The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 56, Milford, Kosciusko County, 21 January 1987 — Page 8

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S THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., January 21, 1987

Sports

Zurcher fulfills life-lona aoal at Minnesota

I By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Editor Every year it is someone different. Four years ago Steve Alford was the talk of the Big Ten. Two years ago, it was Gary Grant. But 1986-87 has developed into Kim Zurcher’s year. He has become the darling of Big Ten basketball. The former Wawasee standout has come from nowhere to become a force on the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ basketball team. People throughout Big Ten country are amazed at Zurcher’s story. —----- Everywhere he goes, people want to talk with him about his rise to Division I basketball. Some people do not think Zurcher belongs in the Big Ten. But Zurcher has proved to his coaches, teammates, and other players in the league that he is capable of playing with the big boys. The only reason why he didn’t play Division I basketball right out of high school was his size. Once he grew up — from a 5-11,140-pounder to his present stature of 6-2,175 — there was no stopping the Leesburg resident from playing in this league.

Warriors race clock — splash Goshen

SYRACUSE - Wawasee’s swim meet with Goshen proved to be no contest for the Warriors as they rolled to an easy 120L4-51 '4 victory over the Redskins. With the win, Wawasee improves its record to 7-1, and 1-0 in Northern Lakes Conference action. Goshen fell to 3-5 and 0-1 in theNLC. “We wanted to race the clock,” said Wawasee coach Tim Caldwell following the easy win. “We were not concerned with winning meets anymore — they will come. We’re concerned about swimming faster.” Wawasee, in breezing to the lopsided victory, won 10 of the 11 individual events. The lone event the Redskins claimed was the 100-yard breaststroke. Brad Smith paced the Warriors’ effort with two first-place finishes. Smith won the 50-yard freestyle early in the meet, then,

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UP FOR AIR — Mark Rich, one of Wawasee’s co-captains this win over Goshen. Rich tied for third with Goshen’s Corey Stewart in season, swims in the 200 individual medley during the Warriors’ easy ’ the event. (Photo by Mark Weinstein).

Wawasee pins Plymouth, 60-12

SYRACUSE - Wawasee’s wrestlers closed out their dual portion of the Northern Lakes Conference schedule without a blemish as the Warriors pounded Plymouth, 60-12, here Tliursday evening. The Warriors, with the victory, improve to 12-1 on the season, and 7-0 in the NLC. “We wrestled really well,” said Wawasee coach Dave VanLue. “I thought it was going to be a closer match, but their two forfeits really hurt them.” It was an easy night right from the start for the Warriors. Two potential tough matches for

Surprising Warriors four games away from NIC championship

Sometimes it is possible to kill a story with too <nuch hype — meaning too much written or verbal coverage. But I don’t feel that this is the story with Wawasee’s boys basketball team. In fact, the Warriors do not get enough publicity. The Warriors, under first-year coach Gary Goshert, have been the surprise of the Northern Lakes Conference, not to mention the area. When the season started a couple of months ago, Wawasee was considered as an ‘average” team — at best. The tune has changed drastically since then. Wawasee is a feared team in NLC circles. People recognize Wawasee’s talent — which is good enough to challenge for the conference title. The Warriors are 2-1 in the Northern Lakes Conference, which is good enough, presently, for a share of the conference lead. Os course, Plymouth's stunning upset of fourth-ranked Concord allowed the Warriors to be in this position. ' Now Wawasee has the title in

two events later, won the 100-yard butterfly. Other Wawasee winners included Skip Winnebald in the 200-yard freestyle, Matt Fryback in the 200 individual medley, David Keener in diving, and Mark Rich in the 100-yard freestyle. Steve Schmahl won the 500-yard freestyle while Paul Morel captured the 100-yard backstroke. The Warriors also captured the top spot in both relay events. In the 200 medley relay, Wawasee’s Morel, Scott Rozow, Smith, and Brian Neff easily swept to the victory. Meanwhile, the 400 freestyle relay team, consisting of Schmahl, Casey Kline, Vince Kosar, and Neff finished ahead of a second Wawasee team in the event. Goshen’s lone winner, Jeff Unger, won the 100-yard breaststroke.

Wawasee turned into easy wins. Plymouth was forced to forfeit the 119 and 177 pound weight classes. But, the two forfeits, were the least of Plymouth’s worries as the evening progressed. Wawasee’s domination proved to be Plymouth’s primary concern. Highlighting the evening was Jeff Welborn’s technical fall victory over Phil Wiener. Welborn's victory improved his record to 24-0. Kip Goble started the Warriors in the right direction by pinning Plymouth’s Ron Cook in 1:59. Mike Noel, Kevin Lepola, and

sight, and can control its own destiny with four straight NLC wins down the stretch. The Warriors begin their journey for the prize in the conference Friday evening when they travel to Goshen for a 7:30 game with the Redskins. After that, they play at Rochester, before closing out the NLC schedule at home against North Wood and Bremen. Here’s hoping for four straight NLC wins — and maybe a Concord and Plymouth defeat along the way. What a Cinderella story this would be IF Wawasee captures the Northern Lakes Conference championship. The Warriors have the talent. Wawasee has the desire to reach this goal. The Warriors have a nice-sized group of vocal supporters. If all those ingredients, along with a little good fortune, come together, the Warriors could certainly win the Northern Lakes Conference boys’ basketball Here’s hoping it all comes together for Gary Goshert's

