The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 33, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 August 1984 — Page 8

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL Wed., August 29,1984

Sports

Down Warriors, 6-0

Panthers overcome errors in opener

By TOM CHARLES Sports Writer Last Friday’s North Wood win over Wawasee looked as if the Panthers had been taking lessons from the 1983 Chicago White Sox. It was a classic case of “winning ugly.” The Panthers survived five turnovers and failed to mount a sustained drive in the 6-0 win. As coach Jim Andrews saw it, it was one of those games you chalk up in the win column and then move along to the next week. “We will just have to take a look at the game film and then move on from there,” he said. “Turnovers really broke our back. I guess it’s something you can chalk up to the first game jitters.” Turnovers and penalties also hurt Wawasee. The Warriors gave up the football four times and had an illegal use of hands penalty put the breaks on what looked to be a sure scoring drive. “This game is based.on consistency,” said Wawasee mentor Myron Dickerson. “You can’t afford to come out and do five or six things right — which we did —

Sports comment — /£2\ Calling the shots CHARLES

WAWASEE BASEBALL STANDOUT Brian Henson will continue his career at Bethel College, Mishawaka, according to Bethel coach Dick Patterson. The Pilots already have two Northern Lakes Conference players on their roster, Scott Holland and Dave England from Plymouth. Henson was the mainstay of the Warriors’ pitching staff in 1983. He hurled 88 innings while striking out 117 batters and walking only 19. He had an overall record of 10-5 with an ERA of 0.58. In the NLC, Henson had a conference-record ERA of 0.33. He was a first team All-NLC and a first team All-Sectional selection and was the winning pitcher for the Indiana North All-Stars in one game of the annual summer series against the South All-Stars. Patterson is quite pleased with landing Henson, and calls him a “premium plus” player, the Pilots are a young team and Patterson plans on giving Henson plenty of playing time. When not on the mound. Henson played first base for the Warriors. OPENING THE SEASON without scoring a touchdown is usually nothing to be happy about. But the Warriors can find plenty of reasons to smile about Friday’s tough loss at North Wood. One of the bright spots in that defeat was the performance of punter Steve Sturgill. Although it is unusual to see an offensive linemen dropping back to punt on fourth down, Sturgill proved that he is quite capable of handling the chore. “He did a really nice job for us,” noted coach Myron Dickerson. “He punted five times and ended up with an average of 36 yards.” ' Sturgill’s performance answers one part of the question in the Warriors’ kicking game. The other kicking duties — kick-offs, field goals and extra points — will apparently be handled by Brad Mitchell. PIGSKIN PREDICTIONS IT ISN’T OFTEN that a conference scoring race is decided in the first game of the season. However, Warsaw's Chad Hopkins may have accomplished that feat with his three touchdowns, two field goals and one extra point against Goshen on Friday night. That 25-point performance put Hopkins squarely in the driver’s seat for his third con-

Harriers triumph in opener

The Wawasee boys’ crosscountry team opened its season with a 19-37 win over West Noble on the Wawasee course on Thursday, Aug. 23. Mike Ballinger took first place with a time of 17:31 and led a Wawasee sweep of the top three places. Brian Popenfoose was second in 17:42 and Carl Rouch finished third in 17:53. The top ten was rounded out by Clark Reed (WN) in 18:09, Eric Hanshaw (WN) in 18:16, Troy~ Minton (Waw) in 18:31, Jeremy Corson (Waw) in 18:16, Wes Weimer (WN) in 19:18, Tim Fought (WN) in 19:34 and Phil Charters (Waw) in 19:52. Overall, coach Jerry Minton was quite pleased with how the runners performed for their first time out. “The times really weren’t that bad,” Minton noted. “Our course runs slow and anytime you have three runners under 17 minutes that is pretty respectable.” “The numtfer five spot looked at the beginning of the season as if it might be a problem for us,” Minton added. “But Jeremy Coro son ran very well and did a good job in finishing fifth.” Minton also noted that Troy Boyer is battling a hip pointer and his status is questionable for the September 4 meet at Warsaw. Both the boys and girls will be in action on Tuesday, Sept. 4, when they travel to Warsaw for a 4:30 p.m. meet.

