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Chicago Tribune
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Portage's Kaleb Hacker doesn't mind being called ‘Chucky.' When he's confident, pitching is like child's play.
If Portage junior pitcher Kaleb Hacker is laughing on the mound, it may be because a teammate just called him 'Chucky.' But the 6-foot-7, 240-pound right-hander said he sometimes needs those heckles from teammates to keep him from venturing too far inside his head. 'I'll still beat myself up a lot when I walk one or two guys, and that's kind of been my issue for the last two years,' Hacker said. 'So that loosens me up a little bit.' It worked again Wednesday, when Hacker turned in another quality outing while guiding Portage to a 5-0 win over Merrillville in a Class 4A Valparaiso Sectional opener. Hacker struck out six in five shutout innings for the Indians (12-12-2), who will play Chesterton (15-12) in the sectional semifinals on Friday. His victory against Merrillville (5-23) improved his record to 5-3 and lowered his ERA to 3.77 in a team-leading 42 2/3 innings. Portage coach Shane Prance said wins like that, the team's first in the postseason since 2019, should give Hacker a boost. 'It's just confidence,' Prance said. 'Throwing him in a game like this and getting this win under this belt helps him know he can do it when he just trusts his stuff and goes for it. Sometimes he is his harshest critic. Getting him to be confident is half the battle.' Hacker's teammates have been happy to help with that half of the battle. Among them is junior pitcher Hunter Cole, who is 3-2 with a team-best 2.23 ERA this season. Cole said he has found that joking with Hacker has been one way to keep his spirits up, even if that means bringing up an inside joke from earlier in Hacker's career when a picture of him looked like the villainous doll from the 'Child's Play' movies. 'We just heckle him a little bit, humble him, and then he throws his game,' Cole said. 'He can get in his head a lot, but as soon as he gets out of there, he starts throwing strikes and ends up being a really good ballplayer.' Hacker handles the other half of the battle, putting in all the physical work necessary to become a pitcher worthy of a postseason start. Extra hours in the weight room helped him increase the velocity of his fastball from 86 mph last summer to 90 mph. 'That's a big improvement,' he said. 'But I still have a long way to go.' Hacker said his work continued throughout the winter months, even while he was part of a basketball team that won its first sectional title since 2001. There were plenty of late-night workouts following basketball practices or games. Hacker said his frequent self-critiques are a symptom of his passion for sports. 'I've always been that way,' he said. 'Ever since I was younger, I always wanted to be better.' But Hacker has made a believer out of Prance. 'He just has to trust his stuff within the strike zone because when he's in the zone, he's dominant,' Prance said. 'He has a high ceiling, and he isn't close to reaching it.' Whenever Hacker makes his next appearance on the mound, he will know what to do. 'Don't even think about it,' he said. 'Just go out there and throw.'
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Marvin Gaye Earns A Long Overdue Music Industry Award
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' is certified seven-times platinum by ... More the RIAA, making it Gaye's most awarded single to date. American Soul musician Marvin Gaye (1939 - 1984) performs onstage at the Holiday Star Theater, Merrillville, Indiana, June 10, 1983. (Photo by) Getty Images Throughout his storied career, Marvin Gaye scored many successful singles. He changed the sound of popular music in America. The multi-talented musician made pop music much more thoughtful and soulful, imbuing his work with a depth of meaning many other superstars couldn't muster, and he's remembered not just as a hitmaker, but as a true artist. Decades after his passing and long after many of his most successful tracks were released, Gaye collects a very special award and sees one of his most familiar tunes reach new heights. 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' Becomes Marvin Gaye's Biggest Hit The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has finally certified Gaye's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' his collaboration with Tammi Terrell. Before May 2025, the song had never earned any gold or platinum plaques. But now, in one fell swoop, it has become a certified smash — not that it needed plaques to confirm its status as one of the more successful tunes of the late 1960s. The collaboration went from no honors to becoming a seven-times platinum success story in one leap. That means the music industry organization has certified that it has moved at least seven million equivalent units between pure sales and streaming activity. 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' Is Marvin Gaye's Third RIAA-Certified Track 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' is just the third title from Gaye's discography to earn any kind of certification from the RIAA. Both 'Let's Get It On' and 'Sexual Healing' have been named platinum successes — although in multiple different iterations. So, the total number of units moved may actually be greater than just one million each. Thanks to its new awards, 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' has outperformed all of Gaye's other certified tunes combined. Marvin Gaye's Album Also Earns an Award Seven of Gaye's albums have also been certified by the RIAA. The most successful among them, Midnight Love, is up to triple platinum status, with at least three million equivalent units moved. A duet project with Terrell — his partner on 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' — titled United was also certified gold at the same time that the song earned its seven platinum plaques. Terrell has only scored her two wins years after she landed her biggest hit, but she finally collects RIAA honors. Multiple Versions of the Song Have Found Success Multiple versions of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' became hits in America. While Gaye and Terrell turned the composition into a smash originally, and peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100, it lifted even higher later on. The Supremes and The Temptations teamed up for a rendition, and Diana Ross eventually turned it into her first solo No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 1970.
