The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 21, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 June 1983 — Page 11

Sport

Melendez too good to be true

Going into the 1983 girls’ track season, Wawasee fans had plenty of things to look forward too. After all, coach Barb Brouwer had the nucleus for a solid track squad —a squad with depth and talent. As the season progressed, the Lady Warriors marched in convincing matter to a spotless, undefeated season. At the sectional in Elkhart, they had the best showing in recent school history finishing second for the third year in a row. Individually, coach Brouwer watched as veteran winner Grace Stichter put together a recordsetting pace. The senior threesport star was expected to be a standout and she lived up to everyone’s expectations.

Sports Comment — Side Lines MAIL-JOURNAL SPORTS CORRESPONDENT GARY LEWIS was euphoric early Sunday afternoon as he piloted his recently purchased speed boat over the waves on Lake Wawasee. “A man in his boat on the lake!” the new skipper shouted to his passengers. “I tell you. this is the realization of the American Dream!” Being basically a responsible journalist, Lewis a few minutes later pulled the boat up to its home pier in order to make a meeting he was to cover in the Dewart Lake area. Lewis paused briefly at the pier before leaving; the boat’s stern was facing the lake, and the Waveland native knew this wasn’t proper boating procedure. After a few seconds of indecision, Lewis determined that since he would only be gone a short time, the boat’s position on the pier wouldn’t matter. He hopped into his car and headed west. When he returned to the pier a few hours later, skipper Lewis was stunned to find an employee of a nearby marina ripping the seats out of his vessel. The American Dream was swamped and sitting on the bottom of the lake. „ After determining the seat-remover had good intentions and had not sunk the boat himself, Lewis dashed to the nearby marina in search of aid. He did not find it, but a marina manager did enunciate what was to be the moral of the day’s events. “Never, never dock a boat with her back facing the waves,” Lewis was told. “A windstorm can come up and sink her in a matter of minutes.” Infuriated with both himself and the marina employee who had apparently watched the American Dream go under, Lewis rounded up a group of neighbors who were willing to brave the still cool lake waters and help him pull the American Dream closer to shore, where it could be bailed out. Eventually Kim Lobsiger, Wawasee assistant football coach and a co-owner of the American Dream, arrived on the scene. The normally good-natured ex-Manchester College football standout was already in an irritable mood due to a neck injury. Lewis kept his distance. Thanks to the frantic efforts of the hastily-assembled rescue squad, the American Dream was soon once again on top of the water instead of under it. and Lewis set out to find someone who could examine the engine to see what, if any, damage had resulted from its dunking. After eventually locating a friend who was well-versed in mechanics, it was determined that the American Dream should be taken from the water for a thorough examination and drying-out. It was decided that an unoccupied boat ramp of the now-closed nearby marina would suffice in this emergency situation. The American Dream was pulled onto a trailer near the shore, and as the sun set in the distance, the trailer was attached to Lewis’s friend’s truck. It appeared that the nightmare was finally ending for the novice skipper. BUT IT WASN’T OVER YET. The steep incline of the boat ramp, coupled with the excessive weight of the still waterlogged boat, resulted in the truck becoming stuck in the water. For a time, it appeared that the lake would swallow up the truck, but it did not. The friend's van was recruited for the chore of pulling out the truck that was pulling the trailer that was carrying the American Dream. The truck, trailer and boat did not budge. It was completely dark now, and mosquitoes the size of small dogs were attacking those spectators who had gathered to witness the event. It began to rain. Finally a friend of Lewis’s friend arrived in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and sucessfully pulled the truck, now unattached from the American Dream, from the water. Lewis waded out to attach the boat trailer to a cord tied to the back of the four-wheel-drive vehicle, momentarily disappearing in one of the large crevices made by the back wheels of the truck when it was stuck in the water. The vehicle smoothly brought the trailer out of the water as those assembled cheered, and was making its way toward the main road when an automobile pulled in its path to prevent it from exiting the marina. An obviously angry figure emerged from the car. It was Lewis’s adversary from earlier in the day, the manager of the marina. In rather convincing fashion, he expressed his displeasure with the Lewis party’s actions before finally allowing everyone to leave. The American Dream was drained and pulled into Lewis’s friend’s garage, where damage to the engine was determined to be minimal. The exhausted reporter and would-besailor stared at the American Dream for a moment, then sadly shook his head. “This thing is for sale,” he muttered. “I’m going to trade it in on a small fishing boat.” VFW AllxlllarylMl / I Barty Father's Day Dinner I Sunday, June 12 1 At The Syracuse Post I Serving From 1 To ? ( ' Pan Fried Chicken, Dressing, Mashed S) Potatoes And Gravy, Green Beans, Tossed Salad And Hot Rolls ((( mid 1

