Before looking ahead to a new school year, the Journal Review sports department, with the help of the four area athletic directors, will recap some of the top moments from the past year.
First up, North Montgomery High School.
Kirsch leaves his mark in baseball history
Jarrod Kirsch definitely has a case to be called the greatest Charger pitcher to ever come through the program. The Wabash bound Kirsch holds seven career pitching records which include most career starts (44), shutouts (6), wins (24), innings pitched (231), batters faced (1,000), strikeouts (312), and no-hitters (3) while also holding the career record for walks with 99.
Since day one of his high school career, Kirsch has been a focal point of the Charger success as he’s been apart of 67 wins in his four years and had North Montgomery playing for a sectional title this past spring.
“I love the kid and I think he may be the best pitcher in our conference,” North Montgomery head coach Matt Voorhees said earlier this season. “Pretty much every game he goes out, he knows what he’s going to do and makes the adjustments he needs. Having eight seniors and the maturity on the field, and them having played together for so long, he trusts them and knows they will make plays behind him.”
Getting to play at the next level and more importantly getting to stay close to home was something that stood out to Kirsch as he decided to continue his career with the Little Giants.
“Wabash has always been close to me,” Kirsch said at his signing day. “I always found myself going to their games and when I talked with Coach (Jake) Martin, it felt like he really wanted me to be a Little Giant. Wabash is always a brotherhood and I’m really excited to get to be apart of that for the next four years.”
A tip of the cap to Kirsch for being one that not just Charger fans will remember, but Montgomery County will remember for the player he’s been these last four years.
Piper Ramey’s junior season one to remember
Junior Piper Ramey is one of the best athletes in the county period. Ramey took home co-volleyball player of the year with teammate Annabel Anderson, had another great season on the basketball court for an up and coming Charger team, and then capped it all off with another stellar softball season which earned her another player of the year honor.
Ramey set the school record for single season batting average with .565 while getting on base at .603 clip while striking out just three times.
“You don’t have Piper Ramey’s walk through your door every single day,” Charger softball coach Rob Earley said. “She’s such a calming presence for this team. When things aren’t going well our girls look to her to get things back on track. We all know what she’s capable of at the plate. She’s just a special player that all coaches dream of being able to have on their team. Her personality makes things that much better whether that be in the dugout or out there on the field with these girls.”
Softball is Ramey’s primary sport but she fits the definition of the word “athlete” to a tee. She’s been a staple of every single one of her teams and with a senior season ahead of her, there’s more success for her on the horizon.
Girls swimming captures first SAC title since 1993
The North Montgomery girls swim and dive team put it all together this past winter. Their overall depth and talent was showcased in nearly every single meet they competed in. Saturday, July 13 the Chargers captured their first Sagamore Conference title since 1993 and just their second SAC crown in school history by narrowly defeating county rival Crawfordsville by just 10 points (419-409).
The team was filled with talent with the likes of Annabel Anderson, Kylie Sankey, Dusty Robinson, Brooklyn Kearns, and Kate Merica leading the way and it didn’t take Charger coach Erin Yeager very long to realize she had a special team on her hands.
“It was when we were about 5 or 6-0 and I really started to think that we could do some great things,” Yeager said after the SAC title. “We built off that early season success and we have a great group of girls who want to get better, take instruction very well and now it’s paid off for every single one of them. Their mental toughness was phenomenal. They’ve stepped up and worked together in ways that as I coach I’m amazed to see. It’s a proud moment for this team, this group of girls and for North Montgomery swimming.”
Volleyball claims county title
Taylor Dyson is building something with North Montgomery Volleyball. Go all the way back to the fall and for the first time since 2017, the Chargers brought home the county title. Dyson was a member of the 2017 squad as she now got to be apart of another county title this time as a coach.
The 12 wins the Chargers had in the fall also match their most wins in a season since that 2017 year. As stated earlier, Anderson and Ramey led the way by being named co-volleyball players of the year.
“We had a great year,” Dyson said after their sectional loss to powerhouse West Lafayette. “There’s so much to look forward to already for next season and I’m ready to get started with these girls again.”
The Chargers bring back a majority of their county title team as they lose two starters in Anderson and Ella Fritzen. Led by Dyson and a core group of returning players, North will be in search for another county title and even more success this fall.
Golf sees another successful season on the links
The North Montgomery boys golf team has now qualified for the Regional in back to back seasons. This past year the Chargers also added the county title to what they’ve accomplished in what’s been a successful two years. This season the Chargers depth showed as they were led by co-golfer of the year in Neal Jeffery while also having the likes of Alex Chapman, Beckett Martin, Rohen Barnes, and Kelby Harwood provide a steady presence throughout the lineup.
In addition to a second straight Regional appearance and their county title, the Chargers also finished as the runner-ups in the SAC.
“Our depth is awesome,” Ryker said after his team won the county title. “In our two matches this week leading up to county we had nine different guys shoot in the 40’s our of our 13. When you have that many guys who can put up scores like that, it makes us a hard team to beat especially in this area. Alex, Rohen, and Beckett and I’m all super proud for picking up for Neal who had an off night. I have all the confidence in the world that he’ll bounce back. To win a county title is a pretty special feeling and these kids have earned it.”
With the Chargers losing just one senior in Chapman, North will once again be formidable when they hit the links again next spring.
