Summer may be in full swing, but Center Grove athletics are still basking in the glow of a very successful spring season for its various sports teams.
Softball Wins Regional, Sectional and County Championships but Falls Just Short of State Finals
The 2024 Center Grove High School (CGHS) softball team was trying to become the first Trojan softball team to win a state title since 2019. CGHS ended the regular season with momentum, riding an 11-game win streak into the state tournament. The Trojans topped Bloomington South in their opening tournament game at home, 4-1, in the sectional semifinals. In the sectional finals the Trojans upended Mooresville 10-3, receiving home runs from Riley Janda, Sydney Herrmann and Hayden Baird.
After securing their 25th sectional title, the Trojans traveled to St. Leon, Indiana, to battle East Central in the regional. After trailing 1-0 after four innings, senior Riley Janda hit a three-run home run in the fifth to lift the Trojans to a 3-1 victory and their 18th regional.
CGHS beat 4A number-one state-ranked Castle 6-5 in the semi-state semifinals at Bedford North Lawrence. Senior Hannah Haberstroh led the Trojan offense with a three-run homer. CGHS ran into a juggernaut in the state final four, surrendering 14 hits and 14 earned runs in a 14-2 loss to New Palestine. The setback ended the Trojans’ pursuit of their eighth state title.
CGHS had a stellar season, clinching a spot in the state final four and securing regional, sectional and county tournament titles. Janda and Haberstroh were selected for the Indiana All-Star South team and honored as first-team all-state. Haberstroh also earned academic all-state recognition, highlighting her dedication on and off the field.
CGHS head coach Alyssa Coleman was incredibly proud of her 2024 team.
“Center Grove softball is a program where athletes are held to the high standards of past successes,” said Coleman. “It is difficult to leave it better than you find it, but this group, despite all the adversity, showed the resilience and tenacity to do just that. We are incredibly grateful that when we look at our outfield wall in future seasons, we will constantly be reminded of the tremendous leadership this senior class demonstrated, the passion for the sport that shone through in our teamwork, and the toughness exhibited during challenging times. More than anything, I appreciate the love and growth this team showed each other, never letting any moment define their season. I would like to sincerely thank my coaching staff, players, and anyone who ever came to a game to show support for a very memorable season.”
Girls Lacrosse Wins First State Title
The 2024 Center Grove girls lacrosse team embarked on a season of transformation, building on their previous year’s Class 1A state finals runner-up finish. The team was led by a new coach, Craig Jarrett, who brought a wealth of coaching experience despite being new to lacrosse. Under Jarrett’s leadership, the team underwent a significant cultural shift and utilized team play to propel them to new heights.
“On day one I said our goal was to win a state championship,” said Jarrett. “We had a bunch of talent that won several games to start, then we came together as a team, played for each other and took it to another level.”
The Trojans’ most significant regular-season triumph came against state defending champion Park Tudor. CGHS’s aggressive and physical play propelled them to a thrilling 9-8 sudden-death overtime win. CGHS entered the state tournament as the top-ranked team in the state in Class 1A. However, the Trojans were hungry for more, setting their sights on their first state title. The Trojans took care of Roncalli, Southport and South Bend St. Joseph to set up a rematch with Park Tudor in the state finals. CGHS rallied from a 3-1 first-quarter deficit, outscoring Park Tudor 10-4 over the final three periods to capture its first state title with an 11-7 win. Emilee Franklin led the way with four goals, Julianne McIntire had three scores, Lyla Weir and Kyndal Arthur each added two goals, and goaltender Alita Fischer had 17 saves.
Jarrett says this team has raised the bar.
“They bought in on day one and never wavered,” said Jarrett. “They always did precisely what was asked of them. They were an extraordinary group of girls who laid the cornerstone for this program and deserved every award they received. They are all great ambassadors for the lacrosse game and will excel in anything they do. I couldn’t have asked for more or be any more proud.”
Besides winning its first state championship, the team went 17-5 for the most wins in a season. Franklin, Arthur and Weir were named first-team all-state, two were honorable all-state, 12 were academic all-state, and Fischer was a USA Lacrosse academic all-American.
