Kristin Conner & Nichole Miller The unpredictable weather this season has led to several spring sporting event cancellations at Van Buren, but after the first several games and meets, the Black Knights are now officially in in full swing. Meeting some challenges early in their season, the softball team holds a record of 4-5. With many games to come, the team has high aspirations for the rest of the season. Senior outfielder Robyn Flick is “definitely expecting to get the BVC title. I think everyone works really well together so I think we will see a lot of success this season.” Rachel Wymer, junior JV second-baseman and varsity outfielder, agreed with Flick. They are one step closer to accomplishing that goal, as they defeated Vanlue 6-5. Flick shares one of the top spots for hitting statistics with freshman Kila Fultz, juniors Nichole Miller and Erin Neall, and freshman Brylie Rampe. Miller and Neall are leading in stolen bases for the team. The JV team is undefeated as they won two games versus Liberty Benton (21-17) and Hopewell Loudon (22-2) standing at 2-0. The baseball team is off to a strong start with a record of 4-2. Photo Courtesy Alexis Youngpeter Based on their record in the BVC, which is 1-0, junior short-stop and pitcher Jameson Jacobs said, “Winning the league is a big goal for us this year and we also want to make a long run in the state tournament.” Jacobs has a pitching record of 1-1 and junior Schuyler Turner has a record of 2-0. JV baseball’s record currently stands at 1-3. The girls’ and boys’ track teams’ seasons is underway with girls finishing third place overall in the Carey Relays and second in the Doug Mowrey Invitational, and boys finishing fourth at Carey and fifth at the Mowrey Invite. Since the girls’ team sent two relay teams and two individuals to state last year, expectations are especially high. Sophomore Mackenzie Edler, stated that one of the teams’ goals this season is to have a better work ethic and to improve as a whole. Edler, throwing and running hurdles, admitted that some talent left with last year’s seniors but it isn’t going to stop the girls’ team from competing and going to state again. Photo Couresy Amy Hertel  Some of the top finishers at the Carey Relays were long jumpers junior Lauren Wise, senior Madi Endicott, and sophomore Lexi Hassan, who placed first. Hassan and Endicott also teamed up with sophomore Carlee Schmelzer in the triple jump event to take away another first place for the team. Another first place finish went to the sprint medley team consisting of seniors Abby Shroll and Rachell Resnik, junior Lauren Wise, and sophomore Kylie Sturgill. As for the boys’ track team, they have made great strides in improvement. According to senior Ted Simmons, “In comparison to previous seasons we have grown tremendously this year. This helps build and promote a strong family atmosphere within both our school and team.” In the discus event at the Carey Relays, juniors Grant Wagner and Cole Martin, and sophomore Zac Lonyo earned the team eight points for a second place finish. Another top statistic for the meet was the second place finish in the mile event for senior Joel Schumacker. Spring sports are underway and have had an impressive start to their seasons. Success is on the mind and in the future for the Black Knights. Keep up with spring sports happenings on The Knight Writer’s Sports tab. |
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