IHSAA

MEDIA INFORMATION

February 24, 2009

Contact: Jason Wille, Sports Information Director

THREE RETURNING CHAMPS HEADLINE BOYS SWIMMING FINALS

Three individuals who won state championships a year ago, including a state record holder, return as the 72^nd annual IHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving State Finals take place this weekend at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.

All three hail from the northwestern reaches of the state including Chesterton’s Kyle Whitaker (200 Individual Medley, 100 Butterfly), teammate Bill Bass (500 Freestyle) and Lake Central’s Chris Johnson (100 Breaststroke).

Whitaker is the two-time defending state champion in both events and set a state record in the IM during last year’s championships. He was also part of two winning relays in 2008 and totals six blue ribbon medals through his first two seasons. The junior is the top seed again in the IM at 1:50.85 and sits second in the butterfly with a 49.95 to Munster’s Kevin Behrens (48.69).

Bass’ win in the 500 free last year vaulted Chesterton into the team lead for good and they went on to capture the school’s first boys swimming and diving state title. The senior clocked a 4:43.11 in the sectional for the eighth-best time. North Central’s Brandon Siemasko owns the top time of 4:38.09.

Whitaker, Bass and a strong supporting cast which includes the top seeded 200 medley relay should have the Trojans contending for another shot at the championship this Saturday.

Johnson timed in at 57.47 to take the top seed in the 100 breast last Saturday, just under a second slower than his state championship winning time of 56.56 from 2008.

Hamilton Southeastern junior Nathan Kinney enters the weekend as the top seed in two events -- the 100 freestyle (45.13) and 100 backstroke (50.28).

North Central and Carmel lead the field with 16 entries each while Homestead follows with 15, Franklin Central 14 and Center Grove and Connersville 13 each.

Center Grove and Munster each won its record 24th consecutive sectional title last Saturday while defending state champion Chesterton captured its 11^th straight.

Preliminary swimming heats get underway Friday night at 6 pm ET / 5 pm CT. The top 16 in each event will return for competition on Saturday with the top eight individuals vying for state championship honors. Those finishing ninth through 16th on Friday will make up the competitors in the consolation heats. All diving will take place on Saturday beginning at 9 am ET / 8 am CT with the top 21 of 32 competitors advancing from the prelims to the semis after five dives each. After three dives each in the semis, the top 16 will advance to the final round for another three dives each. All championship and consolation finals, including diving, will commence at 1:05 pm ET / 12:05 pm CT on Saturday.

State Finals

Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, 6 pm ET (Swimming prelims).

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, 9 am ET (Diving prelims and semis), 1 pm ET (Consolations and finals for all events).

Admission: $8 per session or $12 both days.

Site: Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, 901 W. New York St., Indianapolis | Website

Advancement

The top 16 in each swimming event during Friday’s prelims will return for competition on Saturday with the top eight individuals vying for state championship honors. Those finishing nine through 16 on Friday will make up the competitors in the consolation heats. All diving will take place on Saturday with the top 21 of 32 competitors advancing from the prelims to the semis after five dives each. After three dives each in the semis, the top 16 will advance to the final round for another three dives each.

> State Finals Heat Sheets | Psych Sheets

> Diving Order

Former State Champions in Field (Individual Events)

200 Individual Medley – Kyle Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 2007, 2008.

100 Butterfly – Kyle Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 2007, 2008.

500 Freestyle – Bill Bass, 12, Chesterton, 2008.

100 Breaststroke – Chris Johnson, 11, Lake Central, 2008.

Top Seeds

200 Medley Relay – Chesterton, 1:34.51.

200 Freestyle – Eric Blue, 12, South Bend Riley, 1:41.38.

200 IM – Kyle Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 1:50.85.

50 Freestyle – Drew Hill, 12, Vincennes Lincoln, 21.03.

One Meter Diving – Tyler Clingerman, 12, Plainfield, 513.90.

