Myers named regional coach of the year again

Eric Myers was co-regional coach of the year last season.

This time around, he’s the lone recipient.

Myers, Jay County High School’s wrestling coach, was named regional coach of the year Tuesday by the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association.

Additionally, five JCHS wrestlers earned statewide recognition.

Myers led the Patriots to the team’s first sectional title since 2001. Jay County had 11 of its 14 wrestlers advance to the regional meet, where two — Mason Winner and Chandler Chapman — were crowned champions.

From there, eight advanced to the semi-state meet Saturday, during which Gaven Hare and Mason Winner both earned their second consecutive trip to the state finals, which begin Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The regional coach of the year honor is determined by a vote of coaches within the region.

Jay County grapplers Mitchel Frasher and Connor Davis were both named senior Academic All-State first team members by the IHSWCA. Frasher has a cumulative GPA of 4.22, while Davis comes in at 3.96.

Thomas Hemmelgarn (3.46), Ian Liette (3.36) and Chandler Chapman (3.31) received honorable mention junior Academic All-State.



SA stumbles

FORT WAYNE — The South Adams boys basketball team struggled to keep possession Tuesday in a 64-37 loss to Blackhawk Christian.

The Starfires (5-13), trailed 20-14 after the first quarter and were behind by eight at half. South Adams, which has lost six of its last seven games, only managed three points in the third quarter as it went into the fourth down 45-26.

South Adams committed 27 turnovers in the loss to the Braves, who are ranked second in Class 1A.

James Arnold scored game highs in both points (17) and rebounds (nine) for the Starfires, which also got 10 points from Lars In’t Groen and six rebounds from Brandon Newman.

Caleb Furst led the Braves with 13 points.



Chiefs, Bruins split

East Jay Middle School’s sixth grade boys basketball teams both split with the Blackford Bruins on Tuesday.

The A squad defeated the Bruins 36-28, while the B team fell 24-13.

Sam Myers totaled 10 points for the East Jay A team. Justin Dehoff contributed eight points while Zach McAbee finished with seven points. Simon Pryor totaled six points as Abraham Dirksen scored three points.

Keegan Hough and Wesley Bihn both scored six points for the EJMS B team. Ricky Nava was third on the team with four points and Luke Vormohr tallied three points.



EJ tops Eagles

MUNCIE — The East Jay wrestling team on Tuesday picked up a 49-31 victory over the host Delta Eagles.

Tony Wood (75 pounds), Blayne Daniels (117), Nate Paxson (125), Kadin Ridenour (132) Mason Ludy (150), Conner Specht (160) and Ramon Bravo (175) each pinned their opponents.

At 95 pounds, Cameron Clark picked up a 10-1 major decision. Joe Hemmelgarn, a 195-pounder, received a forfeit for the Chiefs.



Correction

There was an error in the Feb. 7 edition of The Commercial Review regarding the Jay County middle school swim team’s meet against the Delta Eagles from Feb. 5.

Avalyne Carter won the 50-yard freestyle race in 34.43 seconds, while Abby Johnson had a time of 38.8 seconds to win the 50 butterfly.