February 21, 2017 at 6:35 p.m.
Seventh places lead to hopeful future
Rays of Insight
There seems to be something special about “7” this year.
Over the course of the last two weeks, Jay County High School has earned a series of seventh-place finishes.
Now, seventh place in a conference or a sectional wouldn’t be much cause for excitement. But that’s not what we’re talking about.
We’re talking about seventh place in the state, seventh place in the nation.
On Feb. 10, Patriot junior Alex Bader guaranteed herself a medal by finishing eighth in the IHSAA Girls Swimming and Diving State Finals preliminaries in the 100-yard breaststroke. A day later, she climbed up one more spot — seventh in the state.
Within hours of Bader’s standing on the podium in Indianapolis, it was the JCHS cheerleaders’ turn in Orlando, Fla. Competing in the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship for the first time in nearly three decades, the Patriots advanced through the medium varsity Division II preliminary and semifinal rounds. Then, on Feb. 12, they heard the names of three other schools called before theirs was announced in the final standings — seventh in the nation.
And Friday, Mason Winner made school history by winning his opening-round match at the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to become the first Jay County freshman in his sport to earn a state medal. On Saturday, he dropped his first two matches before coming back to win his third — seventh in the state.
In three different competitions over the course of eight days in two states, the Patriots’ result was the same.
Seventh place at that level — the highest for high school athletes to compete — is impressive. JCHS and the entire community should be proud.
Over the course of the last two weeks, Jay County High School has earned a series of seventh-place finishes.
Now, seventh place in a conference or a sectional wouldn’t be much cause for excitement. But that’s not what we’re talking about.
We’re talking about seventh place in the state, seventh place in the nation.
On Feb. 10, Patriot junior Alex Bader guaranteed herself a medal by finishing eighth in the IHSAA Girls Swimming and Diving State Finals preliminaries in the 100-yard breaststroke. A day later, she climbed up one more spot — seventh in the state.
Within hours of Bader’s standing on the podium in Indianapolis, it was the JCHS cheerleaders’ turn in Orlando, Fla. Competing in the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship for the first time in nearly three decades, the Patriots advanced through the medium varsity Division II preliminary and semifinal rounds. Then, on Feb. 12, they heard the names of three other schools called before theirs was announced in the final standings — seventh in the nation.
And Friday, Mason Winner made school history by winning his opening-round match at the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to become the first Jay County freshman in his sport to earn a state medal. On Saturday, he dropped his first two matches before coming back to win his third — seventh in the state.
In three different competitions over the course of eight days in two states, the Patriots’ result was the same.
Seventh place at that level — the highest for high school athletes to compete — is impressive. JCHS and the entire community should be proud.
And the excitement goes beyond just what Bader, Winner and the cheerleaders were able to do this year. Anyone who is a friend or a fan of any one of these Patriots, while relishing what they have accomplished this year, almost certainly is anticipating what could be in the future.
Among the entire group of 19 — 17 cheerleaders, a swimmer and a wrestler — only one, Alexus Liette, is a senior.
So, think ahead.
Think ahead to the summer, when Jay County could have as many as 16 cheerleaders with UCA nationals experience and success under their belts as they take to the state fair stage. Think ahead to February, when Bader will be back at the state finals as a returning medalist, knowing exactly what it takes to make it to the podium, and Winner, having already etched his name in Patriot history, will be continuing in his quest to become his school’s first four-time state medalist in wrestling.
Earning the kind of recognition these Patriots have this month is always exciting. But when they’re able to achieve those heights before their senior season, it opens the door to all kinds of possibilities.
Could Bader join her cousin Anne Vormohr as a two-time state medalist? Could the cheerleaders win the state fair championship, Indiana Cheerleading Championship or climb even higher on the national ladder? Could Winner find a way to score a couple of extra points in the quarterfinal and make it into the top four?
All of those things are possible.
Now, it’s important to understand that past results do not necessarily indicate future performance.
Just because Bader, Winner and the cheerleaders had success this year does not mean they are guaranteed it in the years to come.
But they have proven their capabilities already. They know what is possible. They know how to achieve it.
So, with continued hard work and dedication, think about what is possible next year.
Could the number “7” be special again? Or could it be a different number — 6 … 5 … 4 …
Among the entire group of 19 — 17 cheerleaders, a swimmer and a wrestler — only one, Alexus Liette, is a senior.
So, think ahead.
Think ahead to the summer, when Jay County could have as many as 16 cheerleaders with UCA nationals experience and success under their belts as they take to the state fair stage. Think ahead to February, when Bader will be back at the state finals as a returning medalist, knowing exactly what it takes to make it to the podium, and Winner, having already etched his name in Patriot history, will be continuing in his quest to become his school’s first four-time state medalist in wrestling.
Earning the kind of recognition these Patriots have this month is always exciting. But when they’re able to achieve those heights before their senior season, it opens the door to all kinds of possibilities.
Could Bader join her cousin Anne Vormohr as a two-time state medalist? Could the cheerleaders win the state fair championship, Indiana Cheerleading Championship or climb even higher on the national ladder? Could Winner find a way to score a couple of extra points in the quarterfinal and make it into the top four?
All of those things are possible.
Now, it’s important to understand that past results do not necessarily indicate future performance.
Just because Bader, Winner and the cheerleaders had success this year does not mean they are guaranteed it in the years to come.
But they have proven their capabilities already. They know what is possible. They know how to achieve it.
So, with continued hard work and dedication, think about what is possible next year.
Could the number “7” be special again? Or could it be a different number — 6 … 5 … 4 …
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