Penn’s quest for a second consecutive state championship in high school girls basketball came up short, as Northridge scored a 48-39 victory against the Kingsmen on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Freshman Reganne Pate led the Kingsmen with 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Penn’s only senior, Lindsy Kline, scored eight points. Sara Doi scored seven points, and Chloe Foley scored six points.

Coach Kristi Kaniewski Ulrich’s Kingsmen finished the season with a 20-5 record, a remarkable accomplishment considering Penn only had one senior and three juniors on the roster, and had six freshmen on the roster. Penn graduated six student-athletes from last season’s team who are currently playing college athletics. 

PENN 39: Chloe Foley 6, Kelsi Carrico 0, Victoria Smith 0, Sara Doi 7, Reganne Pate 13, Makenzie Kilmer 0, Antreese Shelton 5, Lindsy Kline 8.

Northridge 48: Melinda Bontrager 4, Julaine Miller 3, Morgan Litwiller 2, Brooke McKinley 21, Carah Christner 3, Marci Miller 4, Meghan Cawood 0, Ayla Gray 0, Sierra Miller 0, Ashley Beckler 0, Kelsey Brickner 11.

PENN             8          16        24        39

Northridge     11        22        33        48

Three-pointers: Penn 6 (Pate 3, Foley 2, Doi 1), Northridge 4 (McKinley 3, Christner 1).

Penn High’s defending state champion Girls Basketball team eliminated Elkhart Central 45-28, on Friday, Feb. 3, to advance to the Class 4-A Sectional Championship game at Goshen. Penn will play the winner of the Warsaw-Northridge game.

Coach Kristi Kaniewski Ulrich’s Kingsmen will seek their seventh consecutive Sectional Championship. The tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night at Goshen.

Penn will take a 20-4 record in the championship game. Elkhart Central finishes at 12-11.

Penn’s only senior, Lindsy Kline, led the Kingsmen with 19 points.

Junior point guard Sara Doi scored 13 points, and freshman Reganne Pate hit a pair of 3-pointers for six points.

Penn unleashed a stifling defense on Central. The Kingsmen shut out the Blue Blazers in the first quarter, and didn’t allow a field goal in the first 14 minutes and 16 seconds of the game.

Penn’s victory was its 26^th in a row against Elkhart Central.

PENN 45: Chloe Foley 0, Kelsi Carrico 0, Victoria Smith 3, Sara Doi 13, Reganne Pate 6, Makenzie Kilmer 2, Anne Goralczyk 2, Antreese Shelton 0, Marissa Trewhella 0, Lindsy Kline 19, Delayne Sanchez 0, Caroline Morris 0.

ELKHART CENTRAL 28: Katey Gaff 0, Mady Miller 0, Julee Miller 0, Trinitee Harris 11, Jordan Ware 2, Jayda Miller 0, Kristen Hunt 8, Abbey Miller 0, Tylar Roberson 7, Lauren Kollat 0, MaKayla Roundtree 0, Raleyah Ross 0, Aujanae Miller 0.

Penn                          6          23        33        45

Elkhart Central         0          6          18        28

Three-pointers: PENN 7 (Doi 3, Pate 2, Smith 1, Kline 1), Elkhart Central 2 (Hunt 2).

hart Central 2 (Hunt 2).

Penn High School Fine Arts Academy leader Glenn Northern announced that 21 students from Penn High School were recently selected to participate in the 2017 Indiana All State Band. The 21 selections more than doubles Penn’s previous best of 10 students earning the coveted distinction, and the 21 selections for the 2017 All-State Band is the most for one school.

Penn students named to the All-State Band were:

Michelle Tapp, Senior, Flute & Piano

Emma Leidy, Sophomore, Oboe & English Horn

Shurun Kim, Junior Clarinet

Chris Mazurek, Junior, Clarinet

Emily Schlundt, Sophomore, Clarinet

Ryan Klinedinst, Senior, Clarinet

Taya Tu, Senior, Contra-Alto Clarinet

Gannon Bennett, Junior, Trumpet

Nick Casetti, Junior, Trumpet

Hillary Carnall, Senior, French Horn

Peter Lehmann, Senior, Trombone

Ashton Hershberger, Junior, Trombone

Carly Carnall, Freshman, Trombone

Jacob Forte, Senior, Euphonium

Angel Muro, Senior, Tuba

Madison Simpkins, Senior, Tuba

David Richards, Junior, String Bass

Peter Campeau, Freshman, String Bass

Kendra Fuelling, Junior, Percussion

Michelle Miramontes, Senior, Percussion

Anna Vukmirovich, Senior, Percussion

These twenty-one students were selected from among 500 candidates through a highly competitive audition process held in early January.

