It was another wild ride this school year for Mt. Vernon Marauders athletics, from the football team’s new gunslinger quarterback Zac Montgomery, to the boys’ golf team’s new head coach Tyler Wilson. There was never a dull moment along the way. Now that the year is coming to a close, it’s time to reminisce on some of those stunning Marauder moments.

Going into the season there were mounting expectations for the football team to have a great year, but when MV dropped 3 of the first 4 games of the season, doubt began to creep in.

“I had really thought we would have a great squad last season, and that the boys would be hot all season long,” said Nate Reintjes, 11. “That wasn’t the case because we didn’t start off too well, but once they got going it was a really fun year.”

The Marauders proceeded to win their next seven games by a combined score of 217-97, including a thrilling down-to-the-wire game against Shelbyville at Lucas Oil Stadium, but ended up falling to Delta in the first round of the Sectional, 6-12.

The wrestling team saw four of their own- Peyton Wuerch, Drake Tackett, Chase Wilkerson, and PJ Sterrett- advance to Semi-State in February, but none were able to advance to the State championships.

Point guard Michael Ertel for the boys’ basketball team reached a big milestone in scoring his 1,000th career point last season, and at the end of the year was named an Indiana All-Star, MV’s first since Daniel Turner in 2010.

And finally, the girls’ tennis team captured their fourth straight Hancock County title, winning the annual meeting of MV, New Palestine, Greenfield Central, and Eastern Hancock.

“I think everyone dreams of having their last season be the one they are most proud of, and that is the goal for me,” said Emily Annakin, 12. “Helping the team win county my senior year was an amazing feeling, but helping win sectionals would be even better.”

It was quite a year for MV athletics, and it’s not over yet. Baseball, softball, girls’ tennis, boys’ golf, and track still have yet to finish up their seasons throughout the month of May, with some going into early June.