State champs, a local Olympian and more highlighted 2024.
2024 was a great year for sports in Eagle Country.
We are taking a trip down memory lane by taking a look at some of the brightest moments this past calendar year.
The stories below are not ranked in any particular order.
Lawrenceburg Wins First Soccer State Championship
It took extra time and penalty kicks, but Lawrenceburg are State Champs!
The Tigers won the IHSAA Class 2A State Championship in dramatic fashion, defeating Mishawaka Marian in PKs by a score of 4-1.
Morgan Manford, Alivia Bushman, Mylee McAdams, and Preslee Rugg each scored a PK, while Hillary Knippenberg saved two to push the Tigers to victory.
The state championship win was the first in Lawrenceburg program history. It is also the first non-football state championship in school history.
Senior Kelsey Offutt was named the Mental Attitude Award winner.
Relive the PK shootout in the video player below.
Relive Lawrenceburg's dramatic State Championship win in penalty kicks with the radio call from Your Hometown Radio Station. Congratulations once again to the Tigers!
Posted by Eagle Country 99.3 on Monday, November 4, 2024
Call it the "Parris" Olympics, Lawrenceburg Native Earns Spot on Team USA
Lawrenceburg native Mason Parris qualified for the Paris Olympics in April after finishing first in the Men's Freestyle 125 kg bracket at the U.S. Wrestling Olympic Team Trials at Penn State University.
Parris earned a bye into the championship round due to winning the bronze medal at the World Championships in September 2023.
At the Olympics, Parris was defeated by Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur of Mongolia by a score of 10-5 in the 125 kg 1/8 Final. Several community members awoke early that day to take in Parris' match at a viewing party at Lawrenceburg Civic Park.
He is seen above chopping it up with LeBron James and Snoop Dogg.
Cincinnati Reds Legend, MLB Hit King Dead at 83
The MLB Hit King passed away on the final day of September at the age of 83.
Rose played 24 years in the Major League, spending 19 seasons with the Reds. He is best-known for being MLB's hit king with 4.256 career hits. He also holds MLB records with 3,215 career singles, 3,562 career games played, 14,053 career at-bats, and 15,890 career plate appearances.
A member of the Big Red Machine, Rose helped the Reds to World Series Championships in 1975 and 1976. He was the World Series MVP in 1975. Rose would go on to win a third World Series in 1980 as a member of the Philadelphia Philles.
Other career accolades include 17 All-Star appearances, NL MVP in 1973, NL Rookie of the Year in 1963, two Gold Gloves, and three-time batting champion.
In 1989, Rose was famously placed on baseball's ineligible list amid allegations that he bet on baseball, which has kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Rose has a Hall of Fame resume and was selected to the MLB All-Century Team in 1999. He is also a member of the Reds Hall of Fame, in addition to having his #14 retired by the Reds.
As seen above, Rose was no stranger to southeastern Indiana. He would often be a part of sports stags to help raise money for area high school athletic departments.
South Dearborn Athletic Trainer Makes Lifesaving Play at SD vs. EC Game
Jake Steinmetz is a hero.
On a Wednesday night in January, he sprung into action when a fan collapsed in the stands behind the South Dearborn bench area during the Knights boys varsity basketball game against East Central.
According to SD Athletics, Steinmetz performed CPR and used an AED secured by Assistant Principal Curt Bontrager to successfully revive the patient. He received help from Tara Cutter, who also administered CPR.
The patient, whose identity was not released, was transported to a local hospital where she was able to talk with family members.
Knigga Passes Crocker as Tigers' Winningest Coach
Ryan Knigga passed his former coach in the win column in September.
Knigga picked up his 125th win in a 24-0 victory over Batesville, besting Coach Glen Crocker's record of 124-66 from 1982 to 1998.
Knigga was an All-State player and an IFCA North/South All-Star game selection under Coach Crocker in 1996. He would go on to play collegiately at Indiana State University.
In his 14 years at Lawrenceburg's head football coach, Knigga has amassed a record of 130-42 with seven sectional titles and two state championship game appearances.
Staci Knigga Resigns as LHS Volleyball Coach
Staci Knigga is stepping away from coaching.
Knigga announced her resignation earlier this month after 23 seasons as the Lawrenceburg volleyball varsity head coach,
"This decision has been far from easy as I have cherished every moment of building this program, creating lifelong relationships, and sharing in our victories, both on and off the court," said Knigga.
In just the last four seasons, Knigga led the Tigers to a 96-27 record. Overall, Knigga led Lawrenceburg to over 500 wins, eight sectional titles and eight conference championships, including two outright EIAC titles.
Part of Knigga's decision to step away from coaching is due to her children soon becoming college athletes. Natalie is set to continue her volleyball career at Saint Mary of the Woods College, while Noah is signed to play college football at Eastern Michigan University.
RELATED: Knigga Twins Celebrate College Commitments with Signing Day Ceremony
Longtime South Dearborn Baseball Coach Announces Retirement; New Coach Named
Jay Malott coached South Dearborn baseball for 38 years, including 29 as the head coach.
Over that time, Malott won 406 games, five sectional championships, three EIAC titles, and the school’s only baseball regional championship in 2007.
He announced his retirement from coaching in July. Although, he will continue as a teacher at South Dearborn High School.
Lawrenceburg High School graduate Austin Bowling was named as Malott's replacement in November.
Bowling was a star athlete at Lawrenceburg, playing both football and baseball. In 2016, he rushed for 3,165 yards and 52 touchdowns, helping lead the Tigers to a state championship appearance. On the baseball diamond, he hit .415 his senior season with 35 runs batted in.
Since his playing days, Bowling has coached at numerous levels in baseball and football, including the Knights’ program under Jay Malott during the 2022 season.
South, Pies Place in Top 10 at Girls Golf State Finals
Two golf stars from southeastern Indiana finished in the top 10 at the IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals.
The two-day event took place at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel on Friday and Saturday.
Batesville junior Ava South finished 5th overall, shooting 5-over for the tournament. East Central sophomore Rowan Pies finished seven-over, placing 7th overall.
The individual state champion was Zionville freshman Taylor Shively at even par over two rounds.
Batesville finished 7th in the team standings at +105. Zionsville took home the state title, shooting +51 as a team
Josh Ringer Named Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year
Josh Ringer earned another statewide award for his play in 2023.
After being named Mr. Football in December 2023, Ringer was named the Indiana Football Gatorade Player of the Year in January. added another prestigious award to his name as Indiana Football’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
The winner is chosen based on athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character.
On the field, Ringer ran for a school-record 2,880 yards and 55 touchdowns, averaging 10.3 yards per carry. He also caught 13 passes for 278 yards and five touchdowns.
Ringer, a freshman at Miami (Oh.), carried the ball six times this season. He appears to be in line for a redshirt, saving a year of college eligibility.
Kayla Roell Makes History with Win at Lawrenceburg Speedway
Kayla Roell. Photo via Kayla Roell Racing Facebook page.
History was made in July at The Burg.
Kayla Roell became the first female to win a sprint car feature since the Lawrenceburg Speedway switched to a 3/8-mile configuration
Roell, a Dillsboro native and Milan High School student, started 7th and gained the lead in just six laps on her way to winning her first career feature in a Kelsey Chevrolet Sprint Car.
McHenry Wins First Race at Lawrenceburg Speedway
Corbin McHenry in Victory Lane. Photo via the South Dearborn Community School Corporation.
Corbin McHenry used to sit in the stands at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Now, he knows what it is like to be in victory lane.
The 2022 South Dearborn High School graduate won his first race at Lawrenceburg Speedway in June.
McHenry won the Impact Sports' Pure Stock 15-lap race starting from the inside of row 2. He grabbed the lead on lap 3 and never looked back.
He celebrated the win in victory lane with his dad, Shane McHenry, who became promoter of Lawrenceburg Speedway prior to this season.
Basketball Fans Pack Milan HS to Celebrate '54 State Championship Team
Photo by Charlie Jackson, Eagle Country 99.3.
In March, more than 1,000 people gathered at Milan High School to celebrate the most historic basketball state championship win in Indiana history.
The Milan '54 Hoosiers Museum hosted a 70th Anniversary Celebration in honor of the 1954 State Championship team.
The event brought in Governor Eric Holcomb, Former Governor Mitch Daniels, and Angelo Pizzo (Screenwriter for the movie Hoosiers), Milan players Ray Craft, Bobby Plump, Rollin Cutter, Roger Schroder, and Gene White, and Hoosiers movie actors Dr. Steve Hollar (Rade #25) and Brad Long (Buddy #14).
Harrison Soccer Programs Make History with District Title Wins
Photos via SWOC Sports.
Harrison High School’s boys and girls soccer teams had historic seasons.
Both teams captured their first ever District Championships.
The Lady Wildcats defeated St. Ursula by a score of 2-1 to win the OHSAA Division II Girls Soccer District Championship.
Harrison goals were scored by Shelby Piepmeier and Hailey Turner, while Grace Kohls and Abby Smith recorded assists. Mallory Oliver was strong in goal, recording 11 saves.
The Harrison boys won their respective Division II District Championship with a 2-1 win over Troy. Evan Esterkamp tallied a goal and assist, while Gaven Johnson and Logan Wagner added a goal and assist, respectively.
The girls team finished 17-2-1 while the boys team finished 18-1-1
FC Cincinnati Supporters' Shield to Makes Stop in Lawrenceburg
Former FC Cincinnati center back Yerson Mosquera (holding the shield) with midfielder Obinna Nwobodo. Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.
FC Cincinnati’s first Major League Soccer trophy was on display in Lawrenceburg in May.
Fans of the Orange & Blue got a chance to see the MLS Supporters’ Shield up close at the Lawrenceburg Public Library.
The Supporters’ Shield goes to the MLS team with the most points during the regular season. In 2023, FC Cincinnati topped the league with 69 points.
Attendees at the event were able to get a photo with the shield and learn more about local FC Cincinnati supporter groups.
South Ripley Baseball Star Commits to Goshen College
South Ripley's Henry, Ward Named District 3 Boys Basketball Players of the Week
Switzerland Co. Announces Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Local Sports Report - December 28, 2024
Lawrenceburg's Myers to Cheer at Thomas More