Students in the All-State Bands are assigned to one of two bands: the All-State Band and the All-State Honor Band. One hundred seventy outstanding high school band members have been selected for participation in the 2017 Festival. Captain Michelle Rakers, from the United States Marine Band in Washington D.C. will conduct the Honor Band. Mr. Alfred Watkins from Lassiter High School in Georgia will conduct the All State Band.

All members will participate in a series of activities including seating auditions, sectionals, and full rehearsals from Friday, March 10, through Sunday, March 12. A grand finale concert will be presented to the public on Sunday, March 12, at 2:30 p.m. in the Elliot Hall of Music on the Purdue University campus. 

Penn’s Girls Swimming team turned in first-place efforts in six of the 11 events in the preliminary round of the Sectional on Thursday, Feb. 2. 

Kayla Molnar placed first in the 200-yard freestyle and 500 freestyle.

Meagan Ronci placed first in the 100 freestyle.

Kionna Clayton placed first in the 100 breaststroke.

Penn’s 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay were also first.

South Bend Riley had three firsts, and South Bend St. Joseph had two firsts.

The Diving is at 9 a.m. at Penn on Saturday, and the Swim Sectional is at 1 p.m. at Penn on Saturday.

Penn High’s defending state champion girls basketball team opened the Class 4-A state tournament with a 53-28 victory against sectional host Goshen on Tuesday.

Point guard Sara Doi scored 19 points – including 12-of-12 free throws in the fourth quarter – to lead the Kingsmen attack.

Penn’s lone senior, Lindsy Kline, scored 18 points.

Penn connected on 21-of-26 free throws, including 17-of-18 in the final quarter.

Reganne Pate scored 10 points for the Kingsmen.

Penn (19-4) returns to Goshen for sectional semifinal play on Friday at 6 p.m. against Elkhart Central (12-10). Goshen’s season ends at 8-15.

PENN 53: Chloe Foley 0, Kelsi Carrico 0, Victoria Smith 0, Sara Doi 19, Reganne Pate 10, Makenzie Kilmer 3, Anne Goralczyk 0, Antreese Shelton 2, Marissa Trewhella 0, Lindsy Kline 18, Delayne Sanchez 0, Caroline Morris 1.

Goshen 28: Ashton Ellis 7, Josie Walters 4, Jordan Nemeth 2, Megan Harmelink 0, Aylissa Trosper 6, Regan Mast 3, Maggie Gallagher 4, Lizzy Kirkton 2, Hailey Mast 0, Nyla Dean 0, Remya Johnson 0, Breanna Boocher 0.

PENN        14     10     8       21 – 53

Goshen     6       3       7       12 – 28

Three-pointers: PENN 5 (Pate 2, Doi 1, Kilmer 1, Kline 1), Goshen 2 (Walters 1, Ellis 1).

Penn High School sophomore Noah Applegate scored a career-high 33 points, but the Kingsmen suffered a 78-69 loss to No. 7 South Bend Riley on Thursday, Feb. 2.

Riley improved to 15-0 overall and 8-0 in the Northern Indiana Conference.

Penn is 8-8 overall and 5-3 in the NIC.

Applegate, a 6-foot-5 wing, scored his 33 points on 10-of-17 shooting and a perfect 13-of-13 free throws.

Senior point guard Brian Doslak scored 11 points for Penn.

Riley's Damezi Anderson scored 21 points, and Maurice Scott, Jr. scored 18 points.

PENN 69: Drew Lutz 6, Drew Schneider 2, Brian Doslak 11, Beau Ludwick 5, Noah Applegate 33, Noah Krathwohl 3, Matthew McCown 3, Connor Schneider 6.

