High school sports officially begin; Muncie American Legion season ends

MUNCIE, Ind. — Sports are officially back.

Most area high schools are back in session, and girls golf began on Aug. 1 to start the 2022 fall sports season. Some teams are already off to a hot start as several East Central Indiana players are poised for a solid year, and other sports will begin next week.

There's also some new Ball State University sports news as well, so here's everything that's happened so far this month with the Cardinals and ECI sports:

IHSAA FOOTBALL: Full 2022 East Central Indiana high school football schedule, big games to watch

High school girls golf

Muncie Central and Winchester compete in Richmond Invite

Muncie Central and Winchester got out on the course first this fall season at the Richmond Invitational on Aug. 1. The Golden Falcons placed sixth with a score of 438. Individual scores were Morgan Lawrence (92), Ruthie Rose (101), Alivia McCoy (122) and Brenna Barker (123).

ECI GOLF: 11 East Central Indiana girls golfers to watch in 2022 fall sports season

Jay County opens season at Bellmont Invite

Jay County opened its season on Aug. 2 at the Bellmont Invitational and placed sixth out of six teams. The Patriots' top performer was Madelyyn Snow, who placed 14th overall.

Delta places third in Union County Invite

Delta scored 373 at the Union County Invitational on Aug. 2 to place third overall. Individual scores were Belle Brown (86), Gracie Williams (88, PR), Lillie Grismore (96, PR) and Hollis Klinger (103).

Daleville loses to Batesville

Daleville on Aug. 2 lost 334-410 at Batesville. Individual scores were Addy Gick (91), Kaitie Denney (96), Olivia Reed (107) and Ava Capes 116.

ECI FALL SPORTS: 15 East Central Indiana girls cross-country runners to watch during the 2022 season

Jay County falls at South Adams

Jay County shot 547 at the South Adams Invitational on Aug. 3.

Yorktown tops New Castle

Yorktown on Aug. 3 won its home match against New Castle 212 to 251. Kayleigh Agugliaro (46) was the individual medalist, and Grace Finley (47) was runner-up.

Wapahani bests Union and Eastern Hancock

Wapahani on Aug. 4 dominated its season-opening match against Union (250) and Eastern Hancock (DNQ), winning with a score of 202. Raiders individual scores were Halie Sutton (47, medalist), Olivia Hood (49), Delaney Dodd (50) and M. Brannon (56).

Union individual scores were Glory Ellis (59), Gracie French (61), Honour Ellis at (64) and Zoe Ogden (66).

New Castle narrowly falls to Shelbyville

New Castle on Aug. 5 lost 224-232 to Shelbyville.

ECI FALL SPORTS: 15 East Central Indiana boys cross-country runners to watch during the 2022 season

Yorktown edges Delta and Winchester

Yorktown on Monday won its home three-way match against Delta (196) and Winchester (227) by shooting 193. Tigers' individual scores were Agugliaro (42, medalist), Finley (47), Ella Vanooteghem (49) and Bailey Robertson (55).

Eagles' individual scores were Grismore (47), Brown (48), Stintson (48) and Klinger (53).

Golden Falcons individual scores were Lawrence (45), Rose (59), McCoy (61) and Barker (62).

Wapahani defeats Randolph Southern

Wapahani on Monday improved to 3-0 on the season after shooting 209 to beat Randolph Southern. Sutton and Dodd were co-match medalists after both shot a 49. Other scorers were Hood (51) and Brannon (60).

Jay County places fourth in four-way match

Jay County (239) on Monday finished last in a four-way match behind South Adams (190), Woodlan (217) and Heritage (225).

Wes-Del falls to Alexandria and Frankton

Wes-Del on Monday lost its first match of the season, shooting 228 behind Frankton (183) and Alexandria (215). Warriors individual scores were Lauren Cox (52), Kenzie Stark (57), Gracie Drake (58) and Abby Davis (61).

IHSAA VOLLEYBALL: East Central Indiana top-10 dates to circle in 2022 regular season

Monroe Central falls to Union County

Monroe Central on Monday lost its first match 189-228 at Union County. Golden Bears individual scores were Carol Anne Kritsch (50), Ariana Poe (55), Maleigh Ervin (59) and Lauren Skinner (63).

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Yorktown volleyball's Addisen Rains commits to Clemson

Yorktown volleyball junior Addisen Rains on July 30 announced her verbal commitment to continue her athletic and academic career at Div. I Clemson University.

Rains played in 91 sets for Yorktown (29-4) last season, recording 222 digs and 25 assists.

Muncie American Legion Post 19 Chiefs end season in Michigan

Muncie's American Legion Post 19 Chiefs last week traveled to Midland, Michigan, for the regional tournament after winning the team's first Indiana state championship since 2008. The Chiefs, however, lost both of their games, so their historic season came to an end.

The team on Aug. 4 lost 11-1 to Gladwin and then 12-1 to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Ball State men's basketball secures another addition to 2022 class

Ball State men's basketball on Monday announced it's added Wayne State graduate transfer Darian Owens-White to its 2022 roster.

Michigan guard Devante' Jones defends against Wayne State guard Darian Owens-White during the second half of the 87-54 exhibition win over Wayne State on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at the Wayne State Fieldhouse.
Michigan guard Devante' Jones defends against Wayne State guard Darian Owens-White during the second half of the 87-54 exhibition win over Wayne State on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at the Wayne State Fieldhouse.

The Detroit, Michigan-native notched 49 double-digit scoring games, including 16 games of 20 or more and one game of 32 points, in 84 appearances for WSU last year. He was an NABC All-District First Team and All-GLIAC (two times) selection and has 985 career points and a is a career 86.7% free-throw shooter. He also shot 38.2% from the field and 38.1% from behind the arc in four seasons with the Warriors.

BSU football's Brandon Martin selected to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Ball State football defenseman Brandon Martin on Aug. 1 was selected to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, making him one of 115 players recognized from college football's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Martin also received his honor prior to the 2021 season.

Ball State's Brandon Martin celebrates a stop against Miami of Ohio at Scheumann Stadium Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Miami defeated Ball State 24-17.
Ball State's Brandon Martin celebrates a stop against Miami of Ohio at Scheumann Stadium Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Miami defeated Ball State 24-17.

The Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field, according to the BSU sports website. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 1, finalists will be announced on Nov. 22, the winner on Dec. 8, and the presentation is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2023.

Entering his seventh season with the Cardinals, the Indianapolis native was named the 2020 MAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Byron Ellis named General Manager for Ball State football

BSU football head coach Mike Neu on Friday announced Byron Ellis as the program's new general manager. Ellis is entering his seventh season on Neu's staff and was previously the director of football administration/chief of staff.

Ellis' role includes administrative duties and team operations for the Cardinals. In 2020, Ellis received the program's 12th Man of the Year award because of his efforts during Ball State's run to a Mid-American Conference title and the program's first-ever bowl victory.

Byron Ellis has been a key part to Ball State football's success this season.
Byron Ellis has been a key part to Ball State football's success this season.

Ellis has worked in football operations and business positions for more than 15 years. Ellis previously spent time at Tulane as the director of football operations 2012-15, as well as stints with the United Football League, the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks, the Arena League's New Orleans VooDoo and the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: High school sports officially begin, Muncie American Legion season ends