Jay grad helps set MSC record

Katy Smeltzer helped her high school Patriots win the conference title in 2015.

She’s aided in her collegiate squad winning five in a row.

Smeltzer, a 2015 Jay County High School graduate, was part of two record-setting relays for the University of the Cumberlands women’s swim team as it won the Mid-South Conference championship Jan. 31 through Feb. 2.

It was the fifth consecutive year the Patriots won the conference championship.

Smeltzer joined Leah Thomas, Christina Klouda and Mendy De Rooi to win the 800-yard freestyle relay with their time of 7 minutes, 47.04 seconds, smashing the conference record by more than four seconds. The senior anchored the 400 medley relay with Julia Hnidenko, Klouda and De Rooi which set a new MSC record in 3:53.03.

She also teamed with Houston Burgoon, Becca Loftus and Cameron Klimczak for first in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:38.12. 

Smeltzer was also second in the 50 freestyle (24.55 seconds), tied for third in the 100 freestyle (53.61) and fifth in 100 butterfly (59.46) for the NAIA No. 2 Patriots.

Sawyer Miller

South Adams – 2015

Was named Sooner Athletic Conference Co-Wrestler of the Year as a member of the Indiana Tech wrestling team as he won his weight class in helping the Warriors win the SAC championship for the second straight year.

The senior was first at 125 pounds, and joined teammate Erique Early in earning the SAC individual honor.

Miller received a bye to the semifinal round, then pinned Steven Flowers of Wayland Baptist in 62 seconds to reach the championship match.

He dominated Montana Moon of Oklahoma City to the tune of an 8-2 decision to win the championship and earn a berth in the NAIA national tournament, which runs March 1 and 2 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Catherine Dunn

Jay County – 2015

Matched her career high of 27 points for the Brescia University women’s basketball team on Feb. 14 in an 84-74 loss to IU-Kokomo.

The senior was 7-of-18 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers. She was also a perfect 11-of-11 from the foul line, pushing her season total to 84.4 percent, which ranks 17th in all of NAIA Division II.

Two days earlier Dunn totaled 19 points for the Bearcats (10-19, 7-11 River States Conference), in a 66-64 win over Cincinnati Christian. She finished with 17 points Feb. 7 against IU Southeast, had 10 in a win over Midway Feb. 5 and notched 12 points Feb. 2 in a loss to Alice Lloyd.

Dunn is leading Brescia in scoring with 13.5 points per game.

Whitney Will

Fort Recovery – 2017

Scored in double figures for the University of Saint Francis women’s basketball team in a pair of recent victories.

The sophomore forward totaled 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting on Tuesday in an 84-80 overtime win over Huntington University in the opening round of the Crossroads League Tournament. She also had six rebounds in the win.

The Cougars (20-11) advance to the tournament semifinal on Friday against Taylor University.

Will also scored 10 points on Saturday as the Cougars defeated Mount Vernon Nazarene 68-61 in the regular season finale. She also added eight boards, matching her season high she set Dec. 8.

Ashton Klopp

South Adams – 2017

Helped the University of Findlay women’s swim team win the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and Mountain East Conference championships on Saturday for the second year in a row.

Klopp had her best finish in the 400-yard individual medley as she was third in 4 minutes, 41.96 seconds. Additionally, she tied for fourth in the 200 butterfly, fifth in the 200 backstroke and sixth in the 200 individual medley.

The sophomore swam the butterfly leg of the 400 medley relay which was runner-up.

Cady Farlow

South Adams – 2015

Competed for the Purdue University women’s swim team as it split a double dual with Minnesota and Northwestern.

The senior’s best individual finish was in the 200-yard breaststroke as she placed seventh with a time of 2 minutes, 19.07 seconds. She was also eighth in the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.62.

Farlow teamed with Natalie Mudd, Breanna Robinson and Courtney Kresl to take fifth in the 200 medley relay in 1:44.94. Farlow had a split of 29.27 seconds in the breaststroke leg.

The Boilermakers beat Northwestern 197-156 and lost to Minnesota 188-164.

Micaiah Cox

Fort Recovery – 2017

Scored 10 or more points in three straight games for the Defiance College men’s basketball team.

The sophomore had a career high 15 points on Saturday as the Yellow Jackets lost to Hanover College 72-58. He was 7-of-7 from the field and made his only free throw while also hauling in six rebounds.

On Feb. 13, Cox totaled 12 points and a career high eight boards in a 68-67 loss to Earlham after scoring 10 points with five rebounds Feb. 9 in an 87-67 setback to Transylvania.

Lexi Dellinger

South Adams – 2018

Averaged 12 points over the last five games for the Anderson University women’s basketball team as it closed the regular season with seven consecutive defeats.

The freshman had 23 points, including four 3-pointers, on Saturday in an 88-65 loss to NAIA No. 25 Transylvania. 

She had 10 points in a 63-35 loss Feb. 13 to Rose-Hulman and also in a 60-55 setback Feb. 6 to Manchester. The point guard added nine points in a Feb. 9 loss to Bluffton and had eight points in a Feb. 2 loss to Defiance.

The Ravens ended the year with a 9-16 record.

Brett Klopp

South Adams – 2017

Also swam for the Findlay women’s swim team as it claimed a pair of conference championships.

She finished fourth in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke, placing one spot higher than her twin sister in the latter.

Klopp was also sixth in the 400 individual medley and eighth in the 200 IM.

Garrett Campbell

Jay County – 2018

Swam as part of the Anderson University men’s swim team in a meet Feb. 2 with Olivet College and Manchester University.

He was third in the 500 freestyle with his time of 5 minutes, 48.29 seconds.

Campbell was also fourth in the 200 freestyle (2:02.72) and fifth in the 50 freestyle (24.12 seconds).

The Ravens defeated Manchester 115-72, but fell to Olivet 180-68.