PLAINFIELD FRESHMAN PUSHES PAST VISION LOSS
Crumbelievable Tales
Local
BOSTON darren@townepost.com (317) 716-8812
tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
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Writer / Ashley Watters
If there was ever a kid who was born to run, it’s Plainfield freshman Andrew Gray. Andrew’s first exposure to running came in September 2020, when he joined his family on a three-kilometer course at Swinford Park.
At the age of 9, Andrew wasn’t initially enamored with running, but he spent many years watching his older brother, Isaiah, take part in cross-country. When he entered sixth grade, Andrew joined the cross-country team. Initially ranking among the top eight runners, he qualified as an alternate for championship races. He never missed a chance to watch the eighth graders at important meets, and he was determined to enter seventh grade with a renewed sense of purpose and become a top runner.
The 2023 cross-country season gave Andrew his first real taste of success. Spending much of the season as one of the top runners, he eventually competed at the state championship, where he broke the 11-minute barrier for the first time with a run time of 10:49. After the school season finished, he also ran the USATF Hoosier Grand Prix, NXR Midwest and the USATF Indiana Association Junior Olympic Championship, where he finished ninth and qualified for the USATF Region 7 Championship.
With an invigorated passion for running, Andrew began training regularly during both the on- and off-season, averaging nearly 30 miles per week between November and January. In 2024, Andrew took off competitively, joining the MSP Speed Run Club out of Avon after the school season ended. He finished second in the 1,500 meters and won the 3,000 meters and the 4x800 relay at the USATF Indiana Association Junior Olympic Championship.
He continued on to the USATF Region 7 Junior Olympic Championship, where he finished third in the 1,500 meters with a personal-best 4:44 and once again won the 3,000 meters with a time of 10:15. Afterward, Andrew and his dad traveled to Texas A&M University in College Station for the USATF National Junior Olympic Championship. There, Andrew finished 32nd in the 1,500 meters with a 4:47 and 19th in the 3,000 meters with a personal-best time of 10:12.46.
Andrew went on to win most of his eighth-grade races, including taking the top spot at the Junior Mid-State Conference Championship at Franklin Community. After a series of successes, Andrew competed again at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championship, hopeful for an All-American placement. Despite his previous achievements, he burned out quickly, posting one of the worst performances of his life, running 94 seconds slower than he had on the same course just two months earlier.
Shortly thereafter, Andrew’s parents noticed a change in his vision and initially thought the decline was a side effect of vision loss. Like many kids his age, Andrew was headed to the optometrist for glasses. However, that visit soon turned into a series of MRIs, a five-day stay at Riley Hospital and genetic
testing. The diagnosis was an inherited mutation on his mitochondrial DNA known as Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, or LHON.
“With his diagnosis, his weekly mileage dropped as we tried to adjust. His vision loss at the time was roughly equivalent to 20/600 in his central vision. He has thankfully retained peripheral vision so far. Because of this, he can navigate fairly well as long as there are no sudden changes in front of him,” says Adam Gray, Andrew’s father. “LHON’s appearance also came with a fairly large systemwide metabolic crash, meaning he lost quite a bit of what might be called fitness, which he is still working to reclaim today.”
Although Andrew still retains an elite aerobic system, the mutation affects the first stage of his energy production. As a result, his body produces lactate sooner than normal, causing heavy legs and slowing him down even though
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his aerobic system remains largely uncompromised.
When he returned for his eighth-grade track season, Andrew competed in the Indiana Distance Showcase Meet but reported seeing “dots” everywhere and complained of dizziness throughout the race. He spent much of the spring season sick or injured as he worked to return to his normal physical capacity.
For the most part, he was able to run with the team and compete in races. However, a collision with a female teammate on the homestretch of a 2,400-meter race raised questions about accommodations, and his family began investigating ways to best support his future in running.
It was decided Andrew would try a new approach. Wearing his phone on a belt and connected to open-ear, boneconduction Bluetooth headphones, he
could hear instructions from coaches alerting him to upcoming obstacles and lane changes. While this method was initially successful, Andrew came under scrutiny at the USATF Nationals and was nearly disqualified for wearing headphones during the race.
