Batesville golfing couple sweeps IHSAA character award

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – A rare occurrence happened this past week when it comes to high school sports. 

After each sport's state championship, the IHSAA gives the “Mental Attitude Award” to only one student who qualified for state as an individual or part of a team. 

The coveted award is reserved for a student-athlete who not only thrives on the field but also in the classroom and community.

Batesville senior Jon Moody competed at the golf state championship this week and was the only golfer in all of Indiana to earn the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award. 

The girl’s golf state championship took place last fall and the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winner was also a Batesville athlete! 

Ava South earned the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award and was also named Miss Indiana Golf. 

Jon and Ava are the first Batesville athletes in any sport to earn the award since Rob Grote won it for cross country in 2003.

There is another unique fact: Ava and Jon happen to be boyfriend and girlfriend as well!

Read more about Jon by clicking here and more about Ava by clicking this link. 

Locally, some other student-athletes who have won the award are:

East Central

Kyle House - (Swimming - 2008) 

Kallen Hovland (Softball - 2008) 

Connor Lynch (Football -  2015)

Jayden Williamson (Football -  2017)

Hope Fox (Track - 2022) 

Leo Maxwell (Track -  2022) 

Christian Garrison (Football -   2023) 

Dylan Maxwell (Football - 2024)

Greensburg 

John Panhorst (Cross Country - 1989) 

Macy Holdsworth (Basketball - 2014) 

Leah West (Basketball - 2024) 

Lawrenceburg 

Brian Way  (Football - 1979) 

Jared Yelland (Baseball - 20170 A

Jacob Ruberg (Football - 2017) 

Mason Parris (Wrestling - 2018) 

Kelsey Offut (Soccer - 2024) 

Oldenburg Academy 

Curtis Eckstein (Cross Country - 2017) 

Milan

Bobby Plump (Basketball - 1954) 

Ronnie Kennett (Baseball - 1999) 

Chris Swisher (Track - 2001) 

Jac-Cen-Del

Gerald Hardesty (Basketball - 2009) 

Abby Wagner (Basketball - 2016) 

Batesville

Matthew Robbins (Basketball - 2001)

Rob Grote (Cross Country - 2003) 

Ava South (Golf - 2025)

Jon Moody (Golf - 2026) 

South Decatur 

Gary Biddinger (Golf - 1971)

Shawn Blaich (Football - 1991) 

Franklin County

Wes Gillman (Football - 1995)