The Piqua Indians have a strong athletic tradition and look to keep it rolling throughout the spring sports season where there is potential for success in baseball, softball, boys tennis and track and field.
PIQUA BASEBALL:
The Piqua baseball team is coming off of a 14-15 season a year ago where it finished with a 9-9 record in the MVL.
Gone from that team a year ago are five graduating seniors, Gavin Carey, Alex Foos, Jarrell Lewis, Blaine Ouhl and Izayha Tipps.
Returning for the Indians are seniors Evan Hensler, Damian Lawson, Braydon Offenbacher and Jason Shaffer. Lawson, Offenbacher and Hensler all saw significant action a year ago.
Also returning are juniors Brady Ouhl, Zane Pratt and Trenton Rudd, along with sophomore Mickey Anderson – all who were key contributors last season.
Ouhl led the team with a .425 batting average and recorded team highs in hits (37), doubles (8), stolen bases (25), runs scored (28), RBI (23) and at bats (87.
PIQUA SOFTBALL:
Piqua coach Greg Campbell looks to lead his young team back to prominence with continued improvement in 2022.
“While we are a young team and will be looking to build and continue improving from last season,” he said.
The Indians have an extremely young roster, but do return leadership in senior standouts Kenzi Anderson and Reagan Toopes.
Anderson was chosen first-team All-MVL last season after compiling a .437 batting average. She led the team in at bats (87) and was second on the team to Toopes with 36 runs scored. She also had 38 hits with 12 of those going for extra bases.
Toopes was second team in the MVL after battling .449 and leading the team with 37 runs scored. She also had 34 RBI on 31 hits.
Junior Caylee Roe also returns after being chosen honorable mention in the MVL last year as a sophomore. Roe was second on the team with a .500 batting average and second in hits with 41.
PIQUA BOYS TRACK:
Travis Nees returns for his second season as the head track coach at Piqua and looks to keep the tradition of success going.
Last year the Indians finished third in the MVL behind Troy and Tippecanoe and qualified their 4×1 team to regionals.
Returning to lead the Indians in sprints are Jasiah Medley, Ryan Brown, Sam Schmiesing, Bryson Roberts, Garrett Brown, Elijah Frazier, Gio Barron, Tate Adams, Romen Medley. Jason Medley is a returning State Qualifier in the 100 meter dash.
In distance events, Nolan Campbell, Jesse Furman, Paul Hinds, Simon Baker all return, while Lucas Huelskamp and Simon Baker lead Piqua in the Pole Vault and Tate Adams returns as a weapon in the High Jump.
Piqua also has a strong throwing trio in Caleb Lyons, Mason Osborne and Landon Hare.
The key to Piqua’s success will be the hard work it has put in over the offseason, which has Nees excited about the upcoming season.
“We are looking forward to getting back on the track and competing this spring after a great offseason,” he said.
PIQUA GIRLS TRACK:
Travis Nees is also the coach for the Piqua girls track team and, much like the boys, Nees is excited about what the future holds after the hard work put in during the offseason.
Last season the Lady Indians finished fifth in the MVL.
Returning for the Lady Indians are sprinters Camilla Nicholas, Bri Coy and Desiree Warner, along with distance runners Cassie Schrubb, Lienne Casey, Isabella Murray, Gabby Cromesa and Elise Cox
In the field events, the throwers are Izzy King and Madi Bolin, while Ivy Lee and Libby Bradney lead the way in High Jump.
PIQUA TENNIS:
Piqua coach Wyatt Heinz in looking to improve on a 2-13 record and an 8th place finish in the MVL.
“Our goal as always is to have fun and continue learning the sport you can play your entire life,” said Heinz. “In regards to the competitive season, our goal is that we continue to increase our total match wins and have closer individual matches against the strong teams within our conference.”
Returning from a year ago are several key players, including senior Cael Barr.
“Cael will be returning for his fourth season as a top player on the team,” Heinz said. “We are also excited to have three to four other returning varsity players who have worked throughout the off season to improve their game.”
The program is growing under Heinz’ the past couple of years.
“Piqua is continuing to grow and we are excited to have new players,” he said. “Joshua Partee (9) and PJ Huang (12) join the team and are looking to have a great season ahead of them.”