Riley 78: Maurice Scott, Jr. 18, Jalen Jennings 4, Shamar Dillard 13, Damezi Anderson 21, Roland Austin 6, Rylan Grundy 3, Nate Marino 2, Marlon Taylor 8, Ty'Juan Reid 3.

PENN          16   12   14   27 – 69

Riley             19   17   19   23 – 78

Three-pointers: PENN 4 (Doslak 3, Ludwick 1); Riley 3 (Scott 1, Dillard 1, Anderson 1).

Coach Brad Harper’s Penn Boys Wrestling team won its seventh consecutive Sectional championship on Saturday, Feb. 3.

Nine Kingsmen captured individual Sectional championships.

Seniors Kory Cavanaugh (113) and Jarod Swank (170) became only the eighth and ninth three-time Sectional champions in Penn history.

No. 4-ranked Cavanaugh stuck Brendon Mark of Mishawaka in 1:21 in the championship round.

Swank, ranked No. 6, won a colossal battle against No. 5 Tavonte Malone of South Bend Adams, posting a 6-2 decision.

Junior Tanner DeMien rolled through the 120 competition with three pins to win the championship. Ranked No. 10 in Indiana, DeMien also became a three-time Sectional champion. He won his first two Sectional crowns at NorthWood.

Evan White (106), Jeffrey Harper (126), Haden Hensley (145), Dustin Hochstedler (195) and Will Vakalahi (220) also walked off the mat as Sectional champions.

Penn’s Sectional champions, runners-up Trace Manspeaker (138), Rockne Hurley (160) and Max Chaffee (182), along with third-place Noah Brown (152) and fourth place Hezzy DeVault (220) advance to the Regional championships on Saturday at Rochester (9 a.m. start).

Penn is the only school in the Rochester Regional to advance all 14 wrestlers.

The Kingsmen will be taking aim at a seventh consecutive Regional championship.

NCAA Signing Day features nine student-athletes from Penn High School

PARKER ADKINS

Indiana Wesleyan University

As a 6-foot-0, 200-pound force at linebacker, Parker Adkins helped continue a proud tradition for the Penn High School football program. Now, he will help start a football program at Indiana Wesleyan.

“I wanted to be a part of the first team at IWU, and start a new tradition with a good group of guys,” Adkins said. “IWU allows me to play football while getting a Christian education, at the collegiate level. Another thing that attracted me was the brand new facilities they are putting in for football and a new stadium.”

In 2016, Adkins had five tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and 35 tackles for the Kingsmen.

A two-year starter for Penn’s ‘Wild Bunch’ defense, Adkins helped lead the Kingsmen to a State runner-up finish in 2015 and a Semi-state appearance in 2016.

“Penn Football has matured me greatly and taught me how to act on and off the field,” Adkins said. “Penn football as made me mentally stronger and physically more capable.

NATE BOONE

Dartmouth College

Nate Boone, defensive end for the Kingsmen, has decided to carry on his football career at Dartmouth College. Dartmouth is a private Ivy League school located in Hanover, New Hampshire. Boone was second QB sacks with 7 this season for Penn, adding 8 tackles for loss, and 7 QB pressures. He had 30 tackles and a caused fumble.

Boone was an impact player for the Kingsmen.

“I am excited for the opportunities that Dartmouth provides academically and athletically.” Boone said, “I am also looking forward to a chance to play against my old QB, Cam Bohn.” (ex-Penn quarterback Camden Bohn currently plays football at Harvard University)

Boone stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds. As he is one of the largest and strongest players on the team, he still manage to get a 4.7-second 40-yard dash time. Dartmouth will take advantage of Boone’s size at speed on the defensive line.

“Work ethic, drive, great leader by example, on and off the field,” Penn head coach Cory Yeoman said in describing Boone.

Yeoman believes Boone will thrive at Dartmouth, because he is “intrinsically motivated.” “I am real excited to see what Nate does career-wise, but more excited to see what he does after he graduates from Dartmouth, and see what kind of man he will be. I know he is going to be a great dad. He will do great things in this world.”