In short, it was a season to be expected. But last Saturday changed all of that when a tiny sophomore, Sonia Melendez, finished 12th in the 1,600 meter run in the state high school track meet at Indianapolis. Melendez was a solid performer throughout the season, a member of a state-finalist cross-country squad, but her latest accomplishment surpassed all of her individual goals and aspirations. She wasn’t supposed to be the one representing the green and gold in Indy. “This just couldn’t be true. I thought Grace Stichter would go instead of me,” she said in an interview Tuesday. “It felt really good (to be there), I was glad I got a chance to go to state,” she

added. Even though her teammate wasn’t there Melendez said her influence was. “She helped me out the most of anyone on the team. She was super through the whole season, not just in preparing for the state meet.” Melendez was originally scheduled to be the top runner in the 1,600, but when Stichter decided to switch from the 800 to the 1,600, she was forced into a secondary role. The switch may have given her the necessary training to go on, says her coach. “When Grace started running, she beat Sonia pretty handidly, but at the regional Grace wasn’t feeling well and she was,” said Brouwer, recalling her athlete’s 5.15 time in the Fort Wayne Regional. “Sonia didn’t know how good she could be. she didn’t know how to pace herself,” says Brouwer. “She learned that from Grace.” Melendez never finished first during the runs with Stichter, but she finished first when it counted the most. Taking in the 7,000-plus crowd at the Indiana University track stadium was a big thrill for Melendez. (“I felt this couldn’t really be happening to me.” she said.) A thrill she hopes will carry her through the summer and to next season when she plans on a return trip. “1 feel I can get better. If I run enough and set my goals high. I can do it,” she said. She was clocked with a 5.17 time in the state meet Saturday, two seconds slower than her regional finish. It was good enough to move her up from her 20th seed to 12th. making her happy but not satisfied. “I could have done better than 5.17. I was upset about my time, but I didn't let it get me down. I have two more years to break my 5.15 time.” It’s been Brouwer’s experience with Sonia that she will improve from season-to-season. She shaved 15 seconds from her time last season this year, and although it will be unrealistic to expect that much improvement next season, she could improve enough to become one of the top five runners in Indiana. “She hasn’t reached her potential yet, she hasn’t stopped getting better, said Brouwer “She’s not perfect.” Not yet, anyway. o Ladies LmGolf //Results MAXWELTON The play of the day at Maxwelton on June 1 was “Poker Hands’’ with the following winners: In 18-hole play — Jackie Wortinger, first; Betty Kline, second; Dee Bauner, Delight Craig. Ginny Lamont and Caryl Gildersleen, four-way tie for third In nine-hole play — June Lantz, first; Marge Yoder and Ces Freehill, tie for second BIG BOULDER BELLES On June 1 Suzy Knepp took all honors during the Big Boulder Belles play with low net, low gross and low putts. Barbara Brookins had second low gross and low putts and Ruth Beer had second low net. A mixed scramble will be held at 5 p.m. on July 7. Sign up at the club house. “C ”T '■ ;; _ t■* Softball J In CTB Softball League action last week, Jeff Anglemeyer and Ron Douglas snapped a 6-6 tie with run scoring triples to lead their team to an 8-6 win over McDowell. Doug Sparks was the winning pitcher, while Dick Gentry took the loss. Bob Auer collected two hits in three at-bats to lead Kitson to a 12-8 votary over Woodling. Doug Holub hit a two-run homer for the losers. On Monday afternoon, Vance scored an easy 7-0 win over Orn, and Woodling defeated Douglas by an identical 7-0 margin.

