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Letter: Appalachian Trail hikers face grueling endeavor

By
Staff Reports
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From: William Porter

Columbus

In regard to “Trip of a Lifetime,” I would like to point out that thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is an extremely difficult mental and physical challenge that should be held with greater respect than depicted in this article. As someone who has hiked hundreds of miles on the Appalachian Trail during several multiday trips, I am aware of how difficult stretches of the trail can be and have interacted with multiple, nearly finished thru-hikers and have seen the physical and mental toll it can take on them.

Between 2008 and 2013, per the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, only 27 percent of potential thru-hikers completed the entire trail within a 12-month span. Note that this data only includes registered thru-hikers and does not include hiking the entire trail in both directions. “Yo-yo” hiking the trail is even more rare, and most successful one-way thru-hikers do not even consider this approach. Even experienced hikers who have trained for and have the best and lightest equipment succumb to the rigors of hiking 15 to 20 miles day after day and step foot off the trail within a week or two.

In addition, one of the true joys of long-distance hiking is finding yourself in nature while distancing yourself from the pressures and connections of our modern society. The Appalachian Trail is maintained by volunteers and free of commercialism and largely remains true to the creators’ original vision of being a retreat from profit and a way to experience nature while being removed from life as you knew it off the trail.

I wish the Lynches nothing but the best and hope for their safety and success in their hike and their scholarship foundation but wanted to shed light on some of the mental and physical challenges they will face when they step onto the trail. Omissions in the article on the preparation that needs to occur and the reality of the hardships on the trail give the impression that an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is a walk in the park rather than a grueling, exhausting and emotionally challenging effort that many will never complete once, let alone twice.

Religion news

By
mteltoe
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Services and studies

Grace Lutheran — The Rev. John Armstrong will deliver the message, “Mismatch! Christ and the Demonic Powers,” based on Mark 1:21-28, at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 3201 Central Ave. in Columbus. The message examines demonic possession today and what Armstrong calls the “surpassing power of the word of Christ.”

Sunday school for all ages is at 9:20 a.m. Adult classes include “The God of All Comfort,” a Bible study for women based on 1 Corinthians 1:3-7; and “The Great Deceiver,” a study on Christ’s victory over Satan and his influence.

Grace Lutheran’s ALPHA Course, an introduction to the Christian faith, continues Tuesday with the topic “How did we get the Bible?” A light supper is served at 6 p.m., followed by a lecture and small-group discussion. Child care is available.

Information: 812-372-4859 or gracecolumbus.org.

The Living Room — Former Presbyterian pastor Tony Roberts will deliver a message from Matthew 6: 7-21 at the 11 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 1421 Sycamore St. in Columbus. He will weave in Scripture with testimony from his own life as a pastor who copes with mental illness.

Roberts is the author of “Delight in Disorder: Ministry, Madness, Mission” about his battle with bipolar disorder, a condition in which sufferers experience episodes of an elevated or agitated mood known as mania, alternating with episodes of depression. Copies of the book will be available, and contributions will be accepted.

A Super Bowl-themed community meal will follow the service.

Information: Eric Riddle at 812-344-0185.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The Rev. Dennis McCarty will begin an occasional sermon series, “Girls Who Rocked History,” at the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 7850 W. Goeller Blvd. McCarty said he believes that young women can change the world. Sunday’s message will focus on the legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley.

Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Andrea Lantz will continue a sermon series “Fruitful Congregation Journey” at the 9 a.m. Sunday service at the church, County Road 500 East in Petersville. Scripture will be from John 15, and the sermon title will be “Trimming and Pruning.” Communion will be served during the service.

Joe Bush will serve as liturgist, and Teresa Covert will give the children’s sermon. The nursery will be staffed by Tara Manley, and Betty Hilycord and Sandy Williams will lead Junior Church for children ages 5 through fifth grade.

A time of fellowship will follow the service and Sunday school will begin at 10:30 a.m.; the adult class, led by Chris Kimerling and Patsy Harris, is starting a new study, “In Awe of God,” with Scripture from Psalm 95.

The Baker’s Dozen study group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Larry Nolting home, and the group studying “Journey Through the Bible” will meet at the Jim Kimerling home at the same time. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Sit ‘n Stitch group will meet at the Nolting home. The Walking Club will meet at 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday mornings at FairOaks Mall.

Choir practice is each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and the Prayer Group, led by Barb Hedrick, will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday. The Financial Peace University class meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. The annual Church Planning Session will be held at 9 a.m. today at the home of Pastors Andrea and Chris Lantz.

Westside Community — Pastor Dennis Aud will lead the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church at Tipton Lakes Boulevard and State Road 46. A fellowship time is being offered each Sunday from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

An adult Bible study meets from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Sunday. No materials are needed other than a Bible. The current study is “Jesus Chose 12 Disciples … Why Did He Need Paul?”

Children’s church is now being offered at 10 a.m. All children from birth through sixth grade have age-appropriate classes available. Information on children’s programming: 812-342-8464.

The Ruby’s Tuesday Women’s Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. weekly at the church. The current study is titled “Meeting the Spirit,” by Douglas Connelly.