JARED HANCOCK

St. Joseph’s College

A three-year starter, Hancock kicked three field goals and 47 extra points his senior season.

Hancock chose St Joe because, "The football team has had success the past few seasons and I can't wait to be part of it."

Hancock said that Penn football has helped him be ready for the next level.

"The coaches pushed me to become a better player on the field and in the weight room,” Hancock said."  

The special teams weapon for the Kingsmen is pursuing a life-long dream.

"Playing college football has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Hancock said. “Now that I have the opportunity to have a fresh start and new teammates is great feeling."

​

MATT KOMINKIEWICZ

University of St. Francis

A 5-foot-8, 165-pound wide receiver, Kominkiewicz led Penn with 36 receptions for 545 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016. He also scored four touchdowns on punt returns and one touchdown on a kickoff return.

“I've been around Saint Francis since I was 11 years old watching my brother (Brandon) play,” Kominkiewicz said. “I realized the football team was like a family. The football team has had a lot of success in NAIA, they won the 2016 NAIA National Championship.

Kominkiewicz started on Penn’s baseball team last season for coach Greg Dikos, and was on the 2015 state championship baseball squad.

“I'm ready for the challenge,” Kominkiewicz said. “I know the obligations of being a two-sport athlete, and I need to focus on my academics a little bit more and work harder in the weight room. Penn has definitely prepared me to compete at the collegiate level.

“Coach Cory (Yeoman) and Coach Dikos both have had their share of competing at the collegiate level, and they run practices like a college program would, pushing athletes to give their all, which will contribute to their readiness for the next level,” Kominkiewicz said. “I'm excited for the challenge ahead of me, it's going to be a fun experience!”

CONNOR SCHNEIDER

Northern Illinois University

Penn defensive end Connor Schneider (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) has officially committed to Northern Illinois University to play football. Schneider was first-team all-Northern Indiana Conference and help Penn earn three conference titles, three Final Four appearances and one state championship game appearance in his career.

“I chose Northern Illinois because it was a great fit for me academically and for football,” Schneider said. “It's a great opportunity it has always been a dream of mine to play Division I football.”

Schneider rocked opposing quarterbacks for seven sacks in 2016, and had 11 tackles for losses.

“Northern Illinois has been a very successful program recently” Schneider said. “They have won many MAC Championships and went to the Orange Bowl recently, along with many other bowl games.”

Schneider said that playing football at Penn is a great stepping stone to the competition he will face in the Mid-American Conference.

“Penn Football has given me the opportunity to play against many great teams and players, which will help me in college,” Schneider said.

KRISTIN HOLT

Grace College

Holt earned first-team all-Northern Indiana Conference honors, and helped lead the Kingsmen to a state finals appearance.

“I chose Grace because I felt it was the best all around fit for me academically, athletically and spiritually,” Holt said.

“Penn has prepared me to play collegiate golf by giving me an opportunity to compete in all of the tournaments which allowed me to improve my game to where I was able to be recruited to play at the next level,” Holt said.

SAVANNAH DAY

Trine University

Day will continue her academic and athletic careers at Trine University.

Day has been a member of the Penn Girls Soccer program for four seasons, and was a senior leader on this past season’s state championship team.

“I visited the campus last summer and fell in love with the atmosphere at Trine,” Day said about choosing Trine. “The head coach and his coaching staff were the main deciding factors.”

Day, who carved out a reputation as a lockdown, aggressive defender, also spoke about how much the Penn program helped mold her into a college caliber soccer player.

“The competitiveness in the Penn program makes every player better, and is one of the reasons Penn Girls Soccer consistently plays at the state level,” Day said.

ALEXIS HERNANDEZ

Bethel College

Hernandez, who played in the Penn Girls Soccer Program for three seasons, will wear the Blue and White colors of the Bethel Pilots next season.

“It's an honor to get to play at the collegiate level,” Hernandez said. “It's something I've always wanted to achieve as a soccer player.

“I decided on Bethel because I knew I would get a great intentional education in a smaller school. I also wanted to attend a school that would help build my faith. Bethel College is a school that meet all of those areas for me.”

Penn coach Jeff Hart said that Hernandez will be able to make a significant contribution to the Bethel program.

