The Wheeler Varsity Bearcats have battled through adversity and injuries this spring, yet continue to showcase their resilience and competitive edge on the field.

Recent Wins:

• 6-2 over Morgan Township behind a complete-game performance by Caleb McLaughlin, with clutch hits from Christian Cutka, Victor Hutcheson, and Blake Laba.

• 7-6 over Lake Station Edison, highlighted by David Lindlow’s 3-for-4 night and aggressive base running.

Team Stats (as of 5/19):

• 122 Runs, 133 Hits, 92 RBIs, 65 Stolen Bases

• 119 Strikeouts thrown by the Bearcat pitching staff

Individual Highlights:

• Caleb McLaughlin was named Super Hero of the Game on 5/6 after going 3-for-5 with 4 runs scored.

• Nick Bravo led the area in stolen bases the week of May 5.

The team has also been excited to break in their brand new turf field, and we’re thankful for the construction crews who made this possible.

Upcoming:

• Senior Night – Friday, 5/24 at 7:00 PM vs. Tri-Township

• Sectionals Begin 5/29 – Game 1: 5:00 PM vs. Whiting

Congratulations to our Baseball Seniors:
Chase Yanek, Nick Bravo, Fred Gaetz, Calvin Paolone, and Jayden Ortiz – thank you for your leadership and impact on Bearcat Baseball!

The Wheeler Varsity Bearcats Softball team has had a dominant and exciting spring season, filled with big wins, powerful hitting, and strong pitching performances.

• Bremen Tournament Champions:
  For the second straight year, the Bearcats brought home the Bremen Tournament title, piling up 34 runs and 6 home runs in one day of explosive offense.

• Individual Highlights:

  • Abby Allen was named Valpo.Life Athlete of the Week (May 17) after a 2-run, 2-hit, 2-RBI performance vs. Calumet.

  • Grace Gabriel ranked in the top 10 in the area for strikeouts the week of May 5.

• Team Stats (as of 5/19):

  • Record: 14-5

  • Batting Average: .413

  • 182 Runs, 209 Hits, 10 Home Runs

  • Pitching: 153 combined strikeouts from Nora Howell, Cadence Piunti, and Grace Gabriel

• Upcoming Schedule:

  • Games this week vs. Westville, North Judson, and Boone Grove

  • Sectionals Begin May 28 – The Bearcats will face the winner of Lake Station Edison vs. Hebron

• Senior Recognition:
  Congratulations to our incredible softball seniors:
  Abby Allen, Isa Lira, Rileyann Welch, Olivia Hessling, and Reagan Luedtke.
  Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and contributions to Bearcat Softball!

The team has also been proud to break in the brand new turf field this season. A special thank you goes to the construction crews for making this incredible upgrade possible.

The Lady Bearcats have had a strong run this spring with several exciting wins:

• Vs. North Newton:
  A dominant 5-0 sweep pushed the varsity squad to 2-0 in conference play, with the JV team also winning 4-0!

• Vs. Bishop Noll:
  In a thrilling showdown, the Bearcats edged out a 3-2 victory, improving to 3-0 in the GSSC.

• Vs. Calumet:
  The team wrapped up their conference schedule with another exciting 3-2 win, finishing 5-3 in the conference and showcasing their consistency in close matches.

The team now shifts their focus to sectional play this week at Valparaiso. Best of luck, Bearcats!

Congratulations to senior Atlas Fugate for a great season and her dedication to the program. Thank you for representing Wheeler Girls Tennis with pride and sportsmanship!

It’s been a strong and spirited season for Bearcat Track & Field, filled with standout performances, team milestones, and incredible sportsmanship.

This spring, Wheeler proudly hosted the 14th Annual Bearcat Invitational, which was a tremendous success thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, coaches, and athletes. The event continues to be a highlight of the season and a great showcase of Bearcat pride and hospitality.

The team also recently celebrated Senior Night during the GSSC Conference Meet. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our senior leaders:
Jamilah Roseborough, Justin Nunez, and Marek Barton – your impact and dedication will not be forgotten!

Recent Top Performances:

• Rowan Kruszka – 3rd in Girls 1600m (5:52.74)

• Ava Lukawski – 3rd in Girls 400m (1:02.35) and 2nd in Long Jump (5.08m)

• Marek Barton – 2nd in Boys 300m Hurdles (43.91)

• Madisyn Rouch – 4th in Girls Discus (27.84m)

• Aidan Mason – 2nd in Boys Discus (43.61m)

We’re also proud to announce that Jace Lee received an IHSAA Exemplary Sportsmanship Report this spring — a reflection of the integrity and character we aim to build in all of our student-athletes. Way to go, Jace!

Upcoming Sectionals:

• Girls Sectionals: Tuesday, May 20 at Hobart

• Boys Sectionals: Thursday, May 22 at Crown Point
  Best of luck to both teams as they finish strong!

The Bearcat Golf team has had a strong and consistent spring season, showing great improvement and teamwork across several events.

