Center Grove Magazine August 2022 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

AUGUST 2022

MAGAZINE

THE ROSE GIRLS BRING JOY TO MANY AS THERAPY DOGS POP THE HOOD Greenwood Native Garry Gilbert Competes on National Auto Show Stage THE BIG STAGE Russ Yeast Becomes First CGHS Grad Selected in the NFL Draft

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Greenwood Native Garry Gilbert Competes on National Auto Show Stage

The Rose Girls Bring Joy to Many as Therapy Dogs

POP THE HOOD

Where Art Meets Food

Local Metal Detectorists Are Practitioners of an Uncommon Pursuit

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Local Couple Opens Market Concept Field To Fork

THE BIG STAGE

Russ Yeast Becomes First CGHS Grad Selected in the NFL Draft

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POP THE

Garry Gilbert with owner Pete and restored 1968 Shelby GT 500 KR 6 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2022 / TownePost.com

HOOD

GREENWOOD NATIVE GARRY GILBERT COMPETES ON NATIONAL AUTO SHOW STAGE Writer / Seth Johnson Photography Provided

moving to Greenwood. Known as the Rock & Roll Car Show, Gilbert’s event quickly became one of the largest one-day car shows in the state of Indiana.

For Garry Gilbert, restoring classic cars is simply a part of life. As a matter of fact, the Greenwood native won his first World of “One thing led to another and it just all Wheels competition as a sophomore in high fell into place,” Gilbert says. “I started school. picking up some sponsors. Next thing I knew, I’d put together this show and “My brother-in-law found a pretty clean ‘64 everybody seemed to enjoy it. I followed Mustang,” Gilbert says. “I ended up buying it up the following year and the following it at the young age of 15 and it was my first year, and it just kept getting bigger and car. I did a little bit of work to it here and bigger.” there, and the next thing I knew we entered it in World of Wheels. It got judged and it While the Rock & Roll Car Show became won. From there I was hooked.” hugely successful, Gilbert began to realize it was taking him away from his family, After this early success, Gilbert and his which led him to end the event after its father (who had a ’67 Shelby of his own) seventh year. traveled the country together, showing their cars at International Show Car “It was a lot of work 365 days a year,” Association (ISCA) events. This was Gilbert says. “It hit me that it was taking where Gilbert first got the idea that he me away from my family, so I just decided wanted to one day tour the circuit with a to step back because family is more high-end car and be competitive. important to me.” “It gets in your blood and you just enjoy it,” Gilbert says. “Seeing those other highend cars and going for the championship - that was something that was always in the back of my mind. Like, ‘Man, I’d love to be able to do the tour someday - travel, do all these shows and have a chance of winning the class.’” After spending some time drag racing competitively, Gilbert eventually got back into the car restoration game, but in a slightly different fashion. This time he was putting on his own event instead, which started out in Southport before

More recently, Gilbert has restored a pair of 1968 Shelbys, with support from Pete Wojtowicz. With the first of these Shelbys, Gilbert made a rather quick restoration, which made quite an impression on Wojtowicz. “He contacted me and said, ‘Hey Garry, I’ve got a couple things I’d like for you to look at, to see if you can make this car a little bit better,’” Gilbert says. “We got it done for him, and he was amazed that I turned it around in six months. We showed it and it did very well.”

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After showing the car at a few shows, Gilbert and Wojtowicz were contacted by the brother of the car’s original owner, who had come across photos of the restored Shelby online and was interested in purchasing it. “He said, ‘I’d like to have this car back would you consider selling it?’” Gilbert says. “That was on a Saturday. Next thing I know, he’s here on Wednesday to buy the car. I opened the garage door, he walked in, and it just brought tears to his eyes because he was with his brother in ’68 when he bought it brand new off the showroom floor. He said it looked just like it did in ’68 and he couldn’t believe it.” Wojtowicz sold the car to the man, but in the meantime he’d found another 1968 Shelby for Gilbert to work on. “It was already in a body shop getting restored,” Gilbert says of the second 1968 Shelby. “That owner got ill and passed away with cancer, so Pete ended up making a deal with the body shop on that. The

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more and more time I got to spend on it, cleaning it and polishing it, it just really made the paint start to pop. It turned out to be a really good car.” Currently, Gilbert is in the process of competing in the 2022 ISCA AutoRama/ World of Wheels tour with the aforementioned 1968 Shelby. Gilbert and his car are currently in first place, with the finals slated for January of 2023 in Cincinnati.

finals. “If I win that, I’ll be in heaven.” In reflecting on what he enjoys most about competing in these car shows, Gilbert says it all comes down to the people. “I love traveling around and being able to take that car and unload it,” Gilbert says. “Every car has a story, and I just meet a lot of good people that way.”