The men of Westside have begun a new Bible study that meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the church. This study, “33-The Series,” deals with “Authentic Manhood” as modeled by Jesus in his 33 years on earth.

Information: 812-342-8464.

North Christian — Senior Minister Lanny Lawler along with Director of Music Elizabeth Clark will lead the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at the church, 850 Tipton Lane. A nursery for preschool-age children, staffed by a professional caregiver, is available if desired.

Disciples Youth Class continues at 9 a.m. Sunday using Bible Lessons for Youth as the curriculum. Terry Shaw serves as instructor.

The Adult Class continues at 9 a.m. Sunday in the Blue Room of the church. Trudi Ellison-Kendall will facilitate the study on the book “Whole: A call to unity in our fragmented world” by Sharon Watkins, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

Centering Prayer will be at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in the Prayer Chapel on the lower level.

The Creating the Mystery Knitting Fellowship will meet Monday in Room UL 6 at the church.

The Disciples Women’s Ministries will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the lower level lounge at the church. Caroline Cox-Smith will serve as hostess, and the program will be given by Lisa Shafran from Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.

Flintwood Wesleyan — The Rev. Wes Jones will lead worship at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 5300 E. 25th St. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:30 a.m. Adult choir practice will begin at 5 p.m. followed by evening service at 6 p.m.

Women’s Connections will meet in The Friendship Center at 10 a.m.

Wednesday activities begin with supper served at 5:30 p.m. JAM and Youth begin at 6:30 p.m., and adult Bible study begins at 7 p.m.

During the month of February, look for decorated boxes throughout the church campus to collect nonperishable food to help restock the food pantries for Love Chapel and the Salvation Army. This is a youth project.

Upcoming events include:

The Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast, 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 7 in the Friendship Center.

The annual Birthday Bash, 6 p.m. Feb. 8 in The Friendship Center.

The Senior Adult Ministries Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 12 in The Friendship Center.

The annual Zone 3 Indoor Camp, Feb. 22-25.

The annual Heart of Ministries Dinner and Auction, 6 p.m. March 6.

Information: 812-379-4287, flintwoodoffice@gmail.com.

Covenant Family Worship Center — Worship is led by Pastors Ray and Della Jones at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sundays at the new Pentecostal church, 3070 McKinley Ave. in Columbus. The Joneses regularly include time for prayer for healing, salvation and more.

Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will present the message, “Obvious or Oblivious,” from Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and Mark 1:21-28, at the 10 a.m. fourth Sunday after Epiphany service at the church, County Road 800N and County Road 500W near Edinburgh. Sunday school is at 9 a.m., and fellowship is at 9:40 a.m.

Ladies Aid Meeting begins at 1 p.m. Feb. 10.

Service with TUMC begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Taylorsville United Methodist Church.

The Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays is studying Samuel.

Information: 317-374-8281.

Asbury United Methodist — Pastor Dave Blystone will continue the series on miracles and will deliver the message, “Your Home,” from Luke 19:1-10, at the 8:45 a.m. traditional and the 11 a.m. contemporary services Sunday at the church, 1751 27th St. in Columbus. Sunday school for all ages begins at 10 a.m. The Jesus and Me program for ages 3 to 12 is available during the 11 a.m. service. Fellowship time with coffee and snacks is between services at The Well.

Cub Scout Troop 559 will hold their Pinewood Derby from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the Contemporary Worship Center.

The Film Class on Sunday will view and discuss the movie “America: Imagine the World Without Her,” which includes re-enactments and landmark events throughout American history and interviews with leading historians.

Tickets go on sale Sunday for the Asbury Men’s Valentine Gala at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Entertainment will be provided by the Whipstitch Sallies. Tickets are $10. No tickets will be available at the door.

Information: 812-372-4555, asburycolumbus.org.

East Columbus United Methodist — The Rev. Charles Aigner will present the message at the 8:30 and 10:40 a.m. Sunday services with communion being served at the church, 2439 Indiana Ave. Sunday school classes for all ages and Bible interests meet at 9:40 a.m. Children’s church and the nursery/toddler room are available.

Aigner will bring the message at the 6 p.m. service. All4ONE youth will meet at 5:30 p.m. for a Super Bowl party at the home of Brad and Tricia Helton.

Bible study will meet 3 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel, studying 1 John.

Bible study will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel, studying Psalms.

Information: 812-376-7418.

First United Methodist — The Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “Unexpected Interruptions,” from Psalm 111 and Mark 1:21-28, at the 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. Coffee Connections will be in the library between services with coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

A new Women’s Bible study will begin Wednesday. The group will study Beth Moore’s book, “So Long Insecurity.” This group will meet from noon to 1:20 p.m. every Wednesday in the Blue Room. Dates will be Wednesday through March 11 and April 1 to 22. Child care is available. Information: 812-372-2851 or scampbell@fumccolumbus.org.

The Boy Scouts’ annual pancake breakfast fundraiser will be 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Fellowship Hall. The Girl Scouts will sell Girl Scout cookies that morning.

Girls in seventh through 12th grades are invited to participate in “Beautiful You” Feb. 20-21 at the church. This overnight event features speakers, games, crafts and more. “Beautiful You” encourages participants to see how beautiful they are through the eyes of God. Cost is $20 per person. To register, contact Sarah Campbell at scampbell@fumccolumbus.org or 812-372-2851.

