Young gay athletes set tone for NBA coming out

CHICAGO | You've probably never heard of Holly Peterson or Jonathan Jean-Pierre. One came out as a lesbian at age 15, when she was playing high school basketball. The other, a college rower, told his teammates last year that he's gay.

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter has autism. Vannatter lives in Morgan Township, but attends Boone for his special education needs. He is in his second year of wrestling and 12-10 this season. He also played soccer this school year.

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter has autism. After a 6-22 record last year, he is 12-10 so far this season wrestling at 126 pounds.

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter, right, practices with teammate Tyler Pierce. "He works as hard as the rest of us," Pierce said. "I respect him as much as anyone else on the team. I give him credit for having the courage to come out despite his disability."

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter

Boone Grove wrestler Andrew Vannatter has autism. Vannatter lives in Morgan Township but attends Boone for his special education needs. He is in his second year of wrestling and 11-10 this season. He also played soccer this school year.

113-pound sophomore wrestler Chris Diaz.

Clark 113-pound sophomore wrestler Chris Diaz is 6-1 through seven matches this season.

113-pound sophomore wrestler Chris Diaz.

Clark 113-pound sophomore wrestler Chris Diaz won 20 matches last season.

113-pound sophomore wrestler Chris Diaz.

Clark 113-pound sophomore wrestler Chris Diaz's only loss this season came via a disqualification for an illegal slam.

Chesterton High School wrestler Kaitlin Loehmer

Kaitlin Loehmer, a wrestler for Chesterton, runs with teammates Tuesday during practice.

Chesterton High School wrestler Kaitlin Loehmer

Chesterton wrestler Kaitlin Loehmer practices with teammates Tuesday at CHS.

Chesterton High School wrestler, Kaitlin Loehmer

Chesterton sophomore Kaitlin Loehmer ties her hair up before wrestling practice Tuesday.

Chesterton High School wrestler Kaitlin Loehmer

Chesterton wrestler Kaitlin Loehmer listens for instructions from coach Chris Joll on Tuesday during practice.

Chesterton High School wrestler, Kaitlin Loehmer

Kaitlin Loehmer wrestles with teammate Eric Kramer during practice Tuesday.

Chesterton High School wrestler, Kaitlin Loehmer

Chesterton wrestler Kaitlin Loehmer works on takedowns with teammate Eric Kramer on Tuesday during practice at CHS. Loehmer had two brothers who wrestled, one for Merrillville and the other at Chesterton.

Chesterton High School wrestler, Kaitlin Loehmer

Chesterton High School wrestler Kaitlin Loehmer prepares to tie her hair back Tuesday during practice. The sophmore at CHS wrestles in the 106-pound weight division, and works hard at it, says coach Chris Joll. "I didn't want a girl on the team," he said, "but she works hard and does what I …

Chesterton High School wrestler, Kaitlin Loehmer

Kaitlin Loehmer, a wrestler at Chesterton High School puts on a special hood during practice Tuesday. Kaitlin wrestles in the 106-pound weight division, and works hard at it, says coach Chris Joll.

WRES_KELLY, chesterton's Joe Kelly wrestles at 138 lbs

Chesterton's Joe Kelly wrestles at 138 pounds and is the son of former E.C. Central coach and current athletic director Bill Kelly. He qualified for semistate last season.

Chesterton junior wrestler Anthony Quiroz

Chesterton junior wrestler Anthony Quiroz, left, spars with teammate Joe Kelly during practice this week. Quiroz finished second in the state as a freshman, then had a disappointing sophomore season. He used that as material to turn around his junior year and is 30-0 before this weekend's st…

Chesterton junior Anthony Quiroz

Chesterton wrestler Anthony Quiroz missed matches at the beginning of the season with a knee injury, but is 30-0 since at 160 pounds and qualified for the state tournament this weekend.