Boys Track and Field Wins County Title
Center Grove High School (CGHS) boys track and field maintained its stronghold over the local schools, winning its 26th straight Johnson County title. This was Brad Timmons’ second title in as many years as the CGHS head coach.
“As coaches, we’re very pleased in multiple areas where kids stepped up and either performed to or exceeded their seeded standards,” said Timmons. “Caison Barber continues to improve in the 110 high and 300 intermediate hurdles, where he secured a first in both. Same with Daxon Sauer in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, where he was a double winner. Our distance runners shined as well, with Curtis Williams taking first in the 3200 meters, Jayden Salo winning the 800 meters, and Mason Vrshek closing like a wild man in the 1600 meters to secure a third-place finish in a fairly loaded field. Zavier Laney has been a pleasant surprise in the high jump, where he is emerging as a contender to place well in our remaining meets. Last, Ryke Meyer and Jameson Mennel went one-two in the 400 meters and have made steady progress as the season progresses.”
The Trojans also won the Warren Central and Mooresville invitationals. Center Grove will look to continue to make strides toward the state finals in early June at the North Central High School track and field complex.
“One thing I know from my experiences here at Center Grove is that our kids are workers,” said Timmons. “In most, if not all, events, our athletes have experienced continued improvement by trusting the process and showing up each day willing to do what is necessary to improve, even when that process is uncomfortable. I like the direction of this team, and I believe if we can continue to take care of our bodies, we should afford ourselves the opportunity to score well come tournament time.”
Girls Track and Field Vaults Over the Competition to Win the Warren Central Invitational
CGHS girls track and field rallied to win the Warren Central Invitational, dominating the final field event to secure the championship trophy.
“Warren Central was so exciting to win,” said CGHS Head Coach Wes Dodson. “We came from behind with just one event left, and we erased an 18-point deficit as we finished first, second and third in the pole vault.”
The Trojans also excelled at the Mooresville Invitational, taking the top prize.
“At Mooresville we placed well in all our events and ran a bunch of personal records,” said Dodson. We are really progressing at the right time. The girls have been working really hard and our times are really starting to drop.”
CGHS also shined on Senior Night, winning the Trojan Classic. The Trojans look to make a deep run in the state tournament, which will culminate in the state finals at North Central in early June.
Softball Captures the Coach Russ Milligan Classic Championship
Each season, Center Grove softball honors its late hall-of-fame coach, Russ Milligan, by hosting the Coach Russ Milligan Classic. Milligan, who won five state titles as the head coach of the Trojan program, passed away in 2021. In this year’s classic, CGHS hosted Columbus North and Bedford North Lawrence (BNL). The Trojans beat the Bull Dogs in the opening game 16-5 and topped the Stars in the final contest 12-3. CGHS pounded out 31 hits in the wins, highlighted by home runs off the bats of Hayden Baird and Syd Herrmann. The Trojans’ pitching staff was led by Riley Fuhr and Kara Biever in game one, limiting Columbus North to six hits and three earned runs. CGHS fireballer Sarah Riley held BNL to five hits and three earned runs, and also struck out eight batters. CGHS, a top-five state-ranked team in class 4A, is working hard toward returning to the state finals for a second time under Head Coach Alyssa Coleman. The Trojans won the 4A title in 2019, Coleman’s first season as CGHS’s head coach. Purdue University will host the state finals in mid-June.
Girls Tennis Secures Trojan Classic Title
Center Grove girls tennis held serve on its home courts to win the Trojan Classic. CGHS edged Terre Haute South 3-2, shut out Whiteland 5-0, and beat Mt. Vernon 3-2. The Trojans also had great regular-season wins over Brownsburg, 3-2, and Franklin, 4-1, ending a streak of six straight losses to the Grizzly Cubs.
Boys Golf Wins North-South Cup Over Carmel
Center Grove boys golf is eyeing a return trip to the state finals in mid-June at Prairie View Golf Club. The Trojans had the opportunity to play at Prairie View during the season in the annual North-South Cup rivalry match against Carmel. CGHS beat the Greyhounds 297-313, led by co-medalists James Beetz and Drew Hardin’s 73 scores.
CGHS also secured the Trojan Classic title at Hickory Stick Golf Club, beating Guerin Catholic by one stroke 291-292, with Nathan Springer pacing the way for CGHS with a 71.
“Our wins at the Trojan Classic and North-South Cup reflect the hard work we’ve put in since preseason,” said CGHS head coach Matt Rodman. “From day one, this team has been focused and committed, and it’s paid off with consistent improvement each week. We’re using that momentum to fine-tune our game and stay mentally sharp as we build toward our ultimate goal – competing at our best in the state tournament.”
Ultimate Wins State Championship
The CGHS Ultimate Club won the ultimate prize again this season, beating Westfield in the state finals. The Trojans have won the USA Ultimate Indiana State High School Championship 14 times and the last five in a row.
“It was fun playing against other Indiana teams in the high school state championship and winning,” said CGHS Ultimate Club senior co-captain Grant Streib, a four-year ultimate player. “Ultimate frisbee has been a good experience and I’m glad I chose to play it in high school. I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie of the sport, hanging out with friends and getting to help teach new players the sport.”
The CGHS Ultimate Club was established in 2003 and has consistently been a state power, winning state championships in 2007, 2011-2018, and 2021-2025; placing second in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2019; and placing third and fifth, respectively, in the National High School Invitational in 2017 and 2018.
The Ultimate Club’s core values are as follows; the club strives to provide an all-inclusive sports opportunity for Center Grove School Corporation students and help them develop high athletic ability, leadership and life skills through ultimate sports.
The club helps enrich lives and advance the personal development of every club member. It is a foundation for the Indiana ultimate community, which is competitive nationally in all divisions.
Center Grove’s Ultimate Club is an excellent way for players to meet other students, work together toward a common goal and learn the rules of a growing sport. Many alumni players continue playing at a collegiate or recreational level after graduation.
Parents, families and friends support the club, creating a sense of community.
Ultimate is a self-refereed sport, meaning the players make the calls on the field. Players must know the game’s rules, use integrity when making calls and exercise sportsmanship when discussing controversial plays with other teams. At the conclusion of each game, both teams hold a spirit circle to discuss tough plays, and a Spirit award is given to each team.
Ultimate requires skill and knowledge of the game. One of the most essential aspects of Center Grove Ultimate Club is the integrity of its players on and off the field. While competitive players play hard during every game, they must also learn teamwork, endurance and sportsmanship.
For more information on the Center Grove Ultimate Club, visit centergroveultimateclub.org.
