Page 53 - 2021 IHSAA Annual Report

AWARD WINNERS

AWARD A significant reason why there was no Regarding awards, there’s more positive news.

In addition to the Mental Attitude Award and
shortage of championship storylines is
that competition remained fair. Despite
C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Award,
the constraints of the pandemic, the
IHSAA continued to provide a level playing the IHSAA is thrilled to announce that Unified
Flag Football and Unified Track® & Field
field, which has always been one of the introduced the Bobby Cox Spirit of Unified
Mental Attitude Award.
Association’s top priorities.
WINNERS Another reason is that, unlike some Outside and within education-based athletics,
states, every sport was played. That’s a
the past year resulted in many interesting
championship storyline in itself because
the Association was able to award the same storylines. It was undoubtedly atypical.
But because the organization championed
number of championships and state finals adversity, we were all uplifted by the great
trophies as in a typical year. championship storylines we have come to
expect from Indiana high school sports.

Pioneer became the first
member-school to win a state
championship in volleyball, girls
basketball, and softball in the
same year. Even more impressive
is that Mackenzie Walker,
Brooklyn Borges, Crystabelle
Blickenstaff, Hailey Cripe, and
Madison Blickenstaff were on all
No Shortage of Great For Northfield, it was indeed the year of three teams.
Championship Storylines “firsts.” On the road to winning their first
softball state championship, they won their
The pandemic was a first for many of first sectional, regional, and semi-state
us—undoubtedly, it was a first for the IHSAA. championships.
And while it certainly affected many aspects
of education-based athletics in Indiana, one And the following member-schools won their
thing it didn’t change was the production first state title in a specific sport:
of the great championship storylines we’re
accustomed to every year. • Fort Wayne Dwenger, volleyball
• Lafayette Central Catholic, girls soccer
For a select few schools and teams, the theme • McCutcheon, unified flag football
of “firsts” manifested in the best possible way. • Providence, boys soccer
• Silver Creek, girls basketball Evan Barker and Natalie Bryan
Pioneer became the first member-school to of Fishers High School were
win a state championship in volleyball, girls named winners of the Bobby Cox
basketball, and softball during the same Taylor Herbert of Lawrence Central Spirit of Unified Mental Attitude
school year. smiles with her medal. Herbert won Award at the Unified Track &
®
the 100 meter dash at the IHSAA Field State Finals.
Two member-schools won their first state Girls Track & Field State Finals.
titles in any sport, as Washington Township Her medal is of greater significance
won a baseball championship and Covenant because the year prior competition
Christian a football championship. was suspended.

50 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION Annual Report 2021 51