“It was so hot that day that there was a water table set up for the 3,000, but Andrew could not see the cups well enough to grab one cleanly,” Adam says. “It wasn’t until lap six, after several failed attempts, that a volunteer matched his pace to hand him a cup of water to cool down. After returning to our hotel room after the race, we were laughing so hard at the commentary, as all eyes were on Andrew and whether or not he’d finally get a cup. It was hysterical.”
Andrew eventually transitioned to high school cross-country, something he had long looked forward to. He had a rough
start, running a 12:18 two-mile after previously posting a 13:13 five-kilometer time the year before. He also suffered a concussion while crossing lane traffic. It became clear he would need a guide runner, and teammate Cole Rightley volunteered for the role.
“Their first race together was a learning experience for both of them at the Brownsburg Invite,” Adam says. “The course is flat and fast, but many sections are narrow for the number of runners. It’s very different racing with someone attached to your side. Even small moves and passes must be planned and communicated to be effective.”
Andrew continues to show improvement with the use of a guide runner. He remains active in winter meets and is looking forward to IHSAA track in the spring.
“Andrew is a kind and compassionate kid who loves to run and is driven to keep pushing himself,” Adam says. “He has met and befriended runners from all over Indiana and the Midwest and enjoys encouraging those he competes with. He has a great sense of humor and is always joking around. Blind jokes at his
own expense are his favorite right now.”
The Gray family remains hopeful Andrew will continue to improve during the spring season and stays committed to supporting him in every way possible as he pursues his dreams.
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INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA: HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERERS STONE IN CONCERT
Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle.
2 p.m.
MONSTER JAM
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Ave.
3 p.m.
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CLUE: THE MOVIE WITH LESLEY ANN WARREN
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave.
6–7
BLUE MAN GROUP
Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
7:30 p.m. (Feb. 6); 2 p.m. (Feb. 7); 7:30 p.m. (Feb. 7)
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Doors: 6:30 pm Show: 7:30 pm
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Doors: 1:00 pm Show: 2:00 pm
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Doors: 6:30 pm Show: 7:30 pm
6–7
INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: JACK EVERLYTROUPE VERTIGO
Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle.
11 a.m. (Feb. 6); 7:30 p.m. (Feb. 6–7)
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WINTER JAM TOUR 2026
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. 7–10 p.m.
The Winter Jam 2026 Tour, returns to arenas nationwide this winter with an all-star lineup and a renewed mission to unite fans through powerful music.
GRAND KYIV BALLET: THE SNOW QUEEN
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, Sunset Ave.
13, 15
HENDRICKS SYMPHONY - MUSIC OF THE SILVER SCREEN
Hendricks Live, 206 W Main St.
7:30 p.m. (Feb. 13); 3 p.m. (Feb. 15)
DEON COLE
Old National Centre,
502 N. New Jersey St 7:30 p.m.
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre Ages 18+
Doors: 6:30 pm Show: 7:30 pm
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, Sunset Avenue. 2 p.m. (Feb. 21–22); 7 p.m. (Feb. 21)
Shen Yun is a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China?s rich cultural heritage. But after decades of communist rule, much of this divinely inspired culture has been lost.
OF LOVE” TOUR
The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N College Ave. 6:30 p.m.
Atlanta-based musician Tinsley Ellis—known for decades as one of the greatest electric blues-rock guitarists of his generation.
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Haydin Smrekar has been having fun bowling with his family since he was a toddler, but now, as a member of the Plainfield High School bowling team, he’s earning thousands for college with his favorite pastime.
During the 2024-25 season, Smrekar finished ninth in the state for the Plainfield High School bowling team — the first time a youth bowler in Plainfield has made it that far.
“My whole family bowls, and I joined a youth league when I was three. I just fell in love with it,” Smrekar says. “In the beginning, I think it was all about hanging out with friends, but the further along I’ve gone, it’s more about the challenge of bowling.”
What most people think of as bowling isn’t quite the same for a competitive bowler. Heading out to the lanes with a group of friends on a weekend and playing a game or two seems simple.
The game most friends enjoy might include nachos, drinks and a lot
of conversation, but competitive matches have everyone on their feet. Teammates stand behind you, holding their breath, waiting to see results, then jumping and cheering with every success.
For the competitive bowler, it can be compared to golf. In golf, the player can see the hazards — sand, water, trees — but in bowling, the hazards are invisible.
