Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 112, Number 12, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 23 March 1994 — Page 9

NW honors winter athletes

By Barb Keiser Editor North Wood High School honored members of its winter sports teams at the annual winter sports banquet, held in the high school cafeteria, Tuesday, March 15. Andy Hirschy was named MVP for boys’ basketball, and also earned the Rebound Award, grabbing a total of 133 this past season. Seniors Fred Lechlitner and Brad Hartman earned Co-Captain Awards, with Hartman also receiving the Free Throw Award, nailing 62-72, for 86%. Ben Snyder was presented the Mental Attitude Award, Jake Klotz earned the Outstanding Defense Award, and Mike Lee per was named Most Improved. In girls’ basketball, Jami Heckaman was named Most Valuable Player. She was also co-winner of the Outstanding Defense Award, with Megan Newcomer. Tri-captions for Coach Steve Neff’s sectional and regional champions were Kara Scheumann, Megan Newcomer and Lindy Leeper, with Scheumann earning the

Panther athletes honored

Martin Bentley, Jami Hcckaman, Trevor Andrews and Andy Hirschy were recently honored as January’s McDonald and G.L. Perey “Athletes of the Week,” according to Rick Purcell, owner/operator of McDonald’s and John Mahon, manager at G.L. Perry. Bentley, son of Lauren and Robert Hendricks, Elkhart, was selected in boys’ swimming for the week ending January 14, according to Coaches Mary Robertson and Kelli Weaver, for his dedication and improvement in four of the competitive strokes. “Martin swims the 500, 200 and 100-yard freestyle event, 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke and the butterfly,” stated his coach. “His positive attitude toward the sport of swimming makes h im a very

Hartman selected to play in All-Star game

North Wood senior Brad Hartman has been selected as a member of the East All-Star -team, to square off against the West in the annual Teachers Credit Union Hoosicrs All-Star basketball game, Thursday, March 24, at Brown Gym, 737 W. Beale, South Bend. The event, for area smaller school players, is hosted by Indiana University South Bend, with the women’s game set for 6p.m. and the men’s game to follow. The game is a post-season opportunity for standout small school

Neff, Heckaman earn All-Area recognition

North Wood Girls’ Basketball Coach Steve Neff, and junior standout Jami Heckaman earned honors at last week’s annual Sunburst All-Star Classic Banquet Neff was named Area Coach of the Year, while Heckaman was selected as an All-Area player. However, since she is a junior, she cannot participate in the All-Star Classic game—the game is for seniors only. The Sunburst will be played Thursday, March 31, at Notre Dame, with the girls’ contest at 6p.m., and the boys’ game following, at approximately Bp.m. The All-Area teams will square off against Metro standouts.

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North Wood High School Athletes of the Week recently received their awards from Rick Purcell, owner/operator of McDonald's Restaurant, and Jon Mahon, manager at G.L. Perry, co-sponsors

Mental Attitude Award. Heather Weidenhaft grabbed the Most Rebounds, at 182, to earn that honor, while Rachel Gaut nailed down the Free Throw Award, with 25-30 for 83.3%, and Amy Sloat was named Most Improved. Cheerleaders were also honored at the banquet, with Katie Mahon selected Most Valuable, Sonya Sheets earning the Positive Mental Attitude Award, Jaime Loucks named Most Improved, and Tamra Brown and Katie Mahon earning Four-Year Cheerleader Awards. Boys’swimming honors went to Brian Boothe, Most Valuable and co-captain with Matt Gilley. Ross Martin earned the Mental Attitude Award, and Martin Bentley was named Most Improved. In wrestling, Trevor Andrews was named Most Valuable, with Andrews and Todd Croy receiving the Co-Captain Awards. Croy also was named recipient of the Steve Hazelwood Mental Attitude Award. Nate Andrews received the Most Pins Award, with 22, and Gary Schmucker was selected as the Most

coachablc athlete!” Martin is a freshman. Jami won the award for her leadership, and her selection as MVP of the North Wood Invitational Tournament. According to Coach Steve Neff, “Jami scored a total of 46 points, had 15 steals and 11 assists in two games.” Jami is the daughter of Kim and Melinda Heckaman, Nappanee, and a junior. She is also active in volleyball and track. Senior Trevor Andrews became the “first four-time Northern Lakes Conference Wrestling Champion In the history of the tournament” according to Coach Dennis Lewis. Andrews went on to place second in his weight class at the slate finals. Trevor is the son of Sheri Andrews and the late Jim Andrews.

