Jan 22

Southern Indiana 5th grader reunites with first responders who helped save her life during basketball game

Jan 19, 2018 by Jessica Bard

Southern Indiana 5th grader reunites with first responders who helped save her life during basketball game.

Carly Fonda was playing in a Saturday basketball tournament just two weeks ago at Floyd Central High School when everything went wrong. The fifth grader had the game of her career, and her team was soon scheduled to be back out on the court for another one. “I felt pretty good through the first half,” she said. “And then, it was the third quarter, and I was not feeling very well.”

Carly asked her coach to come off the court. She couldn’t breathe. “He thought I was just messing around, and I fell out of my chair,” she said. Her heart suddenly stopped beating. “They were just like ‘She’s having a seizure,’” Carly remembers. “And then they checked my pulse, and I did not have one.”

A group of strangers in the crowd jumped into action. A nurse and a firefighter were among them, and they called for an AED shock to revive her. “I can’t thank them enough,” Carly said. “I don’t know what to do. We can’t find them, but I really just want to say thank you.”

Floyd Central High School is a public high school in the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation and is located in Southern Indiana, in Floyds Knobs, an unincorporated area in Floyd County, Indiana.

With mom and dad close by Friday, Carly was reunited with two of her guardian angels. “We always say her angels came out and took care of business,” said Beth Fonda, Carly’s mother. “So thank you all so much.” “You guys did not know me a lot, but you helped save my life,” Carly said to nurse Karrie Gricius and firefighter, James Richey. “I just can’t explain it.”

Carly and her family said they can’t express enough gratitude for everyone who helped save her life, which led to a diagnosis of a rare heart defect then open-heart surgery. It’s ”extremely [rare] from what I understand,” Gricius said. “It’s less than 10 percent that have this genetic anomaly, and the mortality rate is extremely high as well.”

Fonda is expected to make a full recovery, and eventually get back up to playing the game she loves. “Your incident actually is probably going to end up saving a lot more lives,” Richey told Carly. “There are several organizations that are actually purchasing AED’s that never had them because this was a big eye opener for them.”

Copyright 2018 WDRB Media. All rights reserved.

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Aug 29

Cross country: Lodi’s Blake Fonda, Tokay’s Alec Hastings to clash in realigned Tri-City Athletic League

Lodi’s Fonda, Tokay’s Hastings to clash in realigned TCAL

Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 12:00 am, By Mark Godi/News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Blake Fonda

Blake Fonda, left, of the Lodi Flames was sixth at last year’s San Joaquin Athletic Association cross country meet. Alec Hastings, right, of the Tokay Tigers was last year’s Tri-City Athletic League cross country champion. News-Sentinel file photograph (left); Mark Godi/News-Sentinel (right)

Blake Fonda and Alec Hastings are well aware of each other and will be even more so this fall. As the high school cross country season begins, both will be racing in the Lodi Flame Invitational at Lodi Lake at 5 p.m. Friday.  The girls go at 4:30 p.m. It will be the first time they meet this year, but not the last as league realignment has the rivals in the new Tri-City Athletic League.

Fonda, a senior, helped the Lodi Flames win a share of the San Joaquin Athletic Association last year behind standout Phillip Kruse. Kruse has graduated and now Fonda is the front runner for Lodi’s top boys spot. It’s natural then that he’s entered in a bit of a rivalry with Tokay’s Alec Hastings, the Tigers’ top boy. He led Tokay to an outright TCAL title while winning the individual championship.  Both have worked hard in the offseason and are eager to see who currently has the edge.  “We are friendly rivals and it’s like a chess match out there,” Fonda said. “He got me a few times last year and I got him a few times. He knows where I am out there and I know where he is.”

Friday’s race should be an exciting one between the two considering how last spring ended. Both did track and field then and had their last meeting in the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet in Elk Grove. There, Fonda was 13th in the 1600 meter at 4 minutes, 28.67 seconds and Hastings 23rd at 4:40.03. Just a week earlier, it was Hastings who bested Fonda in the event at the Division I Section Championships. Hastings ran a 4.26.28, edging Fonda by just under a second.  Since then, both have had busy summers. Hastings went to a running camp at Stanford and ran between 60-65 miles per week. Fonda, meanwhile, says a shorter week was around 50 miles and a longer week closer to 70 in the summer.  Both would like to compete in college with Fonda eyeing Santa Barbara’s Westmont College, an NAIA program. Hastings has a bit more time to decide, but says Long Beach State is a place he really likes at the moment.  Both earn high praise from their cross country coaches, with Fonda a runner that Lodi’s Greg Wright says has grown up quite a bit.

