The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 46, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 November 1986 — Page 8

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., November 12,1986

Sports

Concord wins NLC championship; Warriors third

By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Writer Surprise is the spice of life, but this surprise had Concord worried. The Minutewomen, trailing Goshen entering Saturday’s Northern Lakes Conference championship round, rallied to edge the Redskins, 253-249, to claim

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the NLC crown. Concord also won the round robin competition during the season. With Concord and Goshen battling for the championship, as expected, Wawasee used its depth to finish third. Warsaw was a close fourth, while Plymouth, North Wood and Bremen rounded out the standings. Concord, trailing by seven points with two events remain-

ing, used the breaststroke to move ahead of the Redskins. Renee Robertson won the event for Concord, but it was Cari Glassburn and Ann Delio that spelled the difference. Glassburn placed second and Delio seventh, giving the Minutewomen enough points to forge into the lead. The Minutewomen sealed the championship with a third place finish in the 400 yard freestyle relay. Goshen won the event, but fell short on the scoreboard. Wawasee, although failing to capture a individual championship, used its depth to battle for third place. The challenge for the position was fierce all day, but the Warriors sidestepped the Tigers in diving. Julie Schmahl and Julie Gunn turned the tables on Warsaw, which trailed by nine points entering the diving competition. But, on the springboard, Wawasee scored 26 points, propelling them further ahead of the Tigers. Schmahl placed third while her understudy, Gunn, finished fifth. From that point. Wawasee held off the Tigers, despite five Warsaw first place spots, to the finish. “I am really pleased with our effort on Thursday (preliminaries) and at the championship level.” said Tim Caldwell. “The girls have hit every goal they set at the start of the season, and we did it again in the NLC meet.” Despite earning just one second place finish and four-third place positions, the Warriors were able to finish third with their depth. “Finishing third says a lot about our effort.” praised Caldwell. “We didn't win one championship, but we performed as a team, and the got the job done.” Wawasee’s highest finish was in the 100 yard butterfly, where Stef Berkey placed second. After that, the Warriors managed fourthird place positions. Cyndi Guimond led Wawasee’s onslaught on third place by shattering a previous personal best time in the 200 individual medley. The Warriors’ 200 medley relay

Lofty goals await talented Warriors

By M ARK WEINSTEIN Sports II l iter ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■lß" This could be a banner year for Wawasee’s boys swim team. The Warriors have all the ingredients for a Northern Lakes Conference

team captured another third place finish while Staci Boles placed in the familiar position in the 500 yard freestyle. Schmahl added the final third place effort in diving. Although several Wawasee swimmers advanced into the championship round, Caldwell was also pleased that others turned in personal- best times. Paula Massey recorded the biggest time drop for the Warriors, while Staci Boles and Jennifer Titus improved their times. Boles 1 recorded time-losses in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle events, while Titus bypassed her personal best in the backstroke and individual medley. Guimond, Berkey and Gunn also turned in personal-best performances, “We accomplished what we set out to do,” said Caldwell, referring to the team's third place finish. “But we also saw some previous personal best times broken. Anytime that happens, you have to feel good.” Wawasee, after the big “ weekend, prepares for this weekend’s sectional tournament at Elkhart Central. The preliminary round begins Thursday at 5:30 p.m., while diving is Team Scores — Concord 254, Goshen 249, Wawasee 199, Warsaw 193, Plymouth 150, North Wood 64, Bremen 40. 200 Medley Relay — Warsaw 2:01.516 (Kara Hoskins, Cindy Keough, Leslie Kralis, Danita Mayhew); Concord, WAWASEE; Plymouth; Goshen; North Wood. 200 Freestyle — Kara Hoskins (Warsaw) 2:03.870; Julie Hertzler (Goshen); Susan Umbaugh (Plymouth); Cari Glassburn (Concord); Angie Cripe (Goshen); Staci Boles (WAWASEE). 200 Individual Medley — Danita Mayhew (Warsaw) 2:25.882; Shawn McDowell (Concord); Cyndi Guimond (WAWASEE); Susan Hertzler (Goshen); Michelle Marquis (Goshen); Kristi Stauffer (Concord). 50 Freestyle — Shelly Bardwell (Goshen) :26.025, Renee Robertson (Concord); Leslie Kralis (Warsaw) Tami Mitchell (Goshen), Kim Derf (Plymouth); Lisa Nafziger (Goshen). Diving — Chris Wirt (Concord) 361.70, Jennifer Moorman (Goshen); Julie Schmahl (WAWASEE); Jenni Horoky (Concord) Julie Gunn (WAWASEE); Susan Geggie (Concord).

championship — talent, desire and depth. But that’s on paper, not in water. Nevertheless, the Warriors appear to have the instruments to achieve their NLC goal. “We want to win the Northern Lakes Conference championship,” declared Wawasee’s ninthyear coach Tim Caldwell. “We have the depth and talent to win it, but it boils down to how bad we want the title.” Although 14 swimmers return from last season’s 11-5 team, none is more important than senior Steve Rozow. A two-time school record holder, Rozow has emerged as a dominate force in the conference. Brad Smith and Mark Rich, along with Rozow, should provide skill and leadership to the War-

