Mount Vernon M-Club recognizes school’s best athletes

Mount Vernon teacher and coach Steve Mitchell receives the M-Club Hall of Fame Service Award

Vicki Rueger accepts the M-Club Hall of Fame Award

Austin Bethel accepts the M-Club Hall of Fame Award on behalf of Chad Ruggeri Covert

Jennifer Ploetz accepts the M-Club Hall of Fame Award on behalf of her son Ryan Ploetz

Elizabeth Frye Blegen accepts the M-Club Hall of Fame Award

Dustan Rubenacker accepts the M-Club Hall of Fame Award

By Dave Pearce

Members of the Mount Vernon M-Club held their Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday evening with IHSAA Commissioner Paul Neidig delivering the address. Prior to becoming Commissioner, he served as Assistant Commissioner beginning in 2017, overseeing cross country, boys’ basketball, boys and girls track and field, and unified track and field.

Before joining the IHSAA, he spent 31 years with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation in roles that included Chief of Staff, Director of Athletics, Athletic Director at Evansville Central High School, teacher, and coach.

He also served on the IHSAA Board of Directors from 2004 to 2017 and was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee three times.

He is a native of Poseyville and graduate of North Posey High School, he played four years of college basketball at Eastern Illinois University before beginning a career dedicated to education-based athletics.

The organization began by recognizing one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Mount Vernon history — Chad “Ruggeri” Govert, Class of 2004. Austin Bethel accepted the award on his behalf. Bethel represents the Wildcat wrestling program.

Covert is best known for his outstanding wrestling career at Mount Vernon High School. Competing in the heavyweight division, he established himself as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Wildcat history.

During his senior season in 2004, Chad completed one of the most dominant years the program has ever seen. He finished the season with a perfect 37-0 record and captured the IHSAA Heavyweight State Championship, earning the title as the best wrestler in the state in his weight class.

Throughout his career, Chad consistently performed at a high level. He was a two-time Semi-State qualifier and a two-time Big 8 Conference Champion, competing against some of the strongest wrestling programs in the region.

His accomplishments are also reflected in the Mount Vernon record books. Chad ranks eighth all-time in single season pins with 28, fifth all-time in career pins with 91, and tenth all-time in career takedowns with 186.

Over the course of his high school career, Chad compiled an impressive 129-26 record, demonstrating the work ethic, preparation, and consistency that defined his time on the mat.

His state championship and record-setting performances remain a proud part of Mount Vernon wrestling history and represent the standard of excellence within the program.

Ryan Ploetz was also inducted. He was a standout multi-sport athlete who played an important role in several successful Wildcat teams. Jenny, Ryan’s mother and a retired mount Vernon teacher accepted the award on his behalf.

Ryan was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and track and field. He played an important role during one of the most memorable football seasons in school history, including the 2007 postseason run that produced three sectional victories.

Many may remember his involvement in the fourth down touchdown during the 2007 sectional game against Memorial… a key moment in that playoff run.

On the basketball court, Ryan helped led the Wildcats to its first winning season in over a decade during his senior year, contributing to a turning point for the program.

After graduation, Ryan earned a football scholarship to Grand Valley State University and was named to the All-Academic Team before an injury ended his playing career. He later received the Seidman School of Business Distinguished Undergraduate Service Award.

Ryan’s contributions reflect leadership, work ethic, and commitment to team success.

The next inductee is a 2010 Mount Vernon High School graduate Elizabeth Frye Blegen.

Elizabeth was a four-year varsity swimmer and a key member of a highly successful era in Mount Vernon swimming. During her career, the team achieved undefeated dual meet seasons, four Big 8 Conference championships, and four sectional championships.

She was a multi-time All-Conference performer, a state qualifier in multiple seasons, a Swimming All-American in the 200 Medley Relay, and served as team captain her senior year.

Elizabeth continued her success at Delta State University, where she earned a swimming scholarship and helped her team win two conference championships. She was also recognized as a Scholar All-American and a two-time recipient of the Ronnie Mayers Lady Statesmen Leadership Award.

Elizabeth’s accomplishments represent consistent excellence and leadership both in and out of the pool.

Another outstanding athlete from the Class of 2010 who made his mark in both football and wrestling is Hall of Fame inductee Dustan Rubenacker.

Dustan was a four-year letterman in football and wrestling. In football, he earned All-State honors and was a three-time All-Conference selection. He was also part of the 2007 sectional championship team.

In wrestling, Dustan claimed the Big 8 Conference Championship at 215 pounds during his senior season and earned Academic All-State recognition. He was also a member of a conference championship team.

Dustan’s athletic career was marked by competitiveness, discipline, and consistent performance across multiple sports.

Our next inductee made her impact not as an athlete, but as a coach who helped build one of the most consistent programs in Mt. Vernon athletics — Coach Vicki Rueger.

Long-time Mount Vernon High School tennis coach Vicki Rueger began assisting with the program in 1986 and became head coach in 1989. Over the next several decades, she led both the boys’ and girls’ tennis programs and built one of the most consistent programs in school history.

One of her most notable accomplishments came in 1992, when the girls’ tennis team won the first girls’ regional championship in Mount Vernon history. That team finished 16–2 and advanced through a tightly contested regional final, highlighted by a comeback victory at No. 1 doubles after trailing 2–5 in the third set.