100 Butterfly – Kevin Behrens, 10, Munster, 48.69.

100 Freestyle – Nathan Kinney, 11, Hamilton Southeastern, 45.13.

500 Freestyle – Brandon Siemasko, 12, North Central (Indianapolis), 4:38.09.

200 Freestyle Relay – Hamilton Southeastern, 1:25.53.

100 Backstroke – Nathan Kinney, 11, Hamilton Southeastern, 50.28.

100 Breaststroke – Christopher Johnson, 12, Lake Central, 57.47.

400 Freestyle Relay – North Central (Indianapolis), 3:08.12.

Media Information

Media Hosts: IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille, Communications Director Chris Kaufman and assistant Kristy Catt will be on hand to assist in your coverage of the state meet.

Media Credentials: Deadline is Thursday, Feb. 26, 4 pm ET. The 2008-09 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously this school year is accepted for admission. For those outlets without credentials and planning to cover the boys swimming and diving state finals, please apply for credentials by e-mailing or faxing your request on company letterhead (with name of individual applying) to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille (jwille@ihsaa.org or 317-575-4244). E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Approved requests may be claimed at the media will-call table at the concourse level of the IU Natatorium. Please have proper identification available.

Media Work Area: Working space will be available to writers and photographers in the west bleachers of the Natatorium. Results from each event will be distributed and also posted to the IHSAA website as the meet progresses both days. Writers and photographers also will have access to the pool deck. Please be advised that pool phones will NOT be available for post-meet filing purposes though wireless internet access will be available in the building for a fee (see instructions below).

Wireless Internet: The IU Natatorium will have wireless internet access available for a $10 fee for the two days combined. Please see the Natatorium Pro Shop located in the northeast corner of the pool deck to make arrangements.

Off Limits: For safety and liability reasons, members of the media are not permitted on the moveable bulkheads that separate the pools or on any of the diving platforms. Also, due to congestion in the immediate area of the starting blocks with timers and judges, we ask that writers and photographers steer clear of that area as well. Editors and sports directors -- please share this information with those who are covering the event and might not necessarily have access to this release. Thank you for your cooperation.

Results: Results will be posted to the IHSAA website at ihsaa.org shortly after each event both days. Heat sheets for Saturday will be posted following completion of Friday’s events and complete results for both days will be available at the conclusion of Saturday’s festivities.

Schedule of Events

Times are approximate

Friday

5:30 p.m. -- Opening Ceremonies

6:00 p.m. -- 200 Medley Relay

6:16 p.m. -- 200 Freestyle

6:32 p.m. -- 200 Individual Medley

6:50 p.m. -- 50 Freestyle

15 MINUTE BREAK

7:14 p.m. -- 100 Butterfly

7:26 p.m. -- 100 Freestyle

7:38 p.m. -- 500 Freestyle

8:08 p.m. -- 200 Freestyle Relay

8:23 p.m. -- 100 Backstroke

8:35 p.m. -- 100 Breaststroke

8:48 p.m. -- 400 Freestyle Relay

Saturday

9:00 a.m. -- Diving Preliminaries (5 dives) & Semi-Finals (3 dives)

12:45 p.m. -- Opening Ceremonies

1:05 p.m. -- Finals and Consolation Finals

MONTICELLO’S TODD MAIDEN TO BE HONORED SATURDAY

Todd Maiden of Monticello is the recipient of the 2009 Interscholastic Athletic Official Association Award for excellence in the sport of swimming. Maiden will be honored in a special ceremony at today’s state final tournament.

Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, in cooperation with the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and honors an outstanding official in each of 11 sports during the school year

During his career, Maiden has worked six years as an assistant starter in sectionals, 12 years as a starter in sectionals, six years as a regional diving referee, two years as stroke & turn official at the state meet and one year each as state diving referee, state assistant starter and starter at the girls swimming state meet. On top of his prestigious list of credentials, Maiden was the top-rated official in the ratings of swimming officials for 2007-08. Todd has worked for three years as a clinician at the Practical Swimming Clinic.

Maiden was selected for this honor by a committee representing the official’s associations. In Indiana there are 26 associations made up of men and women who give up much of their personal time to assist in providing wholesome, worthwhile, and healthy activities for the student athletes in our state. Statewide, there are more than 8,000 officials licensed by the IHSAA in 11 sports.

A 24-year member of the Indiana Officials Association, Maiden has served as Sport Chairman in the Western Indiana Officials Association. He is also President of the Local 1976 Retail Wholesale Department Store Union.

