Inside Bearcat Athletics

Bearcat Football is off to an incredibly strong start this fall, allowing only seven total points through the first two games. The Bearcats opened the season with a dominant 52-0 shutout victory over South Central, followed by a 33-7 win on the road at Kankakee Valley. Our JV squad also started their year on a high note, battling back from a 4th-quarter deficit to defeat Kankakee Valley in a thrilling 36-34 game. Friday, September 5th, the Bearcats played their home opener vs. the River Forest Ingots and came out on top 49-0. Thank you to our community for showing up and packing the stands! The month of September also features matchups against Bishop Noll (away, 9/12), Boone Grove (home, 9/19), and Gary West Side (away, 9/26).

Boys Tennis is in full swing this season, already competing in six matches. The Bearcats have picked up impressive victories over Merrillville and Andrean, showcasing their hard work and growth on the courts. A special night is ahead for the program, as the team celebrates its seniors on Monday, September 16th, in their home match against Lake Station. Come out and support our players as they close out their careers with Bearcat Pride!

Boys Soccer has hit the ground running to start the season, competing in four matches already. The Bearcats earned their first victory in commanding fashion with a 9-0 win over River Forest, showing off their offensive firepower. The team will celebrate its seniors on Monday, September 16th, in a big matchup against Boone Grove. Mark your calendars and come cheer on our Bearcats in what is sure to be an exciting night under the lights!

Girls Soccer is off to a hot start, winning three of their first four games this season. The Bearcats picked up big victories over LaPorte, Washington Township, and River Forest, tallying an impressive 25 goals across those wins. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, making them an exciting team to watch. The program will honor its seniors on Wednesday, September 11th, in a conference showdown against Griffith. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM—come out and show your support!

Girls Golf has been busy to start the season, competing in several matches throughout the past month. The Bearcats have shown steady improvement on the course, gaining valuable experience with each outing. With a full slate of competition ahead, the team is focused on lowering scores and building momentum as they move deeper into the fall season.

Girls Volleyball has started the season strong, taking on tough competition and proving themselves as a force in the area. The Bearcats brought home hardware from the Hobart Invite after going a perfect 4-0 on the day, defeating quality opponents to claim the championship. Currently sitting at a 7-2 record, the team looks to keep building momentum and add more wins throughout September. Looking ahead, the Bearcats will honor their seniors on Monday, October 13th, in a home matchup against Westville.

Cross Country has been off to a strong start this season! The Bearcats opened by hosting the annual Bearcat Invite, setting the tone for the year. Most recently, they competed at the Dave Walker Invite in Hebron, where four runners placed in the top 30. The girls’ team finished an impressive 5th out of 14, while the boys earned 8th out of 14 against tough competition. The Bearcats will honor their seniors on Saturday, October 4th, during the conference meet hosted here at Wheeler. Keep running fast, Bearcats!

Cheer has brought the energy all season long, supporting our Bearcats on the sidelines and helping fuel their victories. This week, the cheer program is hosting its annual Kiddie Camp, a favorite tradition that brings future Bearcats onto the floor to learn cheers and build spirit. Camp participants will join the varsity cheerleaders for a special performance at halftime of Friday night’s football game—don’t miss it!

Congratulations to Julia Mangnall and Samantha Luken for earning 2nd team All Conference at the GSSC Conference Golf Match this past week!

For this month’s Coach Spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Coach Kaelyn Miller, our head Volleyball Coach at Wheeler! We asked Coach Miller a few questions to get to know her better — here’s what she had to say:

Where did you graduate high school?

Chesterton High School

What sport(s) did you play in high school and/or college?

In HS I played Volleyball, Basketball, and Tennis. In college, I played volleyball.

What’s your go-to pump up song?

Eye of the Tiger

How would your athletes describe you?

I think my athletes would describe me as laid back.

Favorite coaching catchphrases or sideline quotes?

My favorite coaching catchphrase is "always put we before the me."

