Parents, athletes and coaches from the Portage High School athletic department gathered on Monday night to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the teams this season. The 372 wins accumulated by all of the Portage teams during this school year, well over the goal of 250, is evidence of the success of the program.
“This has been the best year, record wise, success wise and state recognition wise, for all of our sports in the past ten years,” PHS athletic director Jeff Smith said.
Principal Caren Swickard spoke during the banquet to provide her thoughts. She talked about how hard the athletes work all year around in order to be ready when the spring season comes.
“Whenever I went down to the field house in January, there they were already practicing and working out,” Swickard said.
The head coaches of each of the six varsity teams stepped to the microphone to deliver a brief season recap and present awards to their athletes. Boys track and field coach John Kappas honored Casey Newcomb, Cameron Eaton and Vince Fischer as three year letter winners and DeAndre Jackson and Jeremy Anderson as four year letter winners. Senior Alvin Best was named the squads most valuable player by virtue of his appearance in the state meet.
“This is the most talented and hardworking group I’ve worked with in my 19 years here,” Kappas said.
The boys finished with a 6-1 conference record and captured the sectional title on their home turf before placing third in the regional. The girls track and field squad also had a strong year, highlighted by the fourth state title for shot putter Tori Bliss. Bliss also notched the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award in the state meet becoming just the sixth Portage athlete to ever do so. Head girls track coach presented Bliss with the MVP award during Monday night’s banquet. Bliss was joined on the squad by fellow four year letter winners Christina Del Turco and Kristy Evans, in addition to Jawanza Woods and Ashley Smith, who each have earned three letters. Evans accompanied Bliss in the state meet, where she competed in the 100 meter dash. She was the first lady-Indian to ever go to state in that event.
The varsity baseball team posted an astounding record of 25-8 this season, finishing in second place in both the Merrillville Sectional and the Duneland Athletic Conference. This was the third straight winning season for the Indians, a mark that Portage had not reached in over 20 years. Tony Cheky, who has a scholarship to play for Michigan State University next season, was named the team’s MVP. Mike Brunner was recognized as a four year letter winner, while Cody Jackson was honored for his three letters.
“We did a lot of good things this year. We’re close and we’re going to get there,” head coach Tim Pirowski said.
The varsity softball club concluded the year with a 19-7 mark. Eight players on the team had a batting average over .300, and two of those ladies hit upwards of .400.
“While we did have a great year, we were a little disappointed with the conference record of 8-6,” said head coach Gil Arzola.
Arzola added that the current freshman class is the most talented one he has ever coached, so things bode well for the future of the program. Kylie Someson received her accolade as a three year letter winner. Natalie Korpak and Kristen Ashby were commended for their four varsity letters. Ashby was also named the team’s MVP.
Boys varsity golf is the only Portage sport left competing. The Indians placed second in the Valparaiso Sectional last week to qualify for the regional for the first time since 2002. They will battle in the LaPorte Regional this coming weekend. The talented quartet of Paul Shane, Nate Smock, Tim Talley and Jack Lewis all earned three varsity letters. Lewis took home the MVP plaque for this season.
“Our parents really helped make everything possible this year. I have other coaches ask me how I do it, and I tell them that it is because of the help from the parents,” head coach Dick Kretz said.
The final speaker to present was girls tennis coach Joe White. He delivered the longest and most entertaining presentation of the night. White told story after story of the good times the girls tennis squad had in 2011. The Indians finished with a 10-5 record. Number one singles player Carly Bermes was commended as a three year letter winner, finishing her career with a record of 48-6. Bermes’ impressive resume also earned her the team’s MVP honor.
Smith closed out the banquet by delivering some thoughts about the World Wiffleball Classic. He commended the students for the fantastic job they do putting the event together without much adult help.
The Portage High School teams will shoot to continue to improve upon their varsity win total each year.