Her teams went on to win nine consecutive sectional championships, narrowly missing a tenth before continuing their success. At one point, the boys’ program held the record for most sectional wins in school history.

Rueger strengthened the program by creating competitive practices, encouraging multi-sport participation, and starting a summer tennis program that often included more than 100 young athletes. Her efforts helped grow interest in the sport and build long-term success.

Many of her athletes went on to compete at the college level, and she was recognized as Big 8 Coach of the Year during her career.

Rueger built more than a winning record — she built structure, expectations, and a lasting tradition in Mt. Vernon tennis.

The 1982 Mount Vernon High School baseball team was champion of the Princeton Sectional.

Under the leadership of Head Coach David Bell and Assistant Coach Jim Hatfield, this team finished the season with a 14-14 record.

While their overall record was even, the Wildcats were playing their best baseball at the end of the season. Bell noted that the team had grown in confidence and belief in one another as the tournament approached.

Throughout sectional play, Mount Vernon relied on strong pitching and aggressive base running. The Wildcats emphasized putting pressure on opponents — if someone reached base, they were going to run. That approach forced mistakes and created scoring opportunities.

In the sectional run, the Wildcats defeated strong competition, including North Posey and Memorial. In one key victory over North Posey, Mount Vernon used a five-run rally to take control and finished with 11 hits in an 8-4 win. Todd King delivered a strong complete-game pitching performance, and players such as Chuck Naab, Curt Reinitz, Tim Paris, Ron Mitchell, Greg Stark, and David Maier contributed key hits and runs throughout the tournament.

Bell described the team’s aggressive style of play and noted that they had overcome criticism and adversity during the season. By the time sectional play arrived, the players were competing with confidence and composure.

Members of the 1982 Sectional Championship team include: Tim Allen, Kelly Blubaum, Brett King, Todd King, Dan McNamara, David Maier, Martin Mason, Ron Mitchell, Steve Morton, Charles Naab, Micheal Niehaus, Tim Paris, Greg Redman, Curt Reinitz, Steve Sheffer, Greg Stark, Ron Tanner, Tim Zickmund, Mike Lilleston along with coaches Dave Bell and Jim Hatfield

The 2009-2010 Mount Vernon High School swim team helped define one of the most successful eras in Mount Vernon swimming.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Larry Zoller, the Wildcats completed another outstanding season and capped off one of the most successful eras in program history.

The team finished with a 10-1 dual meet record and captured both the Big 8 Conference Championship, scoring 418 points, and the Sectional Championship, finishing first with 374.5 points. At the sectional, Mount Vernon outscored second-place Castle by more than 120 points, demonstrating both depth and consistency across the lineup.

The Wildcats also qualified competitors to the State Finals, where they finished 28th in the state.

Throughout the regular season, Mount Vernon showed strength in invitational competition as well. The team earned first Place at the IUPUI Christmas Invitational (593 points), first place in the Mount Vernon Invitational (402 points), and had strong performances at the Noblesville Invitational, Hamilton Southeastern Invitational, and the Tell City Relays.

This group combined individual talent with balanced team scoring, competing successfully in every phase of the season. Their ability to perform consistently at conference, sectional, and invitational levels reflected preparation and strong leadership.

Members of the 2009-2010 Girls Swim Team include: Kendyl Bourne, Alyssa Saltzman (Burnett), Taylor Duckworth (Cullman), Elizabeth Blegen (Frye), Ashton Wagner (Fuelling), Emily (Harris) Watson, Lauren Clowers (Hendricks), Chelsea Huber (Konrath), Caitlin Isaac (Ries), Kirstie Queener (Keene), Mary Saev (Kleuh), Erika Maurer (McCormick), Molly Elpers (Reynolds), Amanda Deason (Schisler), Becca Straub (Slygh), Amy Steele, Kelsey Wilmes (Turner), Hannah Wheaton, Maddie Pattengale (McWilliams), Sierra Brown, Paige Stallings, Stephanie Juncker, Kate Carter (Higgins), Alexandria Kippenbrock and coaches Larry Zoller and Brenda Zoller

The 2009-2010 Girls Swim Team demonstrated the depth, preparation, and competitive consistency that defined Mt. Vernon swimming during that era.

The recipient of the Mount Vernon Athletic Hall of Fame Service Award was Steve Mitchell.

Mitchell is a 1973 graduate of Mount Vernon High School and a three-sport athlete, lettering in cross country, basketball, and baseball. He went on to play college baseball for two years at Marion College and finished his career at ISUE. But Steve’s greatest impact on Mt. Vernon athletics came after his playing days.

For more than 40 years, he has served the Mount Vernon school system as both a coach and volunteer. He coached football, basketball, baseball, and softball, including head coaching roles in boys and girls’ basketball and girls’ softball. He also dedicated 30 years as an eighth grade math teacher at the junior high.

In addition to his coaching career, Steve has been deeply involved with the M-Club. He has helped raise funds to support all athletic programs, working concession stands, securing golf outing hole sponsors, selling raffle tickets, serving on the Hall of Fame committee, and assisting wherever needed.

Over the decades, the M-Club has contributed significant financial support to Mount Vernon athletics, and Mitchell has been a steady part of that effort.

The Service Award recognizes dedication, longevity, and meaningful contribution and Mitchell exemplifies all three.