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UE track and field heads to Chicago for MVC Indoor Championship

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The Purple Aces gear up for their final meet of the indoor season

CHICAGO — The University of Evansville track and field team will compete for the final time in the 2024 indoor season at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship.

Co-hosted by Valparaiso and UIC, the Purple Aces will see full Valley competition for the first time all season. UE has raced against a handful of MVC teams in Indiana State, Belmont, Southern Illinois, Murray State, and Illinois State. But it will be Evansville’s first time seeing Valpo, UIC, Bradley, Northern Iowa, Drake and Missouri State. In the pre-championship poll, Murray State was picked to be the winning team on the women’s side while Indiana State was picked on the men’s side. The Aces finished 12th and 10th in each poll respectively.

UE heads into indoor championships at 24th in the Great Lakes Region on the men’s side and 32nd on the women’s side according to the most recent USTFCCA weekly rankings. On the men’s side Evansville holds 8 top 20 positions in The Valley with four top 11 spots in the field and on the track.

On the track, Cedrik Flipo leads in the 800m at an 8th place spot with his time of 1:52.86 set at the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic. Flipo also aids the 4 x 400 Relay team where they sit 5th in The Valley. In the field Zach Dove and Jayden Hayes in the weight throw with matching distances of 17.83m. While Zach Dove also put up a top-20 performance in the shot put with a distance of 15.53m.  For the women, the Aces are led by Nicole Prauchner in the 800m who sits 9th in the MVC with a time of 2:11.99 and also aids in the 4x400m relay’s time of 3:58.59. Freshman Gwen Darrah leads the UE in the field with a weight throw with a distance of 14.45m for 14th in The Valley.

The Aces enter a young and competitive squad into the championship this year. Going into Sunday, UE has 8 events cracking the top 20 all held by sophomores or freshman athletes. Many of those young athletes have set new records for the program, including freshman runner Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS), Raymond Felton III (Houston / Clear Brook HS), and Flipo. In total, Evansville has set 18 program records across track and field events.

The Aces last competed at the Indiana State Open where the men had their highest team finish of the year in fourth while the women finished seventh. The most succesful race for UE was the women’s 800-meter race, where Nicole Prauchner (Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Austria) earned first place with a meet record of 2:13.51. Kalina Urbaniak (Suchy Las, Poland) and Eilen Brenne (Skien, Norway) also set meet records with times of 2:17.04 and 2:17.48 respectively. Nayla Martin (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Canada) also finished in the top five with a time of 2:19.03 for four top five finishes in the event.

On the men’s side at the Indiana Open, Rafael Rodriguez (Segovia, Spain) and Alvaro Monfort (Castile Y Leon, Spain) set meet records with times of 1:56.07 and 1:56.54 for eighth and 10th place in the 800-meter race. Also finishing in the Top 15 were Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS) and Tommaso Losma (Lombardia, Italy). Losma set a PR to finish 14th with a time of 1:58.59.

USI Softball drops two at Cocky Classic

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JACKSONVILLE, Ala.—University of Southern Indiana Softball suffered a pair of setbacks Saturday at the Cocky Classic. The Screaming Eagles fell to host Jacksonville State University, 12-4, in five innings in the opener, before falling, 12-4, in five innings to Belmont University in the second game.
 
In the opener, the Screaming Eagles had a promising start to the contest when freshman designated player Alyssa Mumaw (Greenfield, Indiana) hit an RBI-double in the top of the first inning to give USI a 1-0 advantage.
 
Junior second baseman Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) opened the second inning with a double and reached third with no outs as USI looked as if it might add to its lead.
 
Jax State (5-9), however, got out of the jam unscathed before tagging the Eagles with seven runs in the bottom of the second to take a commanding six-run lead. The Gamecocks added two more in the bottom of the third and three in the last half of the fourth as their lead ballooned to 12-1 heading into the fifth.
 
USI made a run in the fifth, scoring three times in an attempt to keep the game from ending in a run rule. A lead-off triple by sophomore outfielder Caroline Stapleton (Shirley, Indiana) set up sophomore Olivia Money (Fort Branch, Indiana) for a pinch-hit RBI-single to right field.
 
The proceeded to load the bases with a single and a walk in the following at-bats, setting up freshman Kate Satkoski (Lanesville, Indiana) for a pinch-hit, sacrifice fly to bring in the second run.
 
Sophomore second baseman Julianna Hibbs (Henderson, Kentucky) drove in the third run of the inning with an RBI-single, but that’s as close as USI would get as Jax State closed the door on the comeback attempt with a strikeout.
 
