The Press-Dispatch
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B-4 Sports Wednesday, Februar y 14, 2018 The Press-Dispatch we did cut back some yard- age, so it's just really hard to come in there," he con- tinued. Mike Bohnert added that the long wait between events – the 200 -yard indi- vidual medley is the meet's third event and the 100 -yard backstroke is the meet's 10th event – may not have helped matters either. "We get there some- where around 4 o'clock and our first swim's at 6:30, and our second swim, I believe it was close to 8:30," he said. "You're sitting by yourself. You're not with a team. It's just really a different atmo- sphere." While Natalie Bohnert added 88/100th of a second to her qualifying time in the 200 -yard individual medley, Mike Bohnert noted that it was still an improvement of 1.1 seconds from her time at last year's state meet. In addition, while Natalie Bohnert added 56/100th of a second to her qualifying time in the 100 -yard back- stroke, it was an improve- ment of 90/100th of a sec- ond from her time at the state meet last year. "We're going in the right direction," Mike Bohnert said. "She's cutting time and moving closer to that top 16. Not quite there, but it's a work in progress." MEYER PLACES 16TH, STEPHENS 18TH IN DIVING REGIONAL In regional diving com- petition held at Blooming- ton North on Tuesday, Feb. 8, Lady Charger freshman Jenna Meyer placed 16th out of 20 competitors with an eight-dive score of 210.55 points, while junior Hal- lee Stephens – making her second appearance in three years at the regional compe- tition – placed 18th with an eight-dive score of 2:05.05. As a freshman in 2016, Stephens placed 14th with an eight-dive score of 219.40 points. Meyer missed being among the top 12 finalists by approximately 13 points. "I am absolutely im- pressed," Pike Central div- ing coach Missy Sparks Wilkerson said. "From the beginning of the year to the end, she made a signifi- cant improvement. She's do- ne so much better. We real- ly worked on the degree of difficulty to get those up so she can compete at a high- er level." Wilkerson said that she was looking forward to working with Stephens when she begins her senior season next fall. "I just really want to work with her dives and teach her different dives," Wilkerson said. "I want to try to chal- lenge her. Since she's go- ing to be a senior next year, I want to try to challenge her to do a little bit more." BOHNERT Continued from page 1 BOYS' SWIMMING GOOD LUCK AT SECTIONALS 812-354-9670 350 W. MAIN, PETERSBURG DOUBLE J COLLISION CENTER OPEN: MON.-FRI. 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. 12th & Main StreetS, PeterSburg 812-354-6000 FICKLIN AUTO SUPPLY Phone: 812-354-9995 Online: www.fourstarfab.com Four Star Fabricators P.O. Box 67, Petersburg, IN 47567 Four Star Fabricators P.O. Box 67, Petersburg, IN 47567 350 W. Main, Petersburg • Next to Double J Collision Call for Carry-Out or Faster Service (812)354-2606 Joe Mama's Pizza HWY. 57 SOUTH, PETERSBURG, IN Phone: (812) 354-8542 WYATT SEED COMPANY, INC. Pictured above is the 2017-18 Pike Central High School boys' swimming and diving team. They are, first row, left to right: Samuel Theising, Garrett Boyd, A.J. Hill, Colton Carpenter, Coleman Henson, Brayden Cooper, Jersey Mills and Ijaa Chambers. Second row: Manager Meredith Benson, Jacob Dudenhoeffer, Gavin Diggs, Lukas Hill, Jackson Keepes and Jacob Bohnert. Not pictured: Ty Cassitty, Adam Wilkison and Manager Jayden Ashby. John Heuring photo Petersburg 812-354-2121 www.americannursingcare.com Pike Central High School junior Natalie Bohnert swims the butterfly leg of the 200-yard individual medley during preliminaries at the 2018 IHSA A Girls' Swimming/Diving Championship at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis on Friday, Feb. 9. Submitted photo Reid Craig thriving at Oakland City University By Kenzie Rudolph Press-Dispatch Writer sports@pressdispatch.net Reid Craig, the eldest child of Jon and Cassi Craig, who lives just out- side of Alford, came to Oak- land City University for the 2017 fall semester after be- coming a 2017 graduate of Pike Central. While in high school, Craig was a busy student, involved in swing choir, NHS, golf, cross country and swimming. He also was the baseball manager for two years and the foot- ball manager four years, which prepared him for his new job at OCU, man- ager of the men's basket- ball team. Mary Sandifar, Head Coach Dr. Mike Sandifar's wife, gave Craig that ex- tra push and talked to him about becoming a manager for Coach Sandifar at OCU. Mrs. Sandifar knew Craig from teaching at Pike Cen- tral. He had not yet decided on a college yet, but OCU was in his top three choic- es, along with the Univer- sity of Evansville and the University of Southern In- diana. "My original goal grow- ing up was to be a basket- ball manager at IU," Craig said. Coach Sandifar of- fered him a scholarship, however, and OCU had what he wanted to study, which was Business with a Sports Administration con- centration. Hunter Elliot, who played basketball at OCU and who now is the head coach of the Pike Central boys' basketball team, talk- ed to Craig about his expe- riences there as well. Craig's responsibilities as a manager include run- ning the scoreboard during practices, laundry, water, working the coaches club and filming. He added, "I am all over the place during the game." Before coming to OCU, he already knew some of the guys on the team. He knew Addison Wagler, from Barr-Reeve, and An- drew Scott, from South Knox, from watching them play against Pike Central in high school. He also worked with Scott at Fish Hut Pizza. Scott always does a good job of keeping Reid in on everything that is happening. "I like the atmosphere here. The team has taken me in," said Craig. He would ultimately like to see more attendance from the community at the OCU basketball games, but he has built many friend- ships within the Oakland City Community. He added, "They have ac- cepted me well." Just like in high school, he is a busy man on OCU's campus. Along with being the men's basketball man- ager, he also joined the Stu- dent Government Associa- tion, where he has a say in what happens on campus. He believes that he made a good decision coming to OCU. "At OCU, people are here to study. It is not a party school. I am taking my time here seriously," said Craig. He has not thought much about near-future goals yet, but he hopes success is there. A fter college, he would like to work for a pro- fessional sports league or maybe land an Athletic Di- rector position at a college or a high school. Craig's fa- vorite college class thus far has been Business Math, because he is a numbers guy. He enjoys keeping track of statistics. Coach Sandifar had noth- ing but positive things to say about Craig. "He does a very good job, is very conscientious, and is a loving and caring per- son," said Sandifar. Sandifar added that Craig takes what he does seriously. He has done things that no other fresh- man manager has done. "Our team likes him and has excepted him...He is a great person to be around. He always wants to do the right thing," said Sandifar. The OCU mens' bas- ketball team, as of Sun- day, February 11, has a re- cord of 18 -2. They are also ranked 6th in the NCCA A. They will be in action at home again on Saturday, February 17 at 3 p.m. Oak- land City time. The cost of admission is $7. Craig would love to see packed bleachers next weekend. Reid Craig net edition pressdispatch.net/edition Web, Smartphone, Tablet Streamline the Headline! 812-354-8500 • 820 Poplar St., Petersburg, IN • ads@pressdispatch.net