Indianapolis Star
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
He didn't want to hurdle. Now Rylan Hainje is a breakout star, running times with nation's best
He didn't want to hurdle. Now Rylan Hainje is a breakout star, running times with nation's best "13.7!" Franklin Central junior Rylan Hainje yelled the time when hurdles coach Melinda George first told him, hugging her and his teammates. He repeated it as he walked down the field at Lawrence Central, recovering from his personal-best 110 hurdles time of 13.78 — as though he was trying to convince himself it actually happened. "I couldn't believe I broke it at first," Rylan said. "I was confused." Disbelief turned to excitement as the accomplishment set in. Rylan, who began hurdling last season, had recorded Indiana's top time of 2025 and one of the country's top marks. His success in outdoor comes after a stellar indoor campaign, breaking Indiana's 60 hurdles record multiple times and finishing second at the Hoosier State Relays. You might recognize the name Rylan Hainje. Yes, this Hainje is the son of former Butler basketball standout Rylan Hainje — though playing basketball wasn't in the cards for the younger Hainje. He tried baseball and was good at basketball, but neither sport stuck. The older Hainje said Rylan and one of his brothers just wanted to play sports for fun growing up, so he didn't try to push them into anything. They figured out what they wanted themselves. Rylan didn't find his athletic groove until this indoor track season. He was interested in track as an eighth grader but held off on joining, citing a lack of confidence. Then he tore his knee as a freshman. By sophomore year, he was ready to try the sport. He was not ready to hurdle, however — though he wasn't given a choice. George often works with the team's third- or fourth-best sprinters, converting them to hurdlers. Rylan fit the bill. Hainje was terrified of hurdles initially, George said. They started him with small PVC pipe hurdles and focused on his eight steps to the first hurdle. Then they moved him up. The first practice was nerve-racking, Rylan said, because he didn't know anybody there and didn't want to hurdle. It was his only practice before his first race. He still won. "He was so distressed about it," George said. Rylan didn't like hurdles until sectionals last year, when he hit 15.04 and placed third. With that performance, he knew he could be good at it. His intuition was spot-on. Rylan came out of the gates fast during indoor season. He broke Franklin Central's school record early on. Then he set Indiana's 60 hurdles record with a time of 7.78, and again in 7.76 — among the nation's fastest times. Speed and athleticism have never been a problem for Rylan. Having the confidence needed to perform has been the difficult part of switching to hurdles, he said. His performances vary as he gets in his head, always thinking about parts of races he can change. Rylan barely slept the night before the Hoosier State Relays in March, knowing he would face stiff competition from Merrillville's John Peters. That got in his head, he said. "I was nervous," Hainje said. "When I got out, I knew John had me by the first hurdle." George and his friends have helped when they can. Rylan credited friends Zeke and Jett for pushing him through practices and meets, always telling him he's going to win. And George always tells him not to get in his head. George's goals for Rylan aren't concrete, saying she doesn't know all he's capable of. She just wants him to be comfortable on the track. "I want him to get confident," George said. "I want to see our 300 times drop and I want him to learn that he is strong enough to do multiple events. I want him to have that confidence." It's a work in progress, but the results keep coming. Hainje set a personal best of 13.98 at a tri-meet against Greenwood and Cathedral on April 10. That 13.78 mark at Lawrence Central was a major dip and a major step forward. On Friday at Mooresville, he dropped a 13.66 — one of the fastest times in the nation this year for non-seniors. He's performed well enough to talk with some colleges, including IU and Marian. Rylan's goals for the rest of the year: break the state record in the 110 hurdles and 36.5 seconds in the 300 hurdles, though he expects the latter to be difficult because it's not his best race. He also wants to break Fishers alum Tyler Tarter's hurdles marks at the state meet. Sub-par performances are just data points. Steps on the path toward improved confidence and new records. In fact, his dad's proudest moment was watching him lose at the Hoosier State Relays. It's given Rylan more drive, he said. "For him to lose and (to) see how he bounced back has been tremendous," he said. Vote for track athlete of the week: School records fall and an 8th-grader (!) shines Bouncing back is one of many lessons that can be learned from sports — a topic the older Hainje has thoughts on as a former college athlete. He said he's always told his kids sports have lots to teach them, whether