Junior pitcher Whitley Hunter (Nashville, Illinois) was charged with the loss after giving up five runs off four hits in a little over an inning of work. As a hole, Jax State finished with 11 hits on the morning.

Like the first game, the Eagles opened the second game with a 1-0 lead following a run-scoring single by senior catcher Sammie Kihega(Greenfield, Indiana) in the bottom of the first inning.
 
Belmont (6-4), however, answered with a tally in the top half of the second inning before erupting for five runs in the third frame and a commanding 6-1 advantage.
 
After loading the bases in the bottom of the third, the Eagles were able to get a run back to cut the deficit to 6-2; but a two-run fourth inning followed by a four-run fifth put the Bruins up 12-2.
 
An RBI-double by Money, followed by an RBI-single by junior pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) in the bottom of the fifth got the Eagles back to within 12-4, but that was as close as USI would get as a ground-out and a fly-out would strand two Eagles on base.
 
Newman (2-3) took the loss for the Eagles after giving up 12 runs, five earned, off eight hits. She also surrendered six walks while fanning five batters.
 

Petrova makes huge jump in second round

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Aces complete day two in Arizona

 

RIO VERDE, Ariz. – Kate Petrova posted a 2-under 70 to pace the University of Evansville women’s golf team on Saturday at the Rio Verde Collegicate Invitational at White Wing Golf Course at Rio Verde Country Club.

After finishing Friday with a 75, Petrova lowered her score by five strokes in the second round.  Her 145 is tied for 15thplace.  Allison Enchelmayer continued her consistent tournament.  She began play with a 75 before carding a 76 on Saturday.  Her 151 is tied for 47th.

Destynie Sheridan remains third for the Purple Aces.  She followed up Friday’s 77 with a 79 in the second 18.  With a 156, Sheridan is tied for 74th.  Fourth on the team is Jane Grankina.  She made a 5-shot improvement between rounds, lowering her score from an 82 to a 77 on Saturday.  With a 159, she is tied for 87th.  Magdalena Borisova enters Sunday’s third round with a 166.  Her score on Saturday finished at an 88.

Kara Carter of Xavier leads the individuals with a 137 while Esther Lee of Cal Baptist is one stroke behind in second.  Carter paced the field with a 5-under 67 on Saturday.  Xaver also leads the team standings.  Their 575 is one ahead of Cal Baptist.  UE is 16th with a 607.  They are two behind Loyola Chicago.

Sunday will mark the third and final round of the event.

Aces women’s basketball visits Illinois State for lone matchup

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The Purple Aces will see the Redbirds for one game at their arena
 
NORMAL, Ill. — The University of Evansville women’s basketball team will have its only game against the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Champions on Sunday.
The Aces were only a bucket shy of overtime at the Hulman Center on Thursday evening in a close battle with the Indiana State Sycamores. Junior guard Lexie Sinclair hit a three to get the game within one and took the last shot to try and send the contest to overtime. Sinclair’s shot was halfway in before it came back out, giving UE the close 69-66 loss. Evansville is currently perfect in overtime games and had hoped to do the same on Thursday in Terre Haute.

Illinois State comes into Sunday’s game on a three-game winning streak, including its most recent win over Bradley on Thursday. The Redbirds currently sit fourth in the MVC standings heading into the final two weeks of regular season play with 10 wins over Valley opponents. Illinois State is led by forward DeAnna Wilson in her fifth year with the program, averaging 16 points a game along with 7.3 rebounds. Tomorrow’s game is the Redbirds Play4Kay game, raising money to support breast cancer research, patients, and survivors.

Junior guard Lexie Sinclair continues to improve on the season, having her second double-figure scoring game in three contests. The guard has jumped up her scoring average by two points since the beginning of Valley play at the end of 2023. She also set a career-high in rebounds against the Sycamores, bringing down three defensive boards.

USI Women’s Basketball earns 750th program win in overtime Saturday

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MACOMB, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball earned its 750th win in program history on Saturday with a 96-89 overtime victory on the road at Western Illinois University.
 
The 750th program win came in USI’s first overtime game of the season. Plus, the milestone mark came on the heels of a sweep of a four-game road swing for Southern Indiana and a regular season sweep of Western Illinois. USI Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Stein, who is in his 25th season at the helm of the Screaming Eagles, has led USI to 602 of the 750 program victories. Saturday’s win was USI’s sixth consecutive victory going back to February 8, the second-longest winning streak this season.
 
With the win, Southern Indiana improved to 20-6 overall for USI’s 14th 20-win season in program history as part of the Screaming Eagles 35th winning season in 2023-24. USI also improved to 15-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference, having already captured the regular season championship and No. 1 seed at the OVC Tournament March 6-9 at Ford Center in downtown Evansville, Indiana.
 
