2020 Spring Sports Guide

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SOFTBALL

‘Road Warriors’ Hoosiers to travel 10,000 miles over first 26 games

By Evan Gerike egerike@iu.edu | @EvanGerike

The first pitch of the IU softball season was thrown Feb. 6, but it will be over a month before the team plays at home.

Since Indiana winters leave very few days where weather allows outdoor sports, IU is forced to start the season traveling across the country to play teams in warmer states.

During that time, the Hoosiers will travel roughly 7,850 miles, or just a little less than the distance from Bloomington to London and back.Then, finally, there will be softball in Indiana. On March 10, IU will have its first home game at Andy Mohr Field against Miami University.

When IU plays its first home game, it will already have played 19 away games.

Over the 10 days following that first home game, IU will play another six games, all in Madeira Beach, Florida. Add another 2,000 miles to the tracker.

If you are doing the math at home, that’s 25 of the Hoosiers’ first 26 games on the road. And nearly 10,000 miles.

The first home series against Penn State, which doubles as IU’s Big Ten opener, is 43 days after IU starts its season.

Over 43 days, the Hoosiers will travel to Florida twice, North Carolina twice and Arizona once.

It isn’t easy to play an outdoor sport in Indiana in the winter. The average high temperature during February in Bloomington is 42 degrees.

When the Hoosiers are home, it’s rare they are able to practice outside. The relatively warm January allowed IU to practice outside several times, but most of the team's 21 practices have been indoors.

“Sure, would it be nice to be outside," IU head coach Shonda Stanton asked. "Absolutely. But it's part of the conditions and you just don't make any excuses.”

During most of the winter, the team practices at the John Mellencamp Pavilion, an indoor training facil-

400 km 0

400 Miles

Lincoln

West Lafayette

College Park

Urbana Bloomington

Durham Raleigh Tuscon

Women’s Softball Season Schedule Orlando, Fla. Feb. 6, 6 p.m. | UCF Feb. 7, 3 p.m. | Duke Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m. | UCF Feb. 8, 9 a.m. | St. John’s Feb. 8, 11 a.m. | Clemson Durham, N.C. Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m. | Duke Feb. 15, 10 a.m. | Syracuse Feb. 15, 12:30 p.m. | Duke Feb. 16, 10 a.m. | Syracuse

Madeira Beach

March 8, 11:15 a.m. | Arizona Bloomington March 10, 4 p.m. | Miami (OH)

March 27, 6 p.m. | Ohio State March 28, 2 p.m. | Ohio State March 29, 12 p.m. | Ohio State March 31, 4 p.m. | Notre Dame

Raleigh, N.C. Feb. 21, 10 a.m. | St. Joseph’s Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m. | Bucknell Feb. 22, 10 a.m. | Bucknell Feb. 22, 3 p.m. | NC State Feb. 23, 12 p.m. | St. Joseph’s

Madeira Beach, Fla. March 12, 12 p.m. | Creighton March 12, 2:30 p.m. | Toledo March 13, 2 p.m. | Central Michigan March 13, 4:30 p.m. | Brown March 14, 9 a.m. | South Dakota State March 14, 11:30 a.m. | Buffalo

College Park, MD April 3, 6 p.m. | Maryland April 4, 2 p.m. | Maryland April 5, 12 p.m. | Maryland

Tuscon, Ariz.

March 6, 1 p.m. | SIUE March 6, 3:30 p.m. | South Dakota March 7, 12 p.m. | Boise State March 7, 2:30 | South Dakota

Bloomington March 20, 6 p.m. | Penn State March 21, 2 p.m. | Penn State March 22, 1 p.m. | Penn State March 24, 5 p.m. | Louisville

Bloomington April 17, 6 p.m. | Minnesota April 18, 2 p.m. | Minnesota April 19, 1 p.m. | Minnesota April 22, 5 p.m. | Morehead State

Lincoln, NE April 10, 6:30 p.m. | Nebraska April 11, 2 p.m. | Nebraska April 12, 1 p.m. | Nebraska

Orlando

April 22, 6:30 p.m. | Morehead State Urbana, Ill. April 24, 6 p.m. | Illinois April 25, 2 p.m. | Illinois April 26, 1 p.m. | Illinois West Lafayette April 29 | Purdue April 29 | Purdue

Bloomington May 1, 6 p.m. | Iowa May 2, 2 p.m. | Iowa May 3, 1 p.m. | Iowa

Urbana Ill. May 7-9 | Big Ten Tournament ILLUSTRATION BY CARSON TERBUSH | IDS

ity built with a $1.5 million donation by the singer and Bloomington native.

“We all play so much better outside, especially when it's warmer,” senior pitcher Emily Goodin said. “Being in Mellencamp is fine and all but being able to be outside and be in the nice weather, doing our thing, I think we're

all super pumped.”

Stanton said despite IU being forced to practice on turf so often, her team is prepared for when the action comes to grass.

“Once you get in the game it's just about being confident in your preparation,” Stanton said.

IU also has to learn how

to handle all the traveling as well.

“There's times where it kinda catches up with you, but it just becomes your new normal for a while,” Goodin said. “In the past we've been really good with adjusting to that after the first couple weeks and getting used to it.”

But when they finally open at home, the Hoosiers will be ready, Stanton said.

“It's awesome being able to play on our home field,” Goodin said. “Not having to worry about traveling, just being able to show up and do our thing on the field. Own it.”

Stanton said she misses

the sunny and 60 degree weather at Andy Mohr Field.

She mentioned how nice it is to not have to travel, to have one extra day of sleeping in your own bed.

“Sure, those are things you could envy about a warmer weather sport, but there’s something about being road warriors too.”

Goodin adjusts to new role with Hoosiers

By Evan Gerike egerike@iu.edu | @EvanGerike

Senior pitcher Emily Goodin always tries to give 150%.

It’s something she learned from her dad when she was younger. He’d tell her, “One fifty! One fifty!” when she was in the pitcher's circle.

