Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 120, Number 35, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 27 August 1997 — Page 8

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Nappancc Advance New* Wednesday, August 27,1997

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PANTHER RUNNING BACK—Junior' Aaron Huber, shown In season-opening action, was the leading ball carrier for the varsity Panthers, In Friday night's football showdown with Jimtown, played at Andrews Field. In spite of Huber's six-yard touchdown, and 82

Panther win streak ends

The suite’s longest consecutive regular-season win streak came to an end Friday night at Andrews Field, as the always-tough North Wood varsity football team fell to a tougher visiting squad from Jimtown, 28-14. In the first-ever confrontation between the two football powers, the Jims showed that, this year at least, they were ready, manhandling the Panthers on almost every play to show from the opening miftutes that they had control of the night’s outcome. The visitors scored once in each of the four quarters, while the host Panthers managed to score once in the third and again in the final stanza. The 37-game win streak for the Panthers began in the 1992 regular season, following a loss at the hands of conference foe Goshen. The Panthers had also won every game played on their home field since it was re-named Andrews Field. Panther head coach, Rich Dodson, reported, “We were able to drive out a few times, but with such a long field, it’s easy to bog down. I was proud we battled back to within 14-7, but then we allowed the long kick return and that was a back-breaker. That put them in four-down territory. We just have to do a better job of reacting and tackling. They were hitting our kids and taking them for a ride downfield.” He continued, "This game won’t break our season, and I think you’ll see us play better next week. Jimtown was well-prepared for this one, and is just a more physical team at this point of the season. Jimtown’s three running backs just couldn’t be stopped by the Black Crunch “D” with the guests totaling 324 yards rushing. Brian Smith led the winners with 166 yards in 23 carries, with Travis Daniels adding 81 in five and Adrian Pettis 57 in seven. For the Panthers, one bright spot was the performance of sophomore quarterback Charlie Roeder, who was 14-23 (two interceptions) in passing, for 166 yards. Dodson said of his young QB, “Roeder has some ability and we have good receivers. When we get our offensive line working, I think we can have an effective offense.” North Wood kicked off to open the contest, with Jimtown covering 80 yards in seven plays, scoring when Pttis snared a 22-yard pass from junior QB Keith Kinder. The

546-2727 Just 8 miles from Nappanee

yards of offense In 16 carries, the Panthers fell, 28-14, with the Jims snapping the state's longest regular-season win streak at 37 Panther victories. See related story for details. (AN photo by Kim Kelser)

kick was good, and the guests were up 7-0, with just under three minutes gone in the game. 'She Panther D held the Jims on their next drive, stopping the drive at the two. North Wood took the ball to the Jims’ 21 before losing it on downs. A North Wood fumble in the second period was recovered by Jimtown, with another score coming in just two plays, as Smith took it in from the six. The kick was good again, and the Jims took a 14-0 lead into the dressing room at the halfway mark. North Wood took the third quarter kickoff in for the score in 12 plays which covered 80 yards. Junior Aaron Hoover did the honors, scoring on a six-yard run. Justin Rogers booted the successful PAT, and Panther fans were hopeful, as the score moved to 147. The Panther kickoff was returned 37 yards, and in nine plays, the Jims were on the board again, as Kinder scored on a three-

Girls earn awards for summer sports camps

Names of medal winners from this summer’s volleyball and basketball camps for girls in grades 49 have been announced, as follows. For freshman and eighth grade girls participating in the volleyball camp, the “Four on Four” tournament was won by the team of Kasey Chamberlin, Laura Gilliam, Ashley Egging, Melissa Raber and Stephanie Etsinger. Winners of the “Three on Three” tournament were Ashley Egging, Julie Stutzman and Sam Schafer. Sportsmanship winners for volleyball were Mary Egging, Michelle Mast, Leah Harmon and Nichole Fishbum, seventh grade, and Kara Huff, Laura Tarman, Jenny Bemiller, Jessica Focht and Sara Shively, sixth grade. For basketball camp, free throw winners were Lana Hartman, fourth; Natalie Reinhardt, fifth; Amanda Gunn, sixth; Karla Yoder, seventh; Sam Schafer, eighth, and Myra Baumgartner, ninth. Hot Shot awards were earned by Jennifer Kurtz, fourth; Mindy Blosser, fifth; Kelsey Gilliam, sixth; Carlea Howard, seventh; Ashley Egging, eighth, and Nikki Scheets, ninth. Layup awards went to Brittany

Drive a little to save a lot!

yard keeper and the kick moved the score to 21-7. The final Jimtown score came with just over six minutes remaining in the contest, as Smith took it in from the one to send the Jimtown crowd into a celebration mode. North Wood scored again, with just over a minute left in the contest, as Roeder connected to Joe Abel on a six-yarder for the final Panther tally. Rogers’ kick was good again, but the clock ran out on the Panthers, and Coach Dodson and crew move on to prepare for this week’s non-confer-ence contest with Bremen. Kickoff time is set for 7:30p.m., at Andrews Field. On the night, Huber led the Panthers with 82 yards on 16 trie*, while both Abel and junior Blair Baumgartner caught four passes, for 40 and 39 yards respectively. Senior Jake Yoder and junior Justin Sellon each had 12 hits tor the Crunch, while Abel added 11.