“My Best For You” sexuality workshop is for all fifth- through seventh-graders and their parents so they can focus on God’s ideal plan for sexuality. The workshop is a two-day event from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27 and 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 28 at the church. There will also be a parents meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 12. Cost of the workshop will be $10 per family. Registry deadline is Feb. 13. Register by calling the church office at 812-372-2851 or by visiting the church office at 618 Eighth St.

Information: 812-372-2851, or fumcolumbus.org.

First Baptist — The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the message, “Under Whose Authority,” from Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and Mark 1:21-28, at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus. Communion will be shared, and music worship will be led by the Chancel Choir.

Child care will be offered for infants, and children’s church will be available for toddlers through preschool-age children. Children age 4 through third grade will continue to explore the early ministry of Jesus.

Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m.

A Zumba exercise class, open to all, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday and 5 p.m. Wednesday. Contact the church for information and pricing.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at the church at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The Hannah Circle of American Baptist Women will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The Cross Connections Fellowship Meal will be served at 5 p.m. Wednesday with cost by donation. Reservations are suggested.

4TWELVE, a midweek gathering for middle school students, will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The “Hearing God” class will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday led by Cash at the church and will explore the development of a conversational relationship with God. It is based on Dallas Willard’s book “Hearing God.” It is not required to have read the book, but it could be helpful.

The adult classes will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The life-skills group will continue the processes of researching ancestors during “Shaking Your Family Tree,” led by Robert Rhude and Lois Griffith.

The Men of Faith Bible Study will meet at a private dining room at Four Seasons Retirement Center on Taylor Road at 6:15 a.m. Friday. All men of First Baptist and their guests are invited. The study will be titled “Anytime, Anywhere, Sharing Faith Jesus Style.”

Information: 812-376-3321 or fbccolumbus.org.

Music

Asbury United Methodist — The Indiana University Trombone Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Asbury. There is no admission charge, however an offering will be taken.

First Baptist — Fridays at First 2015 will begin Feb. 20 with a concert featuring Nikolay Verevkin from Indiana University. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Sheriff’s department seeks grant

By
Mark Webber
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Heroin can kill — inside and outside the city limits.

That’s why the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is seeking funding to obtain a drug often described as an antidote to heroin overdoses, Sheriff Matt Myers said.

It’s an effort that follows a recent decision to allow 63 officers with the Columbus Police Department to carry two doses of the drug Naloxone, often referred to as Narcan, with them at all times.

The startup initiative to provide all merit and reserve deputies with the same dosages of the drug is being spearheaded by Capt. Dave Steinkoenig, commander of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Road Patrol Division.

Narcan will also be kept at the Bartholomew County Jail for inmates, Myers said.

Although funding hasn’t yet been obtained, some deputies are already training with an emergency room physician at Columbus Regional Hospital to learn to properly administer the drug, Steinkoenig told the Bartholomew County commissioners.

“I can’t sit and wait,” Myers said. “This saves lives. I have to move forward on this.”

The commissioners gave the sheriff’s department their blessing to seek a $5,000 grant through the Columbus Regional Health Foundation. County ordinances require all outside funding requests to be approved by the commissioners before an application is made.

Myers describes the chances for a grant approval as “very promising.”

“But even if we’re turned down, I’ll go elsewhere to find the money,” Myers said.

If the funding request is approved, the two largest law enforcement departments in Bartholomew County will be able to obtain the drug through Columbus Regional Hospital at lower prices. Under this program, the cost of two doses of Narcan is $35, Steinkoenig said.

Narcan is carried on all ambulance runs, Myers said. But it is often law enforcement officers — rather than paramedics — who are the first on the scene of an overdose, Myers said.

“When you have 19 deaths (combined total for 2013 and 2014) with heroin, and you have a drug that can buy time, it only makes sense for law enforcement to carry this,” the sheriff said.

Bartholomew County Coroner Larry Fisher, who has been on the scene of many of those deaths, said if deputies save only one life with the drug, it’s worth any investment into the program.

“The initial startup costs are the biggest factor, and keeping the program going after that doesn’t cost much,” Fisher said. “The drug is also very easy to administer.”

Fisher said having Narcan available could give some heroin users a false sense of security, but most of the recent overdose victims don’t fit that description, Fisher said.

“It’s something most of these folks were just experimenting with, and probably wouldn’t do it again if they had survived their first overdose,” Fisher said.

Allowing a county department to request a grant through the county-owned hospital was described Monday by county commissioner chairman Larry Kleinhenz as “very unusual.”

In response, Myers noted former Sheriff Mark Gorbett did not seek a line-item increase in his departmental budget over his entire eight years in office.

“Our funding is so tight that I don’t feel comfortable spending $5,000 for any new program at this point,” said Myers, who added his department is still exploring ways to fund body cameras for deputies.

“You may see us going into the community more to ask for help until our public funding is increased,” Myers added.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About Naloxone” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Developed in the 1960s, Naloxone (generic name: Narcan) is a medication used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. It will usually reverse the depression of the central nervous system, respiratory system, and hypertension caused by heroin and similar narcotics.