Out of the opening tip on Saturday, Southern Indiana had a few good looks from beyond the arc that would not fall. The Screaming Eagles grabbed an early lead, but in the middle of the first quarter, Western Illinois went on a run to take a 13-9 lead with four remaining in the opening period. Western Illinois led 23-16 through the first frame.
 
Southern Indiana made a charge to start the second quarter, scoring five straight points. Three-pointers from senior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) and junior guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) helped spark a 10-0 run, pushing USI in front, 26-23, with six minutes left in the first half. Later in the quarter, a scoreless drought allowed Western Illinois to retake a 37-33 advantage. Just ahead of halftime, USI hit a pair of threes with one right before the buzzer by graduate guard Tori Handley (Jeffersonville, Indiana). The Eagles trailed by one, 40-39, at the intermission.
 
Early in the second half, Western Illinois built its lead up to six, 49-43. Southern Indiana fought back with a run in the middle of the third quarter, highlighted by a pair of baskets from freshman forward Chloe Gannon (Manchester, Tennessee) and a fast-break layup by freshman guard Triniti Ralston (Louisville, Kentucky). The effort by the freshmen gave the Screaming Eagles a 53-51 lead midway into the third. The two sides battled the rest of the quarter, as USI carried a 64-61 lead to the fourth stanza.
 
Out of the gates for the fourth period, Gannon dropped in two consecutive baskets to reach double figures for the game, as USI led 68-64 at the 8:30 mark of the fourth. After Western Illinois regained the lead, Shafford knocked down a corner trey, putting USI back up by one at the six-minute mark. A minute later, Raley muscled up a three-point play to energize the Screaming Eagles. A two-possession game late, the Leathernecks made another push to eventually even the game at 81. In the last 1:48, neither side could find a go-ahead basket, leading to the first overtime of the season for USI Women’s Basketball.
 
Southern Indiana drew first blood in the extra session when sophomore guard Ali Saunders (Depauw, Indiana) cashed in a three. A minute later, Western Illinois took the lead, but Shafford and the Eagles answered with another three. Then senior forward Madi Webb (Bedford, Indiana) fired up the Screaming Eagles again with a three-point play. Webb then followed it up in the next possession with another make in the post, making the score 92-85 USI. Another late bucket from Webb and free throws iced the win for Southern Indiana.
 
The Screaming Eagles shot the ball for 47 percent (31-66) overall and for 38 percent (11-29) from long range. In a game with frequent trips to the foul line, USI was 23-29 for 79 percent at the stripe. Southern Indiana outrebounded Western Illinois by 15, 48-33. For the second consecutive game, USI had five players register double digits. Shafford posted her seventh double-double this season with 25 points and 10 rebounds. The 25 points were one off Shafford’s career best. Shafford drained seven three-pointers in the game. Webb poured in 15 points with eight boards, Gannon registered 14 points, and Saunders finished with 12 points. Saunders also grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists. Also noteworthy, redshirt senior guard Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana) had nine points with a career-high eight assists.
 
Western Illinois dropped to 16-11 and 7-9 in the OVC on Saturday. The Leathernecks exit Saturday in seventh place in the league standings. In Saturday’s game, Western Illinois was 38 percent shooting (26-68) with eight triples. The Leathernecks were 29-32 for above 90 percent at the charity stripe. Western Illinois had three players in double figures and was led by freshman combo guard Raegan McCowan. McCowan scored over half of Western Illinois’ scoring total, dropping 45 of the team’s 89 points.
 
Southern Indiana will return home to Screaming Eagles Arena next week for a pair of home games against Lindenwood University and Southeast Missouri State University. Both games are 5 p.m. starts. Thursday’s game is Ascension Heart Health Night, and fans are encouraged to red out Screaming Eagles Arena. Saturday’s contest is Senior Night and the regular season finale.
 

Indiana students to get free FAFSA filing help at College Goal Sunday, February 25

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Indiana students to get free FAFSA filing help
at College Goal Sunday, February 25

Evansville, IN – Financial aid professionals from throughout the region will be volunteering at Ivy Tech Community College Evansville, as well as 36 other sites in Indiana to help collegebound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday.  The event is set for 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25.

The event will take place in Carter Library at Ivy Tech, 3501 N. First Avenue, and volunteers will be on hand to assist families. All individuals who plan to go to any college – not just Ivy Tech – are invited to attend. State law now requires all high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“We understand that with significant updates to this year’s FAFSA, College Goal Sunday is more important than ever,” said Caleb Fendrich, director of financial aid at Ivy Tech. “As best we can, we want to alleviate any concerns that students and families have about the financial aid process.”