“He’s really blossomed into a good work ethic and become a leader,” Wright said. “Two years ago and even a bit last year he could only see how the race affected himself. Now he sees the big picture and is thinking about how the others are coming along.”  Karen Harty is in her seventh year in charge at Tokay and describes Hastings as one that is fun to watch.  “You wouldn’t know it in practice but he’s a fireball when it comes to competition,” Harty said. “He just comes alive when he gets to that starting line.”  Neither runner will have it easy this year with the reigning SJAA champion returning to Lincoln.

Zach McKeever is a senior now and edged Kruse for the league crown last year. He’ll lead a formidable Trojan squad.  “It’s going to be harder to win (league) this year,” Hastings said. “The new leagues means faster schools.  “I’d say my biggest goal this year is to just make it to state and see how far I can go.”

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Mar 21

15-Year-Old Cancer Patient Meets Tennis Star Andy Murray

By Laura Rodriguez – Friday, Mar 21, 2014

A 15-year-old battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma had the opportunity to meet tennis player Andy Murray, thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Kyle Fonda, a 15-year-old battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma had the opportunity to meet tennis player Andy Murray, thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Kyle Fonda made a wish and it came true. The 15-year-old with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma met tennis player Andy Murray and also got to practice with the champion on a Sony Open court.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation flew Fonda and his family down from Gloversville, New York, to Miami to make his wish come true.

“It was awesome. To hit with Andy Murray, it was just really cool,” said Kyle Fonda.  The teen was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma six months ago. He is now in remission and was able to make the trip to meet his favorite athlete.

“I hope he has a great day and if I contributed a little bit towards that then great,” said Andy Murray.  Fonda has only been playing tennis for about two years, but Murray says he put on a pretty good match.

“He was better than my hitting partner today, that’s for sure. My hitting partner was making a lot of mistakes. But [Kyle] was good,” joked Murray.  After playing tennis with Murray, posing for pictures, and getting fitted with Fila tennis gear, Kyle received much more than he wished for. The teen also got to watch Rafael Nadal practice and sat in at a press conference with more of the sport’s best players.

“It’s just awesome,” said Fonda.  Kyle also got a tour of the Sony Open Tournament facilities. On Friday, he will have the opportunity to flip the coin prior to Murray’s match.

Wish Granted

His name won’t show up on the Sony Open score sheets, but Kyle Fonda hit some of the most memorable shots against defending champion Andy Murray on Thursday morning.

Kyle Fonda, 15, got to hit balls with his idol, Sony Open defending champion Andy Murray.

Kyle Fonda, 15, got to hit balls with his idol, Sony Open defending champion Andy Murray.

Fonda, a 15-year-old from Gloversville, N.Y., has Hodgkin’s lymphoma and spent the day at the tournament through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Fonda plays tennis for his high school team, and his wish was to attend the Sony Open and meet Murray, his favorite player.

He got to hit with the world No. 6 and attend Murray’s news conference. He also met Federer and Nadal, and attended Serena Williams’ afternoon match. He was outfitted with FILA shoes, shirt, shorts and socks. He will be back Friday night to see Murray begin defense of his Sony title against Matthew Ebden on Stadium Court.

“It was really awesome to meet Andy,” Fonda said. “He took it easy on me. I’ve only been playing tennis for two years, but it’s my favorite sport. When they first told me about this wish being granted, I didn’t believe it. I believed it when we got on the airplane.”

Fonda was accompanied by his father, Tim, mother, Amy, and siblings Josh, 18, and Caitlyn, 11.  Asked what most surprised him about meeting the world’s top tennis players, Fonda smiled and said: “They’re just normal people.”

 

Consider supporting Make-A-Wish

April 14, 2014 – The Leader Herald

I know a lot of charities are worthy of your attention and contributions, but I want to take this opportunity to tell you about my family’s experience with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The foundation generously granted a wish for my son Kyle, who is a cancer patient. Kyle, a tennis enthusiast, wished to watch a professional tennis tournament and meet tennis star Andy Murray.

The foundation and its remarkable wish makers and volunteers got right to work on Kyle’s request. They sent Kyle and his immediate family to the Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami. The foundation spent thousands of dollars to fly us from Albany, N.Y., to Miami, put us up in an upscale hotel and give us VIP treatment at the tennis tournament. Kyle not only was able to meet Andy Murray, but actually play tennis with him on a practice court. Kyle also met several other players such as Roger Federer and Serena Williams, and watched several matches with his family. In addition, Kyle played golf at a beautiful golf course and spent an afternoon on Miami Beach, all courtesy of Make-A-Wish.

