jrussell@ihsaa.org

Three girls teams return from the final four of 2000 and three boys teams will be in the field for the first time when the eighth annual IHSAA Soccer State Finals are played Saturday (Oct.27) at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis. Competition begins at 10 a.m. with the boys semifinals on two fields. The girls semifinals follow at noon. The boys championship game is at 6 p.m., followed by the girls championship game at 8 p.m.

Top-ranked and defending champion Carmel (21-0-1) headlines the girls teams. The Greyhounds have reached the state finals for the seventh time and will seek their fifth title. Their opponent, Evansville Memorial (18-2-1), is in the state finals for the sixth time. Carmel and Evansville Memorial have met in the state finals on three earlier occasions. Carmel prevailed 2-1 in the 1995 state championship game, then Evansville Memorial grabbed the 1996 state championship with a 1-0 victory over the Greyhounds. In 1998, Evansville Memorial defeated Carmel 2-0 in the semifinals.

In the 2000 state finals, Carmel defeated Noblesville 3-0 in the semifinals and Chesterton 5-0 in the final. First-time state finalist Chesterton reached the championship game with a 2-1 sudden death shootout victory over Evansville Memorial.

This year, Chesterton (19-3) meets Homestead (18-2-1) in the semifinals. Homestead is in the state finals for the second time and first since 1996.

In the most recent coaches association poll, Carmel was ranked No. 1, with Homestead fourth and Evansville Memorial fifth. Chesterton was not ranked.

In head-to-head meetings this season, Carmel defeated Homestead on Aug. 18, while Evansville Memorial defeated Chesterton 3-1 on Sept. 29.

Season results, rosters and statistics on the state finals teams are available on the IHSAA website at:

www.ihsaa.org/g-soccer/01StateTeams.htm

On the boys side, it appears to be a wide-open affair as the top five ranked teams fell before the state finals. Of the finalists, only Fort Wayne Canterbury (18-2-3) has been this far before. The Cavaliers, state champions in 1997 and 1998, are in the state finals for the fifth time in six years. In 2000, they reached the state semifinals before losing to North Central of Indianapolis.

Joining No. 6-ranked Fort Wayne Canterbury are first-time entrants Merrillville (20-4), Brownsburg (20-2-1) and Columbus North (15-5-3). In the most recent coaches association poll, Brownsburg was ranked 14^th and Merrillville 16^th. Columbus North was unranked.

In the only head-to-head meeting this season among the state finalists, Fort Wayne Canterbury defeated Columbus North 7-1 on Sept. 1.

Season results, rosters and statistics on the state finals teams are available on the IHSAA website at:

www.ihsaa.org/b-soccer/01StateTeams.htm

www.ihsaa.org/b-soccer/01StateTeams.htm

www.ihsaa.org/g-soccer/01StateTeams.htm

The best of Indiana cross country will journey to Bloomington Saturday (Oct. 27) for the 2001 IHSAA Cross Country State Finals on the Indiana University course. The field includes 254 girls and 262 boys.

This is the fifth year the state meets have been conducted on the I.U. course, located on the east side of the Bloomington campus near the intersection of state roads 46 and 45.

Carmel enters as the top-ranked team for the 4,000-meter girls race that begins at 1 p.m., while Chesterton is ranked No. 1 in this week’s coaches association boys poll. The boys 5,000-meter race is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Valparaiso has won the last two girls state titles and two of the last four boys championships, including last year.

Individually, Amanda VanWanzeele of New Prairie returns as the defending girls champion after turning in a 14:04.7 effort in 2000 as a freshman. She was followed to the finish by sophomore Tiffany Redlarczyk of Lake Central (14:08.1), who also returns for the 2001 state meet.

In the boys meet, a new state champion is assured after the graduation of three-time state champion Aaron Fisher of Franklin Central. In 2000, Fisher joined John Stayton of Anderson (1946-47-48) as the only three-time state champions in the 55-year history of the tournament series. Back for one last shot at the title is the 2000 state runner-up, senior Michael Haschel of Winamac. He finished 12 seconds behind Fisher and 17 seconds ahead of the next runner in the 2000 state meet. Haschel also finished fifth in the 1999 state meet.

The other returning top 15 finishers from 2000 are senior Kaleb Van Ort (third) of DeKalb, senior Steve Vrska (sixth) of Chesterton, senior Nick Kruse (ninth) of Lake Central, senior Nathan Gephart (12^th) of Triton, and senior Eric Fleming (14^th) of Valparaiso. In the 2001 IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Finals, Grover finished third and Van Ort fourth in the 3200 meters. Kruse was fourth in the 1600 meters.