Oil is placed on the lanes in challenging patterns to make the game more difficult. The patterns change from match to match and even lane to lane.
“They give you a piece of paper with a rough estimate, but you really don’t know until you throw the ball the first time,” Smrekar says.
All bowling balls are not equal, either.
Similar to golf, where each club serves a different purpose, bowling balls have different functions.
“It’s easy to get a little lost. I talk to my dad and we get it figured out,” Smrekar says. “At certain tournaments, you’re only allowed a select number of balls and ball changes, so it can be challenging.”
Despite the frustration, Smrekar wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’ve invested a lot of time into this and I love the challenge,” he says. “You have those moments when you do really good, and that makes you keep coming back.”
The 15-year-old sophomore still averages around 200 in competitive tournaments, and when he gets stuck, his dad, Dave Smrekar, is the one to talk to. Dave is the varsity head coach for the Plainfield team and was involved in founding the program.
“I was interested in getting a high school team started four years ago. When I started researching it, I found that Jason McCool already had it in the works, so I teamed up with him,” Dave says.
The team competes in a long-established high school sport, though it is not sanctioned by the Indiana High School Athletic Association and is therefore considered a club. Carmel, Ben Davis, Brownsburg, Avon and others have teams and compete against Plainfield throughout the October-February season.
The program is led by the Indiana State High School Bowling Association, which sets the rules, coordinates schedules and manages team scores and results.
At one point, more than 300 schools across the state had bowling teams. There are 11 schools in the Indy West Conference, including Plainfield, with additional teams in the Indy South and Indy East conferences.
Beyond high school competitions, the Smrekars travel around the country for youth bowling tournaments, and the effort is paying off.
“Haydin has $20,000 in bowling scholarships so far,” Dave says.
“I think a lot of people don’t realize how much opportunity is out there. He’ll likely get a full-ride scholarship for bowling. We’re in contact with some of the head coaches at the top schools and top programs.”
According to Dave, programs are also actively looking for female bowlers.
The Plainfield bowling team offers varsity, junior varsity and a girls team, but currently varsity is co-ed because there are not enough
girls to form a full team.
Many people don’t realize bowling is a sport for all ages and genders.
“It’s a lifetime sport. You can pick it up at any time,” Dave adds. “I know some who didn’t start bowling until college, and now they’re traveling around the country competing in a professional bowling association. You can be three, and you can be 90, and still enjoy the sport.”
In addition to scholarships, Smrekar has had the opportunity to travel across the country and overseas.
“If you go to a week-long tournament, there’s a lot of downtime,” Smrekar says. “We’ve been able to see some cool stuff. I like Plano, Texas, and we’ve bowled in Copenhagen, Denmark.”
The teen athletes also gain skills common to other sports, including communication, sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, problemsolving and time management.
Smrekar may not know exactly what the future holds, but he plans to bowl for a long time. He has a 4.6 GPA at Plainfield High School, plans to bowl in college and major in chemical engineering.
“I know I want to bowl for a long time, but after college, I don’t know what that will look like quite yet,” Smrekar says.
Smrekar can be found on Facebook and Instagram under Haydin Smrekar Bowling, and the Plainfield High School bowling club is also on Facebook. The team will be in Fort Wayne in mid-February preparing for the 2025-26 state tournament.
1. Black caller
4. Cause of trembling
8. Groundless
12. Ram’s ma’am
13. Tie up
14. Junk in the box?
15. Provided
17. Color for the tickled
18. Kind of ad
19. Isn’t serious
20. “Cast Away” setting
23. Rope fiber
25. Labors
27. Knave
28. Chem class
31. Ready for shipping 33. Academic’s achievement 35. Any boat
36. Celebrity, briefly 38. Alphabetizes, e.g. 39. Fragrant wood 41. Grant
42. Loser to Lewis 45. Domestic 47. Foreign dignitary 48. Medal contender
52. Adolescent development
53. Cartoonist’s supplies
54. Pro
55. ___ to riches
56. Function
57. Hardly extroverted
1. Pricing word
2. What borrowers do
3. Gymnastics ideal
4. Hopper
5. Takes in 6. Sour
7. Danger signal
8. Drive forward
9. Keynoter’s spot
10. It’s picked from pockets
11. Lodge fellows
16. Live in the past?
19. Wears out
20. Yen
21. Miffed
22. Make-up artist?
24. Emulated Jack Horner
26. Evening hour
28. Angler’s attachment
Writer / Ashley Watters
Many readers find themselves in the pages of the stories they read. Kids learn to work through problems and face fears through the eyes of their favorite characters. Local Avon resident David Perry feels lucky to have found his place as a storyteller. His newest project, illustrating the graphic novel Aw, Nuts!, a multiyear passion project in the making, is now officially available for young readers.
