Memorial's Matthew Fisher and Myla Browning named 2025 SIAC Athletes of the Year
It annually produces Division I athletes or even state champions. By every measure, the Class of 2025 was another positive addition to a history of success that dates back nearly 90 years. But it still takes a lot to stand out. These two athletes did.
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More: Here are the Class of 2025 SIAC Male and Female Athlete of the Year finalists
Matthew Fisher of Memorial High School and Myla Browning of Memorial High School were named the Banterra Bank Outstanding Athletes of the Year on Friday. The award, the highlight of the 16th annual "Celebration of Champions," is based upon athletic achievement, academic success, and community service.
Each member school is allowed to nominate just one male and female senior athlete.
Memorial's Matthew Fisher (2) passes as the Memorial Tigers play the Heritage Hills Patriots in the IHSAA Class 3A sectional championship at Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Ind., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Fisher, the Male Athlete of the Year, was one of the stronger multi-sport athletes in Indiana. He was the All-SIAC Player of the Year in both football and baseball during his senior year. Fisher guided the Tigers to an undefeated regular season on the gridiron with 2,779 passing yards and 42 total touchdowns to only one interception. He was an All-State selection, too. But his future is squarely on the diamond.
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The Memorial graduate was the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year and a potential first-round pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft. Fisher went 6-0 on the mound with a 0.76 earned run average and 61 strikeouts. He allowed only 16 hits, 11 walks, and four earned runs during his final season. Fisher was also a four-time Academic All-City selection, Academic All-State as a senior,r and the Kiwanis Award recipient.
Fisher will play baseball at Indiana University should he forego professional baseball.
More: Meet the 2025 Courier & Press All-Metro softball Player of the Year, Team
Browning, the Female Athlete of the Year, was another one of the stronger multi-sport athletes in the area. She was a three-year varsity starter and two-year captain for the soccer team. The forward had 11 goals and seven assists for the Tigers, earning First Team All-SIAC and All-City, in addition to Third Team All-State. Browning also qualified for the regional in the 800-meter race this spring.
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The Memorial graduate was also one of the top basketball players in the area. The 5-10 guard averaged 14 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. Browning earned First Team All-SIAC and All-State honorable mention. She was a seven-time Academic All-City and four-time Academic All-State recipient; Browning also earned the Kiwanis Award in all three sports.
Browning will play basketball at Indiana Wesleyan.
Memorial's Myla Browning (22) passes as the Memorial Tigers play the Hamilton Southeastern Royals in the third annual North Basketball Showcase at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
The other finalists for Male Athlete of the Year: Drew Ferguson (Bosse), Brady Reiter (Castle), Kenyon Peoples (Central), Shane Sims (Harrison), Caleb Schnarr (Jasper), Isaiah Schaefer (Mater Dei), Ben Brasher (North), Landon McClarney (Reitz) and Luke Hall (Vincennes Lincoln).
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The other finalists for Female Athlete of the Year: Riley Brescher (Bosse), Sadie Winsett (Castle), Mya Skelton (Central), Anna Bullington (Harrison), Monica Lorey (Jasper), Olivia Niemeier (Mater Dei), Hannah Wilke (North), Matea Bradfield (Reitz) and Tiah Riggs (Vincennes Lincoln).
Castle was the SIAC All-Sport champion for the seventh straight year, followed by Memorial, Jasper, North and Reitz. The state champions from the 2024-25 school year were: Memorial boys soccer, Eli Flick and Caleb Schnarr (Jasper tennis), Isaiah Schaefer (Mater Dei wrestling), Adaysha Smiley and Reese Mundy (Jasper tennis) and Jasper girls tennis. The SIAC had six state runner-ups and three IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winners.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: 2025 SIAC Athletes of the Year: Matthew Fisher and Myla Browning
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