COLLEGE REPORT: Sampson opens senior season with 10 tackles against SEMO | Brazil Times

Braxton Sampson was among Northview’s leading tacklers during his high school football career, and that’s carried over into his time at Indiana State University.

Sampson, alongside his Sycamore teammates, kicked off the 2026 season over the weekend against visiting Southeast Missouri State. The redshirt senior linebacker recorded 10 total tackles – three solo and seven assisted on – to go along with one tackle for a loss of yardage, all of which were second-most among all ISU defenders, in Saturday’s 23-21 loss.

Sampson was one of several former Clay City and Northview standouts to put together noteworthy performances over the last week. The others are below: 

Emma Baumgartner (Lincoln Trail volleyball)

Emma Baumgartner and the Lincoln Trail volleyball team recently hosted Vincennes University for a non-conference match. Baumgartner started and played all five sets. The sophomore outside hitter recorded three kills, two aces, five digs and one block in the Statemen’s 3-2 loss. Lincoln Trail owns a 1-1 record and plays Southeastern Illinois College, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Lake Land College this week.

Lauren Tilley (SMWC women’s soccer)

Lauren Tilley and the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods women’s soccer team recently visited Judson University and William Woods University. Tilley started both games and played all 90 minutes in each. The defender recorded one shot. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods owns an 0-3 record and plays Rose Hulman and Harris-Stowe State University this week.

Keira Lucas (Valparaiso volleyball)

Keira Lucas and the Valparaiso University volleyball team opened the 2026 season over the weekend at the Chattanooga Classic where the Beacons took on UAB, Chattanooga and Tennessee State. Lucas appeared in all three matches, playing eight sets. The sophomore outside hitter recorded five kills and 19 digs. Valparaiso owns a 3-0 record and hosts the Popcorn Classic, beginning on Friday.

Others set to open their respective seasons this week include the following: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods football’s Slade Fell and Caelen Bell (Saturday at Lawrence Tech); Wabash College’s Kenny Smith (Saturday against Hampden-Sydney College); Army’s Colton Bath (Saturday against Bryant); DePauw University’s Avery Perry (Saturday at Rose Hulman); Evansville women’s cross country’s Josie Lynch (Saturday at the USI Stegemoller Twilight); IU Indy women’s cross country’s Ellia Hayes (Friday at the Mike Baumer Classic); Indiana Wesleyan University’s Katie Morrison (Friday at the IWU Twilight Invitational); Indiana State University women’s cross country’s Halle Miller and Gnister Grant (Friday at the Fighting Illini Invitational); Indiana State University men’s cross country’s Jcim Grant (Friday at the Fighting Illini Invitational); Saint Mary-of-the-Woods men’s cross country’s Jayden Hickenbotham (Saturday at the Franklin Grizzly Invitational); Rose Hulman men’s cross country’s Hank Slater (Saturday at the Franklin Grizzly Invitational); Indiana University East men’s cross country’s Owen Frazier (Friday at the IWU Twilight Invitational); Rockford University volleyball’s Lilly Dewey (Tuesday against Beloit College); Millikin University women’s golf’s Mia Tribble (Saturday at the Highland Classic on September 5); Saint Mary-of-the-Woods men’s golf’s Lincoln Pierce (Friday at the IU East Invitational); and Lincoln Trail men’s golf’s Zane Paddock (Tuesday and Wednesday at the NJCAA Fall Preview National Championship)