IU softball head coach Shonda Stanton doesn’t like that. After all, how can you give more than 100%?

You can’t, Stanton said.

All she wants is as much effort as Goodin can give.

Goodin listens to Post Malone or Morgan Wallen before games to keep out of her head.

By getting pumped up and staying loose in the locker room, she keeps a smile on her face and stays ready to go.

It’s when she’s relaxed that she does her best work.

She'll have to be relaxed to take over the lead pitching role from one of IU's best pitchers in program history.

Tara Trainer graduated from IU last season as one of the greatest pitchers in program history.

She finished her career ranked second all-time in strikeouts, appearances and games started. She was third all-time in career wins and innings pitched.

And for three years, Goodin has been right beside her. Now, as she enters her senior year, it’s Goodin who will be leading the Hoosiers from the circle.

SARAH ZYGMUNTOWSKI | IDS FILE PHOTO

Then-junior, now-senior Emily Goodin pitches the ball April 10, 2019, against Purdue. Goodin will lead the Hoosiers from the circle this year.

“It’s a challenge that I’ve been ready for since the end of the season last year,” Goodin said.

Goodin hasn’t shied away from a challenge to lead a team yet.

She led her high school team to its first state championship during

her junior year, only allowing two hits while striking out 11 over seven innings in a 1-0 victory.

She finished the season with 21-4 recording, earning her All-State honors.

Instead of returning for her senior year, Goodin took on a new challenge:

collegiate softball.

Goodin came to IU after graduating from Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Indiana, a semester early.

Now, in what should be her junior year, Goodin is a senior taking on a leadership role.

She’s been working on her endurance and doing cardio to make sure she can get through this season.

Since Goodin will see a majority of the innings this year, she needs to be prepared to pitch almost double what she has in years past.

Goodin made 101 appearances during the same time Trainer made 134, and now she'll have to pitch a majority of those innings lost with Trainer's absence.

She often worked with Trainer, getting pointers on what she could do better. Now she's working on being the senior leader that gives tips to the younger pitchers on the staff.

Outside of Goodin, IU has a staff full of young, inexperienced pitchers.

“She had that mentality where she’d just put her head down and fight through,” Goodin said of Trainer. “She was a fighter.

She had a lot to give. I'm still trying to take on that role.”

Stanton tries not to let Goodin feel the pressure of stepping into Trainer’s shoes. Stanton takes each player's strengths into account, setting a floor for each athlete instead of a ceiling.

“I wouldn’t say she's stepping up, per se, in Tara Trainers role,” Stanton said. “Anytime we graduate any pitcher or any great hitter it's not like we're trying to replace what they've done.’”

Stanton knows what the floor is for Goodin.

Skill-wise, it's one strikeout per inning.

Mentally, it’s about being in command.

“We’re excited to see how she'll write her history,” Stanton said. “She has an opportunity to write her finish right now.”

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TENNIS

New roster poses challenges, opportunities

By Luke Lusson llusson@iu.edu | @LukeLusson

In many college sports, having five newcomers in one season isn’t anything crazy. With larger rosters in sports such as football and soccer, many players come and go each year.

But for women’s college tennis, the team is only eight players deep. And for IU this season, newcomers make up more than half of the roster.

The oldest of the newcomers is graduate transfer Annabelle Andrinopoulos, who spent her first four seasons at the University of Colorado. Andrinopoulos played most of her senior season at the University of Colorado in the No. 3 singles spot but has been the No. 2 singles player for IU early on this season.

As for the other four additions to the IU roster, all of them are true freshman.

Those four are Mila Mejic, Rose Hu, Alexandra Staiculescu and Lexi Kubas.

With so many new players on the roster, the Hoosiers have done a lot of lineup tweaking, especially when it comes to finding the right doubles pairings.

“It has been honestly pretty tough,” senior Caitlin Bernard said. “Every match we get better, so I feel like it's

IZZY MYSZAK | IDS

Graduate student Annabelle Andrinopoulous strikes the ball Sept. 29 at the IU tennis courts. Andrinopoulos spent her first four seasons at the University of Colorado before transferring to IU.

just more and more matches we need.”

Bernard has been with IU longer than any player on the roster and is IU’s anchor at the No. 1 singles spot, putting her in a natural leader-

ship position. During singles matches, even when her match is going on, Bernard’s cheers on her teammates from her No. 1 singles court.

Along with Bernard, senior Michelle McKamey and

junior Jelly Bozovic bring multiple years of experience in playing for IU. McKamey has spent the season in IU's No. 5 singles spot, whereas Bozovic has been in the No. 4.

So far this season, IU

has tried out various strategies with doubles, including pairings with two returning players or pairings with two freshmen. However, in its last few matches, IU has been more consistent with its

pairings. Andrinopoulos and Bozovic have been continuously paired, as have Bernard and Staiculescu.

Head coach Ramiro Azcui understands the challenges that come with coaching a younger and more inexperienced team. For him and his coaches, he said it’s been about keeping it simple and making things as easy as possible for his team.

“It’s so much easier when you have an older team,” Azcui said. “So for the coaches it’s been a little bit harder.

We need to kind of slow ourselves down to make sure that we take the time to explain why the system is going to work and why our culture is the way it is.”

As the season continues to roll along, Azcui has been happy with the way his newlook team is playing.

“The players are buying into it for sure,” Azcui said.

“We still have a lot of learning to do. Every match that we play, we’re learning a lot about ourselves. It’s been challenging, but at the same time it’s been fun.

Now at 6-4 on the season, IU hopes its build-up of matches will keep pushing its team full of new players ahead. Only two nonconference games remain before the Hoosiers open Big Ten play.

Fall success leads to high ranking for Bennett Crane

By Joshua Manes jamanes@iu.edu | @TheManesEvent

He began his college career as a blue chip recruit, and senior Bennett Crane entered his final season with IU men's tennis as No. 66 in the country.

It made him the highest ranked Hoosier in four years.

His name was found on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s top-125 list twice last season, reaching as high as No. 96.