“Alexis has a very deep understanding of the game,” Penn Girls Soccer coach Jeff Hart said. “She has great vision on the field, and understands what plays need to be made from the midfielder position.”

LILLIE LEDBETTER

Sauk Valley Community College

Ledbetter, an outfielder, played in 15 games for the Kingsmen softball that reached the state championship game last season.

“I chose Sauk Valley because as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew that this was where I wanted to spend my next two years,” Ledbetter said. “The coaching staff is absolutely amazing and Sauk has a great nursing program.”

Ledbetter will play in the same conference – the Arrowhead Athletic Conference – as her sister Emma, who plays for Kankakee Community College.

“I'm actually really excited for it!” Ledbetter said of playing against her sister. “I can't wait to see what the outcome of the game will be!”

Ledbetter said that Penn’s academics and the softball program have been essential in her development.

“I would've never been able to reach my goal without the help of Penn Softball, to teach me how to work hard and stay disciplined and organized,” Ledbetter said. “While at Penn, I maintained an overall 3.8 GPA and was on the high honor roll all four years.”

Penn softball coach Beth Zachary said that Ledbetter will contribute greatly to the Sauk Valley program.

"Lillie has consistently been a quiet and focused leader for us,” Zachary said. “She works hard and sets a great example for younger players in our program. We are looking for Lillie to do big things for us this Spring. Lillie's college team is lucky to have her; we are so proud of her!"

Penn High School’s Talent will be on display on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts. The cost is $5 a person.

According to Talent Show organizer Michael Coffee, the Talent Show is intended to be an opportunity for our entire Penn High School community to exhibit their talents. There are very talented students and staff members beyond the confines of those who participate in Fine Arts classes, and the vision was to allow the talent show to represent every corner of Penn High School.

“It is a wonderful event because of the acts that we do get to see,” Mr. Coffee said. “Every show often includes at least two acts that are dark horse, out of nowhere surprises. Who knew that girl had those pipes, or who knew that those guys were so funny? That's what's truly valuable about the experience and opportunity.”

Coffee hopes to expand the Talent Show into different areas. Singing is one of the most popular entries, but the door is open for different acts.

“As one of the Thespians whom I asked to perform her monologue said, "I didn't think that's what the Talent Show was all about."

“We need to avoid letting our assumptions of what a Talent Show is supposed to include inform what the talent show looks like,” Mr. Coffee said. “If someone wanted to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich over a tarp like we'd see on Food Network, I think that could make for an interesting segment.”

The current Talent Show line-up:

• Joey Krachenfels (9th grader) is performing a piano piece titled, "Battle at the Summit."
• Nathan Van Meter (10th grader) is performing an original song titled, "Why?", and possibly a cover of "Say Something."
• Amber Matve (10) returns this year with a cover of "Impossible."
• Marrs Walter (10) performs "Burn" from the musical Hamilton.
• Sydney Cole sings, and Katie Lo accompanies (both Sophomores) on a song that has not yet been solidified.
• Will Vakalahi (12) and Moa Alovili (11) perform "Wade in Your Water."
• Grant Brenner (12) returns with a medley of "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" and "True Love Will Find You in the End."
• Darius Sohrab (12) also returns with an original of "November's Fury."

Penn High School’s Debate Team turned in its strongest showing at the District Tournament on Jan. 20-21 in Plymouth, qualifying eight students for the Nationals in June in Birmingham, Ala.

Zoe Gatzimos, Will Riley, Nicholas Casetti and Renee Yaseen qualified for Nationals in Policy Debate.

Annie Zakrzewski and Bryce Yoder earned a trip to Nationals in Public Forum Debate.

Hannah Smith qualified for Nationals in in Lincoln – Douglas Debate, and Colin Lucero-Dixon qualified in Congressional Debate.

Next up for the Kingsmen Debaters is the state finals on Jan. 27-28 in Kokomo.

“Our students look forward to this month particularly, because it has two of our most important competitions, district and state,” Dutton said. “They peaked at the right time. They’ve made steady progress and then dominated at the District. Our kids knocked out some kids who thought they were going to nationals.”