Indy Star

By Ted Schultz

 

It hasn't been an enjoyable spring for Blake Dircksen.

The Noblesville senior, who helped the Millers to a 3,200-meter relay state title last spring and finished fifth in the state cross-country meet in the fall, has been sidelined with a stress reaction in his foot. He hopes to return for the May 21 Carmel Sectional.

"It's been pretty tough. It's really taken an emotional toll on me, but I plan on being back for sectional. I've worked really hard cross-training. I've been in the pool and on the bike, and I'll be back for sectional. We want to win another (state) title."

One bright spot for Dircksen has been a college commitment. He signed to run cross-country and track at Miami (Ohio).

"I took my visit, and I really liked the campus and the coach and the team," he said. "I could really see myself being with them (for) the next few years. It's a good school. They have the major I want, so that was another reason."

Dircksen, who plans to study exercise science and physical therapy, chose Miami over Purdue and Mississippi State universities.

"Mississippi State probably would have been the cheapest, but it was quite a ways away, and I wanted to stay closer to home," he said. "Purdue offered about the same as Miami, but I really liked Miami."

During his winter training, Dircksen started feeling pain in his right foot. He cut back on his training but still ran a leg on Noblesville's 3,200 relay.

"It started off and on throughout the winter," he said. "I was training a little bit every now and then, and I tried racing out in Boston, and when I stepped off the track, I couldn't walk."

Dircksen has been in a boot since then. He'll likely miss Friday's Hoosier Crossroads Conference meet but could return for the sectional. He was a state qualifier in the 1,600 last year but would likely run only the 3,200 relay.

"If my foot's not ready by the time we're going into the tournament, that's the way it goes," he said. "I'll just go by how my foot feels, not what my head's telling me to do."

Noblesville senior Tyler Thatcher has signed to play soccer at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. he netted nine goals and six assists in earning All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference and second-team Indiana Soccer Coaches Association All-State honors while helping the Millers to a regional title.

Noblesville senior Adrienne Way has committed to play softball at Franklin College. She has been sidelined with an arm injury for most of this season.

Hamilton Heights senior Austin Weatherford will play basketball at Rose-Hulman. He averaged 13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds and led the Huskies in assists (4.3 per game) and steals (2.6) in earning All-Mid-Indiana Conference honors.