The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 11, Milford, Kosciusko County, 30 March 1983 — Page 8

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., March 30.1983

Sports

E ~ fl ILji First Team Jon Vitaniemi Only Underclassman

Vitaniemi leads all-NLC squad

By GARY LEWIS Four of the five Wawasee starters were featured on the all Northern Lakes Conference team announced last week after a coaches meeting at the high school. Coach John Wysong says the four selected is a great accomplishment for his team and the school “1 think it speaks well for the team to have those four selected.” said Wysong. Headlining the all-NLC team was the Warriors’ Most Valuable Player, and the only underclassmen on the first team, junior Jon Vitaniemi. "I could have picked any of the, other three as the MVP this season, ” said Wysong, reminiscencing on Wawasee’s 176 season. "Those three seniors exemplifies well the kind of season we had," he added. Named to the first team were Goshen guard Marc Ruhling, Plymouth's Todd Samuelson and Mark Stukenborg. Bremen’s Todd Wagoner and Wawasee senior center Ron Spunar. Spunar dominated the rebounding statistics in the NLC, grabbing 74 rebounds as com-

1983 All-Northern Lakes Conference Team First Team FGA FGM % FTA FTM % REB A G AVG Marc Ruhling — G — Goshen 112 57 51 21 17 81 43 11 6 21.8 Todd Samuelson — G-—Plymouth 77 34 44 39 27 69 28 42 7 13.6 Tod Wagoner — F — Bremen 130 64 49 48 39 81 32 12 7 23.9 Jon Vitaniemi — F — Wawasee 62 38 61 37 27 73 58 77 14.7 Ron Spunar - C - Wawasee 71 37 52 22 13 59 74 6 7 12.4 Mark Stukenborg— F — Plymouth 68 33 49 37 32 87 40 23 7 14.0 Second Team Jamie Johnson — C — Plymouth 76 34 45 44 34 77 56 5 7 14.9 Kurt Hand — G — North Wood 76 34 45 26 18 69 22 48 7 12.3 Jeff Grose — G — Warsaw 87 39 45 29 20 69 28 18 7 14.0 Brian Walls - G - Wawasee 94 49 52 26 18 69 16 24 7 16.6 Rusty Triplett — F — Rochester 99 53 54 23 18 78 51 12 7 17.7 *(Key to figures: FGA — Field Goal Attempts, FGM — Field Goals Made, % — Percentage, FTA — Free Throws Attempted, FTM — Free Throws Made, REB — Rebounds, A— Assists, G — Games, AVG — Average of points per game.)

Inexperienced pitching problem for WHS

By GARY LEWIS

In high school baseball, pitching is the name of the game. With only seven innings to play, meaning only 21 outs, the fielders get little action. Any half-decent fielding team can get by with good pitching. But for Wawasee High School, pitching means only two names: junior Brian Henson and senior Kevin Smith. They figure to be the number one and two starters for coach Myron Dickerson’s diamondmen. It’s slightly inaccurate to describe Wawasee’s pitching staff as "number one and two” because that’s just about as deep as the staff goes. Dickerson lost two pitchers to graduation last season, Pat Speicher and Scott Parker, who were the top two winners in the Warrior bullpen last season. In addition, two other potential pitchers didn’t go out for the team this spring, leaving Dickerson in a fix. Add that with the "toughest baseball schedule ever played,” according to Dickerson, and Wawasee’s outlook for ’B3 is questionable. “Pitching is 85 to 95 per cent of the ball game in high school, and

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Bki ■ First Team Top Rebounder Ron Spunar

pared to 43 for Ruhling who was the next non-Wawasee player. Finishing second to Spunar in the rebounding game was Vitaniemi with 58 boards. Vitaniemi was the best shooter on the all-NLC squad, connecting on 38 of 62 for 61 per cent from the field and canning 73 per cent of his free throws. He was second in free throw shooting to Bremen's Wagoner, who, was 81 per cent from the charity stripe. Vitaniemi averaged 14.7 points per game, right on target with his overall season average of 15 a game. Spunar averaged 12.4 points per game in NLC play. Ruhling averaged 21.8, Samuelson 13.6, Wagoner 23.9 and Stukenborg 14.0. Named to the second team were Plymouth’s Jamie Johnson. North Wood’s Kurt Hand. Warsaw’s Jeff Grose and Rochester's Rusty Triplett. Senior guard Brian Walls was the Wawasee representative on the second team, with his outstanding 16.6 points per game during NLC play. He averaged over three assists per game, ending the NLC season with 24. Wawasee forward v Kevin Smith, another one of Wysong's