Crane is the highest ranked Hoosier since Sam Monette in 2016, who opened the season at No. 27.

“It was a very big honor, and hopefully I'll try and keep raising that ranking,” Crane said.

Now, Crane is ranked No. 94, going 9-5 overall and 2-2 in dual matches.

The way Crane closed out the fall may be the biggest factor in his ranking.

He placed second at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional tour-

nament in October, defeating the tournament’s topseed and then-No. 40 Athell Bennett from Purdue. The finish qualified Crane for the ITA National Fall Championships.

“He played so well in that tournament, came back from some pretty large deficits to win matches,” IU head coach Jeremy Wurtzman said.

To Wurtzman, it was Crane’s showing at the regionals that sent a message to his team more than the ranking did.

“I think it gave us a little bit of credibility of what we're doing,” Wurtzman said.

Heading into the season, Crane was a combined 5344 overall in his previous three years, and 33-32 in dual match play. Crane recognized his earlier seasons haven't ended as well as they began.

“I guess I'm kind of known for having a very good fall and then maybe my spring isn't as good,”

JOY BURTON | IDS

IU senior Bennett Crane leaps for the ball in a match against the University of Memphis on Jan. 17 at the IU Tennis Center. Crane is the highest ranked Hoosier since Sam Monette in 2016, who opened the season at No. 27.

Crane said. “So it was really cool to have qualified for nationals and done so well at regionals.”

Aside from being the Hoosiers’ top singles player, Crane is part of the top doubles pair for IU alongside

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fellow senior Zac Brodney.

Crane and Brodney came to IU their freshman year and were each other’s first doubles partners.

As freshmen, the duo went 9-11 and then 6-6 as juniors. So far this season

they are 5-3 overall, 3-2 in dual match play and have taken down two ranked pairs, then-No. 21 David Stevenson and Oscar Cutting from the University of Memphis and No. 20 Pavel Motl and Stijn Slump of Middle

Tennessee State University.

Crane and Brodney were roommates as freshmen, and continue to live together this season.

“He's really become a much more well-rounded individual,” Brodney said.

“It's paid dividends for him, both in the classroom, socially and on the tennis court. It's been great to be able to witness his growth over the past four years.”

Before coming to IU, Crane was a prep-star in Huntersville, North Carolina, and a two-time National Doubles Champion.

As a member of Wurtzman’s first recruiting class, Crane was an important part.

“Bennett was a blue chip recruit coming in, and that's something that was rare at the time for us to get,” Wurtzman said. “He was kind of the top prospect that we went after, and he's proven to be that. He's been a proven winner over his four years here at any spot that we put him at.”

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BASEBALL

Hoosier ties Tommy Sommer learns hard work and love for IU athletics from his dad

By Sara Kress sekress@iu.edu | @sarakress4

Junior pitcher Tommy Sommer, 21, approaches the game of baseball with a philosophy of level-headedness and hard work.

Sommer said he always tries to be one step ahead of everyone else on the field.

Baseball is a mental game for him, which is what he loves about the sport.

“Baseball is more cerebral, kind of a chess match where you’re trying to think two steps ahead,” Sommer said.

A hard work ethic is another foundation of Sommer’s technique as an athlete. This mentality was instilled in him by his dad and his story.

Sommer’s dad, Juergen, walked onto the IU men’s soccer team as a freshman in 1987. He received the starting goalkeeper position and went on to win a national championship with the 1988 Hoosier team the next year. He then worked toward professional success, becoming the first American goalkeeper to play in the Premier League.

“That story of being a walk on and having absolutely nothing and just fighting your way to the top and being successful is something that he’s definitely instilled in me coming here,” Sommer said.

Sommer said his dad’s legacy in the soccer program at IU is important to him. It’s part of the reason he decided to attend the university.

“It’s exciting for me now that I get to come here and kind of follow in his footsteps in a little different way, but still have that tradition of being an IU student like my dad,” Sommer said. “I take a great responsibility because of what success he had here and definitely try to replicate everything that he’s done.”

Sommer’s dad is also the reason he decided to play baseball. Growing up, Sommer played baseball, basketball and soccer, but around his freshman year of high school, his dad realized he felt more of a connection with baseball than the other sports.

“He let me pursue baseball more than soccer or basketball,” Sommer said. “I really appreciate that because it was definitely a turning point in my life, just finding something I was really passionate about.”

Sommer said his dad’s encouragement allowed him to give up soccer, a sport he

ALEX DERYN | IDS FILE PHOTO

Then-sophomore left-handed pitcher Tommy Sommer pitches the ball against the University of Louisville on May 14, 2019, at Bart Kaufman Field. Sommer said that his dad’s encouragement allowed him to give up soccer and pursue baseball.

felt he had a responsibility to continue because of his dad's legacy. He said his dad is his role model in everything he does and has taught him how to act as an athlete at IU. Sommer’s belief in the power of hard work is part of a culture head coach Jeff Mercer is working to instill in the baseball program.

“There’s going to be an expectation to continue to improve,” Mercer said.

Sommer said he has stepped into a leadership role this year to help younger players understand and adjust to the expectations the team has for them. He said he wanted to give younger team members the guidance he wished he had as a freshman.

Mercer said Sommer is one of the upperclassmen who has helped freshmen assimilate to the culture of the team.

“They understand the expectation but they also understand what it’s like coming in and being a new guy and really welcoming these guys in,” Mercer said.

Then-sophomore left-handed pitcher Tommy Sommer pitches the ball April 16, 2019 at Bart Kaufman Field.

ALEX DERYN | IDS FILE PHOTO

Dunham takes on leadership role with reshaped team

By Matt Cohen mdc1@iu.edu | @Matt_Cohen_

Last year IU baseball head coach Jeff Mercer took over a group still built to play to the style of their former coach, Chris Lemonis. Lemonis, who left for the head coaching job at Mississippi State University, put together an IU roster hell-bent on winning by playing for home runs, and only home runs.

