Ron Raver’s life was typical of a youngster growing up in the 1940s and early 1950s. He lived on a farm in Oldenburg, Indiana. He attended eighth grade in Oldenburg and then went to Batesville High School just a few miles away.

In high school Ron ran track, played baseball and basketball, all at the varsity level. Cross country was not offered. His main events in track were the 440-yard dash, high jump and the mile relay.

Ellie Tidman was born in France and arrived in Batesville while in early elementary school, when her father found employment with the Hillenbrand Company. She and her two younger sisters became very active in volleyball and track and field. Much of her athletic career was participating on a traveling volleyball team. Finding time for track and field, she had great success winning every competition throughout her high school career, four county championships, three conference championships (she did not participate in her senior year due to a back injury), four IHSAA sectional, regional and state championships. She found time to help her team as a sprinter and is the school record holder in the long jump.