While the drug is most commonly administered by physicians and nurses intravenously, it’s usually given to overdose victims by first-responders as a nasal spray.

Naloxone is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.

Source: Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents

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Salvation Army fundraiser set at Bob Evans

By
Brian Blair
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Salvation Army sets event at Bob Evans

You can take your sweetie out to eat Valentine’s Day weekend — and show you are heartfelt about the outreach of Columbus’ The Salvation Army.

That’s the idea behind a fundraiser Feb. 13 to 15 at Columbus’ Bob Evans Restaurant, 221 Carrie Lane.

The restaurant will donate 15 percent of the proceeds for every meal to the Salvation’s Army’s work, according to organizers. To take advantage of the setup, though, diners must pick up a coupon at the local Salvation Army office, 2525 Illinois St., or call 812-375-4654 to have coupons mailed to them.

“Every penny helps,” said Columbus’ Nancy Johnson, who is helping with the effort.

The Salvation Army is perhaps best-known for its annual Christmas Red Kettle campaign in which volunteers ring bells and collect donations for the ministry’s work, from a food pantry to helping with utility bills to summer camps for kids.

Columbus man arrested after foot chase

By
Julie McClure
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A Columbus man was arrested on multiple charges after leading police on a foot chase through a parking lot in the 2000 block of Merchants Way.

Michael Purdue, 43, 720 Maple St., was arrested at 6:40 a.m. Thursday on charges of theft, resisting law enforcement, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine, said Sgt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police spokesman.

Police were called to the westside Walmart after an employee reported a man was acting suspiciously after loading expensive electronic items in his cart, including a flat-screen television.

The man, later identified as Purdue, pushed the cart with the items outside a side door that was closed to the public during the early morning hours, which caused an alarm to go off in the store, Harris said.

Columbus Police Sgt. Ron May came around the corner of the building and observed Purdue placing items into a pickup truck that was parked next to the store’s side entrance door, Harris said.

When he saw May, Purdue ran on foot southbound from the store through the parking lot, where he was caught, Harris said.

When officers searched Purdue, they found a wallet and ID card that had been reported stolen earlier this week, and located a small amount of methamphetamine in his pants pocket, Harris said.

Purdue is being held in lieu of $80,000 bond in the Bartholomew County Jail, jail officials said.

Campaign money starts flowing in

By
mbanta
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The Republican challenger for mayor is off to an early lead in fundraising with his Nov. 15 announcement providing a two-month head start.

Councilman Jim Lienhoop raised a little more than $45,000 in the span of a month-and-a-half from 46 contributors, according to year-end campaign finance reports. He spent just a little more than $2,000 during that same period, leaving him with about $43,000 on hand at the end of 2014.

Incumbent Mayor Kristen Brown raised no money last year. The $21,000 in her coffers as of Dec. 31 came almost solely from two out-of-state donors, both of whom donated $10,000 in 2013.

Brown said she turned down donations in 2014 because she didn’t want to take money without knowing for sure whether she was going to run for re-election.

“I wanted to be 120 percent committed,” she said. “I got to that point over the holidays.”

With fewer than 100 days left until the May 5 primary, Brown and Lienhoop are ramping up fundraising efforts.

Brown started taking donations this month after kicking off her campaign with a Jan. 16 announcement that got things off to a good start, she said.

People at the kickoff event were positive and enthusiastic, and many of them gave their money as well as their support, the mayor said.

Brown she has been both humbled and pleased by the support she’s received in her bid for re-election.

Lienhoop is similarly appreciative of the backing he is getting, he said.

“I’ve been very encouraged by the level of support we’ve received, not just with financial donations, but with volunteers,” he said. “People have sought me out and offered to help.”

Contributions have come in from a diverse group of people who are dedicated to the city, he said.

Among the largest donors is local business owner and operator Ryan Hou, who said he chose to donate after seeing Lienhoop in action on a recent trade delegation to Asia. Hou is CEO of LHP Inc.

Hou has participated in the trip, put together through the Columbus Economic Development Board, for 10 years and said Lienhoop greatly helped in solidifying relationships with overseas companies that have chosen to invest in the city. Hou described the mayoral candidate as an open-minded person willing to sacrifice his time for the benefit of Columbus.

“Columbus needs to keep doing new things,” Hou said. “We need to have forward-thinking people leading the city.”

As of last week, Lienhoop’s campaign was about two-thirds of the way to a $120,000 fundraising goal, set based on the amount the mayor spent in her 2011 campaign, he said.

The total from Brown’s original campaign included more than $50,000 raised from January to May, the mayor said.

Brown said it’s “currently easier, as an incumbent with a good track record, to raise money.”

Although she is turning down what she calls special-interest money and focusing more on small donations from a greater number of people to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, the mayor said she’s off to a healthy start.

During the next three months, Brown said she plans to be focused on serving her constituents as mayor and use her spare time to get out the message about her track record and her plan for the future of Columbus.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Deadlines to watch for” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Feb. 6: Candidates from the two major political parties must file declaration of candidacy by noon for the May city primary.

Feb. 9: Deadline to withdraw from the May primary.

April 6: Voter registration ends.

April 17: Primary candidates must file pre-primary campaign finance reports by noon.