Maiden attended Twin Lakes High School in the class of 1983, and has worked for 14 years as a driver for Coca-Cola. He has been married for 19 years to wife, Jody and they have three children, Amber, Brooke, and Cale.

MISHAWAKA SET TO DEFEND TEAM WRESTLING CROWN

A week after the best in the 14 weight classes were decided, eight teams will compete for championship honors in the 14^th annual IHSAA Team Wrestling State Finals at Center Grove High School on Saturday.

Seven young men who have won a state championship and five more who have finished as a runner-up will be among those on the mats in Greenwood.

Defending state champion Mishawaka headlines the field of eight teams with three-time state champion Josh Harper (130), two-time winner Steven Sandefur (140), runner-up Christian Lentz (215) and six others who competed at last weekend’s individual state finals. This will be the 10^th straight appearance in the team finals for the Cavemen who also won the 1991 state championship under the old format and finished as runner-up in 2000 and 2007.

Crown Point is making its first appearance in the team finals this weekend and enjoyed more success than anyone last Saturday as three of the Bulldogs’ seven qualifiers stood a top the awards podium in their respective weight class. Anthony Hawkins won the 112 pound crown, Jason Tsirtsis won the 125 pound title and Marcus Shrewsbury took the 189 pound championship. Also suiting up for Crown Point is Eric Roach at 135, the 2008 state runner-up at 130.

Making their third trip in four seasons is Indianapolis Cathedral. The Fighting Irish had seven competing last Saturday and three went all the way to the championship match before falling, including 119 pounder Brandon Wright, the 2008 state champ at 112. Also placing second were John Grey at 125 and Gavin McGinley at 145.

Bellmont’s Billy Baker won the 215 pound championship over the weekend and leads the Braves and three other state finalists into their 12^th consecutive appearance at this event.

Perry Meridian, with six state qualifiers, is making its fourth straight trip and eighth overall. The Falcons were the 1992 state runner-up and also finished second in the team finals in 2002 and 2004.

With eight state finalists in tow, Castle will make its first appearance this weekend in the spot seemingly owned by Evansville Mater Dei over the years. The Knights were runners-up in 1994.

Both Delphi and Roncalli will join Crown Point in making their first trips to state on Saturday. The Oracles qualified five for Conseco Fieldhouse last weekend while the Rebels had three, including 112 runner-up Josh Kieffer.

State Finals

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.

Site: Center Grove High School, 2717 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood | Website

Time: Quarterfinals begin at 10 am ET with semifinal round and championship round to follow.

Admission: $8.00.

Advancement: This is a single elimination tournament in which the winning team shall advance to the next round.

> Meet the Teams

Quarterfinals

Match 1: Mishawaka (28-0) vs. Indianapolis Cathedral (26-2).

Match 2: Crown Point (18-1) vs. Roncalli (18-6).

Match 3: Bellmont (18-2) vs. Perry Meridian (23-2).

Match 4: Castle (20-1) vs. Delphi (23-10).

Semifinals

Match 5: Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2.

Match 6: Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4.

Championship

Match 7: Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 6.

State Champions in the Field (7)

112 – Anthony Hawkins, 11, Crown Point, 2009.

119 – Brandon Wright, 11, Indianapolis Cathedral (45-2) (2009 runner-up at 119; 2008 state champ at 112; 2007 runner-up at 103).

125 – Jason Tsirtsis, 9, Crown Point, 2009.

130 – Josh Harper, 12, Mishawaka (2008 state champ at 125; 2007 state champ at 112; 2006 state champ at 103).

140 – Steve Sandefer, 12, Mishawaka, 2008, 2009.

189 – Marcus Shrewsbury, 12, Crown Point, 2009; 2008 runner-up.

215 – Billy Baker, 12, Bellmont, 2009.

State Runners-Up in the Field

112 -- Josh Kieffer, 10, Roncalli, 2009.

125 -- John Grey, 12, Indianapolis Cathedral, 2009.

135 – Eric Roach, 10, Crown Point, (2008 runner-up at 130).

145 -- Gavin McGinley, 12, Indianapolis Cathedral, 2009.

215 – Christian Lentz, 11, Mishawaka, 2009.

