I have worked hard my whole high school career .
PROVIDENCE SENIOR LUKE KRUER WAS NAMED THE L . V . PHILLIPS MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER AFTER THE PIONEERS ’ 9-0 VICTORY OVER ILLIANA CHRISTIAN IN THE CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN INDIANAPOLIS ON JUNE 15 . champion Illiana Christian in the 2A final , Kruer had a pair of RBIs .
The victory also marked the second time he won a state title with a sibling . Kruer was a freshman reserve , while his older brother Landon was the starting catcher , on the Pioneers ’ 2021 championship squad . This time around , his younger brother Lincoln started behind the plate .
After the season , Kruer was selected All-State by the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association and participated in the IHSBCA ’ s North / South All-Star series .
Off the field , Kruer graduated near the top of his class at PHS with a 3.7 grade-point average . He was a member of the National Honor Society , was involved in student government , was a Student Ambassador and was a founding member of the school ’ s Flying Club .
The son of Brad and Kim Kruer will attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point , N . Y . He has the goal of serving his country as a commissioned officer and becoming a military pilot .
The L . V . Phillips Award is annually presented to an outstanding senior participant in each state championship game who has “ best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude , scholarship , leadership and athletic ability in baseball .” The award is named in honor of the late L . V . Phillips , who served as the second commissioner of the IHSAA from 1945-62 .
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance , the IHSAA ’ s corporate partner , presented $ 1,000 to the general scholarship fund at Providence in Kruer ’ s name .
18 PROVIDENCE PIONEERS | BASEBALL | IHSAA CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPS 2024 NEWS AND TRIBUNE