May 5: Primary

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Kristen Brown contributions” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

After raising and spending nearly $120,000 from mostly local donors in her 2011 mayoral campaign, Mayor Kristen Brown raised $20,000 in 2013. She had no contributions in 2012 or 2014.

Contributors in 2013 were:

$10,000: Gregory W. Wendt, David Schelhase

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Jim Lienhoop contributions” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

From Nov. 14 to Dec. 31, Jim Lienhoop raised $45,145.07 in his campaign to become mayor of Columbus.

Those who donated include:

$5,000: Thomas Schoellkopf, Ryan Hou, James Henderson, Alice Johnson

$3,000: Susan Roszczyk, Kenny Glass

$2,500: John Kussman

$1,595.07: Lienhoop for Council

$1,000: Mary Ferdon, Joan McKinney, Randall Tucker, Gregg Summerville, Greg Boll, James D. Lienhoop, Frederick Porter, McKay Management, Barnes & Thornburg

$500: Charles Corbin, Steven Stanton, J. David Sinclair, James Kelly, Barbara Stevens, Paul F. Corya

$400: Joe Lohmeyer

$250: Paul Brown, Todd Trinkle, Paul D. Corya, Brad Davis

$200: Kenneth Kaiser, Kurt Ellis, Roger Hackman

$150: David McKinney

$100: Diane Robbins, Robin Hilber, Joseph Shafran, Jesse Brand, John Brand, Donald Trapp, Debra Force, Jeffrey Washburn, Aliki Leonard

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Low-key brothers get results for Bull Dogs

By
Ted Schultz
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Weighing in at 170 pounds, Josh Larson would be the perfect weight for the 170-pound class at Columbus North.

There’s only one thing standing in the way, however — his older brother, Jake.

With senior Jake Larson firmly entrenched as the Bull Dogs’ 170-pounder this season, Josh, a sophomore, has had to bump up to the 182-pound weight class. As a result, he hasn’t had as much success as Jake.

“I wouldn’t be doing as well (as Jake at 170), but I’d be doing better than I’m doing at 182,” Josh said.

Jake, who sports a 28-16 record, and Josh, who is 14-31, usually face off with each other at practice.

“Sometimes, we get a little mad at each other, but we work each other hard,” Jake said.

The Larsons agree Jake is the more offensive wrestler of the pair.

“He can shoot better and get takedowns easier than I can,” Josh said. “I don’t take shots very much. I’m more defensive.”

“I do take shots a lot more, and he’s pretty good at shot defense,” Jake said.

North coach Nick Skinner, however, sees similar styles.

“They’re both really mistake-driven,” Skinner said. “They capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes a lot. Neither one of them are flashy, but they get the job done. They’re not going to walk out and wow the crowd.”

Saturday, both Larsons will have a chance to extend their seasons when North competes in the Jennings County Sectional. The top four in each weight class advance to the Feb. 7 Jeffersonville Regional.

Jake, a regional qualifier last season, is the No. 4 seed at 170. He lost close regular-season matches to top seed Tanner Young of Madison and No. 2 seed Peyton Gerkin of Jennings County.

“I’m looking to win sectional,” Jake said. “Some of the few losses I have are to the people seeded higher than me, so I feel like I have a good chance of winning it.”

Josh, meanwhile, is unseeded at 182 and has to wrestle top seed Peyton Shepherd of Jennings County.

“I got unlucky, so I have to wrestle the best guy first,” Josh said. “But throughout the season, I’ve been getting better. Odds are against me, but I think I still have a chance.”

“Jake I think can win sectional,” Skinner said. “Josh drew into probably a worst possible scenario for him. Josh’s chances aren’t the best, but he’s a different wrestler now, and I’m hoping to see some improvement, if not a win out of him.”

The Larsons, who also play volleyball for North’s club team in the spring, know their time as sparring partners is nearing an end. While Josh has another two years at North, Jake’s competitive wrestling career is drawing to a close. He is thinking of attending BYU, but probably would not wrestle there.

Skinner said Jake has been one of the team’s leaders throughout the season.

“He’s definitely one of the guys that has stepped up through his actions, not through his words,” Skinner said. “He’s a very quiet kid, but he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t talk back.

“They’re both very good boys, raised well,” he said. “They come in, do what you ask them to do and try to do more. That’s all you can ask for as a coach.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

What: Jennings County Sectional wrestling

When 9 a.m. Saturday

Where: Jennings County High School

Teams: Columbus East, Columbus North, Jennings County, Brown County, Seymour, Greensburg, Madison, Scottsburg, Southwestern (Hanover), Switzerland County

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High school scoreboard – January 30

By
Staff Reports
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GIRLS BASKETBALL

Columbus North 53, Roncalli 40

Columbus North (20-1);16;10;17;10;–;53

Roncalli (17-6);11;6;5;18;–;40

Columbus North: Debie Gedeon 0 0-0 0, Ali Patberg 11 2-3 24, Elle Williams 5 1-1 11, Maliah Howard-Bass 0 0-0 0, Paige Littrell 3 0-0 9, Imani Guy 3 3-6 9, Emily Kim 0 0-0 0, Sheyanne Street 0 0-0 0, Kat Norman 0 0-0 0, Karli Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Hannah Poindexter 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 6-10 53.

