Meleah Leatherman Kunkel -- Central Noble Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025
By David Bremer | Feb 10, 2025 11:23 AM

This coming Friday, February 14th, 2025, Central Noble will be honoring another legendary athlete to its Athletic Hall of Fame, CN Athletics will be honoring Meleah Leatherman Kunkel for her incredible contributions to basketball, track & field, and volleyball. A standout in multiple sports, Meleah's impact on Central Noble athletics is cemented in school history. Basketball Dominance Kunkel was a force on the court, leading Central Noble basketball to a remarkable 95-16 career record. She was a four-time varsity letter winner (2016-2019) and earned numerous accolades, including four All-NECC and KPC All-Area selections. Her excellence was recognized at the state level with four ICGSA All-State Team selections, including Honorable Mention in 2016 and First-Team honors from 2017 to 2019. Her leadership and skill helped Central Noble secure three NECC Tournament Championships (2016, 2017, 2019), an NECC Regular Season Championship (2019), and three IHSAA Sectional and Regional titles (2017-2019). The highlight of her career came in 2018, when she led the team to a Semi-State and State Championship victory, etching her name in Central Noble history. Kunkel achieved membership in the elite 1000/1000 Club, finishing with 1,649 career points and 1,056 career rebounds, both school records. Track & Field Excellence Kunkel’s athletic prowess extended beyond basketball. She was a three-time varsity letter winner (2017-2019) and a school record holder in the high jump. She was named All-NECC twice (2017, 2019) and earned All-State honors in three consecutive seasons (2017-2019). She consistently performed at the highest levels of competition, qualifying for the IHSAA State Finals in the high jump three times, securing 8th place finishes in 2017 and 2018, and 9th place in 2019. Additionally, she was an IHSAA Sectional Champion in 2018 and a Regional Qualifier in the 4x100m relay. Volleyball Accomplishments Kunkel also excelled on the volleyball court, earning four varsity letters (2015-2018). She was a three-time All-NECC and KPC All-Area selection and was named to the All-District Team in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, she capped off her career with All-State and Academic All-State honors. Her dominance set multiple school records in kills, aces, and blocks, and she surpassed 1,000 career kills, a milestone few achieve. A Lasting Legacy Meleah Leatherman Kunkel’s dedication, leadership, and skill across three sports have solidified her place in Central Noble’s athletic history. Her contributions will inspire generations of athletes to strive for greatness. Central Noble High School congratulates Meleah Leatherman Kunkel on her well-deserved induction into the Central Noble Athletic Hall of Fame!