Bill Wozniak, co-chair of College Goal Sunday statewide said there is additional importance for this event because there was only one help event like this, this year. “The delay in the new FAFSA from an October 1 launch to a late December soft launch has made many families anxious about getting the form filed.”

The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships, and Federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA MUST be filed by the State of Indiana priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee state aid for those that qualify. One of the reasons College Goal Sunday is so important is because many families perceive the form to be too complicated and time consuming to complete.  In less than one afternoon during College Goal Sunday, students and their families can get free help and file the form.

“Indiana is first in the Midwest and fifth in the nation in providing need-based financial aid to Hoosier students. Each year, Hoosiers have access to over $400 million in state financial aid and billions of dollars in federal aid,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “Increasing the number of FAFSA filings will lead to many Hoosiers realizing their higher education possibilities are more tangible than otherwise thought. Not only is the FAFSA a huge step in unlocking potential career options and better outcomes for individuals, but it is also a key to strengthening our communities as a whole.”

Now in its 35th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 98,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).

What students should bring

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent(s) should bring completed 2022 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2022 income and benefits information. Students who worked should also bring their income information. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their completed 2022 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2022 income and benefits information. Students and parent(s) are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at studentaid.gov before coming to the event.

Volunteers will walk through the online form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions as needed.

Attendees may win a scholarship from College Goal Sunday

Students may also win one of five $1,000 scholarships.  Students who attend College Goal Sunday and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship.  The winners will be notified in spring and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.

21st Century Scholars benefit

21st Century Scholars are income-eligible students who sign a contract in the seventh or eighth grade promising they will graduate from high school, meet grade point requirements, fulfill a pledge of good citizenship, and apply for college financial aid.  Upon high school completion, Scholars who have fulfilled the commitment and demonstrate financial need receive state funds to help cover their college tuition and fees for up to eight semesters at eligible Indiana public colleges or an equal dollar amount at eligible Indiana private colleges. To fulfill their pledge scholars must submit a completed FAFSA form on time, and College Goal Sunday can help.

Saturday Morning Session Sets up Tight Final Night

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – It’s shaping up to be an exciting final night at the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Swimming Diving Championships on Saturday (Feb. 24) inside the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center on the campus of Purdue University.

The Hoosiers placed 13 athletes in finals: nine in championships, two in B finals and two in C finals. They sit 23 points behind leader Ohio State, which put 14 athletes in finals: 10 in championships, two in B finals and two in C finals. These numbers do not account for the 1,650-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle relay. IU has the top seed in both races, determined by season results.

Junior Anna Peplowski and sophomore Kristina Paegle both posted swims under the 100-yard freestyle program record to qualify amongst the top four seeds. Peplowski reset her program record in 47.45 to earn the top qualifying spot, while Paegle’s 47.79 put her in a three-way tie for second. Senior Ashley Turak swam a personal best 48.54 to grab the last A final spot, and fellow senior Ella Ristic made the C final in 49.56.

Indiana will also have three championship finalists in the 200-yard backstroke. 100-yard champion Kacey McKenna continued her solid meet with a personal-best 1:53.57 to take the No. 3 seed. Senior Anna Freed also had a personal record, coming fifth in 1:54.17, and sophomore Mya DeWitt took eighth in 1:55.31.

In a daunting double, Freed also qualified for the 200-yard butterfly A final, posting a 1:57.87. Sophomore Katie Forrester was IU’s top qualifier in the event, touching in 1:57.87. Freshman Ava Whitaker took the top qualifier spot in the B final with a 1:59.25.

After earning a bronze medal Friday in the 100-yard breaststroke, junior Brearna Crawford is the No. 2 qualifier in the 200-yard event. She swam a 2:09.06 in the prelim but has clocked a personal-best 2:07.62 this season. Crawford won the event as a freshman and finished sixth a year ago. Freshman Reese Tiltmann earned a spot in the B final, touching in 2:14.13. Fellow freshman MacKenna Lieske initially tied for 24th in 2:16.04, forcing a swim-off. Lieske rose to the occasion to give IU another guaranteed scorer with a personal-best 2:13.87.

Four Indiana divers will score, with three of those competing in finals Saturday. Following her first-career Big Ten title on the 3-meter springboard on Friday, Liu posted scores of 63.00, 72.00, 67.20, 63.00 and 74.25 to total 339.45 points and earn the top seed. Freshmen Ella Roselli (232.10) and Lily Witte (219.60) made the B final, both making finals in all three events during their first championships. Senior Anne Fowler clinched nine points with her 17th-place finish in the prelim.