It’s now Mercer’s second year in Bloomington now.

IU's 10 player draft class last year was the largest in team history. After adjusting to coach the power hitters he had in year one, Mercer has begun to shape his roster around the small-ball style of play that garnered him national notoriety when he was the head coach at Wright State University.

And that starts with junior outfielder Elijah Dunham.

“Eli was a guy that was vocal especially down the stretch last year,” Mercer said. “That’s what I want a guy like Eli to rub off. Just teach young guys how to work. The outcome will take care of itself.”

Dunham was among IU’s most reliable hitters at the end of the 2019 season. He finished with a team best .310 batting average among players with over 30 at bats. He started 42 of the 43 games he played and hit eight home runs and 29 RBIs. He hit .556 over the final week of the reg-

ALEX DERYN | IDS FILE PHOTO

Then-sophomore outfielder Elijah Dunham avoided a pitch April 16, 2019, at Bart Kaufman Field. Dunham was selected in the 40th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates but chose not to sign and returned to college instead.

ular season as IU clinched the Big Ten regular season title.

“Last year at the beginning when I got into the lineup consistently, it was flying by,” Dunham said. “By the end of the season it started slowing down and coming to me easier. I feel like I can take that into this season because now I know what to expect.”

Dunham was selected in

the 40th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates but chose not to sign and returned to college instead. He went to play with the Ocean State Waves of the New England Collegiate Baseball League over the summer.

There, he would play every day against some of the top college pitching in the country and continue the momen-

tum from a strong close to the season. Dunham hit .360 with the Waves with six home runs and 27 RBIs in 34 games.

Now he comes back to Bloomington having emerged from the shadow of Matt Gorski and Matt Lloyd. But with Gorski, Lloyd and the rest of a program record MLB Draft class out of the picture, Dunham is now IU’s star at the

plate, and its leader.

But Dunham was recruited to IU under Lemonis.

When Mercer got to IU he began to call Dunham “Eli” and Dunham never corrected him. In a way, it is a symbolization of Dunham adjusting to his new coach.

Mercer has helped Dunham become a more balanced hitter and is the most

clear anbd successful example of the type of transition Mercer has tried to implement after Lemonis left.

“I didn’t even really know what hitting was, I was just trying to go up there and swing and hit home runs before Mercer got here,” Dunham said. “He really taught me how to have an approach and set fundamentals to myself to know what I need to be successful.”

Dunham has worked to reshape his approach at the plate to be more disciplined, to cut down on strike outs and look to put the ball in play, not just over the fence. Dunham will be relied on for his production, hittting in the core of IU’s lineup. But with such a young roster as Mercer tries to fill in his own players, experienced players like Dunham will be looked to as leaders.

There’s ample young talent around Dunham, especially with sophomore outfielder Grant Richardson and freshman outfielder Ethan Vecrumba. After being the young player looking to the leaders in Gorski and Lloyd, the young players will now defer to Dunham.

“It’s a change,” Dunham said. “Freshman year you walk in and everything is new to you. You’ve got older guys saying things you’ve never heard before. Now being the leader, it’s trying to get a culture that the coaches want and we want to be successful.”

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WATER POLO

Over half of IU's team has a California connection

By Doug Wattley dwattley@iu.edu | @dougwattley

Once again, the IU water polo program will rely heavily on players from California.

The water polo team is the only roster at IU that is comprised of a majority of athletes from a singular state not being Indiana. For the second year in a row, more than 50 percent of the roster is from the Golden State.

Due to a lack of elite water polo clubs in Indiana, all nine freshmen in the class of 2023 are coming to IU from out of state. In fact, the water polo team is only one of three programs at IU with zero players from Indiana.

Three of the newcomers, Zoe Crouch, Lauren Gaudry and Katherine Hawkins, are joining the Hoosiers all the way from California.

From a place 2,000 miles away, three players might seem like a high number of recruits. But in reality, three is a minuscule total compared to past years. Just last season, the recruiting class landed a total of six athletes from California.

COURTESY PHOTOS

From left to right, Katherine Hawkins, Lauren Gaudry and Zoe Crouch. The three are new to the Hoosiers team and all from California.

The connection between IU water polo and the West Coast stretches further than just the players. All three coaches grew up in southern California.

“In my eyes,” Gaudry said, “California is the center for water polo for the U.S.” The mix of beautiful weather and the history of the

sport in California creates a platform for young players to excel. The state anchors some of the most prestigious college programs in the United States.

Since 2000, the only schools to win the NCAA women’s water polo championships are University of California at Los Angeles,

University of Southern California and Stanford.

A substantial reason for IU's ability to recruit in California is the family-like environment that has been created in Bloomington. Senior Megan Abarta believes that having recruits from afar come into your program naturally creates a tight bond.

“It’s something that makes us stand out from other teams,” Abarta said.

“We’re close because we California girls get to show off our sport in the Midwest and we take pride in that.”

That bond is sparked even before recruits commit to play at IU. During campus visits, veteran players talk to

recruits about the positive aspects of playing water polo in Bloomington. Abarta specifically recalls hosting Tina Doherty, a sophomore who grew up on the other side of Los Angeles from her.

“I got to share how great my experience has been here by moving so far away,” Abarta said, “and that has encouraged other girls to play water polo out here.”

“It’s nice because we’ve already built connections to other coaches and youth development programs,” assistant coach Mackie Beck said.

“It’s cool to show them that water polo is really similar at Indiana.”

Moving forward, there are no signs showing that California will stop churning out strong players. The next step that coach Beck wants to watch is to spread that talent throughout the rest of the United States.

“As water polo continues to spread to other areas, the level of competition will also improve,” Beck said.

“But I’m sure California will never stop producing great players.”

Taylor Dodson lives out dream as new head coach

By Doug Wattley dwattley@iu.edu | @dougwattley

This past June, Taylor Dodson was driving down 17th street on her way to grab lunch at Memorial Stadium when her phone began to ring. Dodson, the assistant coach for the IU water polo team, glanced down and saw an unsaved number.