Roncalli: Rachel Titzer 5 3-5 15, Paige Saylor 5 2-4 15, Halie Harris 1 0-0 3, Daesjah Ely 0 3-4 3, Katie Carson 1 2-4 4, Emma Lawrie 0 0-2 0, Courtney Reece 0 0-0 0, Abby English 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 10-19 40.

3-point goals: Columbus North 3 (Littrell 3), Roncalli 6 (Saylor 3, Titzer 2, Harris)

Martinsville 58, Columbus East 38

Martinsville;15;17;17;9;—;58

Columbus East;6;12;7;13;—;38

Martinsville (12-7): Megan Peeden 5 0-0 13, Ciara England 2 1-1 5, Kayana Traylor 9 4-8 22, Jessica Nix 3 1-2 7, Merideth Deckard 2 0-0 4, Abby Martin 0 0-0 0, Bryanna Collier 2 0-0 6, Jayden Tannehill 0 0-0 0, Christina Alexander 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 6-11 58.

Columbus East (9-11): Audrey Wetzel 2 3-5 7, Megan Galle 0 2-2, Brooke Ballard 2 2-2 7, Abigail Wilson 2 1-2 6, Lyric Jackson 0 0-0 0, Gracie Hatton 3 0-2 6, Addy Galarno 1 0-0 2, Kirsten Lyons 2 2-2 6, Britney Ballard 0 0-0 0, Esta Morrison 1 0-0 2, Kendal Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 10-15 38.

3-point goals: Martinsville 6 (Peeden 3, Collier 2, Deckard); Columbus East 2 (Brooke Ballard, Wilson).

Shelbyville 41, Hauser 32

Hauser;5;7;7;13;—;32

Shelbyville;16;4;8;13;—;41

Hauser (10-11): Ellie Trotter 2 4-4 9, Abbey Ashbrook 4 2-4 10, Paige Miller 2 3-4 8, Frances Shoaf 0 1-2 1, Sarah Anderson 0 0-0 0, Mallory Jordan 1 0-0 2, Grace Hasler 1 0-0 2, Hailey Lange 0 0-0 0, Sarah Tedder 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 10-14 32.

Shelbyville (7-13): Alexis Tackett 7 4-7 19, Cassady Skipton 1 2-2 4, Cora Reinhart 4 1-2 9, Kimmie Griffin 0 0-0 0, Taylor Perry 2 0-0 5, Abby Smith 1 2-2 4. Totals: 15 9-13 41.

3-point goals: Hauser 2 (Miller, Trotter); Shelbyville 2 (Perry, Tackett)

BOYS SWIMMING

Columbus North 140, Oldenburg Academy 42

200 medley relay: 1, Columbus North ‘B’ (Zhang, Kevin; Torres Martinez, Angel; Thompson, Ben; Zhuang, Adam), 1:50.38. 2, Oldenburg Academy ‘A’, 2:07.16. 3, Columbus North ‘C’ (Griffin, Harrison; Athaide, Craig; Kandharkar, Tejas; Landini, Jacob), 2:08.38.

200 freestyle: 1, Thompson, Ben, CN, 1:57.64. 2, Jarman, Christopher, OA, 2:40.88. 3, Frey, Eric, OA, 3:14.11.

200 individual medley: 1, Imlay, Jared, CN, 2:11.79. 2, Goble, Thomas M, CN, 2:15.44. 3, Swain, Jackson T, CN, 2:15.62. 4, Nurrenberg, Chris, OA, 3:00.45. 5, Schutte, Seth, OA, 3:10.71.

50 freestyle: 1, Pelzel, John, OA, 22.15. 2, Brinegar, Michael M, CN, 22.40. 3, Torres Martinez, Angel, CN, 23.07. 4, Contreras, Arturo, CN, 23.27. 5, Hurm, Nathan, OA, 29.58. 6, Kelnhofer, Jeremy, OA, 30.88.

Diving: 1, Wheeler, Daniel, CN, 240.60. 2, Jiles, Kaemon, CN, 206.60. 3, Shaffer, Blake P, CN, 153.10.

100 butterfly: 1, Zhang, Kevin, CN, 57.34. 2, Imlay, Jared R, CN, 59.16.

100 freestyle: 1, Brinegar, Michael, CN, 49.63. 2, Schumaker III, Ab, CN, 56.22. 3, Thompson, Drew, CN, 56.72. 4, Nurrenberg, Chris, OA, 1:07.60. 5, Jarman, Oliver, OA, 1:09.81.

500 freestyle: 1, Griffin, Harrison, CN, 5:24.85. 2, Lee, Michael, CN, 6:01.06.

200 freestyle relay: 1, Columbus North ‘A’ (Vorndran, Matthew; Cena Zavala, Francisco; Qin, Lizhi; Athaide, Floyd), 1:47.32. 2, Oldenburg Academy ‘A’, 1:52.20. 3, Oldenburg Academy ‘B’, 2:21.11.

100 backstroke: 1, Freudenthaler, Matthew, CN, 57.27. 2, Zhang, Kevin, CN, 1:00.06. 3, Goble, Thomas, CN, 1:04.89. 4, Kandharkar, Tejas, CN, 1:14.76. 5, Jarman, Christopher, OA, 1:21.68.