TEAM SCORES
1. Ohio State – 907

  1. Indiana – 884
  2. Michigan – 835
  3. Wisconsin – 624.5
  4. Minnesota – 574.5
  5. Purdue – 363
  6. Penn State – 305
  7. Northwestern – 298.5
  8. Nebraska – 296
  9. Rutgers – 237.5
  10. Iowa – 217
  11. Illinois – 152

    RESULTS (PRELIMS)
    200 BACKSTROKE
    3. Kacey McKenna – 1:53.57 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)

  12. Anna Freed – 1:54.17 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut Career Best)
  13. Mya DeWitt – 1:55.31 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut)

    100 FREESTYLE
    1. Anna Peplowski – 47.45 (Championship Final Top Qualifier, Program Record, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)

t2. Kristina Paegle – 47.79 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)

  1. Ashley Turak – 48.54 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
  2. Ella Ristic – 49.56 (C Final)
  3. Chiok Sze Yeo – 50.86
  4. Sydney Turner – 52.13 (Exhibition)

200 BREASTSTROKE

  1. Brearna Crawford – 2:09.06 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut)
  2. Reese Tiltmann – 2:14.13 (Consolation Final)

t24. MacKenna Lieske – 2:16.04 (Swim-Off Required)

  • Won Swim-Off: 2:13.87 (C Final, Career Best)

200 BUTTERFLY

  1. Katie Forrester – 1:57.66 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut)
  2. Anna Freed – 1:57.87 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut)
  3. Ava Whitaker – 1:59.25 (Consolation Final)

PLATFORM

  1. Skyler Liu – 339.45 (Championship Final Top Qualifier, NCAA Zone Qualifier)
  2. Ella Roselli – 232.10 (Consolation Final, NCAA Zone Qualifier)
  3. Lily Witte – 219.60 (Consolation Final)
  4. Anne Fowler – 210.75

Fraudulent Check Cashing Ring Arrests

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 In the spring of 2023, our EPD Financial Crimes Unit began to investigate reports of fraudulent checks being passed at local financial institutions. They discovered a pattern with multiple cases that had similarities. The detectives learned that several suspects were coming into Evansville and targeting the unhoused population. The suspects would offer new clothes, phones, or money to these individuals in exchange for them to cash fraudulent checks. 

The suspects would drive into Evansville, steal checks from local businesses, and alter the checks. They would then find a local individual and entice them into cashing the check. Once the suspects got the money, they would leave town again. 

The Financial Crimes Detectives along with our Mental Health and Homeless Liaison Officers wanted to educate our Evansville residents who were being targeted. Our officers and detectives had reached out to our local shelters and let the staff and residents know about these crimes, what to watch out for, and how to report suspicious behavior. Unfortunately, several of the local individuals did get caught up in this investigation and had been arrested for cashing these fraudulent checks. 

The most recent incident occurred on February 21st. Daniel A. Ravellette was arrested at a local bank for cashing a fraudulent check. Ravellette told officers that he is homeless and two suspects in a white vehicle had recruited him to cash the check. Detectives were able to identify the suspects, but they had already left town. 

This morning, February 23rd, detectives learned that the two suspects were back in Evansville. Twenty-five-year-old Kalil D. Smith and 34-year-old James C. Thacker were located and arrested in Evansville. They were both charged with Fraud and transported to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center. 

The Financial Crimes Unit will continue to investigate these types of crimes. If you have information or see any suspicious behavior that could be related to this type of investigation, please contact the Financial Crimes Unit at (812) 436-7991 or the EPD Tip Line at (812) 435-6194. 

Conner to serve as USI Director of Athletic Marketing and Fan Engagement

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Cameron Conner has been selected as Director of Athletic Marketing and Fan Engagement at the University of Southern Indiana, effective Monday, February 26. He will report to Kindra Strupp, Vice President for Marketing and Communication, and Jon Mark Hall, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics.

As the Director of Athletic Marketing and Fan Engagement, Conner will provide strong vision and be responsible for planning, development, and implementation of athletic marketing strategies, branding initiatives, marketing communications, community activities and game experience. This role is responsible for enhancing the profile of USI Athletics within the University and externally.

Prior to USI, Conner was Director of Game Day Operations and Events at McKendree University in Illinois where he served as game day manager for 36 athletic programs, developed theme night promotions to increase athletic event attendance and revenue, assisted with the production of all print and electronic media advertisements and more. Conner has also worked as a high school athletic director and served in several intern roles before his time at McKendree.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Lindenwood University-Belleville; a master’s degree in education, from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; a master’s degree in sport management from Missouri Baptist University; and is working to complete a doctorate in college access/career readiness and student support services in higher education from the University of Missouri St. Louis.

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