The second installment in our top sports moments of the year series features two unique teams and two very unique individuals who accomplished something incredibly special.
CHS Boys soccer stands alone atop the sac
It may have not been done the prettiest way, but that’s not how Sagamore Conference titles usually are won. For Crawfordsville boy’s soccer it took a 1-0 overtime win, on the road against Danville for the Athenians to capture their first outright SAC title in school history as they finished a perfect 7-0.
Joseph Sanchez was the hero of the night for CHS as he caught a deflected shot from teammate Andrew Jones, and sent it right back in for the game-winner.
Overtime wins was nothing new for the Athenians as they battled both Tri-West and Frankfort into overtime, coming out on top in both match ups as well.
Crawfordsville had once shared the SAC title back in 2016, but this time it’s all theirs.
The Athenians were led by a group of 10 seniors, all who played an important role both on and off the pitch. Crawfordsville coach Marcus Hale knew that it would take a big, collective effort, and made sure everyone got the credit they deserved.
“These guys are going to compete the whole game,” Hale said of his squad. “Tonight is a culmination of a big goal. It’s one of the goals, but winning the conference is a testament to the seniors, and to the whole team — the kids and their parents and their coaches.”
Crawfordsville would ultimately fall in the sectional championship game to Tri-West as the Bruins would get their revenge. That sectional loss doesn’t take away the overall success that the Athenians had this past fall.
CHS finished the season 13-4-1 and had a season for the record books. While they’ll graduate 10 seniors, the Athenians still have plenty of talent on the roster and now the bar has set for many seasons to come.
Post 72 baseball finishes as state runner-up
What Post 72 baseball accomplished this summer was truly something special to watch. The team not only made its first state finals appearance in team history, but was the runner-up as well falling 4-2 to Rockport Post 254.
The Legion squad finished the summer with 20-12 record and along the way had some pretty special come-from-behind wins just to make it to the championship game.
Back on July 17, Post 72 needed two wins to play for the Regional 5 Championship. The first game pitted them against Terre Haute Post 346 and trailing 4-2 and down to their final three outs, Post 72 rallied for three runs for a thrilling 5-4 victory in game one.
In game two Post 72 trailed Sullivan Post 139 3-2, but the bats came alive for Post 72 using a 5-run sixth to take a 7-3 lead and held on for two come-from-behind wins on the same day.
The group had many local products including North Montgomery’s Jacob Braun, Crawfordsville’s Austin Motz and Henry Taylor, and Fountain Central’s George Valencia just to name a few.
“This team came a long way,” coach Kyle Proctor said of his teams championship game run. “They battled all day, all tournament. They played with and through injuries. This is truly a special team.”
Post 72 will return many of the same players this summer as they look to finish off what they started and win a state title.
Campbell twins win state titles
2021 got off to a very good start for Cailin and Catie Campbell. The twin sisters from North Montgomery got to make history together as they each were named state wrestling champions.
Both titles were the second each for the duo, but the first time they’ve both shared the podium. Both were ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes and won their titles in dominating fashion with five pins in six matches combined.
“Finally,” Cailin said after they both were named champions. “We’ve been trying at this for three years now and finally got it.”
This season the duo has the North Montgomery girls team ranked No. 1 overall in the state girls rankings as they both look to defend their state titles. As probably expected both Cailin and Catie are also ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes so far this season.
With both of them now in their senior year’s, the Campbell twins would want nothing more than to end their high school wrestling careers with back-to-back state titles.