Wogoman, fourth; Alexis Honeycutt, fifth; Jessica Focht, sixth, and Andrea Jenkins, seventh. The One-on-One awards went to Carol Duncan, eighth, and Kasey Chamberlin, ninth. The Black Swish honors were awarded to Heather Stutsman, fourth; Carrie Egging, fifth; Kara Hill, sixth; Chelsey Bowers, seventh; Katie Chamberlin, eighth, and Jessica Yoder, ninth. Coaches Peggy Bough and Steve Neff wish to thank area businesses for their support: WLRXFM, J&N Stone, Martin’s Super Market, R.M. Abel, M.D., Ernie Crilow—State Farm Insurance, McDonald’s, McCormick Motors, Park Pharmacy and Templeton Oil Company.

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Three earn Jr. Olympic medals in Charlotte

' AAU Jr. Olympic Games is a multi-sport event similar to the Olympic Games, but for participants ages 5-18. This year’s event drew over 15,000 competitors from all 50 states, competing in over 30 different sports. Master Jerry A. Sponseller, who owns and operates Sponseller’s Taekwondo Academy, Mishawaka, has trained athletes for state and national events for the past 19 years, is the AAU State Ifeekwondo chairperson, and hosts an annual state qualifying event for athletes who wish to try for a spot in the Jr. Olympics and the AAU Nationals, in both point style and international style sparring, as well as forms. Sponseller took three athletes to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the week long competition, with all three bringing back medals. Nichole Hinton, age 12, earned a gold medal in international sparring and a bronze in point sparring. John Troup, age 12, earned the silver medal in point sparring, and, Randy Slisz, age 13, won the bronze in international sparring. The three qualified at the state event held in April. Randy also placed in the 1995 and 1996 competition, while John and Nichole were first-time Jr. Olympics competitors. Coach and instructor Sponseller said, "These kids are all to be commended for their effort, as well as their families, for their support and dedication to helping their kids be involved in something as positive

Sports this week... THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 NWHS boys varsity and JV tennis, at Elkhart Memorial, 4:30p.m. NWHS girls varsity and JV golf, Concord and Warsaw, at Warsaw, 4:30p.m. NWHS girls’ varsity soccer, at Warsaw, 4:30p.m. NWHS freshman football jamboree, here, sp.m. NWHS varsity and JV volleyball, at Lakeland Invitational, sp.m. NWHS boys’ varsity soccer, at Elkhart Memorial, 4:30p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 NWHS varsity football, Bremen, here, 7:30p.m. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 NWHS freshman football, at Bremen, 10a.m. NWHS co-ed varsity and JV cross country, Bethany Christian and E. Baptist, at North Wood, 10a.m. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 NWHS co-ed varsity and JV crops country, Penn, here, 4:30p.m. NWHS boys’ varsity soccer, South Bend Washington, here, sp.m. NWHS girls’ varsity and JV volleyball, at LaVille, sp.m. NWHS girls’ varsity and JV golf, Plymouth, here, 4:30p.m.

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COACHES WINNERS—Master Jerry A. Sponseller stands with recent AAU Jr. Olympic medal winners Nichole Hinton, John Troup and Randy Slisz. The three, coached by Sponseller In the art of Taekwondo, brought back four medals between them. See related article for details.

(Photo contributed) as Thekwondo. The actual process of preparing for a state and then national event takes about six months of sacrifice and training. The parents and fellow schoolmates are all very involved in helping athletes to travel to these events, and represent their school and our community. “The whole philosophy of the Jr. Olympic Games is to provide a positive, friendly competition with the emphasis on fair play and good sportsmanship. The AAU Taekwondo program, in my opinion, is the only program in the country that really puts kids first, and places the emphasis on fair play and all kids being involved. “The Jr. Olympic Games are dedicated to the development of our young kids, bqth in athletics and in life. This is the same philosophy as Taekwondo. Develop our kids with positive self-esteem and strong confidence to lead a positive lifestyle and achieve anything they put their mind to and are willing to work hard for.” Mr. Sponseller has also recently been appointed regional team coach for the midwest region by

Management & Team of Nappanee Taco Bell Wish he Lady Panthers Soccer Team The Best Os Luck In Their Inaugural Season • Ttacotjeua .

the national coach. His duties will include hosting an annual state qualifying event, and acting as team coach for the regional team after each state has qualified its athletes, in preparation for national and Jr. Olympic competition. Randy Slisz attends Schmucker Middle School, while Nichole Hinton and John Troup both attend North Wood Middle School. All three plan to try out for Jr. Olympics again next year, as well as the AAU Nationals. They all attend Taekwondo three to four times each week. Randy is a Black Belt, preparing for his second degree. Nichole and John are both Brown Belts, preparing for their Black Belt. “These kids are incredible kids!” stated Sponseller. “They are a pleasure to work with, and' exceptional role models to lower belts. All of them have a great attitude and excel in school as well as other sports. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with them, travel and coach them, and have them in my Taekwondo Academy. I look for big things from all of them in the future.”