Indiana University Athletics
IU Athletics April in Review
5/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
May 3, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The month of April offered many incredible experiences for IU Athletics. To pay tribute to the outstanding efforts given by the Hoosiers, IUHOOSIERS.com hits rewind to highlight what IU had to offer this past month.
Baseball
• Making his first collegiate start, sophomore right-hander Doug Fleenor flirted with history against Miami (Ohio) on April 25. Fleenor tossed a one-hit shutout - Indiana's first of the season - and carried a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings as he improved to 2-1 on the year. With a full count on Jon Franzese, the Miami catcher singled to right-center to end the no-hit bid in the seventh.
• The last time a Hoosier pitcher threw a no-hitter was Mark Gramer on April 25, 1984 in a 6-0 victory over Rose-Hulman. Fleenor used a total of 114 pitches to go the distance, striking out four batters and walking only one in the first nine-inning, complete-game shutout by a Hoosier since Chris Behrens blanked Northwestern, 7-0, in Bloomington on May 16, 2003. In addition, the last time a Hoosier threw a one-hitter came on April 8, 2000 when Brad Edwards shut down Northwestern, 2-0, in Bloomington.
• In splitting its four-game series at Penn State (April 28-30), Indiana earned a Big Ten road split for the first time since 2004. The last time the Hoosiers claimed a pair of victories in a conference road series came at Illinois on April 23-25.
• En route to the split, IU swept a Saturday Big Ten doubleheader for the first time since May 3, 2003, taking down the Nittany Lions, 3-0, in the nightcap following a 3-2, 11-inning victory in the opener. Coincidentally, Indiana also swept Penn State in University Park in 2003.
Football
• Former Indiana offensive tackle Isaac Sowells and defensive end Victor Adeyanju each took the next step in their respective NFL careers, as both former Hoosier standouts were selected in the 2006 NFL Draft on April 30. Sowells went to the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round (112th overall), while Adeyanju followed suit as the 113th overall pick to the St. Louis Rams.
• Former Indiana linebacker Kyle Killion signed a rookie free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Killion, who started the final 34 games of his Hoosier career and ranks sixth in school history with 323 career tackles, is among 18 former college standouts with an opportunity to make the Colts' roster.
• Former Indiana linebacker John Pannozzo signed a rookie free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Pannozzo is the fourth Hoosier to earn a professional playing opportunity in the last three days.
• Fifth-year senior quarterback Graeme McFarland recently earned induction into the national honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. McFarland is the first Indiana football player to garner induction since center Kevin Speer in 1981. Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and largest academic honor society, came into being on Dec. 5, 1776 at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
Men's Golf
• The Indiana men's golf team kicked off a dominant month of April with a victory at the Boilermaker Invitational followed by a runner-up finish at the Kepler Intercollegiate and another championship at the Fossum/Spartan Invitational. Heading into the final round with a four-shot lead, Indiana held off a loaded field for its second title of the season at the Fossum/Spartan Invitational. The Hoosiers carded a final-round 295 en route to its eighth title in head coach Mike Mayer's eight-year career. IU finished at 870 (292-283-295) to defeat the rest of the 12-team field featuring seven of the top-60 teams in the nation and eight Big Ten clubs. The Hoosiers defeated second-place Minnesota by four strokes and cleared Xavier and Illinois by five shots. The victory marked the first time since the 2003-04 season Indiana has won two championships in one campaign.
• Prior to the Fossum, IU claimed its first championship since the 2004 Xavier Invitational (Oct. 11-12), taking apart a strong 12-team field at the Boilermaker Invitational. IU finished the tournament at 882 (301-287-294), finishing 14 shots better than second-place Purdue (310-288-298) and 18 strokes ahead of third-place Notre Dame (307-300-293). Freshman Jorge Campillo joined exclusive company at the Boilermaker Invitational. The Caceres, Spain native collected his first career title by eight strokes to become the first Hoosier to win a tournament since Jeff Overton claimed medalist honors at the 2005 Big Ten Championships (May 6-8). What is even more impressive is he became the first true freshman to win an event since current assistant coach Josh Brewer was victorious at the 1995 Legends Intercollegiate.