It’s difficult to put into words how all of this lifted Kyle’s spirits. I am proud to say, on the day Kyle watched Murray defeat one of his opponents and shook Murray’s hand moments after the victory, I realized Andy Murray and Kyle Fonda have at least two things in common: They both enjoy tennis and they both are winners – Andy on the professional tennis tour and Kyle in his fight against cancer.

Everyone we met from Make-A-Wish and the Sony Open were kind, generous and friendly. Everything they did was designed to create happy moments and cherished memories for Kyle, and they succeeded. Kyle beamed with the widest smiles I’ve ever seen him show.

The people at Make-A-Wish are the type who make our world a better place. We didn’t know much about the foundation before our experience with it. It certainly exceeded our expectations. We encourage you to consider supporting this worthwhile organization. Make-A-Wish granted wishes to nearly 14,000 children with life-threatening illnesses in 2012 alone. Its website address is wish.org.

AMY FONDA
Gloversville

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Jan 24

30 of the best

Lining up for the Gill Melges 24 Worlds in Geelong

Audi Ultra crew including tactician Enrico Fonda, pitman Federico Buscaglia and bowman Lucia Giorgetti preparing for World Championship in Australia.

Audi Ultra crew including tactician Enrico Fonda, pitman Federico Buscaglia and bowman Lucia Giorgetti preparing for World Championship in Australia.

Wednesday January 22nd 2014, Author: James Boyd, Location: Australia

Boats from San Francisco to Geelong, from California to Australia, will all be chasing the title at the Melges 24 World Championship next week.

Audi Ultra is starting her 2014 sailing season facing the longest away race of all: Riccardo Simoneschi’s team ended 2013 with the World Championship in San Francisco, but has headed Down Under where over 29 January to 2 February the best teams in the class will be fighting it out to beat reigning champion Brian Porter’s Full Throttle.

Unprecedented leader and number one in the class ranking, Audi Ultra is ready for this challenge. Riccardo Simoneschi has four of his five original crew that competed on board during the last season. Vittorio Rosso, has been replaced by Luna Rossa sailor Manuel Modena, and past Melges 24 World Champion with James Spithill in 2005.

Aboard Audi Ultra will also be tactician Enrico Fonda, pitman Federico Buscaglia and bowman Lucia Giorgetti.

Holding a World Championship in Australia has thinned out the fleet , however it has raised the quality with only the most professional teams deciding to take part.

Around 30 teams will be competing in Geelong, including a group of winning teams. Besides Audi Ultra, among the favourites Flavio Favini’s Blu Moon, American Bora Gulari’s West Marine Rigging, Olympic champion Nathan Wilmot’s Kaito Northshore Marine and Harry Melges’ Star.  Not to be understimated are teams like Altea of Andrea Racchelli, that has also been a  regular winner. Sadly reigning Melges 24 World Champion, Brian Porter and his Full Throttle Racing Team are absent from the line-up.

“This World Championship will be hard for several reasons,” says Simoneschi. “The conditions, the race course on a very narrow bay doesn’t make it easy and then there is the fact that at least 15 teams are capable of winning. Many Australian crews will be relying on the skills of Olympic medallists in their teams and it will be tough on the start line. We have all ingredients for a successfull championship.

Links: Melges 24 Worlds Australia, Race Results, Interview with Enrico Fonda

 

Audi Ultra Triumphs at the Melges 24 European Sailing Series in Torbole

© 2013 Helly Hansen, Published August 1

Last weekend, July 26-28, was a great weekend for sailing. Sporting Helly Hansen gear, the Audi Ultra crew was crowned the winner of the 3rd act of the European Sailing Series in Melges 24 class. The regatta took place at Torbole and was joined by a myriad of fantastic sailing teams.

The winning crew for the Audi Ultra team was composed of helmsman Riccardo Simoneschi, tactician Enrico Fonda, trimmer Federico Buscaglia, pitman Michele Cannoni and bowman Lucia Giorgetti.

The winning crew for the Audi Ultra team was composed of helmsman Riccardo Simoneschi, tactician Enrico Fonda, trimmer Federico Buscaglia, pitman Michele Cannoni and bowman Lucia Giorgetti.

It took eight intense and hard fought races for the Audi Ultra team to secure the victory of the third stage of the series. The winning crew was composed of helmsman Riccardo Simoneschi, tactician Enrico Fonda, trimmer Federico Buscaglia, pitman Michele Cannoni and bowman Lucia Giorgetti. The team demonstrated its skills by coping with the unstable Ora wind. Their will for a win was obvious from the very beginning of the race, even with the tough competition they had to face. In the final ranking Audi Ultra got the first place and was followed by EFG Bank with an 8-point-margin, and Giogi at 3rd place. Right behind them were the Japanese team of Makoto Nagahashi & Taki 4 of Giacomo Fossati.