Boys Golf Regional, Sectional and County Champs
Center Grove boys golf’s steady play in the later stages of the regular season put them in a position for another possible deep run in the state tournament. The Trojans claimed the Johnson County title at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin with a team score of 291 to end the regular season. Drew Hardin, Nathan Springer and James Beetz earned all-county honors. Center Grove returned to The Legends Golf Club for the sectional. The Trojans shot another 291, winning their 11th straight sectional title, 26th overall, and seventh under Coach Matt Rodman. Brody Holubar was the medalist with a 72, Beetz placed second, also with a 72, and Hardin took third with a 73. CGHS continued its state tournament run, traveling to Henryville, Indiana, for the regional finals at Champions Pointe Golf Club. The Trojans took top honors, winning by 14 strokes. Beetz placed second with a 70, and Holubar shot a 72. The victory was CGHS’s 12th regional title and the sixth for Rodman. We will recap how the team does in the state finals in Center Grove Magazine’s August issue.
Boys Ultimate Wins 13th State Title
In 24 seasons, Center Grove boys’ ultimate (Frisbee) program has emerged as one of the best in the state, Midwest and nation. The Trojans placed third in the country in 2018 and fifth in 2017. The 2024 team beat Brebeuf 9-3 to win the program’s 13th state title and fourth straight. CGHS head coach Noah Wahl has been a part of seven state championships, three as a player and four as a coach. Wahl says this season’s state title was extra special.
“The season went better than expected,” said Wahl. “We lost a lot of seniors from last year, which included two key players from the team. As the season progressed, some younger players stepped up and showed out. As a whole we improved, and I think we exceeded expectations. I believe we will be very competitive next year as well.”
Tennis Duo Excels in State Tournament
Center Grove girls tennis seniors Ava Beecher and Lauren Dick teamed up to play one doubles in their final season for the Trojans. The dynamic duo netted wins in the individual state tournament over Franklin, Union County, Shelbyville, Terre Haute North, and North Central. The incredible state tournament run ended in the quarterfinals, losing to Angola, just two wins shy of the state championship match. Beecher and Dick earned first-team doubles all-state honors. CGHS singles players Val Arriz and Sloane Small were named honorable-mention singles all-state.
Track and Field Stays on Track
CGHS boys and girls track and field ended the season with multiple all-state performances in the state finals at Indiana University in Bloomington.
The CGHS girls team ended the season ranked ninth in the state, placed third in the regional at Shelbyville, and second in the sectional at Franklin. The 4×800-meter relay team of Marissa Pogue, Diana Hodges, Gretchen Meisberger and Hallie Mimbela placed ninth in the state meet to earn all-state honors. Khloie Walker captured ninth in the pole vault to achieve all-state distinction. Mimbela set the school record in the 800-meter run in the sectional with a time of 2:14.59. Pogue was first-team academic all-state, and Lilly Brunsman, Allison Cohen, Hannah Smith and Reece Teevan were academic all-state honorable mention.
The boys team took sixth place in the state finals after winning its eighth regional and 19th sectional. The following Trojans finished ninth or better in the state finals to capture first-team all-state honors:
- Second place, 4×100 relay – Ben Tapak, Daxon Sauer, Finn Sauer, Brady Dicken
- Fourth place, 4×400 relay – Ben Tapak, Brevin Holubar, Daxon Sauer, Austin Hennessy
- Fifth place, pole vault – Carter Pheifer
- Sixth place, 1600 meters – Kyle Montgomery
- Ninth place, 300-meter hurdles – Ben Tapak
Daxon Sauer, Finn Sauer, Mason Vrshek and Montgomery were first-team academic all-state, and Gavin Rockwell, Sam Heineman and Hennessy were academic all-state honorable mention.
Baseball Ends Season With an Impressive 27-3 Record
Center Grove baseball compiled a 26-2 regular-season record, was 16-0 at home, and held down the Class 4A number-one state ranking for most of the season. The Trojans won the 2024 Johnson County Tournament, beating Franklin 5-1. CGHS reached the sectional finals at Bloomington North following a come-from-behind 11-6 win over Bloomington South in the semifinals. CGHS faced 4A number-three state-ranked Mooresville in the sectional championship. The Trojans couldn’t overcome an early 5-0 deficit, losing to the Pioneers 11-6. CGHS senior infielder Noah Coy was named to the Indiana All-Star team, playing for the South squad.