and then do two or three things bad.” “We were inside their 20 three times,” added Dickerson, “and we were stopped by a penalty, a fumble and an interception. Other than that, I though we moved the ball pretty well.” Early Breaks The Warriors were forced to punt on their first possession, but got the pigskin back four plays later when Brad Traviolia pounced on a fumble at the Wawasee 39. Following another stalled drive, Steve Sturgill once again came in to punt. This time, North Wood’s Tom Myers fumbled his attempt to field the punt and Wawasee’s Ron Gerber fell on the ball at the North Wood 30. The Warriors then marched down to the Panther 10-yard line behind the inside rushing of Gerber and Steve Yoder. On the opening play of the second quarter, Yoder juked inside and sprinted outside to the North Wood one-yard line. However, an illegal use of hands penalty nullified the run. On the next play, the Panthers recovered an errant pitch from quarterback Brad Traviolia and

secutive NLC scoring title. Last year, he averaged over 100 yards per contest and, unless injuries slow him down, he should be a shoe-in to match that performance this year. Hopkins has been recruited by several major colleges including Notre Dame, Clemson and Michigan and appears headed for a bright football future. The top two contests in this week’s slate are Cluster AAA-20 clashes between PlymouthConcord and Culver Military-Goshen. All four teams figure to be in contention for the cluster title and a loss, even at this stage of the season, could put the damper on post-season hopes. Other results from last week were Tippe Valley 35, Northfield 8, Concord 23, Bremen 6; La Ville 42, Triton 6; and North Wood 6, Wawasee 0. Veteran sports personality Kirby Sprouls, sports editor for the Warsaw Times-Union is this week’s guest picker. Sprouls, a graduate of Leo High School and Ball State University, was a junior varsity golf and baseball standout during his prep days. He is in his sixth year with the Times-Union. RHODES — (1.000) Rhodes goes out on a limb this week by picking Warsaw to upset Penn. His other winners include Wawasee, Concord, Culver Military and Winamac. CHARLES — (.800) Although Hopkins had an impressive game last week, he and his Tiger teammates are in for a tough battle against the Kingsmen. This week’s winners: Wawasee, Penn, Concord, Culver Military and Winamac. GUEST — (.800) Sprouls stands apart from the crowd by picking the Redskins to stop Culver Military in their Cluster AAA-20 contest. He also gives the nod to Wawasee, Penn, Concord and Winamac. KUHN — (.800) Kuhn likes the Warriors at home, picking them to stop the Zebras. He also gives the nod to Penn, Concord, Culver Military and Winamac. WEINSTEIN — (JOO) Weinstein likes the prospects for Wawasee, Penn, Concord, Culver

Military and Winamac.

WARRIOR ROMP— Senior Brian Pepenfeose crosses the ftaish line In second place daring last Thursday’s cross country meet with West Noble. Popenfoooe’s time of 17:42 was jast alee seconds slower than the time of winner Mike Ballinger. The Warriors scored a 19-37 win. (Photo by Tom Charles)

stopped the Warriors’ drive. Panther Strike North Wood didn’t wait long to take advantage of the turnover. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Todd Crist (8-13 and 166 yards passing on the night) hit Kary Hunsberger with a 59-yard pass. Five plays later, with 9:29 left in the first half, Shannon Murphy ran five yards for the only score of the game. The Warriors had another good scoring opportunity before halftime when Jeff Roberts’ recovered a Panther fumble at the Wawasee 35. Traviolia hit and Kevin Tracey then combined for two pass plays worth 43 yards and Wawasee was at the North Wood 21. However, a Traviolia pass slipped through Lance Lantz’s hands and Myers intercepted the ball at the North Wood 11 to kill the drive. The Warriors mounted another scoring threat in the fourth quarter following Jeff Roberts’ recovery of a Tom Myers fumble. Starting at their own 37, the Warriors marched down the field in 10 plays to the North Wood 20. But, on the next play, Lee Fink hit Ron Gerber as he caught a

short pass and Jobs Weirich pounced on the ball for North Wood. “Our defense came up with the big {days,” Andrews noted. “You have to give our kids credit for battling back like that. It isn’t easy when the offense keeps giving the ball away.” Dickerson Pleased Despite the numerous missed oportunities, Dickerson had plenty of reasons to be happy with the Warriors’ performance. “I told the players before the game that I though we could move the football on North Wood,” said Dickerson. “I thought we came out and did that. I think we proved that we can be a very competitive football team.” Gerber led the Wawasee rushing attack with 58 yards in 12 carries. Yoder added 43 yards in 14 attempts. In the passing department, Traviolia completed seven of 15 throws for 69 yards. “Brad did a fine job throwing the ball, but I thought our blocking- on playaction passes could have been better,” Dickerson noted. “We have the people who can do the job, but we just didn’t do it.” Dickerson also cited Roberts and Brad Mitchell for their fine defensive play. Mitchell had several impressive tackles including a pair behind the North Wood line of scrimmage. The Warriors host Rochester at 7:30 p.m. this Friday.

