Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 133, Number 13, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 31 March 2011 — Page 6

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Advance Newt* Thursday, Mm* 31,2011

Panther golf team on the rfee The North Wood Panther boys golf team has been practicing hard in preparation for the coming season, and coach Br»d Puerkaen has high hopes for a great year. nVe had rnore people try oGfforttie teem (18) than I can remember fit quite a while; and Tm very exdted about die mix of talent and leadership we have retumiig from last year/’ Duerksen said. North Wood graduated just hnrf mam onfe senior - standout MikeTlZ Bough - people fry OUt for MSyfS.'IS (10 i MVP and All-Nordtem Lakes thQfl I COl Conference selection Dylan |f| In addition to Gessinger; qUltB O WtlilO, the team will indude three h_ seniors, including two-year '*"* 1 m ***» lettermen Jon Christofeno excited about and Jesse Morganthaler; and g.- gg nn i returning letterman Nate ™ luuni Trippei. and leadership .. 'Our seniors have worked hard on their games since HuVo the end of last season, in par- retUmlng ftOfll ticular Jesse Morganthaler,' |. n Duerksen said. 'Jesse has lu>l scared very well in our tryouts and I expect big things MhilliUlimml doH hMd from him this year." Also in the mix for a spot on COtCh Brill DtlßrfcSM the varsity (top five golfers) 11,11,11 ■ ■ T are juniors Josh Ailes, Sam Sittler and Ben Zercher, and sophomores Payton Grubbs, Qayton Seitz, and Ryan "Although we haye-feumfour top five varsity golfers backirom fcrsT year, these odier guys are really pushing diem and it will be a battle each week for those varsity spots," Duerksen said. Rounding out the roster are junior Tomas Matas, a foreign exchange student from die Czech Republic, and freshmen Brgyden Glaser; Logan Kauffman and Austin Conrad. "I decided to keep 14 players this year because five or six guys (including all three freshmen) were really close in tryouts, and we wanted to give them all a chance to develop and build depth for next season," Duerksen said. Duerksen is excited to see what die team is capable of against its conference opposition. "1 think we will contend for a top-three finish in the NLC tournament," said Duerksen, who added Warsaw is the team to beat since the Tigers return all but one player from their state-qualifying team in 2010. "With steady improvement, we also have a shot at advancing to die regionals as a team, and I think Dylan (Gessinger) and Jesse (Morganthaler) have a shot at advancing as individuals." Xhe team opens play April 11 against West Noble at Maxwelton Golf Course, with die home opener versus Ifijfh&rt Central at McCormick Creek in Nappanee scheduled for April 21.

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DMT photo The North Wood basebaH team hopes to improve on its 11-13 record last season. Team members ate (front from left) Zech Manring, Brennan Yoder,Justin Miller, Cory Snyder,Coie Page, Derek Yoder, (back, from left) Ryan Gerber, Will Kirkwood, Blake Cleveland, AJ. Nevifopmet Nate Wagner and Tanner Roberts.

Panther baseball team ready to lake the field

brStfriSniui Correspondent Damp weather hasn't stopped the North Wood Panther baseball team from working hard indoors in preparation for the upcoming season. North Wood returns seven lettermen from last year's 11-13 squad, led by dime-year starter and two-time team MVP Derek Yoder, who appears fully healed from a leg injury suffered during football season. Tm ready pleased with how hard the guys have worked in die offseason and preseason," said first-year varsity ooadi Zach Boiko, who takes the reins of the program from Nick Davis. "We've changed die way we do a few things but all of the guys have bought into what we are trying to do and have shown great attitudes." The multi-talented Yoder; an . All-Northern Lakes Conference pitcher/shortstop/outfielder who hit 371 and had a team-leading 4.73 earned run average in 2010, is being counted on to be a leader in all aspects of die game-

“I’m rooty pleased with how hard the guys have worked in the offseason and preseason, We’ve changed the way we do a few things but all of the guys have bought into what we are trying to do and have shown great attitudes.” North Wood baseball head coach Zach Benko

Cede Page will be the No. 2 starter; and Benko is expecting a big season from die right-handed fireballer. "Cole worked very hard in the offseason and has the physical tools to be a dominant pitcher for us," Benko said. "AJI he needs to do is remain confident in his own abilities, even in times of adversity, and he will have great success." Also being counted on for significant innings on the mound are lefty Zech Maturing, a fearless competitor who is never rattled on the hill, and Cory Snyder, who will hold down die cen-

ter field spot when he is not pitching. Versatile Tanner Roberts, fourth in hitting on die team as a sophomore with a .323 average, will also serve as a spot starter and occasional reliever, and will play shortstop when Yoder pitches and third base or the outfield as well. Perhaps die hardest position to fill will be behind the plate, where three-year starter John Sittler; a strong defensive catcher who was a calming influence on the sometimes erratic Panther pitchers, was lost to graduation. Stepping up will be a pair of youngsters, freshmen Blake Geveland and Will Kirkwood, who will split time behind the plate and also platoon at third base. "Although they are young, we are very pleased with their skills and progress and feel that we are in good hands with either of diem," Benko said. Also battling for time

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behind the plate are Justin Miller and A.J. Newcomer. In addition to the Geveland-Kirkwood platoon at third and die YoderRoberts combo at shortstop, the rest of the infield will consist of two-year starter Brennan Yoder at second base and sure-handed Nate Wagner at first. "Nate has the best hands on die team and has done an excellent job so far at first base," Benko said. Kyle Dijkstra and Brock Spitaels are also getting long looks from Benko, although both are expected to open the season on the JV team. ! Rounding out the roster is Ryan Gerber; who is expected to compete with Manring for the right field job and also serve as the designated hitter when not playing in the field. "I think we can compete with anyone in the NLC if we get good, consistent pitching," Benko said. "Northridge and Warsaw are probably the favorites to win the conference, but we have the capability of beating anyone on our schedule if we play to the best of our ability." After four games prior to spring break, North Wood will have road trips to West Noble, Concord and Northridge before finally returning home April 22 for die first of six straight home games.