The only inkling of who was calling was the recognizable 812 area code. Not knowing who was on the other end, Dodson greeted the caller with caution.

“Hi, this is Taylor. Can I ask who’s calling?”

“Hey Taylor,” the voice responded. “This is Fred Glass.

How are you?”

Not long before this call, Dodson had interviewed to take over the vacant head Dodson coaching role for IU water polo. If accepted, it would be her first head coaching job in her young career.

After a quick chat, the IU athletic director gave her the opportunity that Dodson had always wanted: Glass offered her the IU water polo head coaching position.

Looking back on that conversation, Dodson could not recall everything she said.

But one thing she told Glass is cemented in her memory to this day.

“I told him, ‘I won’t let you down Fred,’” she said.

“And to this day, even when he retires, the goal is to not let Fred down.”

Dodson’s love of the game was established when she was a young girl. Growing up in southern California, water polo was the most popular sport in the pool.

“At my high school, the swim program would not exist without the water polo program,” Dodson said.

She played competitively in high school as well as on a club team, followed by a collegiate career at University of California, Berkeley. As a Golden Bear, Dodson led her team to a silver medal in the 2011 NCAA Champi-

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onships, the best finish in program history. Despite the success in the pool, the team camaraderie is what she cherishes most.

“So much of what I remember is not the scores or the games, but the van rides to and from," Dodson said.

"That's what I try to tell the girls.”

After graduation, Dodson played professionally in Spain for one year before returning to the United States to give coaching a try. While taking classes for her MBA at Wagner College, she took a job as a full-time assistant.

She credits those two years at Wagner for confirming that coaching was her passion.

Now as the IU head coach,

Dodson is taking on a new set of challenges. Last season, the Hoosiers ended 6-17 and winless in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference.

It was the worst finish for IU in over 20 years. Assistant coach Mackie Beck believes that the two years Dodson spent as an assistant will be meaningful in turning the program around.

“It’s been an easy transition,” Beck said. “Those that were here last year are comfortable with [Dodson] since she was already in the program and the newcomers have embraced it with open arms.”

The Hoosiers have faced ranked teams in each of their eight games. The team is 3-5, already topping the amount

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of ranked games it won last season. Every match, Dodson always credits the players.

“It’s so great to work with the group of girls that we have,” Dodson said. “They’ve bought into the changes we wanted to make as a program and it shows.”

Despite an improved start, the Hoosiers still have a lot of work to do. IU has regular season games until April, followed by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships in San Jose, California.

The focus is not on that yet. The message Dodson conveys is simple.

“The main goal I tell the girls is to get better each and every day.”

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Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

SPRING 2020 SPORTS GUIDE

TRACK AND FIELD

Adam Coulon soars to new heights with IU

By Matt Smith mrs30@iu.edu | @mattsmith1401

The crowd begins silent but then a slow clap starts as IU senior Adam Coulon begins to run toward the pole vault pit.

He jumps, then the celebration starts as he clears another height.

Coulon, 21, has been pole vaulting ever since he was a little kid with the help of his father.

Now as a senior, he's found success early on this season. He has a four-meet winning streak and a personal best mark of 5.65 meters.

“My dad was a jumper in high school and went on to do it in college,” Coulon said. “In fifth grade, he started me with a pole in the backyard with some selfmade standards.”

Coulon said that his success started when he was in seventh grade and continued into his freshman year of high school, where he won the Illinois state championship.

However, he wasn’t always successful in high school. Coulon became interested in other sports such as basketball and marching band, so he began to back off track a little bit.

When he got to college, it took Coulon a little bit to adjust to the training and new competition that the Division I level brought. But he hit his stride sophomore year.

“He’s just awesome, because he goes about his business, he works hard every single weekend, he cares about the team and the people around him,” IU head coach Ron Helmer said. “He sets a good example for everybody.”

A new opportunity that Coulon has found this year is mentoring freshman standout Nathan Stone.

“Coming in my freshman year, I had teammates to look up to, and it’s huge to have a mentor, showing you what to do if you get banged up.”

Coulon said. “Nathan is great and is going to be really good, and it’s awesome for him as a freshman to have people to jump with and push him.”

Stone was an accomplished freshman coming

ALEX DERYN | IDS

Senior pole vaulter Adam Coulon puts his fist in the air after a teammate jumps Jan. 24 in Gladstein Fieldhouse. Coulon has a four-meet winning streak and a personal best mark of 5.65 meters.

in. He was ranked the number two pole vaulter, according to MaxPreps, and was the Indiana state champion. ”It’s nice that (Coulon) is bringing me along for the ride because if he jumps high, I jump high, and there's a common theme,

and it’s a really great environment,” Stone said. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had competing.”

The Hoosiers have three pole vaulters this year competing at a high level in Coulon, Stone, and junior Brock Mammoser.

“Meets are really fun with Brock and Nathan, and it’s not about how one of us does, it’s about how we do as a group,” Coulon said.

Coulon has set many goals for himself as he ends his collegiate career including going to the NCAA

championships and going to the Olympic Trials. Coulon said that he believes that he, Mammoser and Stone can make the Trials this summer.

As Coulon gets ready for the Big Ten Indoor Championship, he wants to continue his success from the

early part of the season.

“I think as long as I keep working hard in practice and in the weight room that I can do something really special and get on that national stage and make a name for IU as a big vaulting school,” Coulon said.

Stanhope’s journey from homeschool to IU

By Luke Christopher Norton lcnorton@iu.edu | @lcnorton31

IU freshman Elizabeth Stanhope's track career began in middle school.

She tried basketball and soccer, trying to find what worked best for her. Playing soccer helped her discover a strength for running. It's what led to the start of her track career.

Stanhope went from being a homeschooled athlete to enrolling in a single class to join the track and field team at Pike High School in Indianapolis, where she ultimately set a new state record in the 800-meter before arriving at IU. During her time at Pike, Stanhope was coached by IU alumni and former middle-distance athlete Courtney Brown.

