A look back on the 23 best Star Press high school, Ball State sports stories of 2023
It was another significant year in sports for Each Central Indiana high schools and Ball State.
With 2023 almost over, here's a look back on 23 of the biggest Star Press sports stories from the past 12 months:
Refusing to quit after 2 ACL tears, BSU's Anna Clephane reaches 1,000 career points
Ball State women's basketball star Anna Clephane epitomized determination, athleticism and skill. After suffering two significant knee injuries during her college career, her final season was her best and was highlighted by becoming just the 10th player under head coach Brady Sallee to surpass 1,000 career points.
Read here: Refusing to quit after 2 ACL tears, BSU's Anna Clephane reaches 1,000 career points
Delta girls swimming wins 1st sectional since 1999, 8 ECI swimmers advance to state
Delta girls swimming led the area's charge toward the state finals last winter, capturing the program's first sectional championship in 24 years thanks to a record-breaking freshman class.
Read here: Delta girls swimming wins 1st sectional since 1999, 8 ECI swimmers advance to state
Jeff Mitchell introduced as new Ball State Athletics Director
After a several-month-long search, Ball State finally found its new director of athletics in Jeff Mitchell. The university held an introduction ceremony, where Mitchell, BSU President Geoffrey Mearns and others spoke about the future of Cardinals sports.
Read here: 'We're going to thrive': Jeff Mitchell introduced as new Ball State Athletics Director
Brady Sallee's Ball State legacy, historic season, built through strong relationships
Eleven years into leading Ball State women's basketball, head coach Brady Sallee earned his 200th career victory, sixth 20-win season and the program's first 11-1 start to conference play. This story highlights his path to Muncie and secrets to such sustained success.
Read here: Brady Sallee's Ball State legacy, historic season, built through strong relationships
New Castle’s Tylin Thrine wins state title, 8 ECI wrestlers earn podium finishes
ECI boys wrestling has continued to improve over the last few years, with last season's performance culminating in a state title for New Castle's Tylin Thrine and several podium placements for other local competitors.
Read here: New Castle’s Tylin Thrine wins state title, 8 ECI wrestlers earn podium finishes
Michael Lewis reflects on first Ball State men's basketball season, excited for the future
Although Ball State men's basketball bowed out in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament, there were several milestones reached throughout head coach Michael Lewis' first season at the helm.
In his final postgame press conference, an emotional Lewis thanked the community for its increased support and offered an optimistic outlook on the years to come.
Read here: Emotional in press conference, Lewis happy with season and excited to build for the future
Wapahani boys basketball wins 1st regional title in program history
Wapahani boys basketball was one of Class 2A's top teams last season, relying on strong teamwork, defense, offensive patience and the star power of guards Isaac Andrews and Aidan Franks. The team's 25th consecutive victory marked the program's first regional championship.
Read here: Wapahani boys basketball wins 1st regional title in program history; ECI results
'Grateful to be a part of this team': Delta boys basketball claims 4th regional title in program history
Late last season, Delta boys basketball found its groove and rode that momentum all the way to multiple postseason titles, rebounding from a disappointing finish to the previous season.
Read here: 'Grateful to be a part of this team': Delta claims 4th regional title in program history
Yorktown baseball's PJ Fauquher notches 100th win on the diamond
As a longtime staple of Yorktown baseball, head coach PJ Fauquher last season surpassed a major milestone when he won his 100th career game.
Read here: Yorktown’s Fauquher notches 100th win on the diamond
Connection to players keeps Rich Maloney going, even after 600 wins with Ball State
Ball State baseball head coach Rich Maloney has seen it all from his days as a minor league player to multiple decades in college athletics. Already BSU's winningest coach of all time, he surpassed the 600-win milestone last spring and reflected on his many years developing the next generation of players.
Read here: Connection to players keeps Rich Maloney going, even after 600 wins with Ball State
Delta track and field wins Delaware County title; 9 records broken overall by all teams
Years of local track and field prowess came together last season in the Delaware County meet. Several athletes from various schools pushed one another to break a staggering nine meet records, multiple of which stood for decades.
Read here: Delta track and field wins Delaware County title; 9 records broken overall by all teams
Cowan wins first Delaware County softball championship in program history
For as great as Cowan softball's 2023 senior class was, the team annually took a backseat to Yorktown in the county tournament. Yet with one last chance to breakthrough, the Blackhawks finally beat their rivals and went on to win the program's first county championship.