• On the heels of Campillo's victory at the Boilermaker, freshman Seth Brandon shared medalist honors the following weekend at the Kepler Intercollegiate (April 15-16). Brandon tied Northwestern's Kyle Moore but dropped the second playoff hole.
Men's Tennis
• On April 15, the Hoosiers did something they haven't done in 21 years by winning in Minneapolis. IU defeated then-No. 38 Minnesota, 5-2, to snap a 13-match losing streak against the Golden Gophers. It marked the first win over Minnesota in Minneapolis since April 6, 1985. It also was the first win over Minnesota since a 4-3 victory on Feb. 21, 1997 in Bloomington. The win also was the second this season against a top-40 opponent on the road for the Hoosiers.
• The Hoosiers moved up to their highest ranking of the season on two occasions in the month of April. Indiana finished the month ranked No. 58 in the May 1 Fila/ITA Rankings after also earning the post on April 18. The Hoosiers moved back into the poll for the first time in over a month at No. 66 on April 4. It was the first appearance in the poll since IU fell from the rankings on March 1.
• Senior Dmytro Ishtuganov continued to ascend the singles rankings during the month of April. After garnering his first career ranking at No. 112 on April 18, the Kiev, Ukraine native moved up to No. 108 in the May 1 Fila/ITA Rankings.
• Senior Neil Kenner has been on a tear recently for the Hoosiers, winning his last 10 singles matches at the No. 4 position. In the Hoosiers' match against No. 4 Ohio State on April 7, the Dallas, Texas, native claimed the lone point for IU with a three-set victory over Ross Wilson, 6-4, 2-6, 10-8. He rallied from a 5-3 deficit to claim the third-set super tiebreaker. Against Michigan State on April 21, Kenner did not drop a game in singles or doubles, claiming 6-0, 6-0 and 8-0 wins, respectively. He closed out the month with back-to-back wins over Michigan to bump his season mark to 19-9. He also leads the team with a 7-2 Big Ten mark.
• Senior Dmytro Ishtuganov knocked off three ranked opponents during the month of April to bring his season total to four. Ishtuganov defeated then-No. 101 Nick Rinks of Michigan State, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 10-5, on April 21. In the span of three weeks, Ishtuganov also defeated a pair of top-60 foes. After not playing well in doubles against Minnesota, the Kiev, Ukraine native turned it around in singles with a straight-set victory over then-No. 59 D.J. Geatz. On April 2, Ishtganov defeated then-No. 51 Christian Tempke of Northwestern in straight sets. After winning the first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6, Ishtuganov rolled though Tempke, 6-2, in the second to claim the victory.
• Senior Dmytro Ishtuganov was one of 12 players to garner All-Big Ten honors the Big Ten announced on April 27. Ishtuganov became the 36th Hoosier to earn all-league laurels, and 15th on 23 occasions under the direction of head coach Ken Hydinger. Senior Neil Kenner also received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award nomination for Indiana.
• The month of April saw four different Hoosiers earn their 20th wins on the season. It marked the first time since the 1999-2000 season that IU had four 20-win singles players. In wins over Iowa and Minnesota, sophomore Dara McLoughlin and senior Dmytro Ishtuganov became the first Hoosiers to eclipse the 20-win plateau this season. McLoughlin won his 20th with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Iowa's J.P. Ritchie on April 14, while Ishtuganov accomplished the feat in style with a straight-set, 6-3, 6-3, win over then-No. 59-ranked D.J. Geatz of Minnesota on April 15. Sophomore Michael McCarthy and junior David Bubenicek became the last duo to join the 20-win club along with senior McCarthy and Bubenicek notched their 20th singles victories in the Hoosiers' 6-1 victory over Michigan State on April 21.
Rowing
• All-American Laura Lazaridis has been invited to the U.S. Under 23 Selection Camp in Berkeley, Calif., from June 5-29. From this group of athletes, the US Under 23 National Team will be selected to race at the Under 23 National Championships this summer in Hazewinkel, Belgium from July 20-23.