Warriors falter in Goshen Sectional semi-finals

Jimtown sophomore hurler Rusty Moore pitched five strong innings and drove in the gamewinning runs with a triple to lead his team to a 5-2 victory over the Wawasee Warriors in the semifinals of the baseball sectional in Goshen Saturday morning. Jimtown was no-hit by North Wood pitcher Kurt Hand later in the afternoon to give the Panthers their third sectional title in four years. The Wawasee-Jimtown contest was close in the early innings, and was tied 2-2 until Jimtown struck for three runs in the sixth. Basketball camp to open June 13 Coach Dale Brannock has announced that the girls’ basketball camp will begin next Monday. June 13, at 8:30 a m. The camp is open to all girls in the present grades of fifth through eighth grades. Fifth and sixth graders begin at from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a m. and the seventh and eighth graders start at 10 and finish at 11:45 a m. The camp is two weeks of basketball instruction. concentrating on the basics. Area wrestlers win honors The United States Association of Wrestling held a meet June 4 at Saint John's High School. Saint Johns. Brad Traviolia took second in the 132 pound weight class. The USA Wrestling also had a meet at Knightstown. First place in the 105 pound weight class went to Jeff Welborn.

® 4* ft i • 1 t I SOFTBALL BR AVES — Pictured are the Braves, runner-ups in the Milford Memorial Day Softball tournament. In the front row are Chantel Drake. Angie Rico, Shanna Bushong, Jennifer Wolferman. Cindy LeCount and Kara Zimmerman. In the rear are coach Bonnie Nicolai, Shelly Bushong, Vicki Kinney, Kristina Lange. 1 indy F ifer, Julie Kaiser, Lisa Corl and coach Gene Nicoai. (Photo by Doug Walker)

-A - IL : w w ' " - fliEs? JUS ■ T W T l x V ; / ’ Kl7 II # ■ .. Ml D I V'" -I f -fl TOP ATHLETES — Milford Junior High School named its most valuable players during an awards program last Wednesday. ( Outstanding athletes in their respective sports in the front row from the left are Steffani Jamiel. track; Paula Smith, gymnastics; and Eliseo Roa, wrestling. Pictured in back are Traci Ostendorf. volleyball; Maggie Edwards, basketball: Ben Beer, basketball; and John Erasure, track.

In that inning, Warrior pitcher Brian Henson walked Dave Hill, gave up an opposite field single to Mike Kelly and struck out designated hitter Tim Carrothers before Moore drove a triple to the left-center field fence to bring in what would be the gameclinching runs. Moore was later caught in a rundown after Wawasee first baseman Pat Hare had fielded a grounder hit by Todd Works, with Works going all the way to second on the play. Joey Underwood then singled past diving shortstop Kevin Smith to bring home the final run. The Warriors had stnick for two runs in the third arid fourth innings to come back from an early 2-0 Jimtown lead. In the third inning, Tony Blackburn drew a walk with two outs, and advanced to second base on an errant pickoff attempt. Brian Kistler then drove him home with a double, one of two hits by the Warrior second baseman. In the fourth inning, the Warriors staged another two-out score, with Eric Beer, who had singled to lead off the frame, being doubled home by Kris Cox. Pitcher Moore tired in the sixth and was relieved by lefthander Brian Dale. Wawasee threatened in the seventh with one-out singles by Jon Vitaniemi and Tim Fraser, but could not score. The defeat left the Warriors with an 18-13 record. That mark represents a new school record for regular season wins. Henson, despite striking out 10, suffered his sixth loss against nine victories. Moore gained the win, his 14th in 17 decisions.

IWILki.; 1 l h: ' ° ° n l w - TUMBLING ACT — Wawasee shortstop Kevin Smith tumbles over his head in an attempt to snatch a slicing line drive during sectional basebail action Saturday. Wawasee finished the season with the best record in school history, losing to Jimtown 5-2 in the sectional opener. (Photo by Gary Lewis)

Wawasee's best in all-star clash

Wawasee s 6-10 center Ron Spunar and girls’ star Maude Packer will be representing the green and gold this Thursday ifi the annual NLC-TRC All-Star Game at the Mentone Egg Festival.

