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Fred Blanks - Northrop
Frederick
Blanks is a native of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and graduate of South Side High
School. He was an All-State runner for
South Side under (HOF) Coach Bill Walker and Coach Ron Fecher. He continued his running career at the
University of Louisville. Frederick
has been in administration and head track coach at Northrop High School for
over 35 year. Initially he was head
coach for boys cross country from 1986-1994, and girls head track coach from
1986-1998. Later he became boys head
track coach in 2007. During his
coaching career at Northrop High School, Coach Blanks guided his team to 21
Summit Athletic Conference Championships; 15 Sectional Championships; 11
Regional Championships; 2 State Runner-Up finishes; and 1 State Championship.
Coach Blanks was named ICGSA District Coach of the Year from 1990-1992; ICGSA
State Coach of the Year from 1991-1992; and IATCCC State Coach of the Year in
1991. Coach Blanks has coached 28
All-State athletes; 11 individual State Champions; 5 individual state
runners-up; 2 State Championship relay teams; 2 State Runner-up relay teams;
3 High School All-Americans; 2 Indiana Gatorade Athletes of the Year; and 2
athletes that were three time State Champions
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Marcia Carpenter - Wawasee
A
pioneer in Indiana’s Girls Athletics Association (GAA) and charter member of
the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association, Marcia Carpenter worked
nearly 20 years as a mentor, coach and as an Assistant Athletic Director to
create a level, competitive playing field for girls to develop leadership, sportsmanship,
and excellence as athletes and as women. As Wawasee’s first and only state
team champion coach, Carpenter led her team through 4 Sectional Championships
and 3 Regional Championships culminating in the Indiana Girls State Track
Championship in 1976. Her team broke state records in the 100 yard dash, 220
yard dash and the 440 yard relay. Standout Lorene Spearman went on to hold
the national high school 220 yard dash record. In this same period, Carpenter
coached Wawasee’s highly successful gymnastics program which also produced
multiple champion athletes.
Carpenter’s
formula for success included hard work, self-respect, and teamwork while
modeling ladylike behavior. Her athletes have gone on to lead teams of their
own on the playing field, at home, and in business fulfilling the early
promise of experience gained through competition and opportunity. More than
records and titles, Carpenter’s legacy is written in the confident lives of
her teams and the institutions she helped found and nurture.
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Talia Barwick - Ft Wayne Northrop - 1998
I
was first introduced to track and field in sixth grade. I remember going to a meeting with Coach
Stephans at Shawnee Middle School in Ft. Wayne and hearing him say that he
400 meter run was “The hardest race on the track”. Based on that description, that’s the race
I raised my hand for. From there on, I
always stepped up to the challenge. By
eighth grade, I was conference champion and a name people were starting to
recognize. My freshman year, Coach
Blanks had me in the 300 meter hurdles all season, as my main event. Right before Sectionals, he asked me to
switch to the 800 meter run due to him being afraid I would trip and not make
it to the state meet in the 300 hurdles.
Rising the challenge, I agreed.
I ended up winning Sectionals and Regionals and placing 6th
in the State. Sophomore year, after
defeating mononucleosis, I placed 4th in State, winning Sectionals
and Regionals. My junior year, I was
not able to compete. This was very
upsetting and gave me a lot of drive to train for my senior year. Rising to the challenge my senior year, I
was State Champion in the 800 meter run along with runner-up in the 1600
meter run and medaling the 4x400 (anchor) as well. I competed in the Midwest Meet of
Champions, where I was team captain and place 1st the 800 meter
turn and 3rd in the 4x400 (anchor). I then went on to compete in the National
Scholastic Meet in Boston, MA, where I placed 5th in the 800 meter
run. This earned me a full athletic
scholarship to Indiana State University.
I now reside with my husband and three children in Hendricks County.