Last week’s top semi-state time was posted by Nef Araia of Lawrence North with a 15:31 that won the Franklin Central Semi-State.

Team semi-state champions were top-ranked Columbus North at Franklin Central, No. 4-ranked Chesterton at New Prairie, No. 5-ranked Northridge at Manchester, and No. 14-ranked Bloomington North at Terre Haute.

The girls semi-state team champions were top-ranked Carmel at Franklin Central, No. 2-ranked Valparaiso at New Prairie, No. 6-ranked Carroll (Fort Wayne) at Manchester, and No. 5-ranked Bloomington South at Terre Haute.

Last week’s top semi-state individual girls time was posted by senior Katy Pryor of New Castle in 13:56 while winning at Manchester.

In addition to VanWanzeele and Redlarczyk, eight other girls who finished in the top 15 last year return. They are senior Jessica Gall (fifth) of West Lafayette, senior Michelle Rafferty (seventh) of Carmel, senior Lindsay Hattendorf (eighth) of Chesterton, senior Danielle Levoit (ninth) of Lawrence North, junior Winter Holman (10^th) of Brownstown Central, sophomore Temeka Kincy (12^th) of Lawrence North, junior Katie Ziegler (13^th) of Valparaiso, and senior Nicole Hartford (14^th) of Chesterton.

In the 2001 IHSAA Girls Track and Field State Finals, Redlarczyk won the 3200 meters title, with VanWanzeele second. In the 1600 meters, Redlarczyk finished fourth, while Holman was sixth and Hartford 14^th.

Located in the University Gym (at the former University High School now known as the Stone Belt Center) at the intersection of Ind. 46/45 and East 10^th Street on the eastside of the I.U. campus. This is the same facility used the past three years. State finals programs can be obtained in a classroom that will serve as the media work area. Enter through the red, double doors on the southeast side of the building and follow the signs to the work area. This area will have a phone for filing purposes. Jason Wille, coordinator of IHSAA publications, will serve as the media host.

Access to the parking lot at the Stone Belt Center can be gained by displaying the 2001-02 IHSAA Media Pass to the parking attendants.

Week 2 of the 29^th Annual IHSAA Football Tournament unfolds this weekend with 80 games across the state. The action begins Thursday at the Reitz Bowl in Evansville where defending Class 2A state champion Evansville Mater Dei (10-0) takes on South Spencer (7-3).

There are three matchups of teams ranked in the final polls of the Indiana Football Coaches Association. In 5A, No. 4-ranked Warsaw (10-0) travels to No. 6-ranked Fort Wayne Snider (9-1), whose only loss came in overtime to Class 2A top-ranked Fort Wayne Bishop Luers in the season opener. In Class 3A, No. 3-ranked Hamilton Heights (9-0) makes its tournament debut after a bye week against No. 4-ranked Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (9-1). That game will be played at Greenfield-Central. In Class 2A, No. 9 North Judson (9-1) visits No. 10-ranked Rensselaer Central (9-1) in a rematch. Rensselaer Central won the season game 22-19 on Aug. 31 at North Judson.

Elsewhere, unranked but undefeated Indian Creek (10-0) challenges No. 4-ranked Brownstown Central (10-0) in a battle of Class 2A unbeatens.

The complete schedule of second-round sectional games is available on the IHSAA website at:

www.ihsaa.org/b-football/01SectionalSecondRoundPairings.htm

The first week of sectional play saw seven teams ranked in the final IFCA polls eliminated. Also ousted was East Noble, the 2000 Class 4A state champion, and Plainfield, the 2000 Class 4A runner-up. Among the first-round winners was Northeastern, which won its first IHSAA tournament game after 16 years of playoff frustration by downing Cambridge City Lincoln 22-19. The Knights play host to Tri in the second round. Last week’s winners also included Mississinewa, which broke through for its first victory of the season.

Individually, it was a night of big passing efforts, topped by Evansville Mater Dei senior quarterback Jake Schiff. Already in second place on the state’s career passing yardage list, Schiff uncorked the biggest single-game assault in state history by hitting 28 of 38 passes for 556 yards and four touchdowns as the Wildcats defeated Tell City 63-28. Evansville Mater Dei amassed 702 yards in total offense, while Tell City accumulated 471.

The state’s previous single-game individual best was 514 yards by Brian Lynch of Connersville against Richmond in a 1998 sectional game. In the process, Schiff moved his career total to 10,491 yards. Earl Haniford of Martinsville (1992-1995) is the career leader with 11,110 yards.

Tell City’s senior quarterback Phillip Johnson closed the book on an outstanding career by hitting 29 of 57 passes for 348 yards. The completions, attempts and yardage broke single-game school records held by Johnson. The four-year starter also holds the school’s career records in those categories with 505-994 passing for 6,930 yards and 52 touchdowns. His yardage total ranks 10^th on the state’s career list.

