Johnstons, Turleys, Garriques win at Valparaiso Junior Triathlon

VALPARAISO | Show and tell at Joan Martin Elementary School in Hobart is always one of the most anticipated events for Cody and Riley Johnston.

Lowell senior Nida ices record-breaking senior track season with trip to all-star competition

After the Lowell Sectional last month, several girls were laughing and enjoying the atmosphere on the bleachers.

Gray clouds, silver linings for region girls at state track meet

BLOOMINGTON | There was no group hug, final chant or any ceremonious departure.

Rensselaer's Meeks makes it back-to-back runner-up finishes in discus

BLOOMINGTON | Spinning is an important part of many discus throwers’ repertoires.

Crown Point, Chesterton excel in relays

BLOOMINGTON | About halfway through the first winner-takes-all race of the 110th annual state track and field finals Friday night, Chesterton led Crown Point in a thrilling 3,200-meter relay race.

Region athletes leave footprints all over medals stand at state track meet

BLOOMINGTON | Northwest Indiana, with its coastline dotted by smoke-billowing mills, is known for steel production.

Washington Township expected to hire Griffith assistant Tomcsi as girls basketball coach at next school board meeting

Chris Tomcsi has touched a well-earned sectional trophy each of the past four seasons as an assistant coach.

Merrillville’s Ash, Noll’s Cooper, K.V.’s Jungels among region frosh heading to Bloomington for state track

The term “freshman phenom” gets tossed around rather loosely in March, but as May wanes and the state finals approach, the distinction is bestowed upon the few who’ve truly earned it.

Liddle following uncle’s sage advice

GARY | Third base coaches are good for much more than a stop signal or a windmill arm motion that encourages runners to head home.

Munster in fine form, wins girls tennis regional

HIGHLAND | Paige Heuer had time for a few mildly superstitious rituals, but the senior Munster tennis player didn’t have many moments to absorb her final prep match in Lake County.

Mustangs, Oilers to vie for Highland girls tennis regional championship

HIGHLAND | There isn’t much of a rivalry between Munster and Whiting in girls tennis.

L.C. senior fights through leg ailments to continue quest for state medal

ST. JOHN | With a scholarship to Grand Valley State already secured, Riley Wayco could have called it a prep career.

RailCats’ all-time home run leader happy in fifth season with RailCats

GARY | As with most players in independent baseball, Cristian Guerrero has had many travels.

RailCats walk off winners

GARY | Danny Pulfer has been a true utility man, playing every position but pitcher since his second year of college.

Patience pays off for RailCats' reliever Kyle Lindquist

GARY | Saturday was Hat Night at U.S. Steel Yard, so it was fitting that the stadium’s newest contracted inhabitant has worn many hats in the past month.

RailCats’ roster takes a left-handed turn

GARY | When Adam Klein was on the Jolie JackHammers in 2009, the left-handed hitting outfielder came to bat with runners in scoring position late in a tight game against the RailCats.

Cierniak, Honaker help Crown Point win second sectional in three years

CROWN POINT | From the moment Wes Honaker dove across the finish line in a last-gasp attempt to win the 100-meter dash, it was clear Crown Point refused to allow the sectional title enter the hands of any visitors.

Munster, Gavit girls tennis teams move on to face familiar foes in sectional semifinals

MUNSTER | Alondra Macias is proof positive that perseverance is worth it.

L.C. girls fends off Merrillville, extends state-record track sectional win streak

LOWELL | When Airrica Harper and Arielle Borders hung up the phone Monday night, they had arrived at a resolution.

Sophomore fraternal twin Kendria Huff having breakout season for Morton heading into sectional action

HAMMOND | Kendria Huff emerged from the womb two minutes ahead of her brother.

Mustangs shuffle lineup, discard Chesterton

MUNSTER | Bill Heuer told his daughter Paige to keep her feet moving and added some basic tips before her match Wednesday afternoon.

Munster girls win 14th consecutive conference meet; Hobart boys win fourth straight NCC title

HOBART | It seemed that the Munster girls track team was about to lose its first conference meet since 1999.

Skiff skips jitters to beat Munster

MERRILLVILLE | Before Monday’s varsity baseball start, Andrean pitcher Jimmy Skiff had taken the ball against Munster plenty of times at lower levels.

L.C. pole vault star hasn’t had the smoothest spring due to several inconveniences

ST. JOHN | If Katie Brown were to add her relationship with track and field to her Facebook page, it would fall under the category “It’s complicated.”