Season Highlights:

• Conference Round-Robin:
  At Indian Ridge Country Club, the team earned two conference wins over North Newton and Calumet, shooting a season-low team score of 176. Junior Justin Ireland led the way with a 5-over-par 41.

• Curtis Creek Invitational:
  The Bearcats placed 8th out of 15 teams, with Junior Mark Gillen firing a 78 to finish 5th overall in a competitive field.

The team now holds a 9-4 overall record and is 6-1 in GSSC play. They will compete in the GSSC Conference Tournament this Friday at Wicker Park, followed by sectional play on June 5.

Congratulations to senior Caleb Klimczak for his commitment and leadership throughout the season. Best of luck in your next chapter!

For this month’s Coach Spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Coach Daniel Stewart, our first-year head baseball coach at Wheeler! We asked Coach Stew a few questions to get to know him better — here’s what he had to say:

Where did you graduate high school?
Hobart High School

What sport(s) did you play in high school and/or college?
High school: Football and Baseball
College: Baseball

What’s your go-to pump up song?
Loud and Jet Fuel by Mac Miller

One word your athletes would use to describe you?
Fiery or Passionate

Favorite coaching catchphrases or sideline quotes?

• “Fear no one.”

• “Apply pressure to create chaos.”

• “Baseball is an art in motion.”

• “Don’t be victim weight, food is your friend.”

• 
  

Which Bearcat sport would you dominate in (hypothetically)?
Football

Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
Absolutely!

• I have to drink at least two energy drinks before even touching the field.

• I will NOT wear matching socks on game day.

• I refuse to touch the chalk lines.

What do you love most about coaching at Wheeler?
What I love most about coaching here is being able to create a new culture and structure that the boys haven’t had before. Every day, they show a new level of energy, grit, and character that drives me to be a better coach for them.

Thank you, Coach Stew, for bringing passion, intensity, and a new vision to Bearcat Baseball. We’re excited to have you leading our program!
#CoachSpotlight #BearcatBuilt

This month, we’re excited to highlight senior Freddy Gaetz for our Bearcat Athlete Spotlight! We asked Freddy a few fun questions to celebrate his time as a Wheeler Bearcat, and here’s what he had to say:

What sport(s) have you played at Wheeler?
Baseball

Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your athletic journey?
My mom and dad

What’s your go-to pump up song?
See You Again by Tyler the Creator

Favorite pre-game snack?
SweetTart Ropes

Favorite memory at Wheeler?
I enjoyed Coach Stew prioritizing arm care in the pool and getting to play basketball after.

Best advice for younger Bearcats?
"You have to put in the work. Those morning practices are going to be rough, but it is worth it."

What are your plans after high school?
I will be attending Indiana University to study Criminal Justice.

#SeniorSpotlight #BearcatBuilt

Congratulations to Grace Christos for signing to continue her athletics career at Beloit College! #BearcatPride

This spring, Wheeler Softball and Baseball each hosted their annual Teacher Appreciation Nights, celebrating the educators who make a lasting impact on our student-athletes.

Players invited a teacher or staff member who has positively influenced them to wear their jersey and participate in a special pregame moment — including throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

These heartfelt events are a reminder of how closely tied education-based athletics are to the classroom. We are incredibly grateful for all of our educators here at Wheeler and truly appreciate the role they play in shaping the lives of our student-athletes — both on and off the field.

Thank you, teachers, for all you do!

This spring, Wheeler High School Softball and Baseball had the honor of welcoming Wheeler’s Little League players and coaches to our brand new turf fields for a day filled with fun, connection, and Bearcat pride!

Little League athletes had the opportunity to:

• Meet our high school players

• Run the bases on the new turf

• Enjoy lunch

• And watch the Bearcats in action

It was a fantastic day of community engagement, smiles, and inspiration for the next generation of Bearcats. We’re so proud to share these special moments with our future stars and look forward to seeing them back in Bearcat uniforms someday!

Thank you to all the Little League families and coaches who joined us — and to our athletes and staff for making it such a memorable day!

We are proud to announce that Wheeler High School was selected as a recipient of the 2024-2025 IHSAA Student Advisory Committee (SAC) Development Grant! This exciting opportunity has allowed us to launch the Wheeler Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), made up of 12 student-athletes representing a wide range of sports and programs.

Each SALT member was nominated by their coach for their leadership qualities, positive attitude, and commitment to being a role model within their team. The group will meet monthly to discuss impactful topics such as mental health, accountability, building team culture, and leading with integrity.

Our goal is to empower these student-athletes to take an active role in shaping the future of Wheeler Athletics. We also plan to expand SALT’s impact by offering leadership clinics for coaches, student-athletes, and parents—further strengthening the values that define Bearcat pride. We’re excited to see this team grow and lead the way in continuing to build a positive, student-centered athletic culture at Wheeler! #BearcatPride

Wheeler Sports Physical Night

Date: June 4th

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Location: Wheeler High School Gymnasium

Cost: $20

Additional Information: Parent Signature required for physical paperwork to be accepted. Please complete Final Forms before attending.