I sometimes wonder if it might even be more than that,” said Dickerson. With Henson or Smith on the mound, however, Wawasee should be a contender. “We’ll be as good as anybody we play, however, the other pitchers will be inexperienced. “We should have a really good baseball team.” Part of the reason for Dickerson’s optimistic attitude to the Warriors’ chances on improving last season’s 18-17 campaign is based on the shoulders of about 10 returning lettermen. Leading the list among those returnees are senior Eric Beer, an all-NLC selection at catcher last season; senior Brian Kistler, an all-NLC selection at second base; Smith, when he’s not pitching, at shortstop or third base; and senior David Workman, the leading field percentage leader among the returnees. Combine those with a group of talented newcomers, and Dickerson believes Wawasee could have another winning season. In the conference chase, Dickerson figures his team will be in the thick of it. Defending champion Plymouth, who has won the NLC title nine years in a

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Second Team Brian Walls

seniors, was named to the honorable mention squad. Smith connected on 34 of 71 from the field this season for 48 per cent and was 71 per cent from the free throw line in seven NLC gamed. He averaged 12.1 points per game and had 24 assists in NLC play “I really think it meant a lot to get all four players in there," added Wysong. “1 think it shows the kind of respect this team gained in the conference." he said. The three seniors were wellpraised by Wysong. who believes each of their accomplishments is an inspiration to his younger players. "Ron Spunar's improvement shows what hard work can do for a player Brian Walls is another example of what bearing down and working hard ,is about . . . Kevin Smith demonstrated the attitude of a fearless competitor. He was never afraid of anyone we played this season. At least I could never tell he was afraid.” Wysong was quick to mention the other senior on this year's squad, team captain Pat Hare. "Pat showed our team what leadership and unselfishness can do. He was a great example for

row, looks to be solid again along with North Wood and Goshen. “We play expert competition,” said Dickerson. “But we plan on having a winning season.” Those plans should have provisions for the worse, because, in addition to the always tough NLC slate, the Warriors will have to play perennial powers Fort Wayne Northside, Concordia, and East Noble during the 30-game schedule. Those 30-games are compacted inside 49 days. Wawasee hurlers will have little time to rest between games because of the rugged schedule. And after the regular-season, sectional action begins. Compounding the Warrior pitching woes is the fact that every Wawasee pitcher throws from the right side. Dickerson says a totally sound baseball team needs to have a left-handed pitcher. “That’s the first thing every college scout asks me ‘Do you have any left-handed pitchers?” ’ “We just have to take what we are given and go from there,” said Dickerson. Baseball veteran Tony Blackburn, a junior, will be trying out on the mound this season and sophomore Kevin Tracey will also be tested there. Henson finished the season with a 2-1 mark in NLC play, appearing in 28 and two-third innings. He was second in ERA, allowing 2.8 per game. Smith was used sparingly, ending up with a 0-3 won-lost record. He pitched in 18 innings, and allowed 4.6 earned runs. Figuring in Dickerson’s plans are senior Pat Hare, who was an all-NLC pick as a sophomore, junior Phil Price at third base and senior Kris Cox in Centerfield.

r Honorable Mention Kevin Smith

our juniors, "said Wysong. Throughout the season, Wysong praised Hare for his inspiration and attitude on the bench. “These seniors worked very hard to get to where they are at.” saying many did not show their skills when they were younger. The coaches voted to name a 10-player first team next year and a 10-player second team with no honorable mentions. Wysong said this change was especially important for Wawasee’s basketball program. "The only way a Wawasee basketball player can get his picture in the hall-of-fame is to be named to the all-conference team two years." he said. Last season, the coaches used the 10-player format, but had to go back to the old method because they didn't change the rules. "Plymouth wanted all of their five starters on the all-NLC team last season." Wysong explained. "When you win the state, it’s pretty hard to with that." he said. Now with the official rule change. Wawasee basketball players will have more opportunities to be recognized.

