Woman of the Year nominees
Thumbs-up to Seymour’s Clare Lenart for being named Franklin College’s nominee for the 2017-18 NCAA Woman of the Year. The Seymour native ended her career as one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history, finishing with 25 goals and 30 assists for 80 points, giving her the second-most all-time in the history of the women’s soccer program. Now in its 28th year of existence, the NCAA Woman of the Year program celebrates the accomplishments of female college athletes across all three NCAA divisions. After completing her senior season, Lenart was named the recipient of the Jenny Johnson-Kappes Award as the most outstanding senior female athlete at Franklin College.
Also, thumbs-up to former Western Kentucky University volleyball setter Jessica Lucas for being nominated as the school’s 2017-18 NCAA Woman of the Year. The Seymour native was a four-time All-American at WKU and a three-time Conference USA Setter of the Year. Lucas, who graduated from WKU this past spring, facilitated the second-best offense across the country for back-to-back seasons. After claiming her sixth C-USA Setter of the Week nod on Nov. 6, Lucas owns the most weekly awards by any player in league history with 18 on her career. She also was a four-time C-USA first team member and earned a spot on the C-USA All-Academic Team in back-to-back seasons.
State champs
Thumbs-up to the members of the Brownstown 10U baseball team for winning the Indiana USSSA state tournament by defeating the Edgewood Bulldogs 7-2 in the championship game on June 24 in Indianapolis. Members of the squad are Preston Garrison, Trever Branaman, Linkan Brittain, Jack Stuckwisch, Caden Wischmeier, Lane Pendleton, Drew Shelton, Micah Sheffer and Carter Covert. Trent Shelton is the coach of the team, and his assistants are Brad Stuckwisch, Brad Covert and Joe Sheffer.
Paying off
Thumbs-up to the volunteers who operate the Trinity High Resale Shop. Those volunteers recently presented Trinity Lutheran High School Principal Clayton Darlage with a $100,000 check, the proceeds from sales this year at the store at 601 W. Second St., Seymour.
Festival fun
Thumbs-up to the volunteers who organized this year’s Freetown July Festival on July 13 and 14. It’s hard for small communities to continue conducting such events without the support of everyone in the community, and more support is needed if the festival is to continue in 2019.
Community service
Thumbs-up to the Medora High School juniors and seniors who participated in a school service project to enhance the Knobstone Hiking Trail through Sparksville Park this past school year. They include Morgan Dunn, Marsadeez Phillips, Lillie Hatfield, Pat Bahan (teacher), Charlene Hillenburg, Caylin Farmer, Prayon Phillips, Josh Turner, Griffin Morris, Gavin Henson, Brittany Albertson, Skylar Jones, Elexus Morris, Taylor Hunter, Patrick Silvers, Asher Morley, Lance Lanier, Clay Cornett, Caleb Sturgill, Matt Wilkerson and Dustin Fox.
Trespassing
Thumbs-down to people who take up residence in empty homes that don’t belong to them. It’s called trespassing, but it seems to becoming more and more of a common practice these days.