100 breaststroke: 1, McQueen, Chase, CN, 1:02.89. 2, Qin, Lizhi, CN, 1:08.83. 3, Swain, Jackson, CN, 1:10.80. 4, Hurm, Nathan, OA, 1:28.11. 5, Schutte, Seth, OA, 1:35.92.

400 freestyle relay: 1, Columbus North ‘A’ (Thompson, Drew; Landini, Jacob; Cena Zavala, Francisco; Kandharkar, Tejas), 4:01.93. 2, Columbus North ‘B’ (Allen, Charles; Zhang, Albert; Lee, Michael; Athaide, Craig), 4:24.73. 3, Columbus North ‘C’ (Jones, Nicholas; Athaide, Floyd; Bieger, Drew; Katirci, Mert), 4:30.82.

GIRLS SWIMMING

Columbus North 134, Oldenburg Academy 34

200 medley relay: 1, Columbus North ‘B’ (Combs, Emily; Niebrugge, Kaitlyn; Eicher, Whitley; Todd, Alexis), 2:15.33. 2, Oldenburg Academy ‘A’, 2:18.21. 3, Oldenburg Academy ‘B’, 2:31.99.

200 freestyle: 1, Force, Margy, CN, 2:16.47. 2, Mackey, Lauren, CN, 2:17.20. 3, Jeffries, Mary, CN, 2:17.58. 4, Rose, Huntyr, OA, 2:33.83. 5, Hillenbrand, Mia, OA, 2:59.24.

200 individual medley: 1, Haskett, Olivia, CN, 2:31.27. 2, Storms, Caroline, OA, 2:36.76. 3, Geers, Erica, OA, 2:56.57. 4, Reed, Haleigh, OA, 3:22.37.

50 freestyle: 1, Bieger, Marah, CN, 25.24. 2, Nusawardhana, Alexandra, CN, 25.91. 3, Taylor, Cori E, CN, 26.92. 4, Maier, Madelyn, OA, 29.18. 5, Eckstein, Courtney, OA, 32.35.

Diving: 1, Smyth, Fiona, CN, 180.65. 2, Towsley, Sarah, CN, 148.75. 3, Gunia, Madeline, CN, 143.00.

100 butterfly: 1, Eicher, Whitley G, CN, 1:04.06. 2, Wildemann, Karen A, CN, 1:04.59. 3, Haskett, Olivia A, CN, 1:10.09. 4, Geers, Ava, OA, 1:33.72. 5, Glaser, Margaret, OA, 1:40.58.

100 freestyle: 1, Fry, Mackenzie, CN, 54.48. 2, Storms, Caroline, OA, 1:00.59. 3, Utterback, Katie, CN, 1:02.86. 4, Mackey, Lauren, CN, 1:03.78. 5, Dietz, Colleen, OA, 1:17.17.

500 freestyle: 1, Bieger, Marah, CN, 5:12.74. 2, Coles, Darby, CN, 5:28.31. 3, Niebrugge, Kaitlyn, CN, 5:39.95. 4, Rose, Huntyr, OA, 7:09.74. 5, Geers, Erica, OA, 7:19.85.

200 freestyle relay: 1, Columbus North ‘A’ (Haskett, Grace; Coles, Darby; Nusawardhana, Alexandra; Eicher, Whitley), 1:42.62. 2, Columbus North ‘B’ (Wyke, Maddie; Fry, Mackenzie; Taylor, Cori; Niebrugge, Kaitlyn), 1:43.94. 3, Oldenburg Academy ‘A’, 2:08.63.

100 backstroke: 1, Wyke, Maddie, CN, 1:00.76. 2, Niebrugge, Kaitlyn, CN, 1:07.60. 3, Taylor, Cori, CN, 1:08.19. 4, Geis, Emma, OA, 1:29.44. 5, Reed, Haleigh, OA, 1:36.87.

100 breaststroke: 1, Coles, Darby, CN, 1:21.66. 2, Wildemann, Karen, CN, 1:21.97. 3, Dietz, Colleen, OA, 1:28.14. 4, Grieshop, Mara, OA, 1:38.52. 5, Venkataraman, Pavithra, CN, 1:40.68.

400 freestyle relay: 1, Columbus North ‘A’ (Eicher, Whitley; Jeffries, Mary; Davie, Kelcie; Mackey, Lauren), 4:07.16. 2, Columbus North ‘B’ (Haskett, Grace; Gutman, Jennifer; Force, Margy; Venkataraman, Pavithra), 4:13.24. 3, Columbus North ‘C’ (Fry, Mackenzie; Wyke, Maddie; Patil, Nikita; Todd, Alexis), 4:19.60.

GYMNASTICS

Columbus North 110.0, Bloomington South 105.9

All-around: 1. Claire Thompson (CN) 36.925; 2. Ashley Holliday (CN) 36.55; 3. Katrina May (CN) 36.425; 4. Kelsey Schermer (BS) 34.4.

Vault: 1. Meg Oyler (BS) 9.4; 2. Cheryl Bruce (BS) 9.2; 3. Kaylee Eurton (BS) 9.05; 4. May (CN) 8.85.

