Football, basketball, volleyball, golf, soccer, cross country, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, track & field, and more filled our feeds this past year, featuring all the good news about our Region athletes in their respective sports. There is so much talent to go around in our area, and we had a blast attending games, matches, meets, and more to help others see the action from a unique perspective.
Whether it was state championships, basketball invitationals, gymnastics sectionals, regional tournaments, new clubs, or anything in between, we shared it all in 2023 on behalf of the high schools and colleges that make our Region proud.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 sports articles on LaPorteCounty.Life to recap the good news in 2023!
LA PORTE HOSTS TOP BASKETBALL TALENT IN NIBC LA PORTE INVITATIONAL
One of La Porte County’s newest, and biggest events returned for another year of incredible action on the hardwood.
The National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) brought the nation's top high school basketball players back to La Porte for another weekend of spectacular basketball. This event served as a way for the people of Northwest Indiana to see the talent that will be featured in big Division I college schools, and even the NBA. Not only was the event great for basketball fans, but it also brought people from all over the country to La Porte County and it showed all of the good La Porte has to offer.
MICHIGAN CITY HIGH HOSTS LA PORTE FOR RIVALRY DOUBLEHEADER & HERITAGE NIGHT – HONORING ALUMNI & WWII VETERAN
Michigan City High School played host to one of their biggest nights of the year on Friday. The Wolves welcomed the La Porte Slicers for a boys/girls basketball rivalry doubleheader as well as celebrated Heritage Night, where athlete & pep-band alumni from the recent past to as far back as decades ago were commemorated on the court.
In game action the two teams split the doubleheader, with Michigan City’s girls and La Porte’s boys walking away victorious. The Lady Wolves had extra cause to celebrate, as they hosted Senior Night before the game. Amira Wair was one of two seniors honored, and she reflected on just how much her time with the team has meant to her.
SPORTS & CLUBS IN THE REGION OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY STUDENTS
In the Sports & Clubs in the Region series, we are touching on a lot of different sports: some well-known ones, some that are moving up on the spectrum, and much more.
This article was the start of the series and encapsulated the passion and drive for the series moving forward. Hockey is a sought out sport that isn’t as prevalent in the Region, but it is in the surrounding states such as Michigan and Illinois. However, the Region has hockey programs and hockey teams in the school setting, and Northwest Indiana (NWI) has a lot to offer for aspiring hockey players so they do not have to travel to different states to compete.
BRIAR LEAF GOLF CLUB’S JUNIOR PROGRAMS SPREAD LOVE OF GOLF AND HELP CHILDREN DISCOVER THEIR PASSIONS
There’s no better feeling than helping a child discover something they’re passionate about, and nobody takes that discovery more seriously than Briar Leaf Golf Club. For over 25 years, Briar Leaf has held Junior Programs in the summer to help hundreds of kids learn about and develop a love for golf. On Tuesday, June 20, Briar Leaf kicked off this summer’s lineup of Junior Programs with an exciting First Swing session.
Briar Leaf’s First Swing sessions are introductory four-day golf camps meant to get children of all ages excited about golfing, even if they’ve never picked up a club before. The camp covers all of the basics and goes over everything from golf etiquette to how to properly swing to chipping and putting. The camp also teaches kids about the different types of clubs and how to use them.
EMBRACING ESPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE WITH SKILL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY, AND ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
The phenomenon of esports, or competitive video gaming, has gained worldwide popularity and is now being recognized and valued in high schools. In this article, we will explore the presence of esports in high schools, highlighting the numerous benefits for students, the scoring systems utilized, the sense of community fostered, and the opportunities created for personal and academic growth.
The captivating nature of esports is evident in the field’s rising popularity among high school students. The availability of video game live-streaming platforms and organized competitions has significantly contributed to this surge. High schools have begun to recognize the value of embracing this digital phenomenon and have started establishing esports programs. These programs provide students with a structured platform to compete, develop skills, and connect with like-minded peers.
TIPPY TRI CHALLENGE RACES INTO TIPPECANOE RIVER STATE PARK, HEARTS OF WINAMAC
Tippecanoe River State Park’s Tippy Tri Challenge serves as an excellent opportunity for families to get into the park and experience all it has to offer. On Saturday, July 29, competitors hiked, biked, and paddled their way to the finish line in the eighth challenge.
“It starts out with the option of a one-mile run/hike or a 2 1/2 mile run/hike,” said Property Manager of Tippecanoe River State Park Vernon Gillum. “That goes from our playfield area to the fire tower parking lot. In the parking lot, there's a transition point where you go on bicycles for four miles and end up at the river tent area where we will transition again into the kayak and canoe course. That will be a three-mile course down the river on canoes and kayaks until you finish at the Nature Center.”
IGNITING PASSION FOR STEM: EXPLORING SCIENCE OLYMPIAD IN NORTHWEST INDIANA
In the thriving Science Olympiad community of Northwest Indiana (NWI) and beyond, students from various middle and high schools come together to embark on an exciting journey of exploration and competition in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. With B and C Divisions catering to middle school and high school students, respectively, these young minds get the opportunity to showcase their scientific awareness and passion for learning.
In the B Division, students from schools like Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Chesterton Middle School, Grimmer Middle School, and Scott Middle School, among others, engage in captivating STEM challenges. Meanwhile, the C Division hosts students from esteemed institutions such as Chesterton High School, Valparaiso High School, Crown Point High School, Lake Central High School, Hammond Central High School, and numerous others, fostering healthy competition and intellectual growth.
NEW INTERIM HEAD COACH AUSTIN EPPLE TRANSFORMS LA PORTE SLICER FOOTBALL
On Friday, August 18 the La Porte High School football team made history in an exciting game against its cross-county rival and last year’s state runner-up, New Prairie High School. For decades the two schools have fought over ownership of the Milk Jug, and for the last five years La Porte has been on the losing side. Thanks to the Slicers’ new interim head coach, Austin Epple, the football team was able to make a comeback like never before.
Football has always been a big part of Epple’s life. He played for La Porte during high school and went on to play football at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. However, he didn’t pick up a love for coaching until he tore his ACL during his last two seasons of college. He didn’t want to just sit on the bench doing nothing, so he started helping out his defensive line coach. It didn’t take long for Epple to fall in love with coaching; he knew he wanted to coach back at his old high school.
PURDUE NORTHWEST CELEBRATES THE FALL SEASON AT 2023 HOMECOMING AND SPORTS FEST
Generations of Purdue University Northwest (PNW) athletes, students, and alumni came together at the seventh annual Sports Fest on September 9. Hundreds packed Dowling Park in Hammond to enjoy an action-filled afternoon as they watched many of the university’s sports teams, such as soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, hockey, and others, hit the fields and courts.
Multiple vendors, such as Domino’s and PepsiCo, were also present and offered fun recreational activities for people to enjoy throughout the day. With spirit wear booths, cheer routines, and games being played on every field, Sports Fest continues to be an event loved by everyone each year.
MIDWEST REGION CROSSOVER VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO HAMMOND
The largest NCAA volleyball tournament in the country is once again coming to the Hammond Sportsplex. The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) come together for the 2023 Midwest Region Crossover.
The crossover tournament event will be held at the Hammond Sportsplex on October 13 & 14 with 38 teams competing in the 12-court facility. Each team will be guaranteed three matches and every session will utilize six courts at once.