Brothers join late father in Indiana Hall of Fame, lead class of seven inductees

HOBART | The menu for Sunday evening’s Indiana Football Hall of Fame inductee dinner did not include bean soup.

Region teams have international appeal

MONTICELLO | The international tiebreaker is not too common in high school softball.

Bulldogs repeat as Twin Lakes Invitational champions

MONTICELLO | Softball veterans like Amanda Shrader have touched the trophy three times at the Twin Lakes Invitational.

Kopil, Thiel help hosts win third consecutive Andrean boys track invitational

MERRILLVILLE | Rain, temperatures in the 40s and even a lightning delay could not stop the home boys track team from winning the 11th annual Andrean Invitational Friday night at Father Vincent Eckert Stadium.

Fulk’s two-out fifth-inning triple helps L.C. beat Merrillville baseball team

ST. JOHN | Steve Fulk had a bit of an epiphany this week.

Hanover Central junior hits walk-off home run to beat Boone Grove in extra innings

CEDAR LAKE | On Saturday the Cedar Lake Softball complex was filled with dust, movement and gritty workers.

Boyle bloops Andrean past K.V. in softball thriller

MERRILLVILLE | During Monday’s two-hour practice Andrean coach Brooke Baker-Runyon talked about “prime time at-bats.”

Mustangs keep momentum going in short win

LOWELL | This was worth the wait, at least for Munster.

Kankakee Valley junior boasts one of the state’s best 100-meter dash times

A push from generations of multi-sport athlete relatives, the pressure of being an elite track athlete and the strain of studying for dual-credit courses like AP Chemistry can wear a girl down.

Dawson, Hanover power past South Central softball team

CEDAR LAKE | Ivy Dawson likes having the last word.

Six-run outburst carries Portage to victory over Crown Point

PORTAGE | Heather Zengler was sick earlier in the week and Portage teammate Stephanie Upton had been waiting for some healthy at-bats.

Lipski drives in winning run as Griffith overcomes seven errors

MUNSTER | Hit or get hit -- those were the only results for Griffith’s Tyler Lipski on Monday night.

After being on the wrong end of several close calls Lowell thrower Nicole Kiszenia is focused on success

Pivot, throw, exit stage rear, insert earbuds, sit, repeat.

Jordan comes through for Cougars

GARY | Paco Jordan allowed 10 runs to the opponent, so it was fitting that he was up with a chance to drive in his team’s 11th.

Lauderback’s gem propels Ingots past Eagles

GARY | Chris Lauderback's great grandmother died last Thursday.

Asya Hobbs wants to be Bishop Noll’s next state qualifier

HAMMOND | Growing up in Calumet City, Asya Hobbs was a dancer, not a participant in team sports.

Bowman’s Pipkin hits game-winner in Seniors Stars game at NWI All-Star Classic

HAMMOND | Apparently the postseason isn’t over.

Kniola pitches Portage past Chesterton baseball team

CHESTERTON | Portage senior Ty Kniola didn’t need much more than sunshine and a cool breeze to relax before his team’s first Duneland Athletic Conference baseball game.

Andrean, sans head coach, capitalizes on Griffith mistakes in NCC victory

MERRILLVILLE | Several major league scouts watched Andrean ace Zach Ryan’s first few innings on Monday afternoon before exiting.

Defending regional champ in 100 and 200 sets sights on huge senior season

MERRILLVILLE | Before Airrica Harper's sophomore season at Merrillville, her grandfather Joseph Davis was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Andrean's DeSomer, Skiff no-hit Hebron in season opener

MERRILLVILLE | Matt DeSomer was a spectator for most of the 2012 season due to a meniscus tear in his left knee.

A volleyball life for Piekarski family

Jake Piekarski recently shaved his head, as did his dad and brother.

Bowman Academy’s state-champion boys basketball team with parade, victory rally

GARY | “Started from the bottom; now we’re here.”

Lake Central, Purdue grad Komara enjoys role as assistant coach for tourney-bound Albany

When Kelly Komara played in two Final Fours with the Purdue women’s basketball team, she and her teammates were oblivious to the coaching conventions taking place at and around the event.

Entrepreneurial Dyer teen has a popular Blackhawks Facebook page

DYER | The local teenager who single-handedly maintains a Blackhawks fan page with more subscribers than most printed newspapers has been to exactly one of his favorite team’s games.