Which Bearcat sport would you dominate in (hypothetically)?

Hypothetically I could dominate in aside from volleyball, maybe tennis.

Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?

A game day superstition I have is always having a clipboard to hold, and a pencil.

What do you love most about coaching at Wheeler?

The thing I love most about coaching at Wheeler apart from the amazing student athletes I have had, is the great comradery between some of the coaches I have met.

This month, we’re excited to highlight senior Jenna Burton for our Bearcat Athlete Spotlight! We asked Jenna a few fun questions to kick off her senior year as a Wheeler Bearcat, and here’s what she had to say:

What sport(s) have you played at Wheeler?

Softball and Cross Country

Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your athletic journey?

"My mom has been my biggest supporter."

What’s your go-to pump up song?

Run this Town by Rihanna and Jay -Z

Favorite pre-game snack?

Rice Krispie Treats

Do you have any pre game rituals or superstitions?

" I wear the same socks for every meet! (washed of course)"

Favorite memory at Wheeler?

"MY favorite memory was Cross Country Camp in Michigan."

Best advice for younger Bearcats?

"Stay positive and don’t give up! Enjoy the moment because it goes by so fast!"

What are your plans after high school?

"I plan on attending college."

#SeniorSpotlight #BearcatBuilt

Our Wheeler High School Bearcats had a great time visiting JSE and UCE last Friday! It was awesome to see so many of our younger Bearcats cheering loud and proud at the football game that night. The future of Bearcat Nation is bright!

Alumni - Please submit Google Form below if you plan to be in attendance!

Fall Sports Sectionals Dates/Locations

Girls Golf - 9/22 (Valparaiso Country Club)

Boys Tennis - 9/30 (Valparaiso)

Boys Soccer - 10/6-10/11 (Wheeler)

Girls Soccer - 10/7-10/11 (Wheeler)

Volleyball - 10/14 (Boone Grove)

Football - 10/24 (TBA)

Bearcat Football Homecoming Game:

Date: September 19th

Time: 7:00 PM Kick Off

Opponent: Boone Grove

Nelson's Chicken will be present! Purchase your tickets in advance at the MS or HS office!

Bearcat Cross Country Conference Meet:

10/4

Boys Soccer Senior Night:

Date: September 16th

Time: Game begins at 7:00 PM (Seniors honored before the game)

Girls Soccer Senior Night:

Date: September 11th

Football Senior Night:

Date: October 17th

Time: Kickoff at 7:00 PM (Seniors honored at Half Time)

Football Alumni Night:

10/3

Info: All Bearcat Football Alumni will receive free admission, a free hot dog, and a free t-shirt. They will be recognized at half time!

Local athletic directors across the state are feeling the strain—some have even had to tap referees from neighboring states like Michigan or Illinois just to cover Friday night football games

(IHSAA). In some cases, schools have resorted to playing doubleheaders on Saturdays or moving JV games to alternate days because officials simply aren’t available
(WSBT).

Nationally, officials are becoming harder to find. Since the 2018–19 school year, an estimated 50,000 officials have dropped out—a trend confirmed by reports noting a 20% drop in registered officials over recent years. NFHS+1

Many officials are staying because of respectful behavior. Studies show that verbal and physical abuse from fans, coaches, and parents is one of the top reasons why officials walk away. In fact, surveys indicate that 60% of officials would leave their role due to negative treatment (Center on Sport Policy and Conduct).

Positive sportsmanship helps keep officials in the game. A 2025 NFHS report noted that respect—simple actions like a friendly greeting, clean facilities, or polite interactions—makes a meaningful difference in officials’ decisions to stay involved.

Without officials, games can’t happen. Their presence is critical to competition. There’s even been statewide discussion in Indiana about moving varsity football off of Friday nights because there aren’t enough officials to cover all the games—underscoring how essential fair treatment and respect are for sustaining our fall sports programs WSBT.

