)
800 FREESTYLE RELAY
- Owen McDonald, Rafael Miroslaw, Kai van Westering, Tomer Frankel – 6:06.76 (All-America)
HOOSIER ALL-AMERICANS
Luke Barr – 200 medley relay
Brian Benzing – 200 medley relay
Finn Brooks – 200 medley relay
Tomer Frankel – 800 freestyle relay
Matt King – 200 medley relay
Owen McDonald – 800 freestyle relay
Rafael Miroslaw – 800 freestyle relay
Kai van Westering – 800 freestyle relay
UP NEXT
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships resume Thursday for day two, the first full day of action. Athletes will compete in the 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, 1-meter dive and 200 freestyle relay, with preliminaries beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Finals are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
@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.
#NeverDaunted
Trailblazers drop midweek clash at Wabash Valley
Trailblazers drop midweek clash at Wabash Valley
The Vincennes University baseball team was back in action Wednesday afternoon, hitting the road to nearby Wabash Valley College for a midweek showdown with the Warriors.
The Blazers fought hard but ultimately fell to Wabash Valley by the final score of 7-3.
Vincennes got the game off to a great start, with sophomore leadoff hitter Bradyn Douglas (Frankton, Ind.) leading off the game by reaching on an error and advancing through the bases on a passed ball and a wild pitch.
Douglas would come in to score the first run of the ball game on an RBI single by freshman Carter Gricius (Scottsburg, Ind.) to give the Blazers an early 1-0 lead.
Wabash Valley would get on the board in the third inning, scoring there runs in the inning to take their first lead of the game at 3-1 and adding two more runs in the sixth to increase their lead to 5-1 heading into the final third of the game.
Vincennes would look to complete a late comeback starting in the seventh after sophomores Yancey Edlin (Pekin, Ind.) and Noble Johnson (Terre Haute, Ind.) were hit by pitches.
The pair would then score on a clutch two-out two-RBI single by Bradyn Douglas to cut the Warrior lead to two at 5-3.
Wabash Valley would immediately answer back in the bottom half of the inning, getting those two runs back and taking a 7-3 lead.
VU once again looked to strike in the eighth after Carter Gricius led off the inning with a single followed by a walk by sophomore Damon Kay (Spencer, Ind.).
Vincennes would load the bases with a walk by Noble Johnson, his third time reaching base safely, but were unable to capitalize and plate a run in the inning.
VU’s last comeback attempt in the ninth again got off to a good start with Bradyn Douglas leading off the inning with a single, his fourth time reaching base safely in the game, followed by Carter Gricius being hit by pitch.
But again, the Trailblazers were unable to get a run across as the Warriors closed out the 7-3 victory over Vincennes.
Sophomore JD Bowser (Mt. Carmel, Ill.) got the start in his hometown Wednesday afternoon, throwing a scheduled inning of work, allowing one hit.
Freshman Ryan Rayburn (Columbus, Ind.) was the first man out of the bullpen for VU Head Baseball Coach Chris Barney, throwing one and one-third innings, allowing three runs, two earned and striking out one.
Freshman Jacob Allen (Vincennes, Ind.) followed him by throwing one inning, allowing no runs on no hits and striking out one.
Freshman Ty Stultz (Terre Haute, Ind.) pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.
Sophomore Yancey Edlin allowed one hit and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning while freshman Wyatt Burris (Farmland, Ind.) allowing one earned run on one hit.
Freshman Kory Kingsbury (Evansville, Ind.) pitched the final one and one-third innings allowing one hit and striking out one.
The Trailblazers will look to bounce back as the Blazers head into another tough Mid-West Athletic Conference series weekend, this time heading to Peoria, Ill. to face off against Illinois Central College.
The four-game weekend series will begin Friday, March 28 with first pitch set for 2 p.m. eastern, with the final two games set for Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. eastern.
BOX SCORE
VU (12-16, 3-9) – 100 000 200 – 3
Wabash Valley 003 002 20x – 7
VINCENNES HITTING
RBI – Douglas 2, Gricius. HBP – Gricius, Johnson, Edlin. SB – Edlin, Johnson. Sac Bunt – Burris.
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The Vincennes University baseball team falls to 12-16 on the season, with a 3-9 record in MWAC Conference play.
Mielke named CSC Academic All-District
Mielke named CSC Academic All-District
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Basketball graduate forward Jack Mielke was named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District for NCAA Division I. The award is the third in Mielke’s career at USI.
To be eligible for the CSC Academic All-District Award, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials and at minimum a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale). They must have reached a sophomore athletic and academic standing at the institution and must have completed at least one full academic year at the institution.
Mielke, a master of business administration candidate after graduating magna cum laude from USI with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Professional Services, started all 30 games last season for USI. He averaged 6.0 points and a career-high 5.7 rebounds per outing.
The graduate forward also posted his first career double-double with a season-high 17 points and 11 rebounds in a loss at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He added a second double-double at Liberty Arena when he had 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in the USI win over SIUE on Senior Night.