• The first novice 8 shell of freshman Madison Spruell (cox), freshman Ashley Johnson (stroke), junior Kourtney Beckham, freshman Jenn Maslanka, freshman Jamie Spoto, sophomore Kiri Crane, freshman Jessica Keller, freshman Brittany Billingsley and freshman Kelsey Kapral (bow) made history for the Hoosiers at the 2006 Big Ten Championships in St. Paul, Minn., on April 29. Overall, the 1N8 boat shattered IU's record of fourth place set a variety of times, most recently at the 2004 edition, with a second-place performance at the league regatta held on Lake Phalen.
• Additionally, senior Laura Lazaridis claimed first team All-Big Ten honors to become the first three-time All-Big Ten selection in program history. Meanwhile, junior Betsy Hibbard captured second team All-Big Ten accolades from the conference, while Junior Stacey Young earned Indiana rowing's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award nomination.
• The first novice 8 continued its remarkable season with the third seed in its division at the Big Ten Championships. That selection marked the highest in school history.
• Overall, the novice have provided a positive glimpse into the near future for the Hoosiers with several records under their belt this season. Both novice eights set school standards for head-to-head victories in a season as the first novice 8 posted a 10-2 record. That win total surpassed the previous program standard of seven set in 2003-04, and is the first double-digit win total in school history in any division. Meanwhile, the second novice 8 boasted a 7-3 resume of its own. That win total far eclipses the previous school standard of three set in 2001-02.
Softball
• The Indiana softball team made in the Big Ten Conference during the month of April. Opening the conference season with the toughest schedule, the Hoosiers were able to contend with some of the best in the conference, while keeping their postseason hopes alive.
• During the month, senior Mariangee Bogado and junior Rachel Terry earned Big Ten accolades, bringing IU's total to three on the year, a feat unmatched since IU grabbed three in 1996. The Hoosiers also moved their home run total to 37, setting an IU record in the category, surpassing 2004's mark of 35.
• Bogado paced the Hoosiers from the circle, earning all of Indiana's Big Ten wins of six, while senior pitcher Megan Roark proved to be pivotal in non-conference affairs. From the plate, senior right fielder Lauren Hines continued her dominance pacing the Hoosiers with a .423 batting average.
Track and Field
• The Hoosiers opened April at their first of two home outdoor meets, the Indiana Relays. Despite anything-but-springlike conditions, four Hoosiers (David Neville-200m, Ryan Smith-400m hurdles, Courtney Johnson-100m hurdles and Lorian Price-100m hurdles) met regional-qualifying times at the meet.
• The team parted ways the weekend of April 14-15 as some of the team traveled west to Walnut, Calif., for the Mt. Sac Relays and some ventured south for the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn. In impressive 11 Hoosiers punched their ticket in 13 events to the NCAA Regional Meet in Knoxville. Jeff Coover (pole vault), Wil Fleming (hammer throw), Stephanos Ioannou (110m hurdles), Kyle Jenkins (triple jump), Ryan Ketchum (discuss and shot put), Neville (200m and 400m), Larra Overton (1,500m), Candace Perry (long jump), Lorian Price (100m hurdles) and Ara Towns (100m) all advanced to the regional meet.
• IU closed the month at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa. The Hoosiers turned in impressive performances, including 16 top-10 finishes. At the Penn Relays, IU qualified both the 4x100m (Stephanos Ioannou, Wil Glover, Keith Heerdegen and Marcus Thigpen) and the 4x400m (Trey Warfield, David Neville, Ryan Smith and Doug Dayhoff) relay teams. Individually, Larra Overton met the regional standard in the mile, and Eric Redman met it in the 3,000m steeplechase.
Water Polo
• The Indiana water polo team finished the month of April with a 7-3 record. IU finished second at the Collegiate Water Polo Association Western Division Championship in Bloomington on April 22-23, falling in the title game, 4-3, to Michigan. The Hoosiers also took fifth at the CWPA Eastern Championship in Providence, R.I., on April 29-30, with a 2-1 record.