Moratorium Weeks:

June 30th - July 6th

July 28th - August 2nd

Bearcat Athletics Sponsorship Due Date:

July 20th

Fall Sports Parent Meeting (Attendance Required for Parents of HS Fall Sport Athletes)

Date: August 11th

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Auditorium

Bearcat Football Jamboree:

Date: July 22nd

Time: TBA

Bearcat Football Home Opener:

Date: September 5th

Time: 7:00 PM

Opponent: River Forest

As we look ahead to next school year, here are a few important reminders to help your family stay on track and ready for Bearcat Athletics:

• New Team Communication Platform – BAND App
  Starting in 2025–2026, all Wheeler athletic teams will use the BAND app for team communication. This will help create consistency across programs and ensure you receive updates in one central place.
  ➤ The app is free and available for download on both the App Store and Google Play.
  ➤ Your athlete’s coach will provide the invite link to join their team’s group—be sure to reach out if you need it

• Final Forms Registration
  Before participating in any practices or tryouts, all athletes must have their Final Forms account updated and completed for the 2025–2026 school year. A copy of a physical with a date AFTER April 1, 2025. MUST be uploaded to Final Forms prior to athlete attending tryouts/practice.
  ➤ Log in here to get started: https://uniontownship-in.finalforms.com

• Stay Informed with Eventlink
  

  Eventlink is the best way to stay updated on game schedules, changes, and cancellations.
  ➤ Parents are encouraged to create an Eventlink account and subscribe to their athlete’s teams.
  ➤ You can receive text or email notifications anytime a schedule is changed or an event is added or canceled.
  ➤ The Eventlink app is also available for download and provides easy access to all schedules.
  ➤ See the attached PDF for step-by-step instructions on setting up your account and subscribing to teams.

At Wheeler, we believe that a strong partnership between parents, coaches, and student-athletes is key to a successful athletic experience. This section of the newsletter is dedicated to supporting and equipping parents with resources, tips, and tools to help your child thrive both on and off the field.

This month, we’re sharing a few valuable resources to support you in your role as a parent of a student-athlete:

• Student-Athlete Mental Health (The Jed Foundation)
  With increasing pressures on today’s athletes, mental wellness is more important than ever. This article from The Jed Foundation takes a deeper look at the challenges student-athletes face and how parents can play a critical role in supporting their well-being.

• 10 Tips for a Positive Parent-Coach Partnership
  A strong relationship between parents and coaches can make a big difference in a child’s athletic experience. In fact, a significant number of students quit organized sports by their freshman year, often due to negative sideline experiences or strained adult interactions. This article offers simple, practical ways to foster a respectful and positive partnership with your child’s coach.

• NCSA The Role of Parents in College Recruitment
  For families navigating the college athletics path, this resource from Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) provides helpful insight into the recruitment process, setting realistic goals, and understanding the parent’s role in supporting their student through it.

Welcome to Athlete’s Corner—a space dedicated to helping you grow both on and off the field. Whether you’re looking to level up your performance, take better care of your mental and physical health, or prepare for college athletics, we’ve got resources to support your journey. Each month, we’ll spotlight tools, articles, and tips to help you become the best version of yourself—as an athlete and a leader.

This month, we’re sharing three great resources to help you stay strong—physically, mentally, and academically:

• Positive Self-Talk for Peak Performance (TrueSport)
  The way you speak to yourself matters. This article explores how positive self-talk can improve confidence, focus, and athletic performance—on and off the field.

• NCAA Eligibility Center
  Thinking about playing in college? Don’t wait to register! The NCAA Eligibility Center helps you understand academic requirements, discover what division your schools of interest fall under, and learn more about the recruitment process.
  

• Coping with Pressure in Sports (TrueSport)
  Athletes often carry a heavy load—from performance expectations to social and team pressures. This article provides practical strategies for managing that pressure in healthy, effective ways so you can perform at your best.

Are you looking for a way to support Bearcat Athletics? Whether it's your time, resources, or generosity—we’d love to have you involved! Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

• Volunteer at the Gate or Concession Stand
  We rely heavily on gate and concession revenue to fund our athletic programs, as these are the primary sources of income outside of fundraising. We are always in need of volunteers to help at events. If you’re willing to donate your time, please complete the form below:
  🔗 Gate/Concession Volunteers – https://forms.gle/rUsk5pt92vHER9Ph9

• Become a Bearcat Sponsor
  Our 2025–2026 Bearcat Athletics Sponsorship Program is now live! Sponsorships help cover costs such as officials, tournament and invitational fees, uniforms, equipment, and more.
  🔗 Sponsorship Form Attached Below

• Leave Your Legacy – Purchase a Brick
  Be a part of our newly constructed baseball, softball, and football facilities by purchasing a legacy brick. Your personalized brick will be permanently placed on campus and directly support the ongoing development and maintenance of our athletic venues.
  🔗 https://shorturl.at/eElm7

You can find up to the minute updates on schedules, game results, sponsors, coach contacts, and more!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our Bearcat Athletics Facebook Page! Click the link below to give us a like and follow for game recaps, athlete highlights, event updates, important announcements, and more. Don’t miss a moment of the action—stay in the loop and support our Bearcats all season long!