With Henson or Smith on the mound, Wawasee will feature Cox in center, Kistler at second and Blackburn or Smith at short. “We’ll be very solid up the middle,” he explained. “We like to steal, and I like the running game,” he added. “We’ve got some people we ll run with if we get some people on base ... if the catcher doesn't have a good arm. he’ll have a sore one after we’re through,” he predicted. Providing some good lefthanded hitters are junior Bob Galloway and sophomore Tracy Ryman, who may figure in the boxscores this season. Beer provides Wawasee with a cannon to second-base so the opponents' chances on stealing off the catcher are minimal. But Dickerson is quick to point out that the majority of steals come from the pitcher’s delivery. “I believe our pitchers have a good move to first base,” he said. “But we have to work on the time in the stretch on the delivery home.” Henson throws a good curveball and fastball, but Dickerson’s biggest praise is his control. The junior can throw strikes, he said. Smith has only a fair curve and fastball, but is a great thinker when he pitches. “He knows the game. He knows the situation and how to pitch effectively,” said Dickerson. The team had over a week outside and the good weather early helped in generating enthusiasm for the season. The recent snow has changed all that, but Dickerson doesn’t think playing indoors is all bad. “When you get outside it’s easy to get all excited about wanting to play and you forget about fundamentals. These are the kind of things you can concentrate more on inside,” said Dickerson.

Spunar, Packer in all-star tourney

Wawasee’s talented senior centers, Maude Packer and Ron Spunar, will represent the Northern Lakes Conference and Wawasee High School when they participate in the 1983 Huntington “Tipoff Club” Tournament scheduled from April 5 through April 9 at the Merillat Center on the Huntington College campus. Spunar, Wawasee’s 6-10 center, scored 289 points for a 12.6 scoring average as a member of coach John Wysong’s 17-6 NLC championship team. Packer, a 61 senior, led coach Dale Brannock's club to the best season mark ever and the third straight sectional title, averaging 12 points a contest for the 18-3 team. Both will play for the South Bend area team. The girls’ portion of the tournament begins Tuesday, with the Fort Wayne all-stars facing the Marion allstars at 6:30 p.m. Spunar will be in action Wednesday, April 6, when his South Bend area team takes on the Indianapolis all-stars at 8 p.m. Warsaw’s John Snyder, a 6-7 center, will play for the North Central all-stars and Whitko's

Mlrestfing invitational at Wawasee Saturday

Several Wawasee Wrestling Club wrestlers participated in the Wawasee Invitational Indiana State Wrestling Tournament, held Saturday. March 26, at Wawasee High School. First place winners from the Lakeland area were: Brad Gerstner, in the 70-pound class, junior division; Garrett PonciYoli, in the 1 Impound class, junior division; Josh Lantz, in the 112-pound class, intermediate division; Brad Traviola, in the 130-pound class, advanced division; Steve Yoder, in the Boys' track warm-up with 4th finish Wawasee’s boys’ track team participated in the South Bend Classic indoor track meet at Notre Dame's Athletic and Convocation Center last night (Tuesday) and finished fourth out of 14 teams. Considering most of the teams in the meet were wrapping up their indoor track season, and this was only the Warriors' second organized meet, mentor Jerry Minton said he was pleased with the performance. “I was really happy. There was a lot of good teams there and a lot of teams have been running several indoor meets. I felt like we were pretty competitive,” he said. The two-mile relay team of Heiko Echerline, Mike Ballinger, Troy Minton and Jerry Auer finished first and Auer, Echerline, Steve Galegor and Dick Doll teamed up for a “four-by-three” lap relay race to take second. Scott Johnson placed fourth in the long jump with a 20’ 1” effort and Brad LeCount’s 12’ pole vault mark also placed him fourth. Todd Reiff placed third in the shot put at 45’ 9” and Joel Bales was fourth at 45’ 2”. The medley and sprint relay team for Wawasee finished third and a shuttle relay team placed fourth. Norwell High School won the meet. Two NLC schools, North Wood and Rochester, also participated, finishing sixth and Uth respectively. Wawasee’s first outdoor meet is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at Fort Wayne Carroll.