“That’s the big daddy,” Gilbert says of the

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Garry’s first car - 1964.5 Mustang Coupe at his first car show (he was still in high school)

CHARCUTERIES WHERE ART MEETS FOOD

Writer / Fredda Kovacs Photography Provided

Charcuterie (shar-KOO-ta-REE) Boards are all the rage these days and deservedly so. Steeped in centuries old tradition, charcuterie is enjoying a renaissance as today’s boards represent ‘art meets food’. Charcuterie is a French term devoted to prepared meat products, originally intended as a way to preserve meat before the advent of refrigeration. Today, they are prepared for their beautiful art forms as much as they are for pleasing the palate. In addition to a wide array of meats, you’ll also find an assortment of cheeses, fruits, artisan breads and crackers, olives, and spreads like honey, preserves or jams. No matter the occasion, Charcuties (the term for those who prepare charcuteries) impress and delight us with their unique and flavorful creations. Locally, we have well-seasoned, talented Charcuties who have changed the way we graze.

T H E P L AT E 2 PA L AT E C H A R C U T E R I E Stacey Stinnett 317-446-9737 Facebook: Plate2palate Charcuterie The Plate2Palate Charcuterie is a southside woman-owned business. Stacey fell in love creating art with food through charcuterie, finding the best combinations of meats and cheeses to accompany any event from appetizer boards to grazing tables. During the day, she loves helping children as a nurse at a local children’s hospital. Stacey also wants to help take the stress out of worrying what to serve at your event so you can be the best hostess!

CEDAR + ROSE

Brittany Flaugher & Anesa Abdalla, partners of Cedar + Rose

Brittany Flaugher & Anesa Abdalla 317-414-6458 Instagram: @CedarRoseCharcuterie Facebook: Cedar + Rose Charcuterie Parlor Cedar + Rose is a local online charcuterie parlor that specializes in creating unique charcuterie displays for any occasion. They offer various boards, cups, cones, grazing tables, as well as grazing walls for your next big event. Follow them on their social media pages to view their menu and endless styling options. At Cedar + Rose, they are passionate about building community and creating a lasting experience through every order!

C U L I N A R Y A D V E N T U R E S W I T H PA M Pam Cooley 317-440-5503 Facebook: Culinary Adventures With Pam This woman-owned/family-operated business has cheese and charcuterie boards for absolutely every occasion. And they don’t just stop at your average appetizer board, they also feature grazing boxes, dessert, color-themed candy and boards that come in cups for that mingling crowd. Culinary Adventures with Pam has something delicious for everyone, from catering to Home Cooked 2U Pickup Meals. Check them out on Facebook.

Owners Cory and Sarah Campbell work with local farmers, growers and producers to bring customers the freshest possible products.

Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta with Ricotta and Olive Oil Need a quick and easy idea for dinner or are your friends coming over for an impromptu weekday dinner party? Can you turn on an oven and boil water? Well, this recipe is for you! Add crusty Italian bread and a glass of wine and dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes! • 1 lb. Cherry Tomatoes (preferably a variety of colors) • ¼ cup Olio Fresia Rosa Bianca Extra Virgin Olive Oil • 1 thinly sliced garlic clove (or more if you like!) • 1 Shallot (thinly sliced) • ½ - 1 TSP. crushed red pepper flakes (to your spice level) • 12 ounces of linguine or bucatini pasta • Fresh cracked black pepper • Kosher Salt • 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (whole milk) • ½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese • Fresh chopped basil 1. Pre-heat Broiler to High: (Place rack 5-6 inches from broiler) 2. Bring a large pot of water to boil (6 quarts) add 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt. 3. Cook Pasta until al dente 4. Toss tomatoes and shallots in olive oil and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Add to a large ovenproof skillet. Place plan under broiler and cook until tomatoes lightly brown and begin to burst open. Shake pan once or twice to make sure they cook evenly, 5 – 15 mins. Depends on your oven. Make sure to keep an eye on it! 5. Remove pan from oven and stir in the garlic, pepper flakes, and black pepper to taste. Gently smash the tomatoes with back of a wooden spoon to release juices. 6. Drain the pasta and toss with sauce. Divide pasta into serving bowls, spoon 2 tablespoons of ricotta over top, sprinkle with grated parmesan and fresh basil. Add a little drizzle of Olio Fresia Rosa Bianca Extra Virgin Olive Oil right before serving! Buon Appetito!

