25 - Kokomo School

3
Kat Chatter
Friday, March 25, 2016
Thought for the day
“You have to expect things of yourself
before you can do them.”
Michael Jordan
Today’s Athletic Events
SPORT
OPPONENT
LOCATION
No athletic events are scheduled
TIME
THE WILDKAT
Softball
The Kokomo-Eastern game scheduled for last night was
postponed.
The next Kat Chatter will
be on Tuesday, March 29th.
The Lady Kats played well enough to beat
Fishers Monday night, but couldn't put them
away and lost a heartbreaker 4-2, giving up four
runs in the top of the seventh.
Kokomo got on the board first with a two- run
home run by Cathy Skaggs, which scored Ellie
Trine to stake us to a two- run lead.
The lead held until the top of the seventh. Fishers
put together a rally to score four runs, and we
didn't have an answer in the bottom of the inning.
Cathy had another single, and Ellie and Katelyn
Dowden had our other two hits. Fishers’ pitcher
Gabbi Schnaitter is a Butler recruit, and she held
us at bay for the rest of the game.
Rachel Lawson took the hard luck loss. She
pitched all seven innings and allowed only four
hits, struck out four, and walked three. We just
didn't finish and put them away.
Coach Susong
Cathy Skaggs
Hit a two-run homer in her first
at-bat of the season
SEASON PREVIEW
BOYS TRACK
The boys track and field team had an outstanding 2015 track and field season. The
team finished the season with a 37-8-1 record, was the North Central Conference
runner-up, and captured our 59th IHSAA Sectional Championship in school history.
Unfortunately, state finalists Avery Barrett and Jordan Nix have graduated and
junior Hanif Burnett, who placed 14th in state meet in the 400 meters, moved to
Georgia at the start of second semester. In addition, Jordan Rawlins, who was a
major contributor last year, has graduated.
We have several key individuals who we can build our team around and several
freshmen and first-year athletes who will have to contribute for this to be a
championship season.- Coach Byrnes
Distance:
One of the strong areas for this year’s team will be the distance crew. They will be
led by seniors Ethan Sharp and Colten Pearce. Additionally, juniors Coy Brandon,
Nigel Lenoir, Max McHaney, and sophomores Cory Dea, Noah Gallaher, Yerik
Pike, J.C. Roberts, Justin Taflinger, and Alex Ward, and freshman Max White will
provide some strong performances this year. They have worked very hard in cross
country and over this winter under the leadership of longtime distance coach Ricke
Stucker. - Coach Byrnes
Sprinters:
The sprint group will be led by senior Rolando Tyler, who is one of the top
hurdlers in the area, along with junior Andrecus Eddington, who is one of the best
sprinters in the area. Andrecus is the defending NCC champion in the 400 meters
and just missed making it to the state meet last year in the 100 meters. Adding
depth to the sprints will be returning runners Aion Jones, Joseph Nieto, and Tyler
Shelly. Also key will be first-year runners Terrence Armstong, Drake Blackburn,
Santiago Gutierrez, Robby Lambert, Paul Lancaster, Josep Martinez, Gustavo
Teixeira, Eduardo Vazquez, Justin Wallace, and DeShawn Winston. - Coach
Byrnes
(continued on the next page)
High Jump/Long Jump:
Our high jumpers and long jumpers have several first-year athletes going into the 2016 outdoor
track and field season. Senior Colten Pearce and junior Andrecus Eddington are the only
returning letterman with any experience on the long and high jump runways. We have a lot to
look forward to with three freshman jumpers - André Nash, Julian Wallace, and DeShawn
Winston, who are showing they all have the potential to become four-year track lettermen. As
well, senior Robby Lambert and junior Terrence Armstrong are first-year jumpers who are
showing that they could compete for some ribbons. – Phil Cox, Jumps Coach.