Brown emphasized that Stanhope is quiet and shy, but opened up out of her shell.

“She wants to be the best,” Brown said. “I think with her, when she decides it’s go time, look out.”

Stanhope’s defining moment was the state meet during her senior year, when she beat her previous personal record by three seconds in the 800-meter.

“Everything worked out how it was supposed to,” Stanhope said.

Stanhope did far more than simply beat her personal record with this time, but the Indiana High School Athletic Association state record itself, cementing herself as a top college prospect with a time of 2:06.62.

Stanhope ultimately decided to stay within the state for college, feeling that she could improve at IU. “Elizabeth’s a typical freshman, except for the

COURTESY OF IU ATHLETICS

Freshman Elizabeth Stanhope runs Feb. 14 in Gladstein Fieldhouse. Stanhope began track in middle school.

fact that she came to us as the best Indiana high school 800-meter runner of all time,” IU head coach Ron Helmer said.

Helmer noted the jump from high school to Big Ten competition is a large one, particularly for middle-distance events.

But Stanhope has handled the transition with maturity.

“As she’s worked her way through the process she’s starting to show us that, in fact, she is that high-level

athlete,” Helmer said "I love her work ethic, I love her attitude."

Stanhope has competed in all of the team’s meets so far and had one of her best performance at the University of Notre Dame’s Meyo Invitational on Feb. 5, taking fourth place with a time of 1:30.61 in the 600-meter.

“I’m really glad it happened,” Stanhope said “The couple weeks before that weren’t great, but I guess it was a breakout race.”

Stanhope earned her

first victory as a Hoosier on Feb. 14, taking first place in the 600-meter at home during Hoosier Hills.

Stanhope, who prefers running with others to being alone, credits her teammates for what has helped her improve.

Brown said during her time at Pike, she would run by herself, passing by her teammates.

Her teammates countered this by staggering themselves around the track as Stanhope ran. Whenever

she would get ahead, there would always be a teammate waiting to join her to ensure that she wouldn’t be running alone.

The support from her teammates has continued during her transition to collegiate athletics at IU. Stanhope worked out on her own over winter break, but found that she preferred to practice with her teammates, who push one another to improve.

“They’re just really encouraging,” Stanhope said.

“You’re having a bad day, and they’ll just push you to keep with them.”

For Helmer, such support from teammates is an important point of emphasis for the program as an expectation among the team.

With her past success at the high school level, development over her freshman season and the support of her teammates by her side, Stanhope hopes to continue her success going forward.

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Sherwood Oaks Christian Church

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church

2700 E. Rogers Rd. 812-334-0206

100 N. State Rd. 46 Bypass 812-332-5788

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Contemporary: 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Being in Bloomington, we love our college students, and think they are a great addition to the Sherwood Oaks Family. Whether an undergraduate or graduate student... from in-state, out of state, to our international community... Come join us as we strive to love God and love others better.

Sunday Morning Schedule 9:00: Breakfast 9:15: Adult Sunday School Classes 10:30: Sanctuary Worship 10:30: Children & Youth Sunday School Classes An inclusive community bringing Christ-like love, healing and hope to all.

Jimmy Moore, Pastor Mary Beth Morgan, Pastor

First Methodist

503 S. High St. 812-332-0502

eccbloomington.org • cnxn.life Facebook: Connexion ECC Instagram: cnxn.life Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Connexion: Sundays, 6 p.m.

Connexion is the university ministry of ECC. We’re all about connecting students to the church in order to grow together in our faith. We meet weekly for worship, teaching, and fellowship as well as periodically for service projects, social events and more. College is hard, don't do it alone!

Bob Whitaker, Senior Pastor Adam deWeber, Worship Pastor Dan Waugh, Pastor of Adult Ministries

219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396

fumcb.org jubileebloomington.org Instagram: jubileebloomington Fall Hours: 8:45 a.m. & 10 a.m. @ Fourth St. Sanctuary (Classic), 11:15 a.m. The Open Door @ Buskirk (Contemporary) Summer Hours: 9:30 a.m. @ Fourth St. Sanctuary (Classic), 11:15 The Open Door @ Buskirk (Contemporary) Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., Jubilee @ First Methodist Jubilee is a supportive and accepting community for college students and young adults from all backgrounds looking to grow in their faith and do life together.

Meet every Wednesday night and also have small groups, hangouts, mission trips, events, service projects and more. Many attend the contemporary Open Door service on Sunday mornings.

Lisa Schubert Nowling, Lead Pastor Markus Dickinson, Campus Director

High Rock Church 3124 Canterbury Ct. 812-323-3333

highrock-church.com Facebook: highrockchurch Instagram: highrockbtown

Cooperative Baptist University Baptist Church ubcbloomington.org facebook.com/ubc.bloomington #ITSYOURCHURCHTOO

Sunday: 11 a.m.

We are a Bible-based, non-denominational Christian church. We are multi-ethnic and multi-generational, made up of students and professionals, singles, married couples, and families. Our Sunday service is casual and friendly with meaningful worship music, applicable teaching from the Bible, and a fun kids program.

Scott Joseph, Lead Pastor

3740 E. Third St. 812-339-1404

Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.

Meals & Other Activities: see our social media Come visit the most refreshing church in town.

We love all students but especially reach out to LGBTQ+ students and allies longing for a college church where you are loved, welcomed and affirmed without fear of judgment or discrimination. You love the Lord already — now come love us too. Free coffee and wifi.

Episcopal (Anglican)

Rev. Annette Hill Briggs, Pastor Rob Drummond, Music Minister

Canterbury House Episcopal (Anglican) Campus Ministry at IU 719 E. Seventh St. 812-334-7971 • 812-361-7954

indiana.edu/~canterby canterby@indiana.edu • facebook.com/ecmatiu 812-361-7954

Sacramental Schedule: Weekly services Sundays: 4 p.m. Holy Eucharist with hymns followed by dinner at Canterbury House

Tuesdays: 6 p.m. Bible Study at Canterbury House 1st & 3rd Wednesdays: 7 p.m. Music & Prayers at Canterbury House Episcopal (Anglican) Campus Ministry is a safe and welcoming home for all people. We are a blend of young and old, women and men, gay and straight, ethnicities from different cultures and countries, students, faculty, staff and friends.

