The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 47, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 November 1986 — Page 26

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WARRIOR WRESTLERS — Pictured are members of the Wawasee High School wrestling team, labeled as one of the largest in recent years. Members and their projected weight classes include, in the first row from left: Chad Zartman, 185; Rick Weaver 38; Kip Goebel, 98; Mike Noel, 185; Tony Hostetter, 128; Chad Jones, 128; Eliseo Roa, 119; Tom Mangas, 128; Bob Doerr, 132, and Garrett Ponciroli, 177.

Wawasee grapplers building on success

By MARK HUFFMAN Sports writer Most newcomers would be wary of stepping into a position that had produced two state titlists and a Northern Lakes Conference Championship the previous year, but Wawasee wrestling coach Dave VanLue may feel more at ease than his seven NLC counterparts. “I feel a little pressure because the team has been so successful in the past, but I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be tough again this year,” the first-year coach said, hoping to build on the

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success of former coach Rich Welborn. While five wrestlers have graduated from the team that finished 7-0 in NLC dual meets and 14-1 overall, VanLue believes the Warriors have enough depth to cause individuals to push each other to their respective bests. Twenty-eight wrestlers are competing for 13 positions. A former head coach at Fairfield High School, where he spent the 1979-1983 seasons, VanLue has employed the help of Jim Jones to condition the athletes. “Coach Jones has been working them hard, they all reported to practice in pretty good wrestl-

Second row: Shawn Jones, 128; Tom Cotton, 112; Jack Simison, 177; Fired Garza, 187; Jeff Welborn, 145; Sean Hines, 187; Craig Spurting, 132; Jen Tully, 155, and Mike Fey. 138. Third row: Coach David VanLue; Chris Jordan, 138; Jason Prescott, 155; Kevin Lepola, 112; Shane Rager, 132; Josh Lantz, 155; Chris Yoder, 187; Scott Shoemaker, 185; Don Riffle, 187; Dan O’Haver, hwL, and assistant coach Jim Jones.

ing condition,” VanLue said, rememberinc last year’s late start due to football playoffs. Hoping, make that “expecting,” to finish in the top three in each of its four tournaments, Wawasee also looks forward to a successful dual-meet season. “The NLC will be very competitive, but we expect to fare well,” the coach said, noting that Goshen may prove to be the most formidable opponent. The Mishawaka Invitational, Jan. 2-3, will give the Warriors an early test, with many of the area’s toughest teams competing in the field. “If we place in the top five I’ll be very happy,” VanLue said, adding, “If we do good there then we should be very competitive on the sectional and regional level.” Wawasee placed third in the prestigious tournament last year, going on to win the sectional title and placing fifth at regionals. Seniors Mike Noel and Jeff Welborn return from that team as defending sectional champions. Noel, who wrestled in the 98 pound weight class, also placed second at the regional level, while Welborn was third in the 132 weight class. Two reasons that have VanLue optimistic about post-season play. “We have one to two individuals who have the talent to go to the state tournament, it’s just going to depend on whether they push themselves to the limit,” VanLue predicted. Noel will move up to the 105 class this season, while freshmen &IOPRO STEVE’S AUTO PARTS & ACCESSORIES State Road 13 South Wawasee Village SYRACUSE 457-5724

Kip Goebel and Rick Weaver will ? vie for the 98 pound spot. In the 112 weight class, transfer student Kevin LePola (who lettered at Homestead High School) i is expected to take over; although junior Tom Cotton, a 105 i pound grappler last year, will put up a battle for the spot. Eliseo Roa, 23-9 in the 112 class as a sophomore, will wrestle at 119, while sophomores Shawn Jones and Tom Mangas will vie for the 126 pound spot. Jones, who won 18 matches as a freshman, ’ may have the inside track to the ’ starting position. ' Returning letterman Bob ’ Doerr should wrestle in the 132 ’ spot, while two sophomores, Mike ' Foy and Chris Jordan, will cons tend for the nod at 138. Welborn, a . wrestler that VanLue labels as a ‘ “definite state contender,” should easily make the 145 weight > class. Josh Lantz has the unenviable > task of filling the 155 weight class, left vacant by state winner Brad Traviolia who finished the season undefeated at 42-0. “Josh had a spleen injury last year but has recovered well — we expect good things from him,” the coach

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said of the stout junior. Senior Chris Yoder, who was saddled with several minor injuries last year, looks strong in practice and should fill the 167 spot, while sophomore Garrett Ponciroli, a newcomer to the program, will grapple other 177 pounders. Ponciroli was dormant last season but did manage an unblemished record in three years of junior high school competition. The 185 pound weight class features veteran Scott Shoemaker, 22-11 and a sectional titlist last year, while junior Dan O’Haver, seeing his first action at the varsity level, will round out the team. A former junior high school and freestyle wrestler, O’Haver takes over the reigns from graduated sectional winner Steve Sturgill. Warrior fans can get an early look at the defending sectional champions Thursday at 6:30 p.m., in the WHS P.E. annex, with the grapplers staging an in-tra-squad meet. Regular season action begins next Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28-29, when the Warriors host the Wawasee Classic.