New additions, changes in

A small, private tennis club is the most recent addition to the Syracuse area sports scene. The Wawasee Tennis Club, owned by Harlan Steffen, Paul Philabaum and Mike Umbaugh is located on CR 1120 N, just off SR 13 across from the St. Martin DePorres Catholic Church, Syracuse. The club features two asphalt courts with lighting for night play, a clubhouse with shower and locker facilities, a small courtside gazebo and drinking fountains. The club has been in operation since the early summer but has been in the planning stages for some time. According to Steffen, the club was opened as a response to comments he received from area residents about the need for such a facility. * ‘People showed a lot of interest

» !

WAWASEE TENNIS CLUB — The newly-opened Wawasee Tennis Club, located on CR 1120 N across from St. Martin DePorres Catholic Church, Syracuse, features two courts, lights, a gazebo and Clubhouse facilities. Memeberships in the club are on a lifetime basis and some openings still remain. (Photo by Tom Charles)

—Sports shorts —

Sunday night Dowiers oegm September 9 The Syracuse Sunday Night Mixed Bowling League will begin play on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. Those interested in signing up may contact Karen Larimer at 457-3606 or Judy Miller, 457-5662. Hole-in-one at Tippecanoe mviranonai Carol Shall, co-director of the South Shore Golf Academy, scored a hole-in-one during the Tippecanoe Country Club Invitational last week. Sholl used an eight iron to ace the 114-yard, par-three 13th hole. Her tee shot landed on the green, bounced a few yards to the left and roiled into the hole. Her total score for the round was 74.

Rochester Zebras The Warriors pulled off a 14-13 squeaker in double overtime at Rochester last year and the Zebras figure to be hungry for revenge this time around. Overall, the Zebras were 2-8 in 1983 with an 0-6 mark in the Northern Lakes Conference. They dropped their 1984 opener to Plymouth by a 21-0 count. Coach Mark Miller has 16 lettermen back from the 1983 squad, but overall he fields a young team. The starting quarterback, 5-9,169-pound Chris Smith, is only a sophomore and still has to get his feet wet on the varsity level. Joining him in the backfield are two lettermen, 5-10, 175-pound fullback Blake Kesler and 5-10,160-pound tailback Jim Hedrick. The Zebras’ passing attack was hit hard by graduation and they figure to look to the rush for most of their offense. Last season, the Zebras’ passing combination of Rob Shafer and Tom Coursey was among the best in the NLC. “We will match up with them size wise and age wise better than we did against North Wood,” said Wawasee mentor Myron Dickerson. “But you have to respect their defense.” “We just have to cut down on our turnovers,” he added. “If we can do that and stay out of a penalty-ridden game, I have no doubt that we are going to move the football.” On the injury list for the Warriors are running back Steve Yoder, defensive back Drew Rosenberry, tight end Kevin Tracey and linebacker Todd Yeager. Yoder and Rosenberry are hobbled by sprained ankles, Tracey hurt his shoulder in the North Wood game and Yeager injured his knee in practice on Tuesday night. According to Dickerson, Yoder, Rosenberry and Yeager will not play in Friday’s contest. TIME/LOCATION: 7:30 p.m., Wawasee SERIES RECORD: Tied at 7-7 LAST YEAR: 14-13 (2ot), Wawasee WAWASEE LAST WEEK: Lost to North Wood, 6-0 ROCHESTER LAST WEEK: Lost to Plymouth, 21-0 SEASON RECORDS: Wawasee (0-1), Rochester (0-1)

in this type of a club,” Steffen noted. “In the midst of their prodding, we decided to get together and get a club started.” Members pay a one-time fee and are entitled to a lifetime membership. Memberships may be transferred or sold to another person. At this point, there is a ceiling on the number of members that will be accepted. “For now, we would like to hold the size of the club to around 20 family memberships,” Steffen noted. “That doesn’t mean that it will not change in the future, but for now it is a small club.” “This is basically a summer club,” Steffen added. “It’s a good place where people can get together to play and relax.” Memberships in the club are still available and information may be obtained by calling Harlan Steffen at Miller Brothers

Playing with Sholl were Jo Marose, Fran Hampton and Edie Burket. “This was my first hole-in-one and boy was I excited about it,” said Sholl. Chore-Time to state fast-pitch Toumanreni The Chore-Time softball team will participate in the Indiana “C” state finals in Terre Haute by virtue of its secondplace finish in the Goshen fastpitch semistate last weekend. Chore-Time secured the second spot with a 10-3 win over MAC Tools and a forfeit win over Town & Country Hardware. Jay Auer led the ChoreTime attack with a home run and three singles. John Replogle added a home run in the win. John Haugh, Mike Schnell and Jay Kaiser each had two hits for Chore-Tune. Sasco of Warsaw qualified for the Indiana' “B” state finals over the weekend. That tournament will be held in . Goshen, starting on Friday, Aug. 31.

