Here are the SIAC Athletes of the Year for the Class of 2023

EVANSVILLE — It takes a special athlete to stand out in the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference.

State champions or Division I athletes year after year. Sometimes one in the same. The Class of 2023 collectively raised the bar from an impact perspective. But two athletes stood out to many.

Alexia Smith of Bosse High School and John Purdy of Castle High School were named the SIAC Most Outstanding Athletes of the Year on Friday. The award, the highlight of the 14th annual "Celebration of Champions," is based upon athletic achievement, success in the classroom and work in the community.

Each member school is allowed to nominate just one male and female senior athlete.

Smith graduated as one of the top track athletes in City history. Her platitudes are numerous and impressive: nine sectional titles, eight City titles, seven SIAC titles and six regional titles. A two-time state champion. And to think she did all of this in only three years with her freshman year lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith was also captain of the volleyball team.

She recently signed to run track at Purdue University.

"I wanted to leave something behind," Smith said of her time at Bosse. "Many people go through high school and coast through it, leave nothing here. I'm going to be remembered at this school. I'm going to be on the wall."

Smith's senior year won't soon be forgotten as she broke numerous meet or school records. The recent graduate won eight individual postseason titles. She qualified for the state championship in four different events but chose not to compete in the 200 to conserve herself.

Her final tally at state in June: Champion in the 400 with a top-five all-time run of 54.12 seconds, runner-up in the 100 and fifth in the long jump. Impressive no matter how you frame it.

"It was really tough," said Smith. "You could see that in the long jump results. (Fifth) is not bad. That's in the entire state. It felt good."

Purdy was one of the more dynamic athletes in not one but two sports. A hard-nosed linebacker who impacted every single game, if not snap, on the gridiron. He also was arguably one of the top wrestlers in the state regardless of weight class. He earned seven All-SIAC selections in his high school career.

Talented enough for either sport at the next level, Purdy will play football at Kentucky Wesleyan College (Division II).

"My reaction to winning this achievement in this conference is honored due to the high-level athletes I was competing with," Purdy said. "Kelton Farmer and Mason Wunderlich thrived in both of their sports and others were outstanding on their fields."

There's no question who the top football defender was in the SIAC last fall. Purdy amassed 200 total tackles – an eye-opening 15.4 per game – with four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He earned an IFCA All-State top 50 selection while playing an integral role in the Knights' semistate run.

More: Castle's John Purdy wins IHSAA wrestling state championship

That's not to dismiss his wrestling accomplishments. A four-time sectional and two-time regional champion who also became the ninth in program history to win an individual state title (195 pounds). Purdy went 44-1 his senior season with the only loss coming in the semistate championship.

"It took discipline," said Purdy. "Missing out on time out with your peers because you want something for yourself. It’s about what’s important to you, and simplifying your life to drive at that goal."

The other finalists for Female Athlete of the Year were: Brooklyn Ballis (Castle), Evelyn Lovell (Central), Jordan Mackey (Harrison), Ally Wigand (Jasper), Kate Wenger (Mater Dei), Emily Mattingly (Memorial), Alyssa Wilke (North), Taylor Johnson (Reitz), Gracie Kramer (Vincennes Lincoln).

The other finalists for Male Athlete of the Year were: Xayvion Terry-Robinson (Bosse), Luke Robards (Central), Luke Watkins (Harrison), Grant Young (Jasper), Mason Wunderlich (Mater Dei), Kelton Farmer (Memorial), Cale Johnson (North), Kiefer Parsons (Reitz), Zachary Steffey (Vincennes Lincoln).

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: 2023 SIAC Athletes of the Year: Alexia Smith, John Purdy