The worshipping congregation is the Canterbury Fellowship. The mission of the Fellowship is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. We pray, worship and proclaim the Gospel. We also promote justice, equality, inclusion, peace, love critical thinking and acting as agents of change in our world.

Mennonite

Inter-Denominational Redeemer Community Church 111 S. Kimble Dr. 812-269-8975

redeemerbloomington.org facebook.com/RedeemerBtown @RedeemerBtown on Instagram Sunday: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond.

Chris Jones, Lead Pastor

Nazarene First Church of the Nazarene 700 W. Howe St. (across from the Building Trades Park) 812-332-2461 • www.b1naz.org

Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Small Groups : 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. & 6 p.m.

We are Wesleyan in our beliefs, and welcome all to worship with us. We are dedicated to training others through discipleship as well as ministering through small groups. We welcome all races and cultures and would love to get to know you.

Dr James Hicks, Lead Pastor

Mennonite Fellowship of Bloomington 2420 E. Third St. 812-646-2441 bloomingtonmenno.org • Facebook

Sunday: 5 p.m.

A welcoming, inclusive congregation providing a place of healing and hope as we journey together in the Spirit of Christ. Gathering for worship Sundays 5 p.m. in the Roger Williams room, First United Church. As people of God's peace, we seek to embody the Kingdom of God. John Sauder mfbjohn@gmail.com

333 S. Highland Ave. 812-334-3432 studentview.lds.org/ Home.aspx/Home/60431 lds.org Facebook: Bloomington Institute and YSA Society Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Robert Tibbs, Institute Director

Disciples of Christ First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. (corner of Kirkwood and Washington) 812-332-4459 • fccbloomington.org

Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.

Jazz Vespers: 6:30 p.m. on first Friday of each month As God has welcomed us, we welcome you.

With all our differences – in age, ability and physical condition, in race, cultural background and economic status, in sexual orientation, gender identity and family structure – God has received each one with loving kindness, patience and joy. All that we are together and all that we hope to be is made more perfect as the richness of varied lives meets the mystery of God’s unifying Spirit, and we become the Body of Christ.

Helen Hempfling, Pastor

Wesleyan (Nazarene, Free Methodist) Central Wesleyan Church 518 W. Fourth St. 812-336-4041

4thstwesleyanchurch.org Facebook: Central Wesleyan Church of Bloomington, Indiana Sunday School: 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship: 11 a.m.

Evening Worship: 6 p.m.

Wednesday Worship: 6 p.m.

First Friday: 6 p.m. (Celebrate Knowing Jesus, open mic service)

Email: bloomingtonfirst@icloud.com Mother Linda C. Johnson+, University Chaplain Josefina Carcamo, Program Coordinator Ricardo Bello Gomez, Communications Coordinator Corrine Miller, Ben Kelly, Student Interns Rex Hinkle, Luiz Lopes, Nathan Stang, Music Ministers Jody Hays, Senior Sacristan Crystal DeCell, Webmaster

We have an Institute of Religion adjacent to campus at 333 S. Highland Ave. (behind T.I.S. bookstore). We offer a variety of religious classes and activities.

smumc.church

Ben Geiger, College Minister

Connexion / Evangelical Community Church

Latter-day Saint Student Association (L.D.S.S.A)

You've ended your search for a friendly and loving church. We are a bible believing holiness group similar to Nazarene and Free Methodist, and welcome all races and cultures. We would love for you to share your talents and abilities with us. Come fellowship and worship with us.

Michael Magruder, Pastor Joe Shelton, Church Secretary

Quaker Bloomington Religious Society of Friends 3820 Moores Pike (West of Smith Rd.) 812-336-4581

bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Hymn Singing: 9:50 to 10:20 a.m.

Our unprogrammed religious services consist of silent, centering worship interspersed with spoken messages that arise from deeply felt inspiration. We are an inclusive community, a result of avoiding creeds, so we enjoy a rich diversity of belief. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns. *Child Care and First Day School provided Christine Carver, Meeting Clerk

Lutheran (LCMS)

We strive to create an atmosphere where college students and local young single adults can come to play games, relax, study, and associate with others who value spirituality. Sunday worship services for young single students are held at 2411 E. Second St. at 11:30 a.m.

We invite all to discover more about Jesus Christ from both ancient scripture and from modern prophets of God. During the week join us at the institute, and on Sunday at the Young Single Adult Church.

Catholic St. Paul Catholic Center 1413 E. 17th St. 812-339-5561 • hoosiercatholic.org

Facebook: Hoosiercatholic Twitter: @hoosiercatholic Weekend Mass Times Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish), 5:30 p.m., 9 p.m. (During Academic Year) Korean Mass 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 6 p.m.

Weekday Mass Times Monday - Saturday: 12:15 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday: 9 p.m.

St. Paul Catholic Center is a diverse community rooted in the saving compassion of Jesus Christ, energized by His Sacraments, and nourished by the liturgical life of His Church.

Rev. Patrick Hyde, O.P., Administrator and Director of Campus Ministry Rev. Dennis Woerter, O.P. Associate Pastor Rev. Reginald Wolford, O.P., Associate Pastor

Unitarian Universalist Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington 2120 N. Fee Lane 812-332-3695

www.uublomington.org www.facebook.com/uubloomington Sundays: 9:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

We are a dynamic congregation working towards a more just world through social justice. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions.

Our vision is "Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World."

A LGBTQA+ Welcoming Congregation and a certified Green Sanctuary.