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Jeff Snep will play for the Huntington area team. The only other NLC player on Packer’s team is Cindy Jeries of Goshen. Also on the team are Zena Phillips of South Bend LaSalle. Tammie Hammell of Crown Point. Beckie Inman of Chesterton, Sheila Baron of Calumet. Emma Jones of Gary Wallace and Selisha Stambaugh of Portage High School. Area players on Spunar’s team are Joe Goeglein and Dave Thwaits of Fairfield and Todd Samuelson of Plymouth. Also on the team are Dave Johnson of South Bend Washington. Don Schields of South Bend Adams. Jerome Calderonie of Mishawaka Marian and Brian Horvacth of Washington. The boys’ action begins with the Huntington all-stars going against the North Central allstars at 6.30 p.m. Thursday, April 7. The second game, Michigan City versus Indianapolis. begins at 8 p.m. The first game for the girls’ teams begin at 6:30 April 5 with the Fort Wayne team playing the Marion squad.

138.5- class, advanced division; and Gary Gerencser, 125-pound, senior division. Second place winners were: Joey Salazar, 65-pounds. bantam division; Brent Baker. 75-pound. class, and Mike Yoder. 80pounds. both midget division; from the intermediate division. Tom Mangas. 85-pound class; Jeff Dunithan. 112-pounds. and Don Kauffman. 149.5-pounds. advanced division: Chuck Cotton. 115-pound class, and Mike Hernandez. 143-pounds, from the elite division; and Todd Clouse, 114.5- class, senior division. Third place winners were: Brian Baker. 55-pounds. bantam division; Ben Ringler, 60-pounds, midget division; Tony Hostetler. 110-pound class, junior division: Tom Cotton, 75-pound class, Shane Holloway, 105-pounds and Dan O Haver. 140-pounds. from the intermediate division: and Ron Martin, 132-pound class, elite division. Other local wrestlers placing were: David Antu, fourth, bantam; Albert Sticklin, fourth: Troy Reiff, Fifth; and Jim Salazar, sixth.

ult * • «- •v 'AI I O JLwabO/Jl II l bMHH A I MILFORD GRAPPLERS— Members of the Milford wrestling team are pictured above. In front are KendaU Galegor. Todd Mikel. Richard Fifer. Eliseo Roa. Mitch Price. Neil Schrock. Jerrord Stoller and Joe Henderson. In the back row are Jim Charters. Rob Beer. Ben Beer. Joe Hernandez. Todd Boggs. John Mills. Albert Strickliln and coach Dave Matz. The Milford team is pictured on the school’s new mat. complete with a giant ‘M’ that will be used this season. (Photo by Gary Lewis)

HEADED FOR THE NATIONALS — Tracy Rinker, a junior at Ohio State University. will be going to the National Gymnastics Tournament at Salt Lake City. Utah. April 9-10. Ohio State won the regionals and Tracy placed high in three individual events, as well as winning second all around. She placed second on the balance beam, with a score of 8.95 and second on parallel bars, with a score of 9.25. She also placed fourth on floor exercises with a score of 9.1. Tracy is the daughter of Freda and Jan Rinker, both of Syracuse. (Photos by Dept, of Photography. Ohio State University >

Welborn first at Saint Louis

Jeff Welborn was part of an Indiana team chosen from eighth grade wrestlers representing the state at the Missouri Challenge Tournament in Saint Louis. Mo.. Saturday. March 26.

Jeff wrestled in the 99-pound class, advanced division He was one of three Indiana team members who placed first at the tournament.

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