The road to this release was long and
winding for Perry. His childhood was marked by frequent moves and financial struggles, and his family of eight often shuffled between multiple residences and motel rooms. Without much space and little room for toys, Perry often found himself watching beloved cartoons such as Dragon Ball Z, Rugrats and The Simpsons. During these formative moments, Perry would sketch images as he laughed along with his favorite characters.
After some adult growing pains, Perry landed back in central Indiana at Butler University. With hopes of becoming an animator, he majored in broadcasting, the closest path he could find to pursuing his dream. It was his minor in creative writing, however, that ignited a true love of storytelling.
“I thought I wanted to animate for a living, but what I learned after taking poetry courses was that I started drawing not
because I loved drawing, but because I loved storytelling,” Perry says. “I wanted to tell stories, and poetry showed me how to craft meaning artfully, how to distill into the smallest, most impactful space parts of the human condition that are impossible to communicate in direct language. I loved it, and it revealed to me my love of language.”
Shortly thereafter, Perry transferred to IUPUI to take advantage of the school’s 2D animation courses. He fell in love with the media arts department and graduated with honors four years later. During his tenure, Perry undertook his first major project, an animated series called Mallory Bash. That series garnered him the attention of Aw, Nuts! author Max Beaudry. Together, the two developed The Crumbelievable Adventures of Peanut and Jelly.
Beaudry originally approached Perry with the goal of developing a 22-minute pilot script as pitch material. Perry readily agreed, and the two began work, developing a close working partnership and friendship. What Perry initially thought would be a quick-turnaround script morphed into a two-year project in the making.
“This was a throwback to classic middlegrade cartoons, the kind I grew up with,” Perry says. “I wanted to work on these kinds of shows all my life, and now I had an opportunity to help create one. I thought, yeah, sure, this ought to be relatively easy. Just illustrating a comic from a 22-minute pilot script. How hard could it be? Well, as it turns out, a lot of stuff happens in 22 minutes. By the time I finished the book — two years
later, between other projects and being the sole artist on the job — we had an 88-page graphic novel.”
The book is intended for a young audience, ages 6-11. Young readers will be delighted by the story of Peanut and Jelly, who are “best food dudes.” The two friends dream of climbing the social hierarchy in Foodtopia, a structure loosely based on the food pyramid. Peanut and Jelly work menial jobs at the Crumb Dump. The Toppings reign supreme, the Average Dough perform mind-numbing work in slavish cubicles, while the Crumbs straggle at the bottom.
The two friends horse around, resulting in Peanut’s work hat being lost in the forbidden crumb wasteland. An attempt to retrieve it leads to the accidental release of a sandwormish beast, and antics ensue. Peanut and Jelly hilariously attempt to return the beast, leaving Foodtopia in shambles, scattered in leftovers. Along the way, the friends learn a valuable lesson about the importance of friendship over the draw and glitz of the higher food groups.
“My favorite thing about working on projects with Max is that he lets me creep in my own little jokes,” Perry says. “While all the writing humor is his, all the background jokes are pure Perry. I grew up on The Simpsons, so there are a lot of sign gags all over Foodtopia.”
After an initial stint as a self-published book, the graphic novel series was picked up by Papercutz and officially released in November 2025. Perry and Beaudry are now hard at work on promotional tours for Aw, Nuts!, and the two are gearing up for a follow-up book with more antics from Peanut and Jelly.
Perry also hopes Peanut and Jelly will eventually be picked up for an animated series, joining the ranks of SpongeBob and Patrick.
Until then, Perry is hard at work as a lecturer of character design, 2D animation
and comics at IU Indianapolis, while also freelancing as a series development artist, screenwriter, comic artist and fiction writer.
Aw, Nuts! is available through Papercutz at papercutz.com.
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