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister Reverend Scott McNeill, Associate Minister

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Latter-day Saint Student Association (L.D.S.S.A) 333 S. Highland Ave. 812-334-3432

studentview.Ids.org/Home. aspx/Home/60431 Facebook: Bloomington Institute and YSA Society lds.org Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

We have an Institute of Religion adjacent to campus at 333 S. Highland Ave. (behind T.I.S. bookstore). We offer a variety of religious classes and activities. We strive to create an atmosphere where college students and local young single adults can come to play games, relax, study, and associate with others who value spirituality. Sunday worship services for young single students are held at 2411 E. Second St. a 11:30 a.m. We invite all to discover more about Jesus Christ from both ancient scripture and from modern prophets of God. During the week join us at the institute, and on Sunday at the Young Single Adult Church.

Independent Baptist

University Lutheran Church & Student Center

Robert Tibbs, Institute Director

Lifeway Baptist Church

607 E. Seventh St. (Corner of 7th & Fess) 812-336-5387 • indianalutheran.com

Southern Baptist

facebook.com/ULutheranIU @uluindiana on Instagram

Bloomington Korean Baptist Church

7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 • lifewaybaptistchurch.org Facebook • LifewayEllettsville

College & Career Sunday Meeting: 9 a.m.

Sunday

Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7 p.m.

Lifeway Baptist Church exists to bring glory to God by making disciples, maturing believers and multiplying ministry. Matthew 28:19-20

Barnabas Christian Ministry Small Groups: Cedar Hall 2nd Floor Common Area, 7 - 8 p.m., meetings start Thursday, Sept. 5.

We will meet every other Thursday during the school year.

Steven VonBokern, Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade, IU Coordinator 302-561-0108, barnabas@indiana.edu barnabas.so.indiana.edu * Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church.

Sunday: Bible Class, 9:15 a.m.

Divine Service, 10:30 a.m.

The Best Meal You'll Have All Week, 6 p.m.

Tuesday & Friday: Service of Morning Prayer, 8 a.m.

Wednesday: Second Best Meal, 6 p.m.

Midweek Service, 7 p.m.

LCMS U Student Fellowship, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Graduate/Career Study & Fellowship, 7 p.m.

University Lutheran Church is the home of LCMS U at Indiana. Students, on-campus location, and our Student Center create a hub for genuine Christ-centered community that receives God's gifts of life, salvation and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.

Sola Cafe is open 9-5 every weekday for coffee and a place to study. "We Witness, We Serve, We Love."

Rev. Richard Woelmer, Campus Pastor

5019 N. Lakeview Dr. 812-327-7428

mybkbc.org facebook.com/mybkbc/ Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

Friday: 7 p.m.

Saturday: 6 a.m.

Praise the Lord! Do you need a True Friend?

Come and worship the almighty God together with us on Sunday, Fellowship included. We are a Korean community seeking God and serving people. Students and newcomers are especially welcome.

Jason Pak

8

SPRING 2020 SPORTS GUIDE

Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

ROWING

'It’s like a sibling rivalry' Hoosiers put trust at the bow of the boat

By Bradley Hohulin bhohulin@iu.edu | @BradleyHohulin

The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends that an active woman in her early 20s consume roughly 2,400 calories daily. In the case of IU senior rowing captain Abigail Bogovich, that number hovers somewhere closer to 3,300.

Then again, Bogovich’s definition of active includes rowing upwards of 150 kilometers every week. This extensive training increases a competitor’s endurance in more than sheer distance.

“I think rowing is a sport about who can endure the most pain,” Bogovich said.

Just hours before each regatta, this looks like a bus load of young women shouting the lyrics to “This is Indiana” at the top of their conditioned lungs. Weeks of intense practices are devoted to meticulously cultivating robotic levels of synchrony, and the Hoosiers’ first test on race day is whether or not they can all stay in tempo.

“We always play that on the bus ride to a race, and everybody gets really into it,” senior captain Paige Spiller said.

During a race, that pain generally lasts about seven minutes stretched over 2,000 meters. Bogovich and her teammates put in hours of work this winter to shave off mere seconds come March.

For a school nested in the Midwest, this means relying on indoor rowing machines called ergometers.

As frost slowly blankets nearby lakes and rivers, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall’s

ALLY MELNIK | IDS

The IU women’s rowing team practices Feb. 12 in Simon Skodjt Assembly Hall. To prepare for their competitions, the team uses indoor rowing machines called ergometers.

“erg room” is a cacophony of mechanical whirs punctuated by the occasional motivational shout.

Many of those come from Steve Peterson, now in his 17th year as head coach. He said rowing presents the distinct challenge of being unable to contact his pupils with timeouts or sideline screams.

This places responsibility on the shoulders of the coxswain, the sole forwardfacing crew member who

serves as a de facto coach.

However, the rowers' faith is far from blind. Peterson works specifically with the coxswains so they can make tough choices when necessary, correct or not.

“The key is they need to make decisions on the water,” he said. “Shy of killing somebody or crashing one of my expensive boats, there’s almost nothing that they can do wrong.”

Each command issued

by the coxswain must then translate into a complete, uniform motion by the rowers. In a sport where an underperforming individual literally weighs her peers down, it’s crucial that each rower is in near perfect tandem.

Peterson said that fortunately for his group, this cohesion is the natural result of friendly intrasquad competition.

“It’s like a sibling rivalry,” he said. “They wanna beat

their sister.”

In turn, the effort to outdo one another has forged a sturdy bond among the Hoosiers.

“I want to work for my teammates,” Spiller said.

“Camaraderie is really what keeps me going.”

Peterson will not truly know how much his team’s months of preparation have paid off until IU casts off at the Cardinal Invite in Oakridge, Tennessee, on

March 14. Still, there are certain tell-tale signs of a unit that is primed to contend.

“They’re warming up and it’s a relaxed vibe,” Peterson said. “There’s music playing and they’re dancing around and doing all the goofy stuff that college kids do.”

When he sees this, a singular thought enters Peterson’s mind.

“Okay, they’re ready,” he said. “We’re going to perform well today.”

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