Farm Focused Local Couple Opens Market Concept Field To Fork Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Brandi Caplinger

areas they might need more help and bring in a local expert to impart their wisdom.”

Knowing precisely what farm your produce or meat comes from is virtually impossible when shopping at large, chain grocery stores. Even products grown in Indiana travel outside the state for processing and then return to store shelves. One Franklin couple hopes to help consumers understand how and where their food is produced.

Campbell says local consumers must get to know their local farmers. With supply-chain issues increasing after the 2020 shutdowns, the Campbells say people should rely on themselves for food.

Sarah and Cory Campbell opened Field To Fork in Franklin in May. The market specializes in locally grown and sourced meats, as well as hydroponically grown produce and dairy. The Campbells have always been interested in living the farmto-table lifestyle for their family. Now they’re sharing what they’ve learned with Franklin residents. “We started living this transparent lifestyle with our food for our family,” Sarah Campbell says. “Originally I thought I wanted to open a food truck to serve farm-to-table-style food. My husband wasn’t into that idea, so I got to thinking and proposed the idea of a market, and he agreed.” The Campbells work with local farmers, growers and producers to bring customers the freshest possible products. They purchase dairy from Snowville Creamery in Ohio because a majority of the dairy farmers in the state sell in bulk to large corporations. “We’re looking to educate our customers,” Campbell says. “It’s something we’re working on very diligently and intentionally with our local food board in Johnson County. We live in a very pro-agricultural community. We want to work together within the community to educate each consumer.”

“We don’t want to fearmonger, as people get enough of that on a daily basis,” with all that is going on in our world right now,” Campbell says. “Local farmers can be a source to alleviate that anxiety about food shortages. We want to be a staple in the community where you don’t have to worry about running out of things.” Field To Fork also has a bistro inside that sells coffee from Indiana roasters, and five different sandwiches made with local bread, meat, cheese and produce. The couple hopes their market also offers the community a place to get together and enjoy each other’s company. “I think people have read that we have a conference room in the market, and that might look intimidating,” Campbell says. “But really it’s our daily-use, communal seating area. I love seeing it on a Saturday full of people enjoying coffee, sandwiches and wine, and getting to know their neighbors. The community can use it if someone wants to come and utilize the area for a presentation.” The market also offers an impressive collection of hand-

During the height of the 2020 shutdowns, Campbell noticed many people had lost fundamental skills such as changing a flat tire or replacing the oil in a car. “I think because the United States is such a prosperous country, we’ve had some of these fundamental tasks performed for us over the last several years,” Campbell says. “Many people realized they would have to do some of those things themselves during the shutdown and didn’t necessarily know how to do them. We’re just trying to take the temperature of the community to see in what TownePost.com / AUGUST 2022 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 13

selected wines that can’t be found at any other store or restaurant within 50 miles. The wines pair perfectly with charcuterie from Pig’s Tale Charcuterie. The Campbells met through their full-time jobs as air traffic controllers. Field To Fork is a passion project for the pair. They hope the market will serve as a retirement plan after their careers. They spend much of their time traveling to pick up items from local vendors throughout the city. The community has welcomed Field To Fork with open arms. Campbell says shopping local can be expensive, but she knows the quality of the products they sell and feels their superiority speaks for itself. “It’s only been a short time since we opened, but the response has been amazing,” Campbell says. “I think everyone is excited for the market to be there and hopeful we can remain a staple in the area. We’ve received a lot of support, but we’re still running into people who don’t realize we are here.” Field To Fork is located at 90 West Jefferson Street in Franklin. For more information, call 463-710-6170 or visit fieldtofork.shop.

