Category Archives: Cross Country

Kinser Commits to Hanover College

Seated L to R: John Kinser (Kaylee’s father), Kaylee, Heather Kinser (Kaylee’s mother) ; Standing L to R: Mikeala Kinser (Kaylee’s sister-in-law), John Kinser (Kaylee’s brother), Jerry Doyle (CHS Cross Country & Track Coach), and Dylan Kinser (Kaylee’s brother)

Recently, Charlestown senior Kaylee Kinser was surrounded by family, friends, and coaches as she signed her celebratory letter of intent to attend school and run cross country and track at Hanover College next year.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about her choice to attend school, major in computer science, and participate in athletics at Hanover College with the Panthers, Kinser replied, “In choosing where I wanted to attend college, I found that Hanover stood out to me. Getting to know the college and its cross country program, I felt more at home than anywhere else. The college is a tight-knit community that fosters a unique bond between students and faculty, which I deeply appreciate. Hanover just checked off all the boxes I set for where I wanted to go. I’m immensely thankful for my family, coaches, and teachers who have supported me; I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey to further my academic and athletic career at Hanover!”

 Charlestown cross country and track coach Jerry Doyle had this to say: “It has been a joy coaching Kaylee for the last 4 years in both cross country and track. She is one of the all-time best runners in Charlestown’s history! She sets goals, and then does the necessary work to reach those goals! She is an example of hard work and dedication that the underclassmen can look to if they want to be successful. I look forward to watching her excel at the next level, but we will definitely miss her!”

 WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Kaylee and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ Staff Member Trenton Doss

Taylor University Secures Successful Sisters Jackie and Jessie McCoy

Front Row (L to R): BJ McCoy (mother), Jackie McCoy, Jessie McCoy, and Tim McCoy (father)
Back Row (L to R): Lauren Hutt (CHS Assistant XC & Track Coach), Quinn White (Taylor University XC Coach), Josh McCoy (brother) and Jerry Doyle (CHS XC & Girls Track Head Coach)

In front of family, friends, teammates, and coaches Charlestown’s successful running duo, Jackie and Jessie McCoy, recently signed their letter of intent to continue their education and cross country and track at Taylor University.

Most know that the McCoy sisters were very decorated athletes at Charlestown. Both are members of sectional and conference championship teams. They have earned Mid Southern Conference honors, All-Area honors, and many invitational championships. Jackie was a 2-time semi-state qualifier and Jessie was a state finalist and a 2-time All State honorable mention recipient.

Located in Upland, Indiana, Taylor’s influence spans the globe. With 99% of students employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, the Christian liberal arts approach inspires student-leaders to minister Christ’s redemptive love, grace, and truth to a world in need. A longstanding legacy of excellence inside and outside the classroom has earned Taylor University rankings in the top three Midwest Colleges by U.S. News & World Report for nearly three decades. Taylor Athletics now has 16 intercollegiate athletic teams—including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track & field, softball, and volleyball. The Taylor University Women’s Cross Country team is currently ranked #1 in NAIA as the reigning 2022 National Champions.

When asked about the decision to attend Taylor University, Jackie said, “Taylor University is a private Christian college and has one of the best science programs in Indiana. I chose Taylor because I love to learn about God and to become a better discipline, and I can do this at Taylor while I study the field I feel led in. I will be going to Taylor to obtain my Bachelor Degree in Biology Health Sciences and along the way be on the Maddawg cross country and track team. I love running, God, and science and Taylor can and will perfectly fulfill all of my aspirations for these things. I cannot wait to join them this coming fall and to see where God might lead me on this new journey.”

Jessie added, “I love running with an emissive passion, but it does not compare to my love for God. I chose Taylor University because of the spiritual foundation and God’s handiwork that is ever present there. The opportunity I have been given to run there was just a gift from God, and I want to use it to hopefully bring glory to him. I am forever thankful to the coaches and administrators at Taylor University, they have been a blessing and another wonderful gift from God.”

Taylor University head coach, Quinn White said, “We are so excited to have Jackie and Jessie at Taylor. Their work ethic, talent, and demeanor fit our culture so well. They will have a wonderful impact on our team the next four years. We wish them the best as they finish off their careers at Charlestown HS. ”  In his 12 seasons leading the Taylor women’s cross country program, White has helped the Trojans to a record-setting nine-straight Crossroads League Championships and nine top-20 finishes at the NAIA National Championships. In the last nine seasons, the program has also racked up 55 All-Crossroads League awards and 11 NAIA All-American honors.

Charlestown High School cross country and track coach had this to say: “Jessie and Jackie have been the heart of Pirate Cross Country and Track & Field for the last four years! I will tell any athlete that if they want to be their best, look to Jess and Jackie as an example. Their hard work and dedication to their sport is unparalleled! Together, they have led our cross country program to heights that I never could have imagined! I am not sure that we will ever duplicate the four year stretch that we have had while they have been in our program, leading us to two sectional titles and a conference title, plus numerous meet championships. They will be sorely missed, but I am excited to watch them flourish at the next level!”