NLC athletes show conference strength

Because time has passed by so quickly, and the fact that I have lost track of several former Northern Lakes Conference athletes, I thought this would be a good week to attempt to relocate some NLC athletes from the past. Unfortunately, I could only find information on a few. If you know of someone that I missed, and you want them recognized, please let me know. I am willing to do this again. I was happy to hear that Christy Speicher ((Wawasee) made Tri-State University’s women’s basketball team. I understand she was also a member of the Trojans’ volleyball team. Former Concord standout Brandt Kennedy still seems to be adjusting to his tight end position at Wisconsin. A quarterback in high school, Kennedy, switched to tight end in order to see playing time. He is not the Badgers’ leading receiver, but Kennedy caught a touchdown in Wisconsin’s 34-17 loss to Michigan. , The NLC connection at Grace College, continues to grow year after year. With the addition of Brooks Koble, the Lancers now have six representing the NLC. she most recent, besides Koble, is sophomore Seth Swihart (Wawasee); and sophomore Tylor Coley (Concord).

scheduled for 9 a.m., Saturday. Finals begin Satuurday at 2 p.m. “We feel that Thursday is the most important day of the sectional,’’ said Caldwell. “We want to swim really hard and gain some berths in the championship round. Once you get locked into the championship round, you’re locked in.” Entering the sectional, Caldwell feels his medley relay team has a great chance advancing to the state tournament. Julie Schmahl, Danielle Iwankowitch and Cyndi Guimond, according to Caldwell, also entertain a possibility of advancing to the state round. “I think the medley relay has a good shot of making the state round,’’ added Caldwell. “I wouldn't say they are a shoe-in, but if they are determined enough, they will get it done.” Tickets for the Elkhart Sectional will go on sale at the door prior to each session. Cost for admission to Thursday’s preliminary round is $2, while $1 will be charged for diving, and $2 for the championship. A special $4 ticket*can be purchased for the entire competition.

100 Butterfly — Cindy Keough (Warsaw) 1:07.566; Stef Berkey (WAWASEE); Kristi Stauffer (Concord); Kristi Rowe (WAWASEE); Jenny Pippenger (Concord); Nicole Brandt (Warsaw). 100 Freestyle — Shelley Bardwell (Goshen) :58.163; Susan Umbaugh (Plymouth); Leslie Kralis (Warsaw); Angie Cripe (Goshen); Kim Derf (Plymouth); Tami Mitchell (Goshen). 500 Freestyle — Shawn McDowell (Concord) 5:50.990; Susan Hert/rer (Goshen); Staci Boles (WAWASEE); Michelle Nicols (Warsaw); True Henderson (Concord); Michelle Marquis (Goshen). 100 Backstroke — Kara Hoskins (Warsaw) 1:05.175; Julie Hertzler (Goshen); Cindy Keough (Warsaw); Danielle Iwankowitch (WAWASEE); Jennifer Titus (WAWASEE); Joy Hart (Concord). 100 Breaststroke — Renee Robertson (Concord) 1:13.101; Cari Glassburn (Concord); Christy Wruble (Plymouth); Danita Mayhew (War saw); Jenny Drolet (Goshen); Cyndi Guimond (WAWASEE) 400 Freestyle Relay — Goshen 3:58.971; Plymouth; Concord; Wawasee; North Wood; Warsaw.

riors’ championship drive. Smith, who has developed into one of the top butterfly and freestyle swimmers in the NLC, could be even better this season. Rich, like Smith, has been a consistent performer for Wawasee and is expected to have another fine season. Still, the' Warriors are not dependent on three swimmers. “We have great depth this year, and that will be an advantage to us,” said Caldwell. “Our team has nice balance, with several capable of doing extremely well. It’s going to be an interesting year . ” Meanwhile, Caldwell has several other talented swimmers, including six sectional finalist last year, to score for the Warriors. Scott Rozow and Steve Ens-

Still, senior Worth Packer (Wawasee) remains at the Winona Lake school. The other Wawasee products are now coaching, Jeff Long and John Wysong. Grace will open its 1986-87 season November 14, at Mt. Vernon Nazarene. There are five former-NLC girls on Grace’s Lady Lancer basketball season. Included on the roster are Dee Stump (Wawasee); Deb Brownsberger (Concord); Rachel Jeffries (Warsaw); Angie Ryman (Warsaw); and Christi Coles (Warsaw). Switching back to football, Chad Hopkins (Warsaw) had a field day in Western Michigan’s 45-17 rout of Ohio University last Saturday. Making his second collegiate start at tailback, Hopkins rushed for 191 yards on 27 carries and scored three TD’s. On the season, Hopkins has rushed for 436 yards on 87 carries. Dwayne O’Connor (Concord) caught three passes for Purdue in the Boilermakers’ 31-7 loss to Michigan. □ I was researching some football statistics last week and came up with some interesting figures on how overtime football games in the National Football League have been decided. The stats reflect overtime games since the

