Jake Eads, a senior at Lawrence North High School, has been selected by readers of Geist Magazine as the Central Indiana Orthopedics (CIO) 2024 Senior Student-Athlete of the Year.
Eads, who will receive a $500 scholarship, said he is grateful to Geist Magazine readers and his family.
“Thank you to the voters who supported me and believed in me,” he said. “I was competing against some great athletes who also deserved this recognition, so I really appreciate the honor.”
“I would like to think that I am a good role model for underclassmen who want to excel in academics and athletics,” he said. “Choosing to play multiple sports in a large high school is not an easy path, but it’s a path I’m fortunate to have taken and I have been given a lot of opportunities.”
Eads noted that he has enjoyed the baseball season. “Our baseball team is having a very successful season under the leadership of Jason Taulman,” he said. “This is our first season on the new turf field, and we can’t thank Lawrence Township enough for this investment. It’s been great. We are ranked in the top 10 in the state in 4A, competing for the MIC title, and are the Marion County champions. One of the season highlights was playing at Victory Field twice, once under the lights in the Marion County championship game, which has been our biggest accomplishment so far, and winning there again versus Mt. Vernon in the Victory Field Classic. Our success comes from a well-rounded effort with solid hitting up and down the lineup, and good field execution.”
Eads also loved his time on the basketball court.
“Our basketball team also had a great season under the leadership of Chris Giffin with a 25-4 record this year,” he said. “Our season began with a team trip and a big win over top-ranked Wauwatosa West 75-58, at the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament in Washington, Illinois, and we never let up. We were the Marion County champions, MIC champions, sectional champions and regional champions, unfortunately falling in semi-state play in a close matchup with Jeffersonville.”
“I earned a spot in our Academic Top 30 at Lawrence North and received a Distinguished Scholar Award for the Class of 2024,” he added. “I received the Superintendent’s Award for all As, the U.S. Army Reserve Scholar-Athlete Award, was awarded a $5,000 IMCU REM Scholarship, and was a Wells Scholar nominee. I am graduating on June 5 with two diplomas, one in AP Honors and one in Spanish immersion.”
Eads said he is still undecided on his college plans.
“I know I am probably one of the last people to decide,” he said. “I’ve been accepted at Indiana University, but I’m also waitlisted at a couple of other schools. I have a little more time to figure out what I want to do, so I’m taking advantage of that and not rushing. I hope to decide soon. I’ve narrowed down my major to sports media or business. Sports have always been an important part of my life, as a participant and a fan, and I’m pretty sure I’d like sports to be part of my career in the future.”
Dr. Kile Carter with Central Indiana Orthopedics said the clinic is a proud sponsor of this academic year’s Geist Magazine Student-Athlete of the Year.
“Central Indiana Orthopedics is passionate about supporting student-athletes, whether it’s through the local schools or helping athletes return to full activity after injury,” Carter said. “When we were notified of the opportunity to sponsor Geist Magazine’s Student-Athlete of the Year, it was an easy decision. We are excited to help celebrate their hard work and dedication through the sponsorship of this spotlight.”
Carter is a board-certified primary-care sports medicine physician and specializes in bone, joint and muscle injuries and conditions. He has experience caring for several athletic teams and previously served as the team physician for Taylor University. Carter helps run the Central Indiana Orthopedics Walk-In Clinic in Fishers where patients can receive same-day orthopedic care for recent injuries. Carter noted that it is important for high school students to participate in sports and exercise regularly.
“High school sports are as important as ever, as they help build camaraderie between students and the community as a whole,” Carter said. “Participating in sports and exercise is also important for young people in general. Being active at a young age can help develop healthy habits that can extend into adulthood, contributing to a healthier life.”
Carter said Central Indiana Orthopedics is committed to taking care of the community. “For nearly 75 years, Central Indiana Orthopedics has had a long history of encouraging the health of the communities they serve, which extends beyond just physical well-being,” Carter said. “We believe being involved in the community strengthens the relationships our physicians and staff have with our patients and their families. Many of our physicians live in the communities they work in, so it’s their desire to provide support outside the physical walls of the practices and keep the community thriving through efforts like sponsorships, donations and outreach.”
Central Indiana Orthopedics has a lot to offer. While treating student-athletes is one area of expertise Central Indiana Orthopedics provides, their Fishers office offers comprehensive orthopedic care in one location for people of all ages. For sudden injuries or pain, patients can utilize the Central Indiana Orthopedics Walk-In Clinic without an appointment or referral, and it can be less expensive than an emergency room. Staffed with board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists, patients have access to general and specialty orthopedic care, as well as an outpatient surgery center, physical therapy and imaging services. They also invest in state-of-the-art technology, such as Mako robotic surgery, for better outcomes in hip and knee replacement.
Carter said he loves to watch all sports, and his favorite sports include baseball, basketball and football.
“My love of sports is one of the reasons why I chose to specialize in primary-care sports medicine, and some of the highlights of my career include watching sports on the sidelines as team physician for various universities and local high schools,” Carter said. “I really enjoy watching athletes succeed in their sport, especially after overcoming an injury.”
Carter noted Central Indiana Orthopedics team enjoys helping communities. “The mindset of giving back to the communities we share as professionals and neighbors with our patients started with our founding physician, Dr. Jack Walker, in 1950,” Carter said. “He said, ‘No matter how down you get or how tired you get, never, ever forget it is a privilege to care for patients.’”