The Charlestown High School athletic department and WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulate Jackie & Jessie and wish them a healthy and prosperous future at Taylor.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network’s Aiden Stewart.

 

Rufer Signs to Run at Hanover College

Front Row (L to R) Faith Rufer (Raelynn’s mother), Raelynn, Todd Rufer (Raelyn’s Father)
Back Row (L to R) Lauren Hutt (CHS Assistant Coach) and Jerry Doyle (CHS Head Coach)

Yesterday, Charlestown senior Raelynn Rufer was surrounded by family, friends, and coaches as she signed a celebratory letter of intent to attend school and run cross country and track at Hanover College next year.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about her choice to attend school, double major business and art history,

and participate in athletics at Hanover College with the Panthers, Rufer replied, “Thinking about college is not something I like to do often. However, when I think about going to college at Hanover a smile comes to my face. I appreciate all my coaches and the teachers that have gotten me here. I look forward to my athletic and academic endeavors at Hanover College”

Charlestown cross country and track coach Jerry Doyle had this to say: “Raelynn has been a joy to coach! She is a natural leader, oftentimes leading the team in drills and stretching. She is a gifted athlete, who puts in a lot of extra work outside of track and cross-country conditioning. She is always striving to improve her overall fitness, so that she can be competitive in the events that she competes in! She is also a top notch student, putting in the work necessary to succeed academically. She will be missed next year, but I look forward to watching her grow in her next chapter at Hanover!”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Raelynn and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

Lady Pirate Cross Country is Off to a Sizzling Start

The defending Mid Southern Conference and Sectional champion cross country team is off to another hot start after the girls finished 3rd to Indianapolis Cathedral and Seymour in the Seymour Invitational! Skylar Cochran and Jessie McCoy finished in the top 10 with Laney Hawkins, Jackie McCoy, Kaylee Kinser and Emma Faulkner in the top 25!

Last night, they traveled to Silver Creek for the annual Hokum Karem meet and finished second behind perennial cross country powerhouse Floyd Central in a meet with top area schools! A hokum karem race is a two-person relay race where teammates alternate running a 3k loop. Each teammate will complete the loop once.  For the Lady Pirates the team of Skylar Cochran and Jessie McCoy placed 5th, Laney Hawkins and Jackie McCoy were 7th, Emma Faulkner and Kaylee Kinser were 15th,  and Rachel Wilcox (paired with a Silver Creek runner) finished 18th.

Other teams in the meet included Madison, Borden, Jeffersonville, Silver Creek, Crothersville, Eastern, Salem, Lanesville, Christian Academy, and Scottsburg.

Dylan Kinser is the Pirates’ only male runner this year.  He has finished top 25 in both races so far.

Article contributed by WPMQ Staff Writer

Photo credit: Jerry Doyle

Tuesday’s Athletic Results Yield Two Big Lady Pirate Victories

The Lady Pirate Cross Country team had three pairs team up to place 2nd, 6th, and 12th to win medals, edge out Silver Creek 20-23, and earn the Darrell Kingery Hokum Karem Championship! Skylar Cochran and Ashley Wight were the second place finishers; Laney Hawkins and Jessie McCoy finished 6th; Jackie McCoy and Tina Ylipaa finished 12th.   Coach Doyle said, “This is a special meet for us to win, as Coach Kingery was a coach that I always looked up to and he was a true mentor to me! ” Coach Kingery was a beloved, long time cross country coach from Clarksville and Silver Creek who was well known throughout the community. A tragic accident while he was riding a bicycle last fall claimed his life way too soon. It was very fitting for this event to be named after an iconic coach.

The Lady Pirate volleyball team sailed away from New Washington with a win in four games. The Lady Mustangs came out fighting and claimed the first game 20-25.   Coach Tammy Nuxoll quoted,”We did not play as a team in the first set and it really showed on the court. They were able to pull it together in the second set and played more as a team for the remainder of the match. We were able to put together some strong serving and setters made good decisions on the court.” The Lady Pirates went on to win the next three to seal the match 25-17. 25-23, 25-12. They will face Henryville at home September 5th.

Article contributed by WPMQ Staff Member Matthew McCoy

 

Pirate Cross Country Standout Alexis Gurr Signs to Run at Hanover College

In front of family, friends, and coaches on Thursday evening, Alexis Gurr signed her national letter of intent to continue her cross country endeavors at Hanover College next year.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 33 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

The Hanover College athletic department sponsors 20 (10 men / 10 women) varsity sports, competing at the NCAA Division III level. Known as the Panthers, Hanover College is a member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, a conference comprised of institutions in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

When asked about her future with the Hanover College Panthers, Alexis had this to say: “Hanover is a dream come true and to have the opportunity to continue my passion for running only makes it better.”

Cross Country coach Jerry Doyle said, “I’m proud of Alexi for pursuing her dream of running in college!  I’ve enjoyed having the privilege of coaching her for four years, and I know that she will be successful at the next level. I see her desire to improve, and I know with hard work, she will attain her goals.”

The Charlestown Athletic Department and WPMQ, The Pirate Network wish to congratulate Alexis and wish her a healthy and prosperous future!

Article and photo contributed by WPMQ staff.

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