MUNCIE — On a January night at the Muncie Fieldhouse, Central girls track coach Tara Gudger stood at the end of the basketball court with Vanneisha Ivy.
Gudger was escorting Ivy, a 2006 Central grad, as the Bearcats recognized her for being recently inducted into the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame. Under Gudger’s guidance, Ivy was a three-time state champion and still holds the 100 hurdles state record. With Ivy living in North Carolina, these moments for her to be recognized in front of the Muncie community were rare.
Then Gudger spotted Aaliyah Barnes across the gym.