Pole Vault:
Rolando Tyler is our only returning varsity pole vaulter this year. His personal best is
11’6”. Joseph Nieto returns for a second year with a personal best of 8’6”. We have several
newcomers this year in Tyler Shelly (sophomore), Drake Blackburn (freshman), Paul
Lancaster (freshman), and Kevin Logan (freshman). Our workouts have been positive, and we
are looking forward to nicer weather. - Steve Cusick, Vault Coach
Shot Put/Discus:
The KHS track team’s throwing corps this year has a good blend of experienced throwers and
throwers new to the shot put and discus. Senior Zarquan White has thrown all four years at
KHS and will contribute in both the shot put and discus. Senior Cameron Fitts has participated
in the throwing events since his sophomore year and will be a big contributor this year,
particularly in the shot put. Seniors Jai Malone and Israel Nieto have participated in the
throwing events since their sophomore year and will participate in both the shot put and discus
this year. Sophomores Nathan Pine and Gavin Bitner are in their second year as KHS throwers
and look to be big contributors in the throwing events. Both have shown considerable
improvement since their freshman year. Senior and newcomer Kendale Harris has been a
pleasant surprise in the throws, demonstrating an ability to compete in varsity-level
competition despite only having a couple of weeks of practice and experience. Also
participating in the throws this year will be senior Teddy Eddington and freshman Keegan
Paul. Both are new to the throwing events this year. Overall, our goals for the throwing
events are for each thrower to consistently improve throughout the season and be able to
consistently score in both our dual meets and the big meets. Most importantly, we have set a
goal to advance some throwers beyond the sectional meet in the state tournament. - Scott
Mathias, Throws Coach
Volunteer Coaches:
I would also like to thank our volunteer coaches who are working hard and giving their
expertise to our kids. John Alsup is working with our long jumpers and is the 2011 state long
jump champion. Bill Blackburn is working with our pole vaulters and is the 1979 state runnerup in the pole vault. Justin Pugh is working with the high jumpers and is a former state finalist
and Robert Lancaster, who is working with the hurdles, is a former two-time state finalist.Coach Byrnes
Name
Pearce, Colten
Sharp, Ethan
Lambert, Robby (H/J)
Martinez, Josep (H)
Teixeira, Gustavo (H)
Tyler, Rolando (H, PV)
Eddington, Teddy
Fitts, Cameron
Harris, Kendale
Malone, Jai
Nieto, Israel
White, Zharquan
Brandon, Austin "Coy"
Lenoir, Nigel
McHaney, Max
Armstrong, Terrence (LJ/HJ)
Eddington, Andrecus (LJ)
Gutierrez, Santiago (H)
Wei, Zhiyuan
Robinson, Chris
Daniels, Titus
Smith, Tyler
Vawter, Abrianna
Coaches:
Tom Byrnes
Ricke Stucker
Steve Cusick
Phil Cox
Scott Mathias
Robert Lancaster
Justin Pugh
Bill Blackburn
John Alsup
12
11
10
Grade
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
Events
Distance
Distance
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Throws
Throws
Throws
Throws
Throws
Throws
Distance
Distance
Distance
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Throws
Name
Dea, Corey
Gallaher, Noah
Pike, Yerik
Roberts, Jacob
Taflinger, Justin
Ward, Alex
Jones, Aion (Jumps/H)
Nieto, Joseph (PV)
Shelly, Tyler (pv)
Bitner, Gavin
Pine, Nathan
Hawley, Griffin
White, Max
Blackburn, Drake (PV)
Lancaster, Paul (H)
Nash, Andra' (LJ)
Vazquez, Eduardo (HJ/H)
Wallace, Julian (HJ, H)
Winston, DeShawn
Paul, Keegan
Manager
Manager
Manager
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Vol. Asst. Coach
Vol. Asst. Coach
Vol. Asst. Coach
Vol. Asst. Coach
Sprints
Distance
Pole Vault
Jumps
Throws
Hurdles
Jumps
Pole Vault
Jumps/Sprints
Grade
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
Events
Distance
Distance
Distance
Distance
Distance
Distance
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Throws
Throws
Distance
Distance
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Sprints
Throws
2016 KHS
BOYS TRACK SCHEDULE
Tue
3/29/16
Thu
Sat
4/14/16
4/16/16
Tues
4/19/16
Sat
4/23/16
Tue
4/26/16
Sat
4/30/16
Anderson
Spring Break April 4-8
Peru
Marion Relays
Lafayette Jeff
Muncie Relays
Marion
Kokomo Relays
H
5:00
H
T
5:00
11:00a
T
5:30
T
10:00a
H
5:30
H
11:30a
IWU
TBA
T
5:00
Kokomo
5:00
SB St. Joe
6:00
IU
TBA
Broad Ripple, Mount Vernon, Herron,
Western, Crown Point, Kokomo, NW,
Ben Davis
Fri
5/06/16
Thu
5/12/16
Thu
5/19/16
North Central
Conference
Logansport
Sectional
Regional
State Finals
SEASON PREVIEW
BASEBALL
The Kokomo Wildkats have high expectations coming
into the 2016 baseball season. The Wildkats return a solid
group of players that went 12-14 on the season in 2015.