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The motivation for Meaghan has always been to help others reach their goals. This began at an early age, when her mother developed cancer and her father, a police officer, was hit by a drunk driver while on duty. As a result, Meaghan stepped up to the plate, taking on responsibility atypical for a child by helping take care of her younger sister. This event helped instill a strong work ethic in Meaghan, which she channeled into her academics and extracurricular activities in high school.

and her husband moved to Greenwood in 2020, and in January of 2022 she opened Hoosier Academic Coaching, a local educational consulting service designed to help students with college planning. On the surface, the name may lead some to believe that it is solely a tutoring business, and while that is one dimension of her services, there is much more to the business. “Our main focus is college planning,” Rysdale says. “We help high school students maximize their potential and help them figure out what schools would be a good fit for them.”

“I was highly motivated to excel in high school so that I could become the first in my Their main specialty is in enhancing the family to attend college,” she says. student’s chances of obtaining scholarships and financial aid packages, both to improve To do that, however, she knew she would the student’s well-being for the duration need to land some scholarships. She was of their college program, and more thrilled to get a full scholarship to attend the importantly to help ensure a successful University of South Carolina (USC). She match with respect to the student’s goals was also recognized as a Ronald E. McNair and aspirations when it comes to college Scholar. After graduating from USC in 2017, selection. In addition, they assist students she went straight into a Ph.D. program at with exam preparation, essay writing, Indiana University in Bloomington. As a internships and externships, letters of graduate student she held various leadership recommendation, and resumes and CVs. roles, but her favorite responsibility was assisting others with admissions. Rysdale suggests that students start the college planning process as early as middle “I loved being given the chance to recruit school, for two reasons. One, according to students to attend grad school at IU, Rysdale - colleges examine students’ entire especially those just as deserving of the academic portfolios, from late middle opportunity but from a underserved or school through junior year. Two - there’s underprivileged background,” Rysdale so much planning to do that it’s wise to says. The experience sparked her interest get a jump start on it early to ensure a in pursuing a career that helps students on competitive application. Therefore, Rysdale their path to finding academic success. She requests access to student transcripts and 16 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2022 / TownePost.com

also makes sure students are enrolled in the courses they might need to pursue their desired career path and come up with a personalized plan of action. “More often than not, students tell me they feel pressured by their school and their peers to enroll in a college program, but they do not know that they could easily go open up an HVAC company, for example, and do very well financially,”says Rysdale, who also guides students who want to pursue a career in the trades industry. Rysdale tours various universities and trade school programs across the country on behalf of students. She even sits down with admissions counselors to determine their ideal student profile, because each university is different in what they look for. “10 or 15 years ago when you applied to schools, everything was pretty basic,” Rysdale says. “But now it’s more of a struggle to get ahead of what is being required from prospective students to give them a fighting chance.” For instance, with the onset of COVID-19, colleges have taken a more holistic approach in the way they evaluate students’ acceptance into a program.

In the past it was weighted heavily on GPA, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores, whereas now they may look more carefully at students’ personal essays and statements as a method of differentiation between applicants. In fact, many schools have even transitioned to “testing optional,” meaning that students can choose whether to take and submit their SAT or ACT scores. When students and their parents first meet with Rysdale, she has them answer questionnaires to determine where a student would likely be most successful. The questionnaires help her come up with an ideal list of schools they should visit and programs they should apply for that would maximize their scholarship, financial aid opportunities and career prospects. That initial meeting is crucial because it is not a one-size-fits-all process. “It would be different if every student who came to us was the same, but they are not,” Rysdale says. Following this free consultation, clients can choose one of two packages - either a basic package that includes 15-hours of consultation time, or the deluxe, 30-hour

package. Built into these packages are general information sessions (usually two per month held at her office) that clients are welcome to attend. Subjects they may cover include how to fill out FAFSA and maximize financial aid or the benefits of a study abroad program. “Say you sign up for our basic package,” Rysdale says. “At that initial meeting we would figure out how we’re going to best utilize those 15 hours to meet your personal goals.” Considering how those 15 or 30 hours are spent, they end up paying off in the long run. “With some investment in our services, just think of the potential long-term payoff for your kids’ academic and professional future”.