Wed.. June & 1983 —THE MAIL-JOURNAL

Spunar, who was highlyrecruited because of his size, will lead three Wawasee starters on the NLC squad. Spunar averaged 12.6 points a game as part of the Warriors balanced scoring attack. He averaged 12 rebounds and blocked 137 shots this season. Joining Spunar are seniors Kevin Smith and Brian Walls. Smith, a 5-10 forward, connected for 13.8 points a game and Walls, a 5-10 guard, led the backcourt with a 13.7 average. Maude Packer’s dominating influence helped coach Dale Brannock’s team win its third straight I .Webster A I (' Youth The North Webster Youth League’s Boys’ Major League season opened Friday as the Reds and pitcher Chris Jordan bested the Cubs 10-2. The game was close in the early innings before the Reds exploded for eight unanswered runs. In a Minor League game on Saturday, the Mets topped the Cubs, 7-5. Jason Mickley had a pair of hits for the winners, while Steve Moore pitched two shutout innings. Jason Ort had two hits for the Cubs. In the first Girls’ Softball game of the season, Cassell Oil downed Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware by a 13-3 margin. Staci Freel was the winning pitcher. Losing pitcher Christa Sincroft hit a double. In a Boys’ Major League game Monday, the Mets defeated the Cubs, 7-2. Winning hurler Matt Dick tripled, while teammates Eric Stookey and Kip Goebel each collected two hits. For the Cubs, Rob Rhodes had two hits, and Justin DeSomer tripled. In an outstanding Minor League game Tuesday evening, the Reds opened their season with a 8-7 win over the Cubs.

1,000 runners expected for Michiana Lung Run

Close to 1,000 runners are expected to participate in the fifth annual Michiana Lung Run scheduled for Saturday, June 11, at 8 am. The run, sponsored by the South Bend Tribune; 45 various neighborhood pharmacies, including Thornburg Drugs; and the American Lung Association, RAPP MAKES 2ND HOLE-IN-ONE Marvin Rapp of Milford made his second hole-in-one of the season on the lia-yard number seven at Big Boulder Golf Course on Monday. Rapp, who was again golfing with his wife Leatrice. had other golfers on the course. Troy Stephenson. Doug Smith and Kevin Haines, all of Milford, check to hole to confirm the ball went in on the drive.

sectional title this season. Four of the five starters will be playing in the all-star clash. Packer averaged 12.0 points a game and averaged 9.4 rebounds per contest. Assisting Packer this season was the multi-talented Grace Stichter. Stichter, who played both the backcourt and inside, averaged 9.5 points a game in leading the Lady Warriors offense. Carol Walker, a 6.6 points a game scorer, and twin sister Cheryl. Brannock’s relief ace off the bench, will also play on the team. Coaches for the NLC team is Pete Smith. Golfers finish 16th Wawasee finished 16th out <rf 20 teams at the Old Oakland Golf Course Semi-State golf meet yesterday (Tuesday) in Indianapolis. Wawasee scored 336 for the 16th spot. Only the top nine teams move on to the state meet, and the Warriors were in the running with, the to P nine after the front nine holes Dave Schacht led the early charge with a 39, followed by Bryan Beaty’s 40 and a super effort by sophomore Keith ■ VOttlM.. a Burbank’s effort — he finished with 83 - was not expected since the youngster beat out regular Steve Dunithan for the fifth spot on the squad. “The sophomore did a super job,” said coach Rudy Ceseo. The all-NLC junior. Jeff Atwood. who returned to the semi-state after competing there as an individual last year, was Wawasee’s best at 82. Also scoring was Beaty with 85 and Kim Zurcher with 86. Warren Central High School won the meet with 304, followed by Michigan City Elston with 320. Scores Jeff Atwood 82 ( 42-40), Bryan Beaty 85 ( 40-45), Kim Zurcher 86 ( 44-42), Dave Schacht 88 (3JM9>. Keith Burbank 83 (40-43)

begins at Pinhook Park in South Bend. Participants may choose from four events. the 5- or 15-kilometer run, the 5-kilometer Ruth Heraly Fitness Walk or the Corporate Cup Competition. There will be different starting points for the 5- and 15-kilometer events, but all events begin at the same time. Motorists are asked to avoid the intersection of Angela and Riverside Drive from 7:45-10 a m. on Saturday morning, June 11. Entries are accepted at the American Lung Association North Central Indiana office at 319 S. Main, downtown South Bend from 8 a m. to 5 p.m There will be limited race day entries from 6:30-7:30 a m. For more information, contact the American Lung Association at 287-2321, or stop by the office at 319 S. Main Street. South Bend.

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