i 0 V ’.. . ■ r BP” W'- Vi 4W - - A I • > <*► ALL ALONE — Stef Berkey from Wawasee swims the breaststroke during one leg of the 200 individual medley at the Northern Lakes Conference swimming and diving champfonship meet. Berkey, a junior, finished third in this heet, but failed to qualify for the championship round. (Photo bv Mark Weinstein)

inger, breaststroke sectional finalist in 1985, are expected to improve on that feat this season. Also, Derin Keim and David Ridings, another pair of sectional finalists, should provide quality 'depth in the backstroke. Sprinters Skip Winnebald and Brian Neff, both placing in the sectional finals last season, are expected to do the same, if not better this year. Matt Fryback, injured at the tail end last year, has the ability to challenge for a NLC championship. Perhaps one of the biggest surprises awaiting Caldwell could be the performance of Paul Morel, a move-in from Michigan. Caldwell believes Morel can be an asset to the team in the backstroke. Vince Koser, Eric Hood and Mike Lawrence round out Wawasee’s returning swimmers.

On The Mark MARK WEINSTEIN I 17 | 1974 rule went into effect. Here’s my discovery. According to NFL figures, the majority of the 110 contest were x decided by a field goal. That seems obvious since many coaches option for a field goal instead of risking a turnover. In addition, 13 games have been won through passing touchdowns and 11 by running scores. Three games were won via a pass interception returned for a TD, and one game, a Thanksgiving Day fiasco in Detroit, saw Chicago score the only overtime TD on the opening overtime kickoff. Finally, one game was decided by a fumble recovery and another by a blocked punt. The

Because of the Warriors’ depth, Caldwell notes the team hasn’t developed a unified spirit. Innercompetition among teammates has created a greater push towards improvement, but has also produced friction. “Our swimmers realize that they have to work hard to keep their position,” said Caldwell. “We have some swimmers who could swim for a lot of other teams, but because of numbers, they won’t see much action for us.” Although Caldwell feels his team is solid, he admits, he is a little inexperienced in diving. Gary Stuckman, last year’s third diver, is the leading candidate for the top spot this season. Still, sophomore David Keener has improved during pre-season conditioning and could push Stuckman

final eight games ended in a tie. □ Two-time defending state basketball champion Marion, returning every starter from a year ago, was the unanimous pick for No. 1 in the Associated Press 1986-87 preseason high school basketball poll. Rounding out the top five are Michigan City Rogers, Anderson, Fort Wayne Northrop, and Gary Wallace. Concord was ranked seventh and Warsaw 24th. □ Oh, the importance of friendship. It can cure a lot of ailments. Although none of the 61,000 in Purdue’s Ross-Ade stadium knew what was going on after the Boilermakers game with Michigan, I witnessed a friendship that was re-kindled between three student-athletes. Purdue’s Shawn McCarthy and Dave Kovaleski, waited for the final seconds to tick off the clock so they could find Michigan’s Tony Gant. Why? Two reasons. First, they were soundly whipped and wanted to forget what happened on the field. But more importantly to them, they wanted to enjoy a friendship that started in their high school years. All three attended Fremont Ross High School in Ohio. For me, witnessing the three

for the position. David Nieterer and Ken Ferguson, both sophomores, are talented, but inexperienced. “If we are ever going to win a NLC championship, this will be the year,” declared Caldwell. “But I expect Warsaw, and maybe Concord, to challenge us.” The Warriors open their season Nov. 20, at Huntington North. Wawasee’s first home meet is scheduled for Nov. 24 with LaPorte. BOYS VARSITY SWIMMING 1986 Nov. 20 Huntington North 6:30 Nov. 24 La PORTE 6:30 Dec. 4 East Noble 6:30 Dec 6 Goshen Relays 2:00 Dec. 9 Tippecanoe Valley 6:30 Dec 13 Chesterton Diving Inv. 10:30 Dec. IS ELKHART CENTRAL 6:30 Dec 20 LaPorte Relays 9:00 Dec. 22 MISHAWAKA 6:30 Dec. 23 Cass Relays 10:00

players talking with each other, in friendly terms, was enjoyable. Just a few minutes prior, they were enemies. This encounter with McCarthy, Kovaleski and Gant showed me that friendships are more important than football games. Viewing their discussion, I almost forgot who won the game. Incidentally, McCarthy, Purdue’s freshman punter, had an exceptional day, averaging 42 yards on six punts. Meanwhile, Gant, averaged just five yards on his returns. What a site for me, another Ross grad, seeing Michigan win, and McCarthy punting to Gant. The only way the day could of been better is if Kovaleski, a red-shirted freshman, had played. □ Have you heard that another school, besides Rochester, has entertained thoughts of leaving the Northern Lakes Conference? Bremen has scheduled a meeting among its hierarchy to decide whether it should remain in the NLC. School officials cite Bremen’s lack of winning as its primary reason for leaving. Rochester has already announced it will leave the NLC after this season. Northridge will join the Northern Lakes Conference beginning next year.