Yesterday, the finalists for the Muncie Sports Commission’s and Ball State Daily News’ Fall Athletes of the Year were announced. The winners will be chosen and announced during an award show later this year.

The event is being sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. Here is the list of nominees.

Boys’ Tennis

Burris junior Bruno Silveira - Silveira is a student who came to the Owls from Brazil. He excelled last fall as the Owls’ No. 1 singles player.

Delta senior Kody Vest - Vest was the Eagles’ No. 1 singles player and went 16-9 against opponents. Between Sept. 14 and Oct. 10, he did not lose a match. He played throughout the tear with Osgood Schlatter’s disease and would take 20-minute ice baths after almost every match or practice.

Muncie Central junior Jamal Clark - Competing at the No. 3 singles for the Bearcats, Clark compiled a record of 10-7.

Yorktown senior Tyler Koss - A part of the Tigers’ No. 2 doubles group, Koss went 16-6. Tigers’ head coach Adam Kuban said Koss has been coachable from the first day he joined the program.

Girls’ Golf

Delta senior Avery Stinson - Stinson helped the Eagles get to a 12-6 record. Some of her top performances were getting third at the Delaware County Tournament — where she was named All-County — and was fourth at sectionals.

Wapahani senior Delaney Dodd - Dodd played in the No. 1 spot for the Raiders last fall. She averaged a score of 40 and was the individual champion of the Mid-Eastern Conference (MEC) and Delaware County tournaments. She helped lead the 2024 team to its first-ever school sectional title and Delaware County title.

Wes-Del junior Hayden Browning - Browning was an All-County player for the Warriors golf team last fall as well as one of the team’s captains.

Yorktown junior Grace Turner - Yorktown’s team captain helped the Tigers throughout the season and was the Monroe Central Invite champion after shooting an 81. Yorktown head coach Nathan McClun said she was a leader to the entire team.

Boys’ Cross Country

Burris junior Noah Smith - Smith’s impressive junior campaign included being a regional qualifier in the IHSAA tournament after he placed 14th at the Marion Sectional. Smith finished third at the Rushville Classic Invitational and was second at the Burris Phil Clay Invite. He also won the Burris XC Invite.

Cowan junior Isaac Campbell - Campbell was the No. 1 runner for Cowan in every meet, and was named to the All-County and All-Conference (MEC) teams. His coach, Kent Hanser, said “Isaac stepped up and was a leader for Cowan's boys cross country team this season.”

Daleville senior Noah Colvin - Noah was the 2024 Most Valuable Runner for the Daleville boy’s cross country team. He finished in the top 20 at the Delaware County and MEC championships. He was also a New Haven Regional qualifier.

Delta sophomore Peyton Engle - Engle was an individual regional qualifier and was awarded the team’s most valuable player award. His personal best race was a time of 16:49.

Muncie Central junior Reggie Reynolds - Reynolds was the Bearcats No. 1 runner in 9 of their 12 meets. Reynolds led the charge of the Regional Qualifying team with his sectional performance, finishing in the top 20 of the sectional race. He finished the season with a 17:42 PR in the 5K.

Wapahani senior Caleb Aber - Aber was a State Championship qualifier on the Raiders’ cross country team this fall. Aber was a leader all season and one of head coach Bo Stevenson’s top athletes.

Girls’ Cross Country

Burris senior Beatrice Cooper - Cooper was a Regional qualifier for the Owls last fall. She was 26th at the Marion Sectional, second at the Rushville Classic Invitational and was seventh at the Burris Phil Clay Invite.

Cowan freshman Abby Campbell - Campbell was the No. 1 runner for Cowan in 11 meets this year. She was a Regional qualifier as a freshman for the Blackhawks.

Daleville junior Macy Kirkpatrick - Kirkpatrick was a Regional qualifier for the Broncos. She placed in the top 60 in every meet last fall.

Delta junior Addison Shue - The Eagles’ team captain played a huge role for the blue and gold and was an individual regional qualifier. At the end of the year, she was awarded the team’s most valuable player.

Muncie Central freshman Lily Clark - Lily Clark was the Bearcats No. 1 runner in each of the 12 meets for the girls team. She was one of three individual Regional qualifiers for Muncie Central's girls squad. She also finished fifth at the North Central Conference (NCC) meet earning All-Conference Honors.

Wapahani junior Annmarie Gibson - Gibson – a multi-sport athlete for the Raiders – shone on both the volleyball court and XC track. On the XC side of things, she was a county and MEC Champion. She was also a state qualifier.