• A quartet of Indiana water polo players were recognized as CWPA All-Western Division selections at the conference championship banquet on April 28. Senior Janis Pardy and junior Brooke Zimmerman garnered first team honors, while junior Melissa Soria and sophomore Jackie Pyrz notched second team accolades. The four all-conference selections equaled the school record for the second straight season. In 2005, the Hoosiers had three first team choices and one second team honoree.
• On April 30 when Indiana defeated Brown, 10-8, in the fifth-place game of the CWPA Eastern Championship, it marked the 200th career victory in the career of head coach Barry King. In his nine years at the helm, the Hoosiers have averaged over 22 victories a season under King. The victory also was the final in the careers of the Hoosier senior class. The class of Courtney Livak, Clare Meadows, Bridget McKeon and Janis Pardy finished its career as the all-time winningest class in school history with 94 wins.
• Senior Janis Pardy established a school record for single-season assists. She finished with three helpers against Brown on April 30 to bring her season total to 47. The amount bettered the school mark of 45 held by Deb Simone during the 1999 season.
• In the Hoosiers' 13-9 victory over Sonoma State on April 9, junior Brooke Zimmerman equaled the school record and became the fourth IU player to record five assists in a contest. She tied the mark held by current teammate Kara Woolley (vs. Penn State-Behrend on March 27, 2004), Kim Steele (vs. Washington & Jefferson on April 20, 2002) and Deb Simone (vs. Santa Clara on March 13, 1999).
• Junior Melissa Soria earned first team CWPA All-Eastern Championship honors, the conference office announced. Soria helped the Hoosiers to a fifth-place finish at the championship in Providence, R.I., on April 29-30. She led the Hoosiers with eight goals during the three games of the tournament.
Women's Golf
• The Indiana women's golf team ended its 2005-06 campaign after a busy month of April. The Hoosiers began the month at the Illini Spring Invitational on April 14-15. Behind the strong and steady play of senior Shannon Johnson, IU finished fifth overall in the 16-team field. Johnson just missed yet another tournament title, finishing with a three-over par 147 (75-72), just one stroke behind tournament medalist Cathryn Bristow of Oregon. She would go on to earn her second Big Ten Women's Golfer of the Week for that performance, becoming the first Hoosier in school history to win the award twice in the same season.
• After a 13th-place finish at the Lady Buckeye Invitational on April 22-23, it was back to Bloomington where the Hoosiers hosted the Big Ten Championships for only the third time in school history. Thanks in large part to a pair of top-10 finishes from sophomore Elaine Harris (T-6th) and senior Shannon Johnson (T-8th), the Indiana women's golf team battled through tough weather conditions on its way to a sixth-place finish. This year's championships proved to be one of the best events in school history, as the Hoosiers' 72-hole 1,214 (300-292-301-321) ranked as the fifth-best four-round mark in IU lore. Indiana also made its way in the record books with the sixth-best 18-hole mark (292), seventh-best 36-hole mark (592) and fifth-lowest 54-hole mark (893) in program history. Furthermore, Johnson, who entered the tournament as the nation's 43rd-ranked player, earned All-Big Ten First Team recognition, while Harris garnered Indiana's Sportsmanship nominee.
Women's Tennis
• The Indiana women's tennis team improved its overall record by four in the month of April with impressive wins over Wisconsin (5-2), Ohio State (4-3), Minnesota (7-0) and Michigan State (6-1).
• IU head coach Lin Loring, now in his 29th season at Indiana, claimed his 300th career Big Ten win in a 5-2 victory over Wisconsin on April 2. Loring is both the winningest coach in college tennis and in the Big Ten.
• The Hoosiers closed the regular season with an overall record of 17-7 and a 7-3 mark in league play. IU's record yielded a No. 4 seed at the 2006 Big Ten Championships at the University of Illinois. Fourth-seeded Indiana fell to the No. 5 seed Purdue Boilermakers, 4-3, in the quarterfinals.
• Senior Sarah Batty added another accolade to her already impressive resume. The Chesterfield, England product was a unanimous All-Big Ten selection.