Since joining the Gophers’ team, Zurcher has added great outside shooting, while directing the offense with pin-point passes. Both tools have been instrumental in Minnesota’s rise from last season’s disaster. . ’ In 1986, Minnesota was racked with scandal. Several players were kicked off the team, and Jim Dutcher, a much respected coach, resigned. N I’he Gophers, indeed, suffered through a miserable season — on and off the court. , But a new year has begun in Minneapolis, and Zurcher is part of Minnesota’s rise to respectability. He is averaging 10.8 points a game this season, although in Big Ten play he is averaging 12.7. But he is, more than a high-scoring athlete. Ztircher is a clutch field goal and free throw shooter. In the Gophers’ contest against Wisconsin, Zurcher hit the gamewinning shot from the floor. When the game is on the line, Zurcher wants the ball. Still, even with his success, he almost did hot enroll at Minnesota. He entertained thoughts Os playing for his boyhood favorite — the Purdue Boilermakers. After finishing junior college play at Kilgore Community College in Texas, Zurcher went looking for a Division .1 basketball team. Purdue was interested in Zurcher, just as he was interested in them.

Besides the Warriors’ 10 first place finishes, the Warriors also claimed seven second place places. Warriors finishing second were Derin Keim, second in the 200-yard freestyle, Steve Rozow, 50 freestyle; Fryback, 100 butterfly; Scott Berkey, 500-yard freestyle; Glen Guimond, 100 breaststroke; and the 400-yard freestyle relay team. The Warriors’ next action is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, at Concord. Wawasee’s meet with North Wood on Tuesday was postponed due to poor weather conditions. Easy Win. 200 YARD MEDLEY RELAY -1. Wawasee (Paul Morel, Scott Rozow, Brad Smith, Brian Neff); 2, Wawasee. Time: 1 46:19 200-YARD FREESTYLE —l, Skip Winnebald (W); 2, Derin Keim (W); 3, Todd Stealy (G). Time: 2:03.07

Eliseo Roa each won in their weight class — Roa by forfeit — before the Pilgrims could earn a victory. Kirk Beckham broke Wawasee string of four consecutive wins with a 1:01 pin of Shawn Jones. But Beckham's pin had little effect on the Warriors. Bob Doerr helped the Warriors gain back their momentum with his 2:07 pin of Derrick Dodson. But the Warriors lost the next weight class. Surprisingly, Plymouth’s Steve Feliciano defeated BreU Traviolia, 9-6, in what proved to be one of the most exciting in-

team □ Keeping an eye on Kim Zurcher, the former Wawasee player had his worst shooting effort of the season last weekend at Illinois. Zurcher, from his point-guard position, missed all six of his field goal attempts as the GoldenGophers lost t(> the Illini. However, in Minnesota’s lopsided loss to Purdue earlier in the week, Zurcher canned six-of-eight fielders to lead the Gophers with 16points. O Wawasee athletic director Hal Traviolia made it official this week by announcing that the Chicago Bears will play a benefit basketball game at Wawasee High School, Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Bears players that are scheduled to appear include Otis Wilson, Dave Duerson, Neal Anderson, Mark Bortz, Calvin Thomas, Jim Morrissey, Kurt Becker, Tim Wright::!®?, Eraery Moorehead, and Steve McMichael. The Bears will play against — o

200 YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY -1, Matt Fryback (W); 2, Rod Bowman (G); 3 tie, Corey Stewart (G) and Mark Rich (W). Time: 2:11.32 50 YARD FREESTYLE -1, Brad Smith (W); 2, Steve Rozow (W); 3, Jeff Unger (G). Time: 23.26 DIVING —l, David Keener (W); 2, Jason Pyles (G); 3, Greg Pletcher (G). 100 YARD BUTTERFLY —l, Brad Smith (W); 2, Matt Fryback (W); 3, Rod Bowman (G). Time: 56.99 100 YARD FREESTYLE —l, Mark Rich (W); 2, Steve Rozow (W); 3, Skip Winnebald (W). Time: 52.03 100 YARD FREESTYLE —l, Steve Schmahl (W); 2, Scott Berkey (W); 3, Tony Nafziger (G). Time: 5:37.01 100 YARD BACKSTROKE —l, Paul Morel (W); 2, Tim Mitchell (G); 3, Derin KeirtUW). Time: 1:00.36 100 YARD BREASTSTROKE.— 1, Jeff Unger (G); 2, Glenn Guimond (W); 3, Scott Rozow (W). Time: 1:07.14 400 YARD FREESTYLE RELAY — 1, Wawasee (Ryan Neff, Steve Schmahl, Casey Kline, Vince Koser); 2, Wawasee. Time: 3:55.91 FINAL SCORE: Wawasee 120'z, Goshen 51 Vz

dividual matches. Afte Welborn kept his unbeaten record in order with a technical fall victory over Phil Wiener, Josh Lantz, Garrett Ponciroli, Scott Shoemaker, and Dan O’Haver closed out the match with