players to appear beyond the state playoffs, showcase their skills, and, perhaps, move on to competition beyond the high school level. Past TCU Hoosicrs All-Stars include Eva Klopfcnstcin, (NorthWood-Nappancc) 1991, who went on to play for Glen Oaks Community College. Other Northern Lakes Conference players joining Hartman on the squad are Roger Plough, Northridge, and Jon Evcringham, Goshen. Corey Reed and Corky Hendricks, Bremen, were also named.

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JAMI HECKAMAN

Athletes of Week

Improved wrestler. New wrestling awards this year include membership in the “Silver Laces Club,” for those who totaled over 50 takedowns. Silver trophies were presented to Charter Members Reuben Eicher, 50; Nate Andrews, 59, and Todd Croy, 70. Gold Lace Club membership was granted to those with over 75 but under 100 takedowns-with Todd Mullet the lone gold trophy recipient, at 86 takedowns. Trevor Andrews, at 103, and Nate Schmucker, at 105, earned plaques for their ‘Takedown” efforts. Wrestlers with 15 pins or more also received trophies. They include Nate Andrews, 22; Nate Schmucker and Todd Croy, 21, and Trevor Andrews, 15. The wrestling team presented Coach Dennis Lewis with a certificate good toward the purchase of a Hall of Fame ring. Lewis has been inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame. In addition, wrestling matmaid Betsy Billey, a senior, received an appreciation award for her three years of service to the team.

He quarterbacked NorihWood’s football team to a winning season, and also runs track. His award was for the week of January 28. Andy is the son of Gerald and Linda Hirschy, Wakarusa, and was the athlete of the week in boys’ basketball the week of February 4. According to Coach Dan Gunn, Hirschy won his award for a “great all-around game against Goshen.” Hirschy, a junior, recently joined the elite Elkhart County 1000-Point Club. The two local businesses sponsor the Athlete of the Week Awards, which arc based on scholarship (at least a C-plus average), and a combination of contribution to team effort, improvement, and a positive mental attitude displayed by the athlete. Student athletes arc selected by a panel of coaches at North Wood each week. Tryouts set Try outs for the Nappanee Baseball Travel Team will begin Saturday, March 26, lp.m., at the North Wood High School Activities Center, and will continue for the next four Saturdays. Bulldogs impressive at 11-1 The Nappanee Middle School seventh grade girls’ basketball team improved its season mark to an impressive 11-1, with recent wins over West Side and John Young. In a 45-22 win over West Side, the Bulldogs were led by Natalie Will with 13 points, seven rebounds and six steals. Mindy Miller added nine points and five steals. Also shining for Nappanee were Amy Zercher, with seven points and four rebounds, Mandi Huff and Heather Zentz, six points each, and Angie Callander, three points and a whopping 14 rebounds. Rounding out the Bulldog stats were Michelle Taylor with three steals, and Brianne Bumworth, a free throw, three steals and four rebounds. In the 35-29 victory over John Young, Mindy Miller and Angie Callander each i:ad nine points, and Amy Zercher added six. Natalie Will also scored four points, Brianne Bumworth three, Michelle Taylor and Mandi Huff, each two, and Heather Zentz was credited with a good team effort on behalf of the Bulldogs.

of the program. From left are Mahon, Trevor Andrews, Martta Bentley, Andy Hirschy, Jami Heckaman, and Purcell. See related article for details. (AN photo by Bonnie Cray)

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North Wood's best Named Most Valuable in their respective winter sports at NorthWood High School, front, from left, Katie Mahon, cheerleading, and Brian Boothe, swimming. Back, Andy Hirschy, basketball, and Trevor Andrews, wrestling. Not pictured is Jami Heckaman, most valuable member of the girls' basketball team. Awards were received at last week’s winter sports banquet. See related article for details. (AN photo by Bonnie Croy)

