Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

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                                                                                                                                                 June 10, 2006

 

WHITING BECOMES FIRST UNBEATEN STATE CHAMPION

Whiting became the first softball team in any class to finish a season undefeated by topping Lanesville, 3-0 in the Class A state championship game at Ben Davis High School.  The Oilers (33-0) won the school’s second IHSAA championship in school history and first since boys swimming in 1933. 

 

The starting pitchers, freshman Mel Dumezich of Whiting and senior Allison Horton of Lanesville, pitched the entire game.  Strong pitching and defense from both teams resulted in 0-0 score after three innings.  Whiting had a chance to gain some momentum after Dumezich hit a line drive to right field but a running catch by Erin Harbeson kept the bases clear. 

 

Whiting, led by 24th year head coach Paul Laub, took control of the game in the top of the fourth inning.  A fielding error put Whiting catcher Leann Martinez on first base.  A single by Liz Curosh combined with another Lanesville error resulted in Martinez scoring the first run of the day.  A double by Ashley Kieltyka then scored pinch runner Adi Cruz and Kieltyka took third on the throw.  Sam Plavec then fouled out to the first baseman but with no one covering home on the play, Kieltyka scored the third run of the inning.

 

The remaining innings were scoreless, as once again the defense dominated the field. Dumezich (32-0) earned the win for the Oilers striking out 11 and only giving up one hit.  Allison Horton (16-10) finished the day with eight strikeouts and gave up three hits for Lanesville.

 

Lanesville, under head coach Kayla Straub, finishes the season 16-10 and were making their first appearance in a state championship game. It was the Eagles’ second consecutive trip to the state finals.       

 

Elizabeth Curosh of Whiting named Mental Attitude Award winner

Elizabeth Curosh of Whiting High School was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class A softball.

 

Curosh finished as the valedictorian of her senior class this year and is involved in numerous clubs and causes through school and the community. She was voted to Hoosier Girls State by her teachers, served as a DARE student leader, National Honor Society President and a Scholastic All-Star. She has also been a member of the school’s Spanish, booster and environment clubs and the Student Council.

 

Athletically, she has been a four-year member of the Whiting softball team and also played volleyball.

 

She is the daughter of Nancy Danielides and Andrew Curosh.

 

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Whiting High School in the name of Curosh.