TownePost.com / AUGUST 2022 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 17

THE ROSE GIRLS BRING JOY TO MANY AS THERAPY DOGS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Ben Hicks / BH3 Photography

Gregory Cox & Leslie Wells with Alexa and Prim 18 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2022 / TownePost.com

eslie Wells, a pharmacist and lifelong animal lover, had always dreamed of two things. One was to own a red standard poodle, and the other was to train that pet to become a certified therapy dog. When she and her partner, Greg Cox, began searching, they were thrilled to find Jen Lehman, Willow Ridge Standard Poodles, a breeder in Ohio who breeds standard poodles, many of whom become therapy or service dogs. “We thought, ‘What a great leader to be aligned with,’” Cox says. To be clear, there’s a difference between a therapy dog and a service dog. Service dogs perform a service for their owners and are not to interact with anyone beyond the person they are serving. Therapy dogs, on the other hand, help alleviate issues like anxiety, depression and grief. As Cox says, “They’re there to bring joy and love.” Becoming a registered therapy dog is an intense process, as they must prove that they are focused, calm and nonreactive. The couple’s dog Alexa passed the training with flying colors. They later adopted Alexa’s mother Prim, who also got certified. With mother and daughter reunited, Alexa Rose and Prim Rose became Diva Duo Reds Therapy Dogs (aka the Rose Girls). They work primarily with Paws & Think, a community-based nonprofit that brings joy and healing, free of charge, to various program partners, including schools, libraries, detention centers, humane societies, hospitals, cancer support centers and elder-care facilities. The organization’s mission is to improve lives through the power of the human-dog connection, and Cox and Wells witness, on a regular basis, just how powerful that connection is. Alexa and Prim are not your standard canines, as their owners always have them fancily dressed with their fur fully fluffed, donning custom-made collars. As a result, they draw a crowd wherever they go. This year the couple took the Rose Girls downtown to the Indy 500 Festival Parade and were stopped more than 100 times by folks wanting to get their pictures taken with the precious pooches. The Rose Girls were featured on PetPals TV with Patty Spitler, and Alexa’s sweet face graced the pages of a book called “We Needed a Best Friend: An Exquisite Standard Poodle Picture Book,” as well as a 2021 page-a-day dog calendar. Cox and Wells don’t take their girls out for the fame and glory, however. They do it to create smiles and spread joy. For instance, they participate in Paws to Read story time at the Greenwood Public Library, through which children who lack confidence in reading or have a learning disability sit on the floor and read to a dog. “Alexa puts her head in the child’s lap and looks up at them

when they’re reading,” Cox says. “It’s the sweetest thing.” Alexa and Prim also went to the Indianapolis Colts training complex for an event that helped teens who are struggling with social acceptance issues. “A handful of kids never wanted to leave the dogs’ sides,” Cox says. “They’re literally having conversations with the dogs because they don’t feel judged. In fact, the dogs console them.” When they visit hospitals, it’s not just the patients who benefit. “These nurses often have stressful days where they’re caring for sick and dying patients, so they get down on the ground and cuddle these dogs,” Cox says. According to Kelsey Burton, executive director of Paws & Think, when the Rose

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Girls walk into a room, everyone’s faces light up. “They immediately bring joy to everyone who sees them,” Burton says. “Their handlers, Greg and Leslie, are equally as popular. Together they have helped hundreds of individuals find happiness and comfort as a result of their work as Paws & Think therapy teams.” Several weeks ago Cox and Wells were at The Home Depot with Alexa when they were approached by a couple with their 11-year-old autistic son. The boy put his arm around Alexa and gave her a kiss. The mom started crying because she had never seen him act that way before.

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“He was so responsive, and Alexa just knew as she always does,” Cox says. “She can sense what’s going on, and the child’s whole demeanor changed.” Another time, Cox and Wells were at a mall when they came across an older couple and their adult daughter, who had cerebral palsy and was in a wheelchair. She was nonverbal, but when Alexa approached her wheelchair, she started moving her hands up and down with excitement. “We never could have imagined the impact these girls, as well as the hundreds of other therapy dogs with Paws & Think, would have on our communities,” Cox says. “They truly have been a blessing to all they come in contact with.” To learn more about Paws & Think or to make a donation, visit pawsandthink.org.