Here are a few important reminders to help your family stay on track and ready for Bearcat Athletics this year:

• 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.

This month, we want to send a special thank you to the thoughtful, giving parents who do so much behind the scenes. As captured in the inspiring article “A Thank You Letter to ‘Those’ Sports Parents,” it’s the little things—sharing water, sending game clips to those who can’t attend, offering support to other families—that build the strongest communities. Your consistent care, kindness, and encouragement are the heart of Wheeler Athletics. Thank you for making our Bearcat experience so meaningful!

Your selfless support—whether it’s driving to away games, cheering in the stands, helping with snacks, or showing kindness to other families—is what makes our athletic community truly special. The impact of your generosity goes far beyond the scoreboard. It tells every athlete they belong, that performance doesn’t define them, and that we’re all in this together.

The impact of crowded bleachers might not seem significant to the fans themselves, but to the athletes, it’s a different story. As captain of the Girls Soccer team here at Wheeler, I have personally felt the impact over the years. The girls soccer team has had much success these past two years, despite not always getting the crowd we’d hope for. The impact of the crowd was especially prominent when we hosted sectionals last season. We had themes, particularly white-out for the sectional championship game where we had a student section of over 20 kids. Having a big crowd added to the pressure, especially for such a high stakes game, but it made me feel so much more confident because all of those people had shown up because they knew we had the ability to beat our opponent. Senior captain of the boys soccer team, Harper Schaberg, added, “Having a big crowd makes me play better. I like the pressure.”

Football season is a highly coveted sports season, primarily because of the excited fans. The WHS student section thrives each year as groups of kids show up for the games dressed in carefully picked outfits for the season’s themes. Senior football player, Tyne Vettickal, said, “Having a big crowd makes me feel hype. It makes me want to play better and help our team win.” Additionally, senior cheerleader Reese Reittinger quoted, “It brings the bearcat family together and it makes me joyous to see the crowd engaged in the game and having a good time.”

In the gym, our girls volleyball team as well as our boys and girls basketball teams attract lots of attention with bake sales and student section themes. Senior volleyball team captain, Sophia Hall, expressed, "Playing in front of a big crowd at a volleyball game is both exhilarating and intimidating. The pressure is real, but it pushes me to perform at my best, knowing every move is being watched. It's a mix of excitement, nerves, and a willingness to prove myself." Christian Cutka, a senior on the boys basketball team, added that, “The atmosphere of the large crowd makes the game feel more real, more alive.”

Our cross country teams can be seen practicing early in the mornings all throughout the year, and their hard work definitely seems to pay off. Having support is crucial to our runners to encourage them to push harder during their races. Senior captain of the boys cross country team, Titus Parrish, noted that at his meets having a crowd is “always encouraging and uplifting” and it “brings a smile to my face.” Furthermore, Jenna Burton, a senior on the girls cross country team, agrees that, “Bigger crowds are always more encouraging,” and adds that the “big crowds definitely make me nervous but they also motivate me to do better.”

Last year, WHS created its first girls wrestling team and managed to bring three girls to

Regionals. Senior wrestler Katie Lovingood stated, “I love the support from fellow classmates. It makes me feel special when people show up for wrestling, considering it is such a lesser known sport. At points, it gets stressful, but even if I lose, the support from fans and the people around me helps me get through the loss.”

Article Written by Athletics Intern: Jessica Surufka

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 a Legacy with a Legacy Brick

Want to leave a lasting impact at Wheeler? Purchase a Legacy Brick today!

Legacy Bricks are proudly displayed at the entrances of our new football stadium and the new softball/baseball complex, serving as a permanent reminder of the support and pride within Bearcat Nation. Each brick purchase directly assists us in maintaining and enhancing these beautiful facilities, ensuring that future generations of Bearcats have the best possible experience. Make your mark. Leave your legacy. Be part of Bearcat history!

🔗 Legacy Brick Link Below

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!