Read here: Cowan wins first Delaware County softball championship in program history
'Surreal' 9th-inning Grand Slam vaults Ball State to 1st MAC tournament title under Maloney
For 18 seasons, head coach Rich Maloney and Ball State baseball were desperate for a MAC tournament breakthrough. And in the most dramatic way possible, the Cardinals' wish finally came true.
Read here: 'Surreal' 9th-inning Grand Slam vaults Ball State to 1st MAC tournament title under Maloney
'Absolutely amazing': Wes-Del baseball historic season ends in semistate semifinals
It took 33 seasons for Wes-Del baseball to earn another regional crown. A strong cast of seniors and clutch hitting were key in the Warriors' historic 2023 postseason run.
Read here: 'Absolutely amazing': Wes-Del baseball historic season ends in semistate semifinals
How Ball State's Charity Griffith became a NCAA champion, Jenelle Rogers an All-American
It's not every day that Ball State Athletics makes noise on a national stage. Yet that's exactly what women's track and field stars Charity Griffith and Jenelle Rogers did, becoming a high jump national champion and All-American, respectively.
Here, they each talk about their journey to the top and what it felt like to compete against the best.
Read here: How Ball State's Charity Griffith became a NCAA champion, Jenelle Rogers an All-American
'I'll miss the people': Cowan AD Suzanne Crump retires for good
Long a staple of Delaware County athletics, Cowan Athletic Director Suzanne Crump officially retired after the 2022-23 school year. She reflected on her career and offered insight into the world of Indiana high school sports.
Read here: 'I'll miss the people': Cowan AD Suzanne Crump retires for good
Ball State pitchers ink MLB contracts, react to 'dream come true' of going pro
Not only did Ball State baseball enjoy team success in 2023, but four pitchers from the roster signed contracts with MLB organizations after the season. It was the largest class of Cardinals to go pro in a single year since 2016, and each described their feelings about achieving a lifelong goal.
Read here: Ball State pitchers ink MLB contracts, react to 'dream come true' of going pro
Ball State football committed to dual-threat Kiael Kelly at quarterback moving forward
Ball State football's 2023 season was anything but smooth, yet the decision to name dual-threat quarterback Kiael Kelly the starter sparked a midseason turnaround that helped the team become significantly more competitive over its final six games.
Read here: Ball State football committed to dual-threat Kiael Kelly at quarterback moving forward
'Sky's the limit': Meet Aniya Kennedy, Ball State women's volleyball's youngest star
After graduating several key contributors from the 2022 season, Ball State women's volleyball relied on younger players this fall. Redshirt freshman Aniya Kennedy surprised many with her stellar offensive performance and quickly established herself as one of the MAC's top hitters.
Read here: 'Sky's the limit': Meet Aniya Kennedy, Ball State women's volleyball's youngest star
'23 in '23' comes true; Muncie Burris volleyball sweeps its way to 23rd state championship
Sometimes, the stars align in sports, and that's exactly what happened with Muncie Burris volleyball this fall. The Owls set lofty preseason goals, found their rhythm just before the postseason and rode that momentum to the program's 23rd state title and the first of head coach Jim Craig's long career.
Read here: '23 in '23' comes true; Muncie Burris volleyball sweeps its way to 23rd state championship
'These are my brothers': Delta football's 2023 season epitomized teamwork
After back-to-back losing campaigns, Delta football was rejuvenated this fall. The Eagles went on to win their first sectional title since 2016, largely because of the bond and unselfishness of its players.
Read here: 'These are my brothers': Delta football's 2023 season epitomized teamwork
Wors' buzzer-beater caps classic addition to Delta-Yorktown boys basketball rivalry
The always thrilling annual matchup between Delta and Yorktown boys basketball leveled up this season as the Eagles manufactured a double-digit second-half comeback, culminating with a buzzer-beating layup by Jackson Wors.
Read here: Wors' buzzer-beater caps classic addition to Delta-Yorktown boys basketball rivalry
Fieldhouse Classic basketball event hopes to bring 'historic feel' back to Muncie gym
The Muncie Fieldhouse hosted a new high school boys basketball event called the "Fieldhouse Classic," the first of what organizers hope is an annual showcase for both the historic gymnasium and Delaware County teams.
Read here: Fieldhouse Classic basketball event hopes to bring 'historic feel' back to Muncie gym
This is the final article from sports reporter Gus Martin after over two years with The Star Press. He thanks everyone for their readership and support.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: The 23 best Star Press high school, Ball State sports stories of 2023