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Vanneisha Ivy - Muncie Central - 2006
Vanneisha
Monique Ivy was born October 26, 1987 in Muncie, IN to her parent’s Richard
and Pamela Ivy. As a young athlete, Ivy earned 15 varsity letters while at
Muncie Central High School, competing in soccer, basketball, track and field,
and cheerleading. As a Central Bearcat Ivy's accomplishments include East
Central Indiana Spring Athlete of the Year for three consecutive years ('04,
'05, '06) giving her the nickname the "Queen of the Track," North
Central Conference Female Athlete of the Year ('06), four-time First Team
All-State (Track and Field: '03, '04, '05, '06), three time State Champion in
the 100 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles, State record holder in the 100
hurdles (13.96), and North Central Conference Honors in basketball and
soccer. Ivy continued her command as she studied and competed at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a Tar Heel, Ivy's notable
achievements include four-time NCAA All-American, two-time 60mh All-American
('09, '10), two time 100mh All-American ('09, '10), UNC school record holder
(60mh 8.10 100mh 13.06), three time All-Atlantic Coast Conference ('07,
'09, '10), third fastest 60m Dash in UNC history (7.48- '09), fifth fastest
indoor 200m Dash time in UNC history (23.95- '09), and four time USA
Championship Qualifier. After receiving a B.A. in Elementary Education, Ivy
pursued a professional track and field career. At 5'2", Ivy earned first
runner-up in 2012 USA Indoor National Championship (60mh) and competed at the
2012 World Indoor Championship (60mh) in Istanbul, Turkey. Presently, she is
a fourth grade teacher, founding a girls empowerment program called Foust
First Ladies (FFL). In addition, Ivy earned a "High Growth" Badge
('13, '14, '15) given to Mission Possible School teachers whose students
exhibit more than a year's worth of growth in one school year. Ivy is
continuing higher education at UNCG pursuing a Masters of Education (MEd) in
Reading Education and Administration.
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Kevin Craig - FW Wayne - 1998
2-Time
State Champ '95 in 200 at 21.80, '98 in 100 at 10.56; State Runner-Up '97 in
100 at 10.85
Only sprinter to win the 200m dash as a freshman. All-state in the
100 three times, 200 three times and the
4x100 relay two times. Voted the Track & Field Amateur of
the Year for the state of Indiana his senior year.
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Gustin Smith - FW Concordia Lutheran
- 2000
Gustin
was a 7 time All-State sprinter from Fort Wayne Concordia High School under
head coach Kent Fishel. He was a state champion in the 400 meter dash in his
senior year of 2000 in his first to ever compete in the event. This was also
the first year he ever ran the 400 meters under the tutelage of Coach Brad
Peterson. His time of 47.65 put him among the fastest ever for Indiana 400
runners in history. He was on three different 400 relay teams to place in the
top 3 at the state meet, including 1999 when he was on the state champion
relay team of 41.39, one of best times in state history. He was also all
state in the 100 meter dash and the 200 meter dash over the course of his
career. In 1998, he jumped a height of 6' 8.25" in the high jump at the
USATF Regional Championships. He reluctantly dabbled in the 800 meters indoors
with a personal best of 1:55, also the first year he ever attempted this
event. He was also on the All-American 3200 meter relay team in 2000 at Nike
Indoor Nationals for Concordia with a time of 7:56 as well as competing in
the 60 meter dash, making him one of the most versatile athletes in the state
of Indiana.
He
also helped lead Concordia to its first ever and only state championship in
school history in any sport when they won the state track and field meet in
1999. This still stands to this day. He was also on the state runner-up team
in 1997. Additionally, they were 7th in 1998 and 13th in 2000. Gustin and
Rolando Scott (2015 HOF inductee) were the stalwarts of the program for those
four years of excellence.
