The 2024-25 academic year witnessed an extraordinary display of talent from Knox County athletes as over 50 young men and women, graduates of local high schools, continued their athletic pursuits at the collegiate level. This remarkable cohort included eight individuals who competed at the demanding NCAA Division-I level, highlighting the depth of athletic prowess emerging from the area and the commitment to collegiate athletics.
Among the standout spring sport participants, Will Staggs, a highly acclaimed pole vaulter from Indiana State University, concluded a truly splendid career. Staggs’s dedication culminated in a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship, where he matched his program-record mark of 18-1 ¾. His legacy at ISU includes multiple National Finals appearances and an impressive five Missouri Valley Conference championships, solidifying his place as a pivotal figure in Indiana sports history and breaking every men’s pole vault record for the Sycamores.
Equally impressive was the four-year tenure of Phoebe Worstell within Rose-Hulman’s softball program. As a senior, this 2021 North Knox alum earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors twice and was named all-conference. Worstell’s impact extended beyond individual accolades; she concluded her career ranking among the top five players in school history in five categories, including career home runs and strikeouts. Her exceptional performance underscores the high caliber of college sports talent fostered in the region.
The spring season also showcased promising beginnings for several other Knox County athletes. Freshmen like Sims, a versatile softball player from IU-Columbus who demonstrated strong batting and pitching skills, and Allen, a vital bullpen piece for the Vincennes University Trailblazers baseball team, offered glimpses into the future. Their early contributions suggest a continued pipeline of talent transitioning from high school to competitive collegiate athletics.
Further contributions came from individuals like Benson, a baseball player at Rose-Hulman, and Risley, who contributed to Olivet Nazarene’s strong track & field season. Risley, despite being a freshman, scored in two events at the North Coast Athletic Conference meet, demonstrating immediate impact and potential. These performances across various disciplines underscore the diverse athletic strengths cultivated within the Indiana sports landscape.
On the tennis courts, Cunningham of Anderson University led her team in singles-match wins as a freshman, showcasing remarkable consistency and adaptability with different partners. Similarly, Dugan, a Lincoln grad, became a regular in the lineup for Colby-Sawyer, an NCAA Division-III school, and played a crucial role in their conference championship victory, highlighting the breadth of success among Knox County athletes.
Rounding out the notable performances was Stone, a golfer for Vincennes University, who achieved his best finish at the Lincoln Trail Invitational. His strong fall season and recognition as a third-team Academic All-American by the NJCAA further exemplify the blend of academic and athletic excellence among these collegiate competitors. These stories collectively paint a vibrant picture of the achievements and legacies created by these dedicated individuals in college sports.