They have had a solid offseason and with an additional
year of experience look to compete for an NCC title and
sectional crown.
The Kats will be led on the mound by sophomore Jack
Perkins and senior Chase Pearce. Pearce was an allconference selection this past season. Also seeing time
on the mound this spring will be seniors Cory Shrock and
Logan Hawk, and sophomores Kyle Wade, Bayden Root,
Nate Hemmerich, and Noah Hurlock. Rounding out the
staff will be Quamielle Belt, DaShaun Barbary, Kenny
Burton, and Colt Munsey.
At the plate the Kats will need to improve over last
season’s offensive production. Returning leading hitters
Root, Perkins, Hurlock, Wade, and Hemmerich will look
to build off of their freshmen campaigns. Seniors
Shrock, Hawk, and Pearce will need to be steady
contributors as well. Newcomers Barbary, Perry
McCullum, and Burton will be asked to jump in and
contribute right away.
The Kats defensively will be able to have many different
moving pieces. The majority of our infielders have the
ability to play multiple positions. Those seeing time in
the infield will be Root, Wade, Perkins, Hurlock, Pearce,
Barbary, Belt, and Munsey.
(continued on the next page)
In the outfield, Hemmerich, McCullum, Hawk, Barbary, Jesse Johnson, Perkins, Munsey
and Burton will be competing for playing time.
The Kats schedule will bring many tests throughout the season. The Wildkats will
compete against the always tough NCC West with the likes of McCutcheon, Lafayette
Jeff, Harrison, and Logansport. The Kats non-conference schedule includes perennial
power and sectional opponent Zionsville, as well as Noblesville, Westfield, and Brebeuf.
The Wildkats hope a challenging regular season will prepare them for a rugged sectional
field.
This should be an exciting season for the Kats Baseball program. With the gained
experience from last season as well as the hard work put in the offseason, we are looking
forward to big things this spring.
We would love to see you this spring at the ball park.
