PHS MEDIA NEWS

PHS senior Joni Blackburn has been accepted to Purdue University’s all-girl cheer squad. Blackburn has been participating in cheer for 15 years, and her career won’t be ending soon thanks to her commitment to Purdue University as a Boilermaker cheerleader. Blackburn auditioned for a spot on the Purdue all-girl cheer squad in a two-day tryout on April 12 and 13.

“It’s an honor to be accepted to such a great cheer squad. I’m so excited to continue with my cheer career with such a great university,” said Blackburn.

Blackburn will attend the practices and camps Purdue offers to its cheerleaders. Some might imagine the amount of time and dedication associated with being a member of a collegiate cheer squad is overwhelming; however, Blackburn is no stranger to dedication when it comes to cheer. In her time cheering, Blackburn has seen it all, from competing at a state level to internationally.

Be sure to congratulate Blackburn on her success and keep up with Purdue athletics to catch a peek of a PHS alumna in action.

Story by: Jace Ingle

After a life filled with basketball, senior Jacqlyn Rice will be signing with Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois.

“I feel very relieved and excited. I’m excited for a lot of reasons, but the main reason is to start fresh where no one knows me, and I get to meet new people,” said Rice.

Because of her accomplishments in the sport, Lincoln Trail has offered Rice a full ride. She is happy to not have the stress of student loans.

“I feel honored because it’s like my reward for all the years of hard work, and it’s a huge stress off my parents because they don’t have to pay for anything, so that makes me happy,” said Rice.

Rice is looking forward to focusing more on her major and working on getting to where she wants to be later in her basketball career.

“I could have played D1 or at a bigger school, but I chose Lincoln because it’s the best choice for me academically,” said Rice.

Rice is eager to further her academic and athletic career at Lincoln.

Story by: Makiya Russelburg

As the end of the year nears, spring sports teams will be heading to Sectionals. Varsity track, baseball, tennis and softball are all looking to be competitive.

Baseball Sectionals will be taking place on Saturday, May 25 at Clarksville.

Varsity girls track will compete Tuesday, May 14 at Seymour against Bedford North Lawrence, Crothersville, Eastern Pekin, Jennings County, Medora, Mitchell, Orleans, Salem, Seymour, Springs Valley, Trinity Lutheran and West Washington. 15 athletes on the team will have the opportunity to compete.

“I hope everyone performs their best and we have some girls who advance to the regional,” said Coach Summer Hudelson.

Varsity boys track will be competing Thursday, May 16 at Bedford North Lawrence against Seymour, Crothersville, Eastern Pekin, Jennings County, Medora, Mitchell, Orleans, Salem, Springs Valley, Trinity Lutheran and West Washington. There will be 18 athletes competing in the Sectional. According to Coach Adam Stroud, Brett Bosley, Caleb Vanmeter and Zane Anderson have the highest chance of advancing to Regional. Bosley is looking to advance in long jump and high jump, Vanmeter will try to advance in the 400 meter run and Anderson will look to advance in shotput and discus.

“It is a big stage and allows kids to see what it takes to get to the next level,” said Coach Adam Stroud.

Varsity softball will be competing on Tuesday, May 21 against Clarksville. Other teams competing in this division are Providence, Henryville, Crawford County and Eastern Pekin.

“The girls have been a blast to coach, and I just hope we can carry some good momentum into the postseason,” said Coach Neil Dittmer.

On May 15 at Loogootee High School, varsity girls tennis will be competing at Sectional. The Sectional draw will take place Monday May 13. Emma Osborn, Emily Leone, Tinsley Moffatt, Chloe Elliott, Madison Shinkle and Faith Wilder will be competing.

“The girls have an excellent chances of winning Sectional.  It will be hard work, but it is nothing that they can’t accomplish. All of them have improved as the season went on and are ready for Sectionals. I am proud of all of them and their accomplishments to this point, but we still have more work to do,” said Coach Tyla Whitfield.

Story by: Haley Owens

Senior Keaton Chastain will soon be signing with Hanover College to play basketball. She is extremely excited to have this opportunity and can’t wait to see what comes out of it. Although Chastain has not decided on her major, both she and Paoli girls basketball coach Scott Blankenbaker have high hopes for her educational and basketball career.

“I am proud of the fact that she is going to be attending at top notch school in Hanover, and that her basketball talent is helping her financially. Anytime you can get some of your education paid for makes all the time and effort they put into the sport worth it,” said Blankenbaker.

Blankenbaker is very optimistic that Chastain will be successful in whatever she sets her mind to.

Story by: Haley Owens

Advanced physical education teacher Brian Wilson has recently had numerous girls break records for the all-time board.

Freshman Kacey McBride has broken two records. Squatting 245 pounds and benching 145 pounds has made her the fourth all-time on bench and squat. Freshman Kinsey McBride squatted 265 pounds making her second all-time for squat. Freshman Laykin Busick and senior Heidi Cochran tied for third all-time with 260 pounds on squat. For Cochran, this was one of her last opportunities to accomplish her goal.

“Well, I’ve been trying to get on the board ever since sophomore year. Now, I’m a senior, and I finally made it up there. That is a big accomplishment for me,” said Cochran.

All of the girls have worked extremely hard to get to where they are, but their work is not over yet. They are hoping to improve further, but are happy to accomplish what they have. Wilson is extremely happy to see his students working hard and the excitement surrounding it.

“I’m proud of all the hard work these girls have put in and very happy to see it paying off for them. They come in wanting to get better and do the right things the right way every day. That’s simple secret behind their big accomplishments. It was a lot of fun to watch their excitement at becoming a part of history,” said Wilson.

Story by: Faith Wilder