Wes-Del freshman Noelle Ernstberger - As a freshman, Ernstberger placed 10th at the Phil Clay Invite, seventh at the Muncie Burris Invitational and was a Regional Qualifier after placing top-35 in the sectional round.

Yorktown senior Tori Oliver - Oliver was the No. 1 runner on the team and helped the Tigers win the Delaware County meet and win a sectional title.

Boys’ Soccer

Burris senior Liam Hannon - Hannon played primarily as a forward or as an attacking idfielder for the Owls. He scored 39 goals and provided 27 assists. In terms of points, he was the top boys soccer player in the state on MaxPreps, with 96. Hannon helped the Owls to victories over all three of their local rivals: Muncie Central, Delta, and Yorktown. He also propelled Burris to a sectional title.

Daleville senior Noah Colvin - Colvin played center-mid and scored 3 goals in the Broncos first ever sectional game. He won defensive player of the year and most valuable player for the Daleville soccer team and was a team captain.

Delta junior Maddox Huffman - Huffman was one of the Eagles’ top contributors as he broke the school’s single-season goals total with 26 in the 1,126 minutes he played. He scored four goals in two games and dropped three in three contests.

Muncie Central junior Angel Rueda - Rueda played mid-field for the Bearcats He lead a young group to a nine win season and second place finish in the NCC. He was First Team All-NCC nominee.

Wapahani sophomore Gabriel Peters - Pieters was a center attacking midfielder, and scored 12 goals on the season. He also tallied two assists, totaling 26 points for the team. He was a team leader, showing outstanding character.

Girls’ Soccer

Burris senior Sidney Jackson - Jackson played forward and was a reliable player, and coachable according to head coach Isidiro Alvarado. She was a team captain and scored 27 goals and 12 assists. She helped the Owls to their fourth straight sectional title.

Delta junior Jordan Bunch - Bunch scored 16 goals for the Eagles and had 17 assists. According to head coach Mason Turner, she was the go-to leader on the team and helped in any way she could throughout the 2024 campaign.

Muncie Central senior Sadie Hannah - Hannah was a four-year varsity starter. She scored seven goals this season as a defender, including a hat trick. She was also a team captain for the Bearcats.

Yorktown sophomore Mya Hargreaves - She was the Tigers’ goalkeeper and had 174 saves during the season. She also blocked two penalty kicks to allow the green and white to grab a sectional title.

Volleyball

Cowan sophomore Savannah Hall - As a sophomore, Hall led the team in digs and blocks and was second on the team in kills. Hall was named All Conference, All District and All County this season.

Daleville senior Trishell Johnson - Johnson, an outside-hitter surpassed 1,178 kills on her high school career during her senior campaign. She was All County, All MEC and was nominated for Indiana Athlete of the week (MaxPreps). She was also a team captain.

Daleville senior Cassidy Rees - Rees, a setter, surpassed 1,715 assists on her high school career. She totaled 93 aces last season and was All MEC, All- County and was nominated for Indiana Athlete of the Week (MaxPreps). She was a team captain while being named Academic All-State.

Muncie Central junior Grace Walker - Walker played as the varsity setter for the Bearcats last fall. She was a strong leader, being named one of the team’s captains as well as excelling in the classroom.

Yorktown senior Charlotte Vinson - Vinson was a key contributor after making a comeback from a health scare in the summer. After returning, she broke school records for kills in a season and career. Her efforts helped the Tigers appear in the Class 4A State Championship game at Worthen Arena, where they were named state-runner-ups.

Football

Delta senior Bronson Edwards - During the season, Edwards helped the Eagles reach the semifinal round of sectionals. He threw for 1,540 passing yards and recorded 14 passing touchdowns. He also notched 320 rushing yards and had seven rushing touchdowns.

Muncie Central senior Dae’Cion Echols - Echols carried the ball 139 times and only had one fumble on the 2024 season. According to head coach Kyle Padgett, he is an excellent young man that does things right both on and off the field. Echols currently has three division one offers, including two from power four schools.

Wes-Del senior Grayson Mealy - Mealy is a three sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He is a 2x state champ in ESports - Valarant. Grayson is an officer for the Wes-Del Athletic Leadership Council and is on the IHSAA Leadership Committee. He tallied 496 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Defensively, he had 57 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles and three interceptions.

Yorktown senior Wilson Webster - Webster recorded 759 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in 2024. He also had a rushing touchdown

Yorktown senior Ephraim Daugherty - In his final season, Daugherty had 644 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or via X @ZachCarter85. Contact Logan Connor via email at logan.connor@bsu.edu or via X @_loganconnor.

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