it's dealing with a coach you disagree with or a situation you don't like. Just like having a job, he said, it's something you stick with. George, who has coached hurdles at several Indiana schools, said Hainje has already tied her fastest athlete who won the state meet in 2014. Rylan is a great kid, she said — consistently cheerful. "Rylan's always happy," George said. "He's so excited, like when he first broke the school record and then to break the state record — he's always smiling." That joy was palpable after he crossed the line at Lawrence Central's Kenny Randle Invitational, exhausted but with a new personal best in hand. There will certainly be more of that for Rylan as track and field heats up in May: big smiles, big wins, big hugs, big improvement. Sign up for our high school sports newsletter for all the latest Central Indiana preps latest.
Chicago Tribune
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Portage's Kyle Ketchum catches less often this season. But he's hitting much more, no matter where he plays.
This season has been one of adjustments for Portage senior Kyle Ketchum. A relatively new position, playing primarily first base instead of catcher. A retooled swing, keeping the mechanics simpler. A redefined body, having dropped about 50 pounds from his 6-foot-5 frame. But Ketchum is experiencing a new level of success too. 'Kyle has molded into a very good player, and his best baseball is in front of him,' Portage coach Shane Prance said. Ketchum, an Olive-Harvey commit, was hitting .476 with six RBIs, seven runs scored and four stolen bases before the Indians (7-0, 3-0) played Merrillville in their Duneland Athletic Conference series finale Wednesday. 'He really figured out his swing in the offseason to just keep things simple and just find barrels,' Prance said. 'Having that big of a body, it's going to supply its own power for him.' But with senior catcher Devon Ortiz also in the lineup, Ketchum is playing at first base much of the time. 'He's great defensively for us, playing both first and catching,' Prance said 'I have two senior catchers who are good, and I just have to find a way to keep his bat in the lineup.' Ketchum, who handled the bulk of the catching duties last season, doesn't mind the position change. 'I've been playing first base a lot, and it's actually new to me,' he said. 'I've never really been at first base. I've always been behind the dish most of my life. 'They just needed me in the lineup. That's our best defense, when I'm at first and Devon's behind the dish. That's the best spot.' Ortiz appreciates Ketchum's contributions no matter where he plays. 'He's going to have a quality at-bat, and he's going to help us defensively every play,' Ortiz said. 'He's going to put the ball in play and make something happen.' Ketchum, who hit .264 with a homer, 11 RBIs and four runs last season, explained how he has tweaked his approach at the plate. 'Hitting was definitely a big miss in my game last year,' he said. 'Last year, I had a bigger step and a longer swing. This year, I spread my feet out and I don't have much of a step. I just sit back on my back leg and short hands to the ball. Just look middle out. 'I'm not looking to pull anything this year. Last year, I was trying to go for the fences, big hits. This year, it's just working out so much better. I'm looking to go up the middle, hit it hard.' Ketchum put in the hard work in the offseason. He said he weighed as much as 255 pounds toward the end of last season and is down to 205 this spring. Ketchum also said he has been 'eating better' and has gotten into yoga, which has helped get his 'mind right' and improve his flexibility. 'I was on the bigger side last year, but we all grinded, hit the weight room a lot,' he said. 'I didn't want to lose the weight and not gain muscle, and I've gained a lot of muscle. My throwing velocity has gone up from 70 to 80 (mph). My exit velo has gone up — I hit 101, and last year I wasn't close to that.' Prance, a 2008 Portage graduate who is in his third season as coach, has emphasized the complementary nature of the Indians. 'We have a good core group of guys that have grown with the program since they were freshmen,' he said. 'They take turns on whose day it's going to be to be the superstar. I love that. I love the team baseball aspect of it. 'You're not going to be perfect every day, but if your teammate can pick you up and he can be the guy that day, it just makes it that much more fun. They're rooting for each other, and in that sense, it becomes more of a team game. That's been our success.' Ketchum agreed that the Indians, who went 12-15 overall and 4-10 in the conference last season, have developed an important connection. 'Everyone has trust in everyone else,' he said. 'Top of the order, middle, bottom — everyone in the lineup can do something. 'From the season we had last year, we just built off of it. This offseason, we just grinded, just focused on us and our game. We definitely know we can be up there with the big dogs. We're going to compete.'
