Athletes finding collegiate success

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Several Putnam County natives continue to find success competing at the collegiate level. The following are updates on several of the college-level athletes, organized by their respective high schools.

If some athletes are not mentioned, please contact the BannerGraphic sports department.

* Cloverdale

Rachel Varnes - The 2005 Cloverdale High School graduate started seven games for the Manchester College women's basketball team this season. Varnes averaged 4.7 points and 3.7 rebound this past season. Manchester finished 21-8.

Mitch Oetken -- The 2003 Cloverdale High School graduate concluded his junior year at Northland College in February. Oetken averaged the 10.8 points per game, the third-highest on the team, while shooting .449 from the field. He also averaged 6.6 rebounds per game while leading the team in blocks with 11. Oetken shot 40 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range.

* Greencastle

Tracy Menzel -- Menzel is a freshman at Kenyon College, competing on the women's swim team. She recently competed in the Kenyon College Invitational, finishing first in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:27.5 and ninth in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.2 seconds and at Kenyon College recently swam a 2:26.35 in the 200-yard breaststroke on February 18th. Menzel will compete in the NCAA Division III Championships March 9.

Jessie Menzel -- Along with her sistr, Menzel is a junior at Kenyon College, competing for the women's swim team. She recently competed in the Kenyon College Invitation, finishing fourth in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:35.34. Menzel will compete in the NCAA Division III Championships March 9.

Charlie Pingleton -- The former Tiger Cub moved his record to 18-4 after finishing third in the NCAA Division II regional in the 149-pound weight class, earning a trip to the NCAA Division II Nationals in Findlay, Ohio. Pingleton was undefeated up until that point after losing the No. 2 seed wrestler in his weight class. He is currently ranked eighth in the 149-pound weight class.

Kyle Dobbs -- Dobbs started his senior year on the DePauw University baseball team. He is currently batting .261, scoring six runs, with two doubles and one home run. He also has three runs batted in.

Kerry Frost -- Along with Dobbs, Frost is currently playing on the DePauw baseball team. He 1-0 on the season pitching for the Tigers.

Toni Burney -- Burney was recently named the MidWest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year for Danville Area Community College. Burney averaged 11.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

* South Putnam

Nathan Roberts -- Roberts is having a solid season playing baseball at Franklin College. Roberts has a batting average of .409 and leads the team with 12 runs batted in. He also has two home runs on the season. Franklin is 6-1 on the season.

Danielle Gibbs -- Gibbs is starting in the outfield for the Franklin College softball team this year. Gibbs batted .248 for the Grizzlies last season. Franklin is currently 0-2 on the season.

Amy Harris -- Harris is currently batting .321 with three home runs and 11 runs batted in for the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Harris is playing both outfield and third base in her sophomore season. The Chargers are 14-3 on the season.

Ashlee Coffin -- Coffin recently finished her freshman season, playing basketball at Southeastern University. The Fire finished the season with a 25-12 season.

Jamie Foy -- Along with Burney, Foy also played for the Danville Area Community College basketball team. Fox averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

North Putnam

Zach Whitaker -- The former Cougar recently competed in the Mid-American Conference Championship. Whitaker placed fifth in the three-meter diving competition with a score of 296.4 and second in the one-meter diving competition with a score of 303.15.

Amanda Roberts - Roberts is currently competing for the Vincennes University women's swim team. Her statistics were unavailable at press time.

Cassie Hunt -- Hunt recently competed in the Big Ten Indoor Championships for the University of Illinois women's track and field team. Hunt finished second in the mile with a season-best time of 4:45.02. She also placed seventh in the 5,000-meter final heat with a season-best time of 16:37.66. Hunt competes in the NCAA Indoor Championships Friday.

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