Coach Swan
Number
2
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
20
21
22
23
24
25
27
Name
Colt Munsey
Brian Harding
Logan Hawk
Jesse Johnson
Kenny Burton
Noah Hurlock
Spencer Bowlin
Kai Lane
Cory Shrock
Perry McCullum
Kyle Wade
Josiah Bolton
Quamielle Belt
DaShaun Barbary
Jack Perkins
Chase Pearce
Nate Hemmerich
Bayden Root
Coaches:
Sean Swan
Billy Gibson
Dean Mueller
Eric Dill
Shawn Mayfield
George Phares
Grade
Pos
11
11
12
12
11
10
11
11
12
11
10
11
11
11
10
12
10
10
UTL
1B/P
OF/P
OF
UTL
INF/P
OF/P
INF/P
C/P
OF
INF/P
C
1B/P
UTL
P/INF
P/INF
OF/P
INF/P
Head Coach
Assist. Coach
Assist. Coach
Assist. Coach
Assist. Coach
Assist. Coach
2016 KHS
BASEBALL SCHEDULE
DAY
Thu
DATE
3/24/16
Mon
3/28/16
Tues
3/29/16
Wed
3/30/16
TEAM
Scrimmage – NW
Fishers
Huntington North
North Miami
PLACE
H
TIME
4:30
T
5:30
H
5:30
H
5:30
T
6:00
H
6:00
T
6:00
H
11:00a
T
5:30
H
5:30
T
11:00a
H
5:30
T
5:30
H
7:00
H
11:00
T
5:00
T
6:00
TBD
11:00a
H
6:00
H
5:30
TBD
10:00a
H
5:30
H
5:30
H
11:00a
H
5:30
Spring Break April 4-9
Tue
4/12/16
Wed
4/13/16
Fri
4/15/16
Sat
4/16/16
Tue
4/19/16
Wed
4/20/16
Sat
4/23/16
Tue
4/26/16
Wed
4/27/16
Fri
4/29/16
Sat
4/30/16
Mon
5/02/16
Tue
5/03/16
Sat
5/07/16
Tue
5/10/16
Wed
5/11/16
Sat
5/14/16
Mon
5/16/16
Wed
5/18/16
Sat
5/21/16
Mon
5/23/16
Lafayette Jeff
Lafayette Jeff
Frankfort
Harrison (DH)
Logansport
Logansport
Warsaw (DH)
McCutcheon
McCutcheon
Northwestern
Brebeuf (DH)
Western
Zionsville
NCC Tournament
Noblesville
Marion
NCC Tournament
Westfield
Perry Meridian
Muncie Central (DH)
Huntington North
After a slow start to the 2015-16 season, the
Kokomo Wildkats basketball team found our
footing in the back third of the season to pull out
a 14-win campaign.
With many highlights to the season the first came
in the form of an 86-79 road victory over Class
3A state-ranked and rival Marion Giants. The
Kats were able to take a commanding lead early
in the game and dominate the pace throughout to
leave Bill Green Arena in victorious fashion.
One of the goals this season for us was to avenge
any loss from the previous season and we were
able to accomplish that feat seven times. With
our schedule and North Central Conference
loaded with talent this season, it was important to
win home games and put ourselves in a position
to steal a few road games. Our team this year had
a winning record both at home and on the road,
which is a step forward from the 2014-15 season.
One of the biggest road wins for our team this
year came at Indianapolis Arsenal Tech, another
highly rated team in Class 4A with a Mr.
Basketball candidate in C.J. Walker. In similar
fashion to the Marion game, we dominated from
tip to buzzer with tempo, teamwork, and
execution.
(continued on the next page)
Throughout every season there are many surprises and disappointments which
are unpredictable but both have major impacts on the season and outcomes.
From a personnel standpoint junior Keenen Wheeler was a big surprise with
his ability to grow into a consistent scoring and rebounding threat. We were
able to get consistent production from our senior guard Jordan Matthews, who
led the way in scoring, assists, steals and free throw percentage. Jordan
became the 11th Wildkat to eclipse the 1,000-point barrier in the final regular
season game of the season. He ended his career with 1,020 points.
Sophomore Kyle Wade continued to emerge as our workhorse rebounder and
finisher scoring on 60-percent of his shots and leading the way with 5.5
rebounds per game. Junior wing Ty Sparling led the team for the second year
in a row in total three-pointers made with 30, which was nearly double the
number of makes as the next player. Another surprise this season was the
growth of sophomore wing Anthony Barnard, who saw varsity action in 17
games and led the team in three-point percentage on the year.
It is and always will be difficult to see players end their playing careers in their
last loss of the season. We say goodbye and good luck to three young men that
have challenged the odds to establish a tradition of discipline and toughness in
their pursuit to be part of a program. Matthews, Marcelle Kenner and Jeron
Gray gave us many moments to stand up and cheer them in their hustle, their
determination, and their desire to be their best. It is our hope that our younger
players can take some of that grit and apply it to their journey as they step
forward into new opportunities.