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LOST AND FOUND

Alex Morton

LOCAL METAL DETECTORISTS ARE PRACTITIONERS OF AN UNCOMMON PURSUIT Writer / Julie Yates Photography / Brandi Caplinger & Provided

What’s an outdoor hobby that’s not too strenuous yet keeps participants physically active, with the added allure of possibly finding valuable artifacts? It’s metal detecting - the hobby for which the old adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” rings true. For two area residents, Alex Morton and Mike Putzek, it is a sport that keeps them coming back for more, but for different reasons. Putzek got hooked when a friend of his found a silver dollar at the base of a tree not too far from his house. That piqued

his interest and he’s been metal detecting on and off for the last 12 years. During that time he has found several interesting objects. “In 12 years I’ve never found gold but I have found silver coins,” he says. “I have found an Indian Head penny dated 1877, and an onyx ring with the word ‘Dad’ on it spelled out with what looks like tiny diamonds. Last year I found a token marked five cents from a bar that was in Fort Wayne. In the early 1900s, using tokens as script was common in bars, coal mines, company stores and grocery stores.” “I do occasionally find survey stakes for

people and I helped a Center Grove couple find a lost wedding ring in the yard of their property,” he continues. “I was able to find it in about 10 to 15 minutes. I’m glad to find things for people, especially in exchange for giving me permission to metal detect around their property.” Morton is fairly new to the pursuit and has been metal detecting for about a year. His interest leans toward a different kind of bounty. He is fascinated with pull-tab archeology. He got his start when a student from Pleasant Grove Elementary School, where he is a Honey Grove Before and After School Program site supervisor, brought him a pull tab from the 1970s.

22 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2022 / TownePost.com

“Before the modern stay tab or pop tab of the mid-‘70s to now, there were the ring tabs of the ‘60s,” he says. “The oldest tabs in the ‘40s and ‘50s used something called a church key, or a pocketknife was used, to open flat-top cans. There is a database and typology for every variety possible in pull-tab archeology. It’s almost like the way a biologist organizes insect species collections. It’s the study of garbology - how trash relates to humans. Anyone can be an archeologist. No schooling or degree is needed. I hope to be published in an archeological journal someday.” Morton uses pop tabs in a token economy system where students can spend them for rewards. Friends from all over in places like Texas and Canada, as well as an old roommate from Vietnam, have sent him pop tops, amounting to hundreds of thousands. He goes through them all, saving those of archeological value. He donates the rest to the Ronald McDonald House. “I’ve only been metal detecting here in “Real estate sales and marketing require knowledge, professional commitment, education and a desire to continuously meet and exceed clients’ expectations. My career has been built on these attributes and on the principles of integrity, trust and performance. If you have questions about today’s real estate market, please call and allow me to put my years of experience to work for you.” – Mike Cagle

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the state,” he says. “Good places to go are ballparks, colleges, riversides and lakes. I inherited about three metal detectors from my grandfather and a cousin gave me one that had been in a barn. You can get a used one for about $50, but a top-of-theline one can run up to $800 or $900. The device makes different tones and a seasoned individual can discern what metal has been detected from the sound.” There is a code of ethics that detectorists should follow. Permission should always be granted before detecting on someone’s property. When digging to uncover something, the earth should be pulled up in a horseshoe shape while leaving some sod still attached to the ground. When finished, earth should be returned to its original position and tamped down. “Some towns have laws against metal detecting because they are worried that they will damage the land by digging big holes,” Putzek says. “Detectorists are actually cleaning up and removing things stuck up in the ground that can injure people. It feels good at the end of the day to dump all the trash and litter I have found. Over the last 20 years archeologists have been working with detectorists to uncover history.” “I’m not looking for gold - just trash,” Morton says. “In one year I have collected over 100 different types of pull tabs. I have found a lot of nails, plus a lot of weird bits and pieces of metal including a coin with a sheriff badge on it from the 1940s. I like the trash, rubbish and weird things. I put them in mason jars and sit them on the shelf. I think they look cool. Every time the metal detector makes a tone, I can’t wait to see what I’ve found.”

24 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2022 / TownePost.com

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RUSS YEAST BECOMES FIRST CGHS GRAD SELECTED IN THE NFL DRAFT Writer / Kevin Conrad Photography Provided, Los Angeles Rams & Kansas State University Athletics

On April 30, 2022, history was made for Center Grove. 2017 Center Grove High School (CGHS) graduate Russ Yeast became the first CGHS football player to be selected in the National Football League draft. Russ was drafted by the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round.

night, Russ caught five touchdown passes to go along with 221 receiving yards to lead his team past Cathedral, 44-41 in overtime. In the final-four game of the state tournament, Russ ran for 174 yards and four scores in a 42-22 win at Ben Davis.

