The top for men’s and women’s finishers in the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation’s annual Tournament of Champions, held Saturday at North Webster Elementary. In the front row, from left, are Kendall Wayne, first place; Maddie Schermerhorn, second; Zoe Bergan, third; and Abigail Good, fourth. Back row: Ben Vincent, first; Austin Cripe, second, Nicholas Munson, third; and Rex Kirchenstein, fourth. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — A total of 25 college-aged athletes had an early start to their Saturday morning, each with a hope to garner some of the $10,000 in scholarship money that was up for grabs. The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation’s annual Tournament of Champions took place at North Webster Elementary featuring 12 women and 13 men who competed in 10 events throughout the morning. In the end, the top four men and top four women earned money toward their college education.

Some of the participants, such as two-time TOC champion Maddie Schermerhorn, were veterans of the event, which is open to high school graduates up to age 24. Others just recently shed their high school cap and gown and were testing their competition abilities for the first time.

Former Warsaw Community High School athletic standout Kendall Wayne was the winner of a $2,000 scholarship during the Shoop Foundation’s annual Tournament of Champions. Wayne now plays basketball at Taylor University.

Each event provided points for the top four finishers. The winner earned four points toward their total, second place three points and so forth. The points were tallied after the 10 events were completed with the top-four point winners earning scholarships ranging from $500-$2,000, all courtesy of the Shoop Foundation.

The tournament began with a one-mile run around the school’s campus. Other competitions included pull-ups, shuttle run, free throw shooting, obstacle course, 40-yard dash, soccer skills, three-point shootout, softball/football throw and standing broad jump.

In the end, Warsaw graduate and current-Taylor University basketball player Kendall Wayne took home the women’s title with 26 points. Schermerhorn, a West Noble grad and current Purdue University volleyball player, followed with 14.5; recent WCHS graduate Zoe Bergan, 11; and Abigail Good, 8.5.

Other participants, in alphabetical order (with high school and college information, if available) were Kali Kahalekomo, Daleville/Grace College softball; Caitlin Knepp, NorthWood/Anderson University soccer; McKenzie Long, Wawasee; Molly Moriarty, Tippecanoe Valley/Purdue University; Kiersten Parker, Warsaw/St. Francis soccer; Nadia Rhoades, Whitko/Taylor University cross country/track; Bailie Stephens, Warsaw/Lawrence Technological University basketball; and Delaney Wagoner, Tippecanoe Valley.

On the men’s side, NorthWood alum and Cedarville University student Ben Vincent edged out West Noble ‘s Austin Cripe 16.5-15.5. Cripe will be entering his freshman season on the Bethel University basketball squad. They were followed by Nicholas Munson, East Noble/Ball State football, 13 points; and Rex Kirchenstein, Tippecanoe Valley/Indiana University East track, 12.25.

Additional competitors were Jaydon Boyer, Wawasee/Taylor University lacrosse; Noah Dubea, West Noble/Indiana Wesleyan University football; Ian Harrold, Columbia City/Grace College cross country and track; Brady Hunsberger, NorthWood/Grace College cross country and track; Lincoln Lantz, Fort Wayne Carroll/Purdue University; Gavin Malone, Wawasee/Trine University wrestling; Dylan Neese, Tippecanoe Valley; Luke Schermerhorn, West Noble/Trine University; and Cameron Zimmerman, Wawasee.

A dozen ladies competed in the women’s division of the Tournament of Champions.

An obstacle course through the North Webster Elementary School gymnasium was one of the 10 events contested by the 25 participants.