Media Information

Media Credentials: Deadline is Thursday, Feb. 26, 4 pm ET. The 2008-09 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously this school year is accepted for admission. For those outlets without credentials and planning to cover the boys swimming and diving state finals, please apply for credentials by e-mailing or faxing your request on company letterhead (with name of individual applying) to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille (jwille@ihsaa.org or 317-575-4244). E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Approved requests may be claimed at the media will-call table at Door 6 on the south side of the school. Please have proper identification available.

Media Work Area: Work space in each corner of the balcony level of the gymnasium will be available for use by credentialed media. There will be a single room off the northwest corner of the gym floor where media may send their stories and/or photographs using the available telephone lines.

Results: Results from each level of the meet -- quarterfinals, semifinals and finals -- will be posted to the IHSAA website at www.ihsaa.org.

Media Hosts: IHSAA Communications Director Chris Kaufman and Sports Information Assistant Mike Wilson will be on hand to assist in your coverage of the state meet.

Due to space limitations: Due to space limitations on the gymnasium floor, the tournament administration has asked that the media please work from the bleacher or balcony area and to avoid the floor until after the completion of the first round of matches. During the semifinals and championship round, writers and photographers are welcome to work closer to the action on the floor. Thank you for your cooperation.

TRIP TO STATE FINALS ON THE LINE IN GIRLS BASKETBALL SATURDAY

The Sweet 16 will be whittled down to the eight state finalist teams this Saturday as the 34th Annual IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament rolls on to the semi-state round. Each of the four sites will host a doubleheader with the first game set for 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT.

Three-time defending Class 2A champion Heritage Christian and 2008 Class A winner Fort Wayne Canterbury both survived regional action and have one last hurdle to get back to the state championship game held this year at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Besides Heritage Christian and Fort Wayne Canterbury, three more teams – South Bend Washington, Oak Hill and University – that finished as runners-up a year ago are still alive this weekend as well.

Both Mooresville (4A) and Benton Central (3A) will be looking to end long semi-state championship droughts on Saturday. The Pioneers, who face top-ranked Ben Davis, haven’t played in the state finals since 1978, while the Bison haven’t made the trip to Indy since their 1989 state runner-up season.

Scores from each game will be posted to the IHSAA website as they become available on Saturday.

Girls Basketball Semi-States

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.

Admission: $7.

Home Team: The second team listed is the designated home team.

North

1. Elkhart Central (Northside Gym)

Class A – Southern Wells (20-4) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury (21-4). 1 pm ET

Class 2A – Oak Hill (26-1) vs. Garrett (25-1). To follow

2. Plymouth

Class 3A – Fort Wayne Elmhurst (23-2) vs. Benton Central (24-1). 1 pm ET

Class 4A – Pendleton Heights (23-2) vs. South Bend Washington (25-0). To follow

South

3. Southport

Class 3A – Owen Valley (23-2) vs. Crawfordsville (23-2). 1 pm ET

Class 4A – Mooresville (23-1) vs. Ben Davis (28-0). To follow

4. Bedford North Lawrence

Class A – Vincennes Rivet (22-1) vs. University (21-4). 1 pm ET

Class 2A – Austin (21-5) vs. Heritage Christian (24-1). To follow

State Finals

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009.

Site: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis. | Lucas Oil Stadium website

Admission: Session $15.00; Season $25.00.

Reserved tickets can be purchased at the participating schools the week of the state finals. Contact participating schools for ticket distribution hours.

Home Team: In each state championship game, the winner of the south semi-state is the designated home team.

Session I

Class A State Championship – 10:30 am ET.

Class 2A State Championship – follows Class A game.

Session II

Class 3A State Championship – 6 pm ET.

Class 4A State Championship – follows Class 3A game.

Notables

Looking for First Semi-State Title (7 of 16)

4A – Pendleton Heights.

3A – Crawfordsville, Fort Wayne Elmhurst, Owen Valley.

2A – Garrett.

A – Southern Wells, Vincennes Rivet.

Looking to Break Semi-State Championship Drought (Five or More Years)

31: Mooresville (1978).

20: Benton Central (1989).

10: Austin (1999).

8: Ben Davis (2001).