Enter tourney play on four-game streak

The Nappanee Middle School’s eighth grade girls’ basketball team entered this week’s Hart County Athletic Conference tournament play with a four-game win streak. The team added two wins last week, topping Concord 32-27 in overtime, and Jimtown 36-20. The big win came Tuesday at home, with the Bulldogs topping previously undefeated Concord in the extra period Jamie Gill led Nappanee with 12 points and nine rebounds. Colleen Miller added 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Brooke Tobias and Marla Yoder each had four points, and Jamie Moncyhcffcr contributed one. The Bulldog win was keyed by outstanding defense, and the ability to force Concord into early foul trouble. Nappanee led 6-2 at the first slop, and the teams were tic at the other three quarter marks, 10-10, 15-15 and 25-25. Thursday the team topped Jimtown at home, with Gill leading the way with 12 points and eight rebounds. Miller added nine, Moncyhcffcr six, Jaymc Eddingcr three, and Tobias, Cody Miller and

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Once again, North Wood’s track Panthers proved the best of the field, as they took the championship in their class at Monday's South Bend Classic, held at Notre Dame. It was the sixth straight Classic title for the Panthers of Coach Fred Myers. In the top photo, North Wood

Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, March 23, 1994

Stacy Miller, each two. Nappanee trailed 6-8 after one, held a 16-10 lead at halftime, led 27-14 at the third stop, and cruised to the 16-point advantage. The Bulldogs drew a bye in the first round of the conference tournament, and were scheduled to play Tuesday, at the winner of Goshen Black and Concord. The championship will be Thursday, at the winner of the tournament’s top bracket. Free clinic for minor/major league players There will be a FREE baseball clinic for minor and major league players, ages 8-12, Saturday, May 7, 9-10:30a.m., at the Woodview Elementary School gym. Registration forms are available now at your school, or at the office of the Nappanee Advance-News. Register now. For more information, call 773-7556, or 773-2219. The free clinic is sponsored by the Nappanee Youth Baseball Association.

Classic Champs

Sports this week Thursday, March 24 Middle school wrestling, Bremen, here, 4; 30p.m. Middle school girls’ basketball, HCAC tournament Saturday, March 26 Middle school wrestling, HCAC tournament, at Concord, 9a.m. A North Wood girls’ track meet is scheduled for March 22-24-25, 4:30p.m., with South Bend Adams, here, depending on the weather. Another is set for either March 28-29, 4:30p.m„ also depending upon the weather. Friday, March 29 North Wood boys’ track, Manchester, here, sp.m. Organize summer basketball For the sixth consecutive year, Bourbon will host a summer basketball league. The Bourbon Park basketball court will be the place for the Wednesday and Thursday evening action, throughout June, July and August. Games will take place at 7p.m., Bp.m. and 9p.m. during the regular season, followed by a single elimination tournament in mid-August. Teams can be comprised of any mixture of high school, college and post-graduate athletes. League organizer Brad Mason would like to add several competitive teams to the league this year. Those interested in further information regarding the league may contact Mr. Mason at 342-0138. Bulldog wrestlers in action The Bulldog wrestling team hosted Wawascc March 15, with the following individuals winning their matches: At 75 pounds, Shawn Pcrsing won 10-8; 90-Bcn Becker won by pin at 1:55; 105-Ryan Yoder won 4-2; 110-Bill Mitschclcn won 10-1, and 115-Cory Brown won by pin at 2:29. Exhibition matches were won by 95-Jason Short, and 110-Andy Mitschclcn, both by 6-4 scores. Wawascc won the team score, 79-34. March 17, the Bulldogs topped Wakarusa 48-33, with the following winners: 70-Jcsse Espinoza, 75-Shawn Pcrsing, 90-Bcn Becker, 105-Ryan Yoder, 110-Bill Mitschclcn, 115-Cory Brown, 125-Isaac Lcmlcr, 90-Jason Short, 105-Jaicd Hamshcr, 105-Nate Canter, 125-Ben Pippen, and 80-Nick Roelandts.

celebrates the victory. At bottom, from left, seniors Jeff Schrock, Trevor Andrews, Chris Yoder and Todd Croy display the hardware. Details on the meet will appear in next week's issue of the Advance-News. (AN photos by Bonnie Croy)

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