Jenna Lang is a candidate to make the U.S. Women’s Soccer 19-and-under team after receiving an invitation to its virtual meeting.
The Columbus North junior is one of about 40 girls in the country to be invited to the virtual meeting, which will take place on April 30. She received the invitation this week while playing in Florida with her Indy Premier club team.
“Usually in non-COVID times, they would have camps and in California and everything so that is what this is in place of, but pretty much, this is narrowed down to a group of 40 or so girls, with players and the national coaching staff, and they give us a training regime and an eating regime that we’re supposed to follow,” Lang said.
Following the virtual meeting, there will be an in-person camp. After that, the U19 national team will be selected.
“It’s kind of new to me, as well, for understanding it because usually, it would be black and white if it wasn’t still COVID times, but I’ll probably know more information in the coming days just to how it works or what it means for me,” Lang said. “It’s still new to me, as well, the process and everything.”
Lang set Bull Dogs’ single-season records with 44 goals and 99 points last fall in earning All-State honors and leading them to a regional title and final four appearance in Class 4A.
Dwenger commits to Milwaukee school
Columbus East senior Alana Dwenger has committed to play soccer at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Dwenger led the Olympians with 31 goals and had 11 assists this season. She earned first-team All-State honors from the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association and second-team honors from the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association.
Trinity names boys basketball coach
Trinity Lutheran has hired Franklin coach Brad Dickey as its new boys basketball coach and athletics director.
Dickey has spent the past seven years with the Grizzly Cubs, leading them to a 7-15 record this season. He previously coached the previous five years at Tipton, leading the Blue Devils to four sectional and three regional titles. Dickey also was the coach at Edgewood from 2000-03, winning one sectional title during that span.
Current Trinity athletics director Ryan Cremeans is giving up that role to focus on other roles at the school. Ryan Crase served as interim boys basketball coach at Trinity this season and led the Cougars to a 12-14 record and a sectional title.
Lauderbaugh earns All-State mention
Lane Lauderbaugh, who led South Decatur to the Mid-Hoosier Conference boys basketball title, is an honorable mention selection on this year’s Associated Press All-State team.
Lauderbaugh led the Cougars with 25.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 steals a game this season. He previously was named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Senior Small School All-State team.
East girls soccer holding callout
The Columbus East girls soccer team will have a callout meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 30 in the school’s cafeteria.
All players who are interested in playing soccer at Columbus East HS next year and their parents are encouraged to attend. The coaching staff will provide information regarding the program, expectations and the preseason schedule.
For more information, contact coach Ilya Schwartzman at ilyas163@gmail.com or through the athletics department at the school.
Ted Schultz is sports editor for The Republic. He can be reached at tschultz@therepublic.com or 812-379-5628.
