The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, Feburar y 10, 2021 B-3 WASHINGTON Continued from page 1 SWIM Continued from page 1 Meyer takes second sectional in a row By James Capozella A three-time Pocket Athletic Conference championship and a repeat sectional title has Pike Central senior Jenna Meyer in line to accomplish even more in Tuesday's regional competition at Jasper. The meet takes place past The Press-Dispatch deadline and results will be in next week's edition. Asked about how she got to the top of her sport, she said, "I have been diving since my fifth grade year. I used to be a compet- itive gymnast, so the flips, twists and body positioning for diving, I was able to reach into my gym- nastics background and train- ing. I am in multiple sports all year round, so I really can't ded- icate as much board time as oth- er divers might. "I am really proud of what I have been able to accomplish with only a few months of train- ing each season. I feel like I have to be mentally tough to compete in diving the way I want to. I can't worry about the other divers and what they are doing that day. "We have some really talent- ed divers in our area and I know that I can only control how I pre- pare for my dives. I try to stay fo- cused and consistent, which isn't always easy. I feel very fortunate to have been the PAC champion and sectional champion again this season. Now it's on to re- gionals and to see if I can better my performance from last year." Asked about the coaching as- pect, Jenna said, "I have had some amazing coaches along the way. Mike and Beth Bohnert, Ja- son McKinney, Travis Cochren and Missy Sparks have all been there for me. They all know their stuff and have been so support- ive, whether I was working on swim or my diving. PC has been very lucky to have them. I know I have been" On future plans, Jenna said, "A fter graduation, I will attend IUPUI and major in nursing. I would like to be a forensic nurse and am really excited about this new chapter." son went on and we saw per- sonal bests set often the later we got in the season. "We were missing three girls for sectionals that would have had a huge impact for the team. But despite them being out, we were able to move some things around and still swim a great meet to finish off the season. All of our girls set new personal best times in their events at section- als, which is huge and exact- ly what we were shooting for. We asked that they just give it their all and that's exactly what they did. "Jenna Meyer had another hugely successful year. She took first in nearly every reg- ular season diving competi- tion. She finished things off with another PAC first place finish, the third in a row, and her second consecutive first place finish at sectionals. Jen- na is diving tonight (Tuesday) at Jasper for regionals and her chance to advance to state this coming weekend. I think this is her year. She stands a great shot of advancing out of re- gional to state." The girls finished as a team in eighth place out of 16 teams. The medley relay team finished sixth and included Lady Chargers Emma McK- inney, Charlotte Dudenhoef- fer, Jenna Meyer and Addy Russell. Jillian Bailey, Maddi- son Riley and Tessa Vinnedge did not participate. Dudenhoeffer placed 9th in the 100 free. The 200 free relay, with Emma McKin- ney, Bailey, Avery Hunt and Dudenhoeffer, placed 5th. Emma McKinney was 10th in the breast stroke. The 400 free relay placed sixth, with Jenna Meyer, Avery Hunt, Ad- dy Russell and Dudenhoeffer. Taylor Oswalt placed 15th in the 100 fly. Coach McKinney said, "All the girls swam their best times on Thursday night and turned around and swam even better on Saturday." Above: Emma McKinney competed in the 100 breast stroke at sectionals. Right: Avery Hunt was part of the last event, the 400 free relay. fort throughout. I think we knew what Washington liked to do and we did pretty well except for that six-minute stretch. We wanted to force Washington to hit from the pe- rimeter and they made some shots. They are a good team, like 18 -1 now." Asked about seniors Kenzie Powell and Mallory Hickey, coach commented, "I am go- ing to really miss them both. Wonderful kids and good ball players. They started for three years for us and we are going to be hard pressed to replace their production." Regarding Washington's Kencia Levas- seur (33), coach commented, "She is a match-up nightmare for us." Levasseur hit a perfect eight of eight from the char- ity stripe in that six-minute, 24-point second quarter for the Lady Hatchets. Levasseur finished with a game-high 24 points, including nine of ten from the line, six baskets and a first-quarter three pointer. SENIOR COMMENTS Third year starters, se- niors Kenzie Powell and Mal- lory Hickey, played their last high school ball at Vincennes against the number two ranked Lady Hatchets. Pow- ell commented, "The season didn't end the way we want- ed. Our record may not show it, but this team was some- thing special. There was so much fight. We had a bond like I've never seen before. I had the best teammates this year, and I've always had great teammates the four years that I played. Being part of Pike Central basketball has taught me so many life lessons and gave me so many good mem- ories. Something I will nev- er forget. My coaches have always been supportive and pushed me, and along with my teammates, to do our best. I will definitely miss this sport and the people involved." Asked about future plans, Powell said, "I plan to attend Vincennes University at Jas- per in the Associate of Sci- ence Nursing Program to be- come an RN." Mallory Hickey comment- ed, "Obviously, the game didn't go the way we would have liked it, but we can't change that. I'm just proud of the effort and energy the team and I went in with. It was a long difficult season due to COVID, but overall I had fun. We had our ups and downs, but I couldn't be more proud of this team. I've had the best teammates, not just this year, but from the time I started and I wouldn't have been able to accomplish what I have do- ne without them. I will always miss being on the court with Kenzie, Jayln and Lauren." Asked about her future plans, Mallory said, "I haven't decid- ed what my future will hold, but I have narrowed down my options to either Ivy Tech or the Air Force." Lady Chargers: 9 6 11 13-39 Lady Hatchets: 8 24 13 10 - 55 Pike Central: Arteaga: 0 1 0 -0 0 3, Ka. Young: 0 1 0 -0 0 3, Powell: 0 1 2-1 0 4, Mills: 2 2 1- 0 3 10, Meadows: 0 0 0 -0 2, Fis- cus: 0 0 0 -0 0 0, Kya Leighty: 2 0 0 -0 3 4, Hickey: 1 2 4-3 3 10, Ke. Leighty: 0 0 0 -0 1 0, Hunt: 2 0 0 -0 4 4. Totals: 7 7 7-4 16 39. 9 15 26 39 Washington: Ledgerwood: 3 0 -0 2 9, Ajradinoska: 0 0 0 - 0 1 0, C. Browning: 0 1 0 -0 3 3, Thorne: 4 0 4-2 0 10, Levas- seur: 6 1 10 -9 1 24, J. Brown- ing: 1 1 4-4 0 9, Dalton: 0 0 0 - 0 1 0, Dant: 0 0 0 -0 1 0, Hill: 0 0 0 -0 1 0. Totals: 11 6 18 -15 11 55. 8 32 45 55 Kya Leighty does a ball fake and looks for the open Lady Charger at the Vin- cennes sectional. Leighty had four points in the first quarter against Washington. Mallory Hickey protects the ball from a Washing- ton defender during sectional action. Hickey had ten markers, including a pair of threes. Kenzie Powell moves the ball against Washington at the Vincennes sectional. Pow- ell scored 10 points, including a pair of threes. Coach Missy Sparks and Pike Central AD Dustin Powell are with senior Jenna Meyer after winning her second first-place sectional medal for diving. limited time, 60 months of Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Best Quality Products at Low Prices Everyday! SOUTHGATE CENTER IN JASPER • 812-482-2421 SPORTS Athletic Department Store All In-Stock ASICS SHOES Good Selection: Running • Training • Soccer • Baseball • Wrestling 30%- 50 % off