After racing in Torbole waters, Audi Ultra’s helmsman Simoneschi shared his impressions from the competition and his expectations of their next challenge in the continental circuit of the Melges 24 Class: “Torbole has been very important, allowing us to understand our skills in preparation for the next European Championship in Medemblick that’s taking place on the third week of August. In Holland we’ll have to face many of the same sailing teams and other more tricky ones such as Lenny, two-time Olympic medalist Tonu Toniste and Storm Capital Sail Racing of the Norwegian Peder Jahre, already three-time European Corinthian Champion.”

We wish the team luck in their preparation and we will follow with excitement the upcoming decisive stages in Medemblik, Holland (16-24 August) and Hanko, Norway (6-8 September).

More Info: Audi Sailing Team

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Dec 03

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Elbie Fonda set high goals for the 2011 football season.  The Caruthersville senior wanted to run for 3,000 yards and lead his team to a state championship. For a shot at one, however, he had to sacrifice the other.  “We believed he could do it, but as things progressed, we wanted to take care of his body because we were hoping for 15 games,” Caruthersville coach Nathan Morgan said. “He understood that and did exactly what was needed without question.”

Caruthersville's Elbie Fonda was presented with the Carr Trophy during Wednesday's Poplar Bluff Letter Club's Gridiron Banquet. (Brian Rosener ~ Daily American Republic)

Fonda put together an outstanding season, one good enough to earn him the Carr Trophy as the most outstanding player in the SEMO Conference.  Fonda was presented the award Wednesday night during the 66th annual Poplar Bluff Letter Club Gridiron Banquet.  Fonda is the fourth Caruthersville player to win the award, given annually since 1979, and the first Tigers player since Kendrickus Reed in 2006.

Jimmy Jackson, Caruthersville’s first Carr winner in 2003, was an assistant coach for the Tigers this year and held the school record Fonda was shooting for — 2,564 yards rushing.  “He’s like an inspiration to me,” Fonda said about Jackson. “Make me want to win it. I wanted to be better than him.”

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back ran for 1,889 yards and 25 touchdowns during the regular season to lead the conference. He averaged 12.6 yards per carry. He finished with 2,602 yards combined rushing and receiving and scored 33 times to go with 31 tackles on defense.

Fonda shared the ball with Darrell Monroe, who also was named to the all-conference backfield. Monroe, a sophomore, ran for 1,019 yards during the regular season.  “I had no problem with it,” Fonda said. “I wanted to win.”  The Tigers only dropped a 56-55 thriller to Dexter for the conference title and fell to Maplewood-Richmond Heights 36-29 in the Class 2 state quarterfinals to finish 11-2.

Caruthersville's Elbie Fonda looks for running room against Dexter on Friday night in Dexter - Oct. 8, 2011 (David Jenkins ~ Sikeston Standard Democrat)

Fonda also won the scoring award in the Central and was one of five Carr finalists announced at the banquet. The other finalists were Sikeston’s James Watson, who rushed for 1,485 yards, Dexter quarterback Cody Stevens, who threw for 1,375 yards and ran for 1,184 yards, Farmington quarterback Chase Busenbark, who threw for 1,698 yards, and Chaffee’s Tyson Estes, who ran for 1,431 yards and earned the scoring award for the South.  “All great athletes,” Morgan said. “It was a good class, so Elbie has something to be proud of to win it this year.”

The Carr Trophy is named in honor of the late E.E. “Bus” Carr, an early member of the Letter Club who devoted 50 years of service to area athletics serving as an announcer for radio station KWOC in Poplar Bluff. A committee composed of area high school football officials makes the selection.

Also presented with awards were Farmington linebacker Roper Garrett with the inaugural Derland Moore Award for the most outstanding defensive player in the conference. Moore, a 14-year NFL player for the New Orleans Saints who was named a second-team SEMO Conference player as a senior at Poplar Bluff, presented the award to Garrett, who had 82 tackles and 45 assists, six sacks and three forced fumbles for the state semifinalist Knights.

Jackson assistant coach Bob Sink was presented with the Sam Giambelluca Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to high school athletics over a 41-year career. He announced his retirement during the Jackson football banquet last month.  The linemen awards went to Farmington’s Ethan Hennes, Zach Lacey of Dexter and Zach Estes of Scott City.  Farmington’s Connor Davault won the scoring award for the North, and Knights coach Todd Vaughn was named coach of the year, along with Dexter’s Aaron Pixley and Hayti’s Justin Peden.

© Copyright 2011 Southeast Missourian. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Other links: YouTube, MaxPreps

 

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