For more on Mielke and the 2024-25 Screaming Eagles, visit USIScreamingEagles.com.
OPINION: Is ‘Hygiene Equity’ the Mission of the Library?
By Johnny Kincaid
This week, County Commission President Justin Elpers sent a letter to Evansville Vanderburgh Library CEO R. Scott Kinney asking that machines dispensing free tampons and pads be removed from men’s restrooms at public libraries.
Elpers letter stated that the cost of purchasing, installing, and stocking the machines “represent an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer dollars.” Elpers’ letter did not address whether it was appropriate to place women’s hygiene products in the men’s room, he wisely stayed focused on the cost to the taxpayer.
In replying to Elpers, Kinney stated that there had already been discussions about the machines, and the decision was made to move them to the new family restrooms that are part of the five-year plan for the libraries. The Kinney reply neither addressed the appropriateness nor the expense.
The real question to ask is: What is the role of the public library?
Do the taxpayers provide funding to the library to address “hygiene equity,” as stated on the sign on the tapon dispenser in the men’s room? Is it in the charter of the public library that they are expected to provide free feminine hygiene products, regardless of what room they are distributed in?
If we deem it appropriate for the library to address disparities in hygiene, then why shouldn’t we repurpose the libraries to feed the hungry, house the homeless, or provide immunizations?
Communities invest in public libraries to provide a place to borrow books. Their mission is simple: to curate a collection of reading material that citizens can access.
Every taxpayer contributes to the library budget to fund their primary mission. Should the library desire an expansion of the mission for which they are funded, it should seek the public’s permission. To do otherwise is a betrayal of the public trust.
Joe Wallace: Tesla is the Most American Made Car on the Market, yet the left is targeting Tesla
Tesla is the Most American Made Car on the Market, yet the left is targeting Tesla
By Joe Wallace
Tesla has emerged as a prominent symbol in the American automotive landscape, not only for its innovative electric vehicles but also for its significant domestic manufacturing footprint. Recent analyses have highlighted Tesla’s commitment to American-made content, with models like the Model 3 and Model Y leading in domestic parts sourcing. However, the company’s association with political figures, particularly CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration, has sparked a series of protests, some escalating into acts of vandalism and violence against Tesla properties.Tesla’s American-Made Content
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla’s vehicles rank among the highest in U.S. and Canadian parts content. The Model 3 Long Range AWD and RWD variants, for instance, consist of 75% North American-made components, tying with the Honda Ridgeline AWD TrailSport for the top spot. The Model 3 Performance and all Model Y variants follow closely with 70% North American parts. The Model S and Model X comprise 65% and 60% North American content, respectively.
Further reinforcing Tesla’s domestic manufacturing presence, the 2024 Cars.com American-Made Index ranked the Model Y as the most American-made vehicle for the third consecutive year. Tesla remains the sole domestic automaker in the top ten of this index, underscoring its commitment to U.S. manufacturing.
Protests and Acts of Vandalism
Elon Musk’s active role in President Trump’s administration, particularly his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has polarized public opinion. This political involvement has led to nationwide protests against Tesla, with demonstrators expressing concerns over Musk’s influence on federal policies and his proximity to the administration.
While many protests have been peaceful, there has been a troubling rise in violent incidents targeting Tesla facilities:
- Loveland, Colorado: Lucy Grace Nelson was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Tesla dealership by throwing Molotov cocktails and spray-painting “Nazi cars” on the premises. These attacks caused approximately $220,000 in damages.
- Seattle, Washington: A fire damaged four Tesla Cybertrucks parked in a lot, prompting investigations into potential arson. a
- Portland, Oregon: A Tesla dealership was struck by gunfire, resulting in damage to vehicles and property.
- Boston, Massachusetts: Several Tesla charging stations were intentionally set on fire, leading authorities to suspect coordinated acts of vandalism.
Internationally, similar incidents have occurred. In France, a Tesla dealership near Toulouse was set ablaze, destroying eight vehicles. An anarchist group claimed responsibility, citing opposition to Musk’s perceived political affiliations and influence.
Public and Official Responses
The escalation of violence has drawn criticism from various quarters. Loveland Police Chief Tim Doran expressed frustration over the release of suspects involved in such attacks, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent further lawlessness.
Elon Musk has publicly addressed the protests and acts of vandalism, attributing them to groups funded by political opponents. He has called for investigations into these organizations, alleging that they aim to disrupt Tesla’s operations due to his role in the government.
Conclusion
Tesla’s dedication to American manufacturing is evident in its high domestic content across its vehicle lineup. However, the intertwining of corporate leadership with political affairs has made the company a focal point for dissent, leading to both peaceful protests and violent actions. While public discourse and protest are fundamental democratic rights, resorting to violence undermines constructive dialogue and poses risks to public safety. It is imperative for all stakeholders to engage in peaceful and informed discussions to address their concerns without resorting to destructive actions.