Realty, Syracuse. Changes In Goshen Harlan and his wife, Evelyn, also own the Goshen Tennis Club and have announced two personnel changes at that facility. According to Steffen, Diana Perry has been hired as the club’s new assistant tennis pro and Dave Filer, former head tennis pro at the club, has returned to fill his former position. Perry was formerly the head girls’ tennis coach at Elkhart Central High School and worked at the Fortlik Municipal Tennis Center in Florida for one year. Filer, a South Bend native, played college tennis at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He has served as the head teaching professional at the Goshen Tennis Club and the Elkhart Racquet Club. In addition to those changes,

Bowling mistake The Thursday Night Ladies Bowling League held its organizational meeting on Thursday, Aug. 16 — not the Tuesday Night league as was reported in last week’s MailJournal. Reward offered for information on theft Wawasee High School is offering a $75 reward for the names of the person or persons responsible for the theft of the sprinkling system from the football practice field last week. According to Myron Dickerson, head football coach, the system is valued at approximately SSOO. “Our main concern is for the players,” he said. “We use the sprinkling system to keep the field watered and soft and that helps to cut down on the number of injuries we have.” Anyone with information is asked to call the high school at 457-3147, and ask for Dickerson or Hal Traviolia. &

- - , Sv / jfl M i uHR J r-‘ ’ AJC ANXIOUS MOMENTS — Myron Dickerson, foreground, and assistant coaches Jim Jones and Kim Lobsiger had plenty of anxious moments on the sidelines during Wawasee’s 6-0 loss at North Wood on Friday, Aug. 24. The Warriors open their home season with a 7:30 p.m. contest against Rochester this Friday. <Photo by Mark Weinstein)

local tennis scene

Steffen noted that Millie Ferro will assume management duties at the club. To mark the changes, a Grand Opening celebration is slated for September 8 and 9. “We are planning a. completely revitalized tennis program for youths as well as adults,” Ferro

1 If iMMLiai* ■ Mt ■ * " ■ I • * *’ . CHANGES AT GOSHEN TENNIS CLUB — Goshen Tennis Chib owners Harlan and Evelyn Steffen, Syracuse, have announced the addition of a new managing pro and tennis pro to the staff at the clnb. Dave Filer, former head pro at the clnb, has returned to his old position and Diana Perry will assume the duties of assistant pro. Pictured above, Harlan Steffen hands Diana Perry a key to the clnb as Evelyn Steffen and Dave Filer look on. The clnb is located at 1400 Fairfield Avenue, Goshen. (Photo by Tom Charles)

Ladies golf results

Maxwelton The play of the day for the Maxwelton Ladies’ golf outing on Wednesday, Aug. 22, was “Most Sixes.” In the nine-hole round, Bonnie Newman and Dot Wysong tied for first. Among the 18-hole golfers, Rose Matthew, Lou Welty, Doris Sedgewick, Delight Craig, Lois Blanchard and Mary Jane Knudsen tied for the top spot. South Shore Bonnie Cantwell had a hole-in-one during women’s play at the South Shore Golf Club last week. Cantwell was playing in the 18-hole event at the time of her

noted. “We plan to include other areas as well, such as physical fitness development and aerobics.” Complete membership information will be available during the Grand Opening. The club is located at 1400 Fairfield Avenue, behind the Holidav Inn.

ace. Winners in that competition included Karen Caudill, low gross; Theresa Gunden, low net; and Jan Maher, low putts. In nine-hole play, the winners were Nell Alspaugh, low gross; Sonja Gilbert, low net; and Jean Niles, low putts. The team of Evelyn Steffen, Sandy Walgamuth, Mil Lottar and Betty Bowen was first in the Calcutta. Tying for second were the teams composed of Karen and Ellie Caudill, Dorian Armstrong and Ruth Wilcox, and Lucy Johnson, Ethel Hughes, Mary Morgan and Bonnie Cantwell.