By Nathan Pace
Online Editor
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While Purdue’s season has ended due to the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, Center Grove alumna Cassidy Hardin has plenty of basketball still to play. Hardin just finished her sophomore season with the Boilermakers and has a role on the team that continues to grow.

“I think from freshman year to my sophomore year, I've gained a lot of confidence and I know my teammates trust me. I feel I have grown a lot as a person and as a player at Purdue being surrounded by the people that I am,” Hardin said.

Purdue finished 18-14 (8-10 Big Ten) making the Boilers a bubble team to be selected had the tournament gone on. Hardin hopes to play in the NCAA Tournament for her first time in her final two seasons.

Hardin knocked down 37 shots from beyond the arc as a sophomore, up from 24 as a freshman. She feels the higher scoring average is attributed to building confidence.

“There was always a little hesitation ‘should I shoot this shot’ or ‘is this a good shot’ so I definitely had to overcome the mental aspect of the game last year,” Hardin said. “I’ve done a really good job this year with that.”

Her ability to hit 3-pointers led Hardin to the Indiana All-Star after her senior season in 2018 where she was named player of the game against Kentucky that year in Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.

While at Center Grove, Hardin had success in tennis and basketball for the Trojans. She won the 2017 state doubles championship on the tennis court. On the basketball floor she helped Center Grove to three sectional crowns while finishing eighth in state history for career makes from three with 260. She averaged almost 18 points per game as a senior.

Plenty can happen in the next two years at Purdue so she isn’t ruling out playing basketball professionally or medical school after her eligibility is up. Until then she is loving her time at Purdue with her teammates.

“My teammates have been great; we’ve really bonded and I think that translated onto the court,” Hardin said. “I really love it at Purdue and I’m really glad that’s what I’ve picked.” 

By Nathan Pace
​Online Editor

NCAA basketball players were not the only student-athletes impacted by the cancellation of the college tournament. At the University of Indianapolis, cheerleaders lost out on their final chance to support their Greyhounds with the cancellation of the Division II regional at UIndy. Meet four senior cheerleaders who pass along their experiences to future athletes.

(Special thanks to UIndy Cheer coach Tessa Wolsiffer for submitting photos.)

Allison Armes

High School: Center Grove
Major: Human Biology, Minor: Spanish

Favorite moment: My sophomore year, 2017, our football team played Grand Valley State at home for our first football game of the season. GVS was ranked No. 2 in the country at the time. We beat them 24-20!!! The energy at Key Stadium was amazing! We then went on to an undefeated regular season.

How college Improved you as a cheerleader: I believe I’ve improved in many different ways with being a Uindy Cheerleader, however, one thing I think helped me excel throughout college is learning time-management skills behind being a full-time student athlete. Post-grad plans: I plan to be a medical device sales representative.

Tips for younger cheerleaders: Confidence, confidence, confidence! Confidence is such a valuable trait for cheerleaders. It really makes the difference in your skills and how you look to the crowd! Be confident in yourself.

I couldn’t have asked for a better four years at UIndy and it has been such an honor to represent our university. I will miss cheering for my favorite athletic teams so much.
 
Taylor Amberger

High School: Franklin Central

Major: Psychology

Favorite moment: Going to the Butler UCA cheer clinic my sophomore year. It was a great team bonding experience and we learned so much.

How college Improved you as a cheerleader: Over the past three years cheering for UIndy, I have improved the most on my motions and trying my best not only at games, but practices, too.

Post-grad plans: I hope to get a job in medical device sales

Tips for young cheerleaders: My biggest tip to younger cheerleaders is this: don’t let anyone tell you what you cannot do. Trust yourself and know what you are capable of. Always try to be the best person and athlete you can be. 

Cheerleading has taught me how to be a teammate, how to push myself, and most importantly, how to be confident.

Madison Borger

High School: Elkhart Memorial

Favorite moment: It’s hard to pick just one from the past four years, but I would have to say both the homecoming game and pack-the-house night are always really fun games to cheer for.

How college improved you as a cheerleader: I think I have really improved in my communication and leadership skills as an upperclassman on this year’s squad.

Post-grad plans: I will be attending the Krannert School of Physical Therapy this fall!

Favorite workout song: We R Who We R by Kesha

Tips for young cheerleaders: Give 100 percent to every repetition; you’re never going to look back and wish you hadn’t worked so hard

Avery Selch

High School: Mooresville

Favorite Moment: Having the opportunity to cheer in front of thousands of people at football games alongside my strong and supportive teammates and to make a difference among my community through countless hours of community service.

How college improved you as a cheerleader: Through a lot of hard work both inside and outside of practice, my skill set has definitely improved throughout the four years I was able to cheer at UIndy.

Post-grad plans: I intend to be a critical care travel nurse so that I can work in a multitude of settings and gain new experiences each place I go before attending grad school to become a nurse practitioner.

Favorite workout song: Blinding Lights by the Weekend.

Tips for young cheerleaders: Never give up on your dream and passion for cheerleading. Cheering at the collegiate level is a goal that can sometimes seem unattainable; however, with a lot of practice, perseverance, and a great attitude, anything is possible