We will have a tough task next year because our schedule and our sectional
continue to be challenging. We must close the gap this offseason with those
teams that hold the keys to a conference and sectional championship. With
experienced players like Brevin Beard, Sparling, Wheeler, Wade, and the
additions of Barnard, Nate Hemmerich, Trajan Deckard and many others, we
look forward to moving the program forward. This season we were able to
increase our program wins at the high school level by plus 16 wins. That is a
tremendous step forward in the development and consistency in a program.
In Hoops,
Coach Moore
DaShaun Barbary
Wrestling
Jordan Bousom
Boys Swimming
Caleb Cook
Boys Swimming
Logan Hawk
Boys Swimming
Jordan Matthews
Boys Basketball
Quaynika
Merriweather
Girls Basketball
Jack Stevens
Boys Swimming
Max White
Boys Swimming
Conner Wood
Boys Swimming
Jabin Wright
Wrestling
Photo courtesy of Dean Hockney
Logan Hawk signed his National Letter of Intent to
continue his academic and athletic careers next year at
Wabash College in Crawfordsville, where he will be a
member of the Little Giants swim program.
Congratulations, Logan.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Cameron Fitts
Grade: 12
Sport: Track
The NCC school I most enjoy playing against: Richmond
My favorite ice cream: Chocolate
My favorite shade of blue: Navy
Which of your immediate family participated in sports? None
One of my favorite musical performers: Snoop Dogg
My favorite M&M flavor: Plain
My choice of eggs for breakfast: Scrambled
My favorite Beatles song: I Want to Hold Your Hand
The electronic device I would miss the most: XBox
The sport I enjoy watching on television the most: Football
My favorite home-cooked meal: Greens
My most influential youth coach: Coach Miller
Other than the sport I am currently in, the sport I enjoy playing the most: Football
The Colts have picked five quarterbacks with the #1 pick in the NFL draft. Besides
Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, which three of the following were #1s?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Jeff George
George Shaw
Gary Hogeboom
Bert Jones
Jim Harbaugh
John Elway
Jack Trudeau
Mike Pagel
Art Schlichter
Answer appears at the bottom of the page.
Who was the KHS varsity baseball coach in the spring of 1998?
Answer will appear in the next Kat Chatter.
Answer to the last Wildkat Trivia
Who was the KHS varsity softball coach in the spring of 1998?
Dan Smith
This Week in Wildkat Country
SPORT
OPPONENT
LOCATION
TIME
Friday, March 25
No athletic events are scheduled
Saturday, March 26
Track & Field (Girls V)
Track & Field (Boys V)
HSR finals
HSR finals
Purdue University
Purdue University
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Monday, March 28
Softball (Girls JV)
Softball (Girls V)
Baseball (Boys V)
Baseball (Boys JV)
Lebanon
Lebanon
Fishers
Fishers
KHS
KHS
Fishers
CFD Stadium
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Tuesday, March 29
Track & Field (Girls V)
Track & Field (Boys V)
Softball (Girls V)
Baseball (Boys V)
Baseball (Boys JV)
Baseball (Boys Fr)
Anderson
Anderson
Peru
Huntington North
Huntington North
Huntington North
KHS
KHS
KHS
Municipal Stadium
CFD Stadium
KHS
5:00 PM
5:00 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
Wednesday, March 30
Baseball (Boys V)
North Miami
Municipal Stadium
5:30 PM
Thursday, March 31
Baseball (Boys Fr)
Guerin
Guerin
5:30 PM
N.C.C. Student-Athlete of the Week
KHS Web Favorites
KHS Athletics
http://www.kokomoschools.com/domain/410
Kokomo Tribune
http://www.kokomotribune.com/
Sports Journal of Central Indiana
www.indianasportsjournal.com
WIOU – Radio broadcasts
1350amwiou.com
Kokomo Herald Sports
http://theheraldsports.com
Kokomo Perspective – Streaming Video Webcasting
www.kokomoperspective.com
Howard County Sports Hall of Fame
http://www.howardcountysportshof.com