It is hard to believe that another year has come to an end. While I’ve only been the sports editor now for a handful of months, I’ve still been around and have gotten to witness some incredible games, moments and individual accomplishments.
Over the next few days the Journal Review will revisit some of those highlight. This is the first installment in the series.
Fans return to the stands
There was simply no other way to begin this list. Last year our world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of the local sports scene, one of the most important aspects of the game was taken away, the fans.
Last winter you could hear a pin drop in most high school gyms around the state as mostly only family members of the athletes could attend events. There were no pep blocks, bands, cheerleaders — mostly empty gyms played host to teams as we tried to deal with the ever changing circumstances.
In the spring we got a glimpse of hope as most outdoor events allowed fans to return. Baseball and softball stands filled up, bleachers for track and field meets were occupied, and then this past fall we got back to “normal.” Fans packed the bleachers every Friday for high school football.
I don’t think we realized how much we missed sitting and watching our favorite players or teams until it truly was taken from us.
Now, as we are in midst of another winter season the student sections, pep blocks, cheerleaders and fans have returned. It’s nice to hear the screaming fans. That plays into the excitement that is high school sports.
I think I can speak for many people when I say this; welcome back everybody.
Woodall cements his name in Mountie wrestling history
Riley Woodall placed seventh at the IHSAA State Wrestling Finals in February. He joined a prestigious group that includes Boone Welliever (2017) and Zach Worm (2016) who also placed at the state finals. Woodall concluded a career with 100 career wins and cemented himself as one of the best to ever come through the program.
“It’s a dream come true,” Woodall said of making the state finals. “Really it’s an honor to be talked about and grouped in with that caliber of guys that have come from such a small school that we are and to be able to make it and place in the state tournament,” he said. “I’m just very thankful and appreciative of everyone that’s helped me to this point. All my coaches, my family, my friends and everyone that’s believed in me. It’s something I’m going to take with me for the rest of my life and I’m never going to forget.”
Woodall has now passed the torch to the rest of the Mountie team. They are off to another great start after most recently claiming a third straight Montgomery County title. His younger brother, Wyatt, will look to carry on the family legacy as he hopes to wrestle on the same stage his brother did a year before.
Meadows makes history for Mountie girls golf
It didn’t take long for Southmont freshman Addison Meadows to break onto the Montgomery County girls golf scene. She quickly rose to the No. 1 spot for the Mounties and the accolades quickly followed.
Meadows was named county champion, Sagamore Conference champion, sectional champion and made it to the state finals which no one had ever done before in Southmont girls golf history.
Meadows also broke numerous school records this season, including low nine-hole score (34), low 18-hole score (73) and low nine-hole average (38.5). As a team, Southmont also broke the nine-hole score and the 18-hole score by shooting a 341 at this year’s sectional.
Meadows also was just one of eight freshman to qualify for the state finals and the only one to compete individually.
She has her eyes set on even more success in the years to come. She isn’t satisfied with just making it to the state finals. Her goal is to place in the top 10.
Jones qualifies for track and swimming state finals
When you look up the term “athlete” in the dictionary, there’s a decent chance, you’ll find Trent Jones’ picture. Making the state finals is difficult enough to do in just one sport. Making it in two sports takes a special athlete and that’s what Jones accomplished this past year.
In swimming, Jones qualified in the 100 butterfly. In track, he placed 11th overall in the 400 meter dash.
The senior Mountie has the chance to qualify for both once again — a feat not many area athletes have achieved in their careers.
Jones already has signed to run track at Indiana State University and while swimming is the priority right now as it should be, in the spring Jones wants to end his high school career on the podium at the track and field state finals.