Most Consecutive Semi-State Championships

4 by Noblesville (1987-90); 4 by Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (1999-2002).

Top 10 All-Time Semi-State Championship Leaders

6: Fort Wayne Bishop Luers.

5: Kokomo, Valparaiso.

4: Bedford North Lawrence, Columbus East, Crown Point, Heritage Christian, Noblesville, Shenandoah, Warsaw.

2008 State Champions Still Alive

2A: Heritage Christian.

A: Fort Wayne Canterbury.

2008 State Finals Teams Still Alive

4A: South Bend Washington.

2A: Heritage Christian, Oak Hill.

A: Fort Wayne Canterbury, University.

Former State Champions Still Alive

4A: Ben Davis (2000, 2001), South Bend Washington (2007).

3A: None.

2A: Heritage Christian (2006, 2007, 2008).

A: Fort Wayne Canterbury (2008).

First-Time Regional Champions

4A: Pendleton Heights.

3A: Crawfordsville.

2A: None.

A: Vincennes Rivet.

Regional Championship Drought Breakers (Five or more years)

17: Benton Central (1992).

15: Owen Valley (1994).

10: Fort Wayne Elmhurst (1999).

7: Ben Davis (2002).

5: Mooresville (2004).

Repeat Regional Champions

4A: South Bend Washington.

3A: None.

2A: Austin, Garrett, Heritage Christian, Oak Hill.

A: Fort Wayne Canterbury, Southern Wells, University.

GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS MEDIA CREDENTIALS

The deadline for requests is Thursday, March 5, 4 pm ET. Credentials will not be granted after that time. For media outlets intending to cover the girls basketball state finals, please apply for credentials by e-mailing or faxing your request on company letterhead (with name of individual applying) to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille (jwille@ihsaa.org or 317-575-4244). E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Approved requests will be available for pickup at the state finals meeting on Monday, March 2, (please indicate your intentions to do so), otherwise they will be available at media will-call at Lucas Oil Stadium on game day. Credentials will not be mailed.

GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS INTERVIEWS ON MONDAY

Coaches from the eight schools in the 2009 IHSAA Girls Basketball State Finals will gather Monday, March 2, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the pre-tournament administrative meeting with media interviews to follow. The administrative meeting will be closed to the news media. Parking will be available in the South Lot, Gate 6 adjacent to Capitol Avenue. Using the Northeast Administrative Entrance to the building, take the elevator to the lower level; interviews will begin in Meeting Rooms 8-9 in a round-table setting at approximately 11:15 am ET.

Updated statistics, rosters and other team information as submitted by the schools will be distributed at the press conference. For outlets that cannot attend, a special state finals information package will be available on the IHSAA website later that day.

STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS

Girls Basketball State Leaders | Boys Basketball State Leaders

NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE

Have an interesting note? A conference or school record, coaching milestone or something else of interest? Please e-mail IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org for consideration.

Anderson boys basketball coach Ron Hecklinski won his 250th game with the Indians on Feb. 17 after the Indians defeated Kokomo, 71-64, in overtime. Hecklinkski has a record of 255-108 at Anderson and stands at 349-173 overall including previous stops at Wapahani, Jasper and Edgewood.

Hobart senior Bobby James went over 1,000 career points after he scored 39 against Kankakee Valley on Feb. 6.

With 17 points in Crawfordsville’s first round sectional victory over Western Boone, senior Mandi Johnson became the school’s career scoring leader with 1,144 points. She broke the record of 1,132 previously held by Cari Fruits, a 1993 graduate.

Hanover Central senior Jordan Kramer went over 1,000 career points after she scored 36 in the Wildcats 59-37 win over River Forest in the sectional championship game on Feb. 14.

Troy Taylor became the 12th player in Anderson history to score 1,000 career points last Friday in the Indians' 70-57 win over New Castle. He now has a total of 1,012 career points going into the final week of the regular season and the upcoming sectional tournament.

On Feb 14, the West Lafayette and Western boys basketball teams played a five overtime game. West Lafayette won 65-60 and it’s believed to be the longest game in both schools’ history. The state record for longest game – the nine overtime affair won by Swayzee, 65-61, over Liberty Center in the 1964 Marion Regional.

IHSAA 08-09/27