While
competing as a student athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he was
a member of 5 Big Ten Championship Teams both Indoor and Outdoor. He was a 7
time All-Big Ten sprinter and 2 time All-American. In 2002, he earned All-Big
Ten Honors in 200 meter dash, 400, and 1600 meter relays respectively. He
anchored the 400 meter relay team to a time of 39.82 qualifying for the NCAA
Championships in Baton Rouge, LA. He was also a team USA member competing in
the 2002 NACAC Championships. In 2003, he earned All-Big Ten Honors in the
400 meter dash, 400 & 1600 meter relays. He ran a leg on the 1600 meter
relay team that qualified for the NCAA Championships in the inaugural year of
the regional system.
In
2005, he relocated to Southern California to compete post collegiately.
Coached by Bob Kersee he jumped an indoor personal best of 25'5.5" in
the Long Jump in 2008, the 12th best mark in the United States. In 2009 he
then trained at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA under
coaches Dan Pfaff & Tonie Campbell.
He now resides in Los Angeles, CA where he works as a Photo Elements
Coordinator for the CBS show NCIS: New Orleans.
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Daniel Stockberger –
McCutcheon - 2007
2-Time
State Champ in 800 1:53.16 in '06 and 1:52.67 in '07. Also placed 6th at '06 state CC
helping team to podium finish. At
Indiana University: All-American – Indoor DMR 2010, 2011 and 2012, All-Big
Ten – 1500 meter 4th place – 3:42.98, Academic All-Big Ten Indoor
– 3 times, Outdoor – 3 times
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Ken Miller – Fort Wayne North Side
Ken
has contributed to the development of the IATCCC and to development of
Indiana high school track and field for over 50 years. He ran track at both
Southport High School and Ball State University, and then went on to coach
high school track and field at Muncie Central, Muncie Northside, and Fort
Wayne North Side. Upon his retirement, he continued to be involved in many
aspects of the sport.
In 1963 he started teaching at Muncie Central H.S. He was Jim Lambert’s
assistant coach in track and cross country. Together they developed a program
in cross country that produced a State Championship in 1967. In addition,
they developed an outstanding program in track which led to numerous young
men that qualified and/or won state championships.
In the summer of 1970, Ken transferred to the new Muncie Northside H.S, and
continued his efforts to develop a successful track and cross country
program. It is noted that when Northside opened it did not have four grades.
In-spite of having a limited number of juniors and no seniors, Northside was
able to win the prestigious Muncie Relays in the spring of 1971. This was
only the start of a program that almost immediately produced young men who
qualified and/or won state championships in track and cross country.
Consistently, the cross country teams competed successfully in outstanding
meets and in the State Finals.
While
at Northside, Ken not only worked with his athletes, but he realized that
some of the female athletes had tremendous potential, but next to no
coaching. Ken was able to develop a training program which produced several
state championships for Christy Rogers in distance events. He did this with
no recognition —he did it simply because he saw an athlete with great
potential who could become a champion with coaching and training.
In approximately 1976, Ken moved to Fort Wayne, IN, where he coached and
taught at Fort Wayne North Side. Again, he assisted in taking the program
forward in both cross country and track.
Further, Ken served as a television analyst and commentator for the Indiana
High School State Track Finals for several years. He was able to add his
insight and experience to assist the announcers who did not have his
background or knowledge in track events and track meets.
For approximately the past 20 years, Ken has contributed to numerous track
meets as a clerk of the course or in any other areas that he was needed. This
would include his leadership and involvement in the Hoosier Relays which
became the Hoosier State Relays, the Midwest Meet of Champions and numerous
other track meets in northern Indiana. Also, Ken has continued to work with
Ball State University as a clerk for the MAC Conference meets and regular
season meets. In the past, he worked with Indiana University in clerking
meets and assisting in other areas.
In addition, Ken has taken on a project for the Indiana Association of Track
and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame by collecting numerous track and cross
country uniforms for display at the HOF. In many cases, some of the schools
had closed or had been consolidated several years prior. Based on his
contacts in the track and cross country community, he has located numerous
uniforms that will be displayed—it has almost become an obsession with him.
