Starfire grad ranked No. 1 in the nation

As a Starfire, Sawyer Miller was one of the best wrestlers in the state.

He’s now the top wrestler in the nation.

Miller, a 2015 South Adams High School graduate, moved up two spots to No. 1 in the NAIA at 125 pounds as a member of the Indiana Tech wrestling team.

The two-time state medalist is 4-2 this season, which included finishing as the runner-up Nov. 11 in the Grand View Open.

As a sophomore, Miller was an NAIA All-American and finished seventh in the nation. He was also a Midwest Regional champion and went 16-3.

The third-ranked Warriors (0-1) have been off since Nov. 17, but return to action Saturday in the Indiana Little State Invitational at Manchester.

Scott Schwieterman

Jay County – 2013

Set season highs in rebounds and points for the Indiana Tech men’s basketball team in recent games.

The senior was 5-for-10 from the field and made two of his four free throws to finish with a season-best 12 points on Friday as the Warriors beat IU-Kokomo 78-77 on a buzzer beater. He also had seven rebounds and an assist.

On Nov. 21, Schwieterman totaled nine rebounds to go with his 11 points, one block and an assist in a 102-67 win over University of Michigan Dearborn. He also sank his first 3-pointer of the season.

He had five rebounds, four points and one steal as the NAIA Division II No. 5 Warriors (9-1) lost 87-68 to NCAA Division II Walsh College.

Eric Hemmelgarn

Jay County – 2014

Had a season-high total in tackles for the University of Saint Francis football team as it defeated No. 10 Northwestern College 30-3 Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA Football Championship Series playoffs.

The senior defensive lineman finished with one solo stop and assisted on four tackles, besting his previous season high from week three. Hememlgarn also had half a sack.

The Cougars (12-0), who are defending national champions and ranked No. 1 in the country, host third-ranked Morningside on Saturday with a berth in the national title game on the line.

Elijah Kahlig

Fort Rec. – 2014

Played for the University of Findlay men’s basketball team as it split a pair of games recently.

The senior had 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting, all from long range, with three free throws in a 69-68 loss Saturday to Ferris State. He also had one rebound, an assist and a steal.

Monday, the former Indian took all five of his shots from behind the 3-point line, making two of his five shots for six points in an 84-74 win over Northwood. He also had a steal for the NCAA Division II No. 18 Oilers (5-2). 

Abby Wendel

Jay County – 2016

Contributed to the University of Rio Grande women’s basketball team in three recent victories.

The sophomore was 3-for-9 shooting, and made her only 3-point attempt and half of her four free throws to score nine points in a 77-75 win over Point Park on Wednesday. She also added three rebounds, three assists and two steals before fouling out.

She had two points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal in a 77-76 win Sunday against Georgetown (Kentucky), and helped the Red Storm (9-1, 1-0 River States Conference) beat Washington Adventist 76-67 Saturday by scoring eight points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing an assist.

Whitney Will

Fort Rec. – 2017

Came off the bench to score in double figures for the University of Saint Francis women’s basketball team Nov. 21 in a 73-43 win over Spring Arbor.

She made six of her seven shots from the field to finish with 12 points. She also had two assists and a rebound.

Will scored four points and grabbed two rebounds for the NAIA Division II No. 21 Cougars (6-3, 1-1 Crossroads League) in a 72-64 loss on Saturday to No. 14 Indiana Tech, and had nine points and two rebounds with an assist, a block and a steal in a 68-60 loss Wednesday to Marian.

Cindy In’t Groen

S. Adams – 2016

Played for the Huntington University women’s basketball team Nov. 21 in a 51-44 win over Goshen College.

The sophomore came off the bench to go 2-of-4 from the field and was 3-of-4 from the free-throw line to finish with seven points.

The Foresters (8-1, 2-0 Crossroads League) have won seven in a row after defeating Bethel 66-52 on Wednesday.

Jocie Kaiser

Fort Rec. – 2017

Made contributions to the Capital University women’s basketball team in a pair of losses recently.

She came off the bench in both contests, first scoring three points, grabbing two rebounds, dishing two assists and getting one steal in a 56-52 loss on Nov. 21 to Wittenberg.

On Wednesday, she had two points, one rebound and an assist as the Crusaders (2-2) lost to Carnegie Mellon (Pennsylvania) 57-52.

Wes Wenning

Fort Rec. – 2016

Played for the Ashland University football team Saturday as it lost to Harding 34-24 in the NCAA Division II Super Region 3 Regional semifinal it hosted.

The sophomore wide receiver and special teams player did not record any stats in the season-ending loss for the ninth-ranked Eagles (11-2).

He played in nine games this year and caught two passes for 15 yards. He also had three tackles.

Catherine Dunn

Jay County – 2015

Helped the Brescia University women’s basketball team as it rallied to force overtime but fell to Fisk 103-98 in quadruple overtime Nov. 22.

She was 5-of-8 from the field, including 1-for-2 from the 3-point line, to finish with 11 points. She also had one rebound for the Bearcats (2-4) before fouling out.

Matt Bihn

Fort Rec. – 2017

Missed all three of his shots for the Wright State Lake Campus men’s basketball team on Wednesday in  110-58 loss to Ohio Dominican.

He was held without a point, but grabbed one rebound and an assist for the Lakers (1-8).