Chicago Tribune
06-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
New teachers in demand at IUN recruitment fair
Aspiring teachers found themselves in the driver's seat at Friday's teacher recruitment fair sponsored by the Indiana University Northwest School of Education. Twenty local school districts along with charter and private schools set up tables inside the Savannah Center and eagerly greeted job candidates interested in classroom vacancies for the coming school year. 'It's still an employee market,' said Reid Amones, executive director of personnel at the Merrillville Community School Corp. 'It's much better, though, then it was four years ago,' he said, referring to the Covid-19 era. Even though his district needs to fill 25 to 40 jobs in any given year, Amones said he still encourages applicants to think about what's important to them so they don't end up unhappy after their first year and the district is left with another vacancy to fill. To answer some of the candidate's needs, Amones stresses Merrillville's lower class sizes, competitive salaries and support services. 'I'm a big believer of doing this job fair every year. Everybody gets a few candidates out it,' he said. Gary Community School Corp. chief human resource officer Jovanka Cvitkovich answered questions from Danielle Nichols, a Gary resident and Wirt High graduate, about opportunities in the district. 'You'll be coming into a school city on the rise after seven years under the state. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for the community,' she said. Honing her sales pitch, Cvitkovich told Nichols a teacher's starting salary is $50,883 and there's a $10,000 bonus if a teacher specializes in math, science or special education. Nichols, an art teacher who lives in Gary, said she's aware of the district's situation and recent emergence from state control. 'I'm open to anything, but I did really want to give back to the Gary schools,' she said. Kasey Brosky, of Portage, a general and special education major, will finish her student teaching at Crown Point's Solan Robinson May 2 and graduate from IU Northwest May 14. For now, her top need is simple. 'Anywhere close to my house,' she said. Brosky said student teaching reinforced her belief that teaching is her calling. 'I really like it. Every day is something different and the kids are hilarious. It's not like a boring office job.' Brosky visited with representatives from the Duneland School Corp. and learned about job opportunities close to her Portage home. 'It's always exciting to be out and meeting this new generation of teachers,' said Kevin Zeck, assistant director of teaching and learning in Duneland. He expects the district of about 5,800 students to need about 25 to 40 teachers next year. Meanwhile, Indiana, like other states, is still struggling with a teacher shortage. Data from the Indiana Department of Education showed about 2,000 open jobs and more than 6,000 teachers assigned to positions for which they're not fully certified. A Senate bill to increase the starting teaching pay from $40,000 to $45,000 has passed the Senate and a House committee as it moves through the General Assembly. A Democratic amendment to increase the starting amount to $65,000 failed. The bill also requires school districts to spend no less than 65% of state tuition funding on teacher compensation. Several charter schools from Gary and Hammond also welcomed students. Justin Stok, superintendent at Charter School of the Dunes in Gary, said he met several good candidates for the five open positions at his schools. Like the Gary district, Stok said starting pay is $50,000. 'We just have to be competitive,' he said. Charter School of the Dunes opened a preschool for 4-year-olds in August to help increase early literacy skills and it's been successful, Stok said. Of the 48 slots available for next year, he said 38 are already filled. Nearby, Katie Kirley, co-founder and executive director at Steel City Charter School in Gary, said her school will have about five openings as staff prepare for their final year at their original location, 2650 W. 35th Ave., south of the Little Calumet River. Last year, Steel City purchased two shuttered schools — Lincoln and Duncan — for $250,000 from the Gary Community School Corp., marking the first time it's sold buildings to a charter. Kirley said a year of extensive renovations at a cost of about $15 million, is beginning this year at Lincoln, 1988 Polk St., where Steel City plans to relocate. Duncan, at 1109 W. 21st Ave., closed in 2012, will be demolished. The two schools border each other and sold as one parcel.