Russ earned numerous postseason accolades, including Under Armour All-American, First Team All-State, Indiana Player of the Year by USA Today Sports, Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year, and runner-up for Indiana “It’s just a blessing and honor to be the first Center Grove graduate Mr. Football. to accomplish that goal,” Russ CGHS Head Coach Eric Moore has a says. “With that being said, I do not want to be the last. I would like sign above the football stadium player entrance that says, “Hard Work x to be an inspiration to the ones in Dedication = Success.” the program and the ones yet to come that they can do it too. Hopefully that “Russ really exudes this,” Moore says. number grows from one to many in “He took a big chance on believing in the future.” us. He bought into everything. He took advantage of every situation.” Russ moved to Greenwood in 2016 when his father, Craig, accepted an assistant football coach position at Franklin College. He played one season for the Trojans in 2016, helping them to a 12-2 record and a secondplace finish in the Class 6A State Tournament and the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference. He posted some jaw-dropping statistics in his senior season at CGHS, leading the Trojans with 1,525 rushing yards, 602 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. On senior TownePost.com / AUGUST 2022 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 27

After graduating from CGHS, Russ went on to play college football as a defensive back at Louisville from 2017 to 2020, and at Kansas State in 2021. He earned his undergraduate degree from Louisville and returned to complete his master’s degree in sports administration. “I am beyond proud of what Russ was able to accomplish academically,” says Russ’s mother Tori. “We always stressed the importance of academics,

because one day football will end. The fact that he made finishing his degree a priority even when he was training and preparing for the draft tells you all that you need to know about him as a person.” “He’s always been a good student, committed to what he’s supposed to be doing, and that’s academics first,” Moore adds. “That just shows he’s a kid that has put in the time and effort to work for everything, not just on the gridiron.” From the time Russ set foot onto

the CGHS football field, through college, and now in the start of his pro career, he and his family have appreciated the support from the Center Grove community. “I was always grateful for how the Center Grove football family welcomed me from the very beginning, and appreciated their continued support throughout my collegiate career,” he says. “It is motivating to know that a community of people is supporting me. My time at Center Grove helped mold me into the person and player I am today.

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L to R: Tori (Mother), Russ, Kiyah (Sister), Craig (Father)

Coach Moore expected nothing but the best. I believe the lessons I learned from him and the CG football program are aspects I still use to this day to help me be the best I can be.” “I am in awe of the overwhelming support that Russ has continued to receive from the Center Grove community,” Craig says. “It means a lot that he has a place he can call home away from home. Coach Moore and Russ have a great relationship. Russ respects his advice and his opinion. My wife and I couldn’t have asked for our son to play for a better man.” Family is at the very cornerstone of Russ’s success both on and off the field. His father played football for Kentucky, setting numerous school and conference records in pass receiving. He was drafted in 1999 in the third round by Cincinnati, playing nine seasons in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. His mother played basketball for Kentucky. His younger sister Kiyah is a 2020 CGHS graduate and a 2019 indoor state champion sprinter. She is now a sophomore at Louisville on a track scholarship.

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“My family has always been my support system and my biggest fan,” Russ says. “Regardless of the highs and lows, I know that will never change. That makes me want to be the best I can be. I definitely would not have even made it this far without their support.” When it was time to select a jersey number, Russ was thankful the Rams had number 43 available. “Just another example of how blessed I am and how everything happens for a reason,” TownePost.com / AUGUST 2022 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 29

2017 Senior CG Trojan Russ Yeast with Brad Timmons, CG Trojans Running Backs Coach

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“When Russ told me he had chosen to wear 43, I was surprised,” Tori says. “There’s significant meaning behind that number for me and I was touched that he saw it in the same regard. Russ has been a joy to watch since he first started playing football, but what I am most proud of is who he is and what he is about. He’s a fantastic young man who just happens to be a really good football player.” NBI

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Russ says. “The number 43 means a lot to my family. It’s what my mom wore [as a high school basketball player], and she wore 43 because that’s the number my aunt wore before her. The fact that it was one of the few numbers available for me to choose from just tells me I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. I just need to work hard and trust the process.”

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“I am absolutely proud of what he’s been able to accomplish on the field,” Craig says. “His love for the game and drive to accomplish all of those things is exactly why he’s in the position he’s in today.”

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