Other outstanding individual efforts were recorded last week by:

• Justin Rummel, senior quarterback for Pendleton Heights, with a school-record six touchdowns in a 43-14 victory over Connersville in Class 4A.
• Casey Gillin, junior quarterback for Indian Creek and the state’s passing leader this season with 3,165 yards, hit 28 of 40 passes for 472 yards and six touchdowns as the Braves defeated visiting Charlestown 48-25. Gillin became the 13^th player in state history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season during the victory.
• Mike Vlahogeorge, sophomore quarterback at Lafayette Jefferson, hit 18 of 36 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns as the host Bronchos avenged a regular-season defeat to conference rival Anderson, 27-19 in Class 5A. Vlahogeorge’s favorite target was Dustin Keller, who grabbed 11 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns.
• Clayton Richard, junior quarterback at McCutcheon, completed his junior season in sixth place on the state career passing yardage list with 7,844 yards. In a 50-30 shootout loss to Avon, Richard hit 25 of 47 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns.
• Also in a Class 4A Sectional 15 game, sophomore quarterback Logan Whitman of Northview threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights fell to Westfield 52-38.
• In a Class 2A game, Seeger defeated Cloverdale 61-0 and accumulated 685 yards rushing on 44 attempts. Leading the way was Anthony Pruitt with 14 carries for 251 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
• In Class 3A, senior Kyle Orr of Brebeuf Jesuit ran for 300 yards for the second straight weeks, totaling 348 yards on 47 carries with four touchdowns as the Braves downed Edgewood 28-6.

Elsewhere in football, senior Sam Logan of South Newton has become the state’s career leader in touchdown receptions with 43, including a state-best 16 this season. Logan ranks second on the state’s career receiving yardage list with 3,133 yards. He recently eclipsed former North Judson standout David Haugh (2,941), who now is the sports columnist for the South Bend Tribune. The state career leader is Jason McCormick of North Montgomery, who totaled 3,607 from 1993-96.

www.ihsaa.org/b-football/01Leaders.htm

www.ihsaa.org/b-football/01Bests.htm

A field of 64 sectional champions in the 30th annual IHSAA Volleyball Tournament Series moves to regional play at 16 sites Saturday (Oct. 27). At each site, the four teams will play two semifinals matches beginning at 11 a.m., followed by the championship match at 7 p.m.

The 16 regional winners -- four in each class -- will advance to the state finals Nov. 3. On the morning of Nov. 3, the two semifinals matches in each class will be played at four sites beginning at 9 a.m. Those sites are:

Class A – Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.

Class 2A – Ben Davis High School.

Class 3A -- Pike High School.

Class 4A – North Central High School, Indianapolis.

The two morning winners in each class will advance to the state championship match. All championship matches will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Class A match will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed in order by Class 2A, Class 3A and Class 4A.

During last week's sectional play, three of the four defending state champions advanced and seven schools won their first title. Moving to regional competition were 2000 state champions Michigan City Marquette (Class A), Muncie Burris (Class 2A),) and Center Grove (Class 4A). The exception was Yorktown, which fell to top-ranked Delta in the Class 3A Delta Sectional.

First-time sectional champions were:

• Class A – Graceland Christian, Monroe Central, New Harmony, Rossville.
• Class 2A – Boone Grove, Cascade, North Miami.

For New Harmony, the Rappites celebrated their first IHSAA sectional title in any sport. New Harmony has been an IHSAA member school since 1913.

In regional action, New Harmony is paired with another first-time volleyball sectional champion, Graceland Christian, at Springs Valley. Two other first-time volleyball sectional champions, Boone Grove and North Miami, are paired at the Class 2A Triton Regional.

Schools winning sectional titles after a long drought were:

• Bethany Christian (A), first title since 1980.
• Shenandoah (2A), first title since 1987.
• West Central (A) first title since 1987.
• Noblesville (4A) first title since 1989.

www.ihsaa.org/g-volleyball/01RegionalPairings.htm

Results from the IHSAA State Finals will be posted throughout the day on Saturday (Oct. 27) under Girls Soccer/2001 State Finals Results and Boys Soccer/2001 State Finals Results.

Saturday (Oct. 27) – Regional results will be posted as they are received from the host schools under Volleyball/2001 Regional Results.

Friday (Oct. 26) – Sectional results will be posted as they are received from the host schools under Football/2001 Sectional Results.

Saturday (Oct. 27) – Results from the state finals will be posted Saturday afternoon under Girls Cross Country/2001 State Finals Results or Boys Cross Country/State Finals Results.