Bars: 1. Thompson (CN) 9.375; 2. May (CN) 9.1; 3. Schermer (BS) 9.0; 4. Holliday (CN) 8.85.

Beam: 1. Thompson (CN) 9.6; 2. Holliday (CN) 9.4; 3. May (CN) 9.05; 4. Catherine McGibbon (BS) 8.75.

Floor: 1. Holliday (CN) 9.5; 2. May (CN) 9.425; 3. Thompson (CN) 9.25; 4. Oyler (BS) 9.0.

Bull Dogs top Rebels for 20th win

By
Staff Reports
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INDIANAPOLIS — The Columbus North girls basketball team went on the road to face another highly ranked opponent in Roncalli on Thursday and came away with a 53-40 victory.

It wasn’t a pretty contest, full of highlight plays, but rather a tough, hard-fought battle the Bull Dogs were able to escape from with a win.

Ali Patberg, playing in her first game since being announced as a McDonald’s All-American, struggled out of the gate, unable to find the basket until late in the first quarter.

It was her teammates, namely Elle Williams early, who had nine of her 11 points in the first, that carried the load from the start.

“It was frustrating, but my teammates played well,” Patberg said. “That’s going to happen. They were there for me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from them.

“It was a little shaky, personally,” she added. “I was a little tired. That’s not a good excuse, but I felt like I didn’t have a lot of legs. But we did well as a team.”

Patberg was named a McDonald’s All-American on Wednesday.

“(Wednesday) was a really big day for me,” Patberg said. “I was nervous. It was a long, emotional day for me, so I think I’m just worn out from that. When I was out there playing I felt better, just tired.”

Roncalli was missing its leading scorer, Lindsey Corsaro, who sustained a knee injury against Bedford North Lawrence on Saturday.

The Class 4A No. 3 Bull Dogs (20-1) took a 26-17 lead into the locker room, but it was clearly anybody’s game to win. A 17-5 third quarter for North, which included a 10-0 run to close the period with baskets from Patberg and Imani Guy, seemed to shut the door on the Rebels, who trailed 43-22 after three.

“We went over defense and containing the ball,” Patberg said of the team’s halftime adjustments. “They’re a team that wants to beat you off the dribble and create shots off of that. We talked about pushing the ball and doing what we do well, and just staying focused.”

The Rebels (17-6), though, refused to go away. They closed the gap to as few as 13 at 49-36 in the final quarter. But the Bull Dogs’ superior ball control and their ability to get defensive stops when they needed to sealed the victory.

North begins the postseason in less than two weeks, and a victory against a highly ranked team this late in the season could bode well for their prospects.

“This is an important game for us,” North coach Pat McKee said. “Not only did we add this game because they’re a quality opponent, but we put it late in the season on purpose so that we would get a push like this. We need this kind of pressure.”

“They’re a quality team and they never gave up,” Patberg said. “Teams are going to pressure us and make us handle the ball, and I think we handled the ball well. It’s a quality team that we beat, so confidence for all of us.”

Jets can’t overcome slow start, fall to Golden Bears

By
Staff Reports
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SHELBYVILLE — Defensive first-quarter woes plagued the Hauser girls basketball team Thursday night at Shelbyville.

The Jets were simply giving away basket after basket inside right from the start and fell behind 12-2 midway through the first quarter. They could not recover the rest of the game and fell 41-32.

“We dug ourselves too deep of a hole early,” Hauser coach Brad Hamilton said. “We got a lot of work to do. If you really break it down, when we play at home, we start out with a lot of intensity from the opening tip as opposed to being on the road. I don’t think they’re that much of a better team than us. We let them be because we did not get after it from the start.”

The Jets offense did not help them break out of their defensive slump in the first half, either. The Golden Bears (7-13) utilized a zone defense that limited Hauser (10-11) from scoring inside the paint.

Whenever the Jets found an open lane inside, Shelbyville was right there to deflect the pass away or cause a turnover. In turn, Hauser had to rely on its jump shot, which was ice cold. The Jets made only three field goals, with two of them being in the final three minutes of the second quarter, but even after the rough first half trailed only 20-12.

“We have enough plays to run against it, but the difference was that they were jumping to the ball and trapping it,” Hamilton said. “We really did not make any adjustments to it. We never used pass fakes. We never kept the ball moving and let them trap us.”

Hauser has been playing without point guard Leslie Sims and forward Danielle Sneed, who both are recovering from injury. As shorthanded as the Jets were, they still had an opportunity to win.

Hauser started the fourth quarter with much more intensity than it showed the first three quarters. Abbey Ashbrook scored seven straight points to cut it to 32-26. Ellie Trotter then added a basket on the Jets’ next possession to make 32-28.

Hauser was then forced to foul, and Shelbyville converted 3 of 4 from the line. Trotter knocked in a 3-pointer to make it 35-31. From there, the Golden Bears converted four of their next six free throws to seal the win.

Ashbrook finished with 10 points to lead the Jets. Trotter and Paige Miller added nine and eight points, respectively.

“I’m proud of that fact that they did not quit,” Hamilton said. “We still hung around and gave the effort. It’s still dissatisfying that we could not do that the entire game.”

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