Again, it demonstrates his commitment to the rich heritage of Indiana High School
sports of track, field, and cross country.
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Rene’ Matison – Gary Roosevelt - 1964
Rene’
was captain of the 1964 Gary Roosevelt State Champion Team and had previously
anchored the 1963 state championship mile relay. In 1964 after an undefeated season, Rene’
placed 3rd in the 440 yard dash and anchored the 2nd
place mile relay, his only 2 defeats of the year. Later that summer he was a USTFF gold
medalist.
Rene’
also anchored the Hoosier Relays Mile Relay Record in 1964 at 3:25.7 and is still
#25 all-time 400/440 time in Indiana at 47.8, being the first Indiana High
Schooler under 48 seconds.
Rene’
went on to a standout career for 4 years at the University of New Mexico,
where he was a 2-time All American. He
still holds the the UNM school record in the 100 yard dash at 9.4.
Rene’ was recognized by teammates and rivals as a true friend and team
player, Rene’ often sacrificed running events to allow fellow teammates the
chance to shine.
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Floyd Theus – Gary Roosevelt - 1960
The
talented yet unheralded, Floyd Theus, won 2 events and set 2 state records at
the 1960 state track meet on the cinder track at Arsenal Tech High
School. Running as an undefeated
senior, Floyd became the first Indiana High Schooler to break the 49 second
barrier, with his record setting time of 48.9 seconds. Floyd was also named a 1960 Scholastic
All-American.
His
second record of the day came as he anchored the mile relay. He moved from 3rd to 1st
on the backstretch and is said to have split 45 flat. This also sealed the 1960 team title for
Gary Roosevelt.
Floyd
earned a full track scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, but ruptured
his hamstring while winter training, which ended his career.
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Willie Lewis – Gary Tolleston - 1963
Willie
Lewis was a 2-time state champion in which he also set state records. As a junior Willie ran the lead off leg for
the Tolleston mile relay which broke the state meet record by 5.8
seconds. He was also named a
Scholastic All-American that season.
As
a senior at the state meet, Willie ran the 440 and the mile relay. He won the 440 in a new state record time
of 48.2 which was the 2nd fastest time in the nation that year
which again earned him Scholastic All-American honors. He anchored the Tolleston mile relay to a 2nd
place finish after getting the baton in 5th.
Willie
was recognized as the consummate team player, relinquishing individual
success as an underclassman to the upperclassmen, in the interest of being
with the first group of teammates in the buildup of Tolleston’s state
runnerup finishes in ’62 and ’64, then their first title in ’66.
Willie
attended Grambling College on a track scholarship.
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James Harris – Gary Roosevelt - 1962
James
was a 2-time state champion and individual record holder. As a senior he won the 880 in 1:54.4,
breaking the 1:55 barrier as he broke the state record by 1.2 seconds. His record held for 4 years until broken by
Gary Roosevelt athletes for 3 years in a row.
This
came after being the second leg on the National Scholastic leading mile relay
with a time of 3:15.7 in 1961, which was 2nd all-time in the
nation at the time. The time is still
in the top 4 in Indiana history. His
second position was Coach Don Leek’s theory of getting his fastest runner an
extra 10 yards at the beginning and end of his leg to maximize his
speed. They did not win the state meet
due to the outstanding record breaking performance of Tolleston that year,
but were a close 2nd.
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Lee Reedus – Gary Roosevelt - 1965
Lee
was a 2-time state champion in 1964. He won the 100 yard dash in 9.9 seconds and
anchored the winning 880 yard relay to a come from behind victory over
Froebel to secure the ’64 team title for Roosevelt. As a senior, Lee earned 3 state medals with
3rd in the 100, 2nd in the 220, and 3rd in the
880 relay. He had run 9.7 in the
regionals, but lost to Tolleston’s Tom Nichols at the state meet after
beating him all season.
Lee
was recognized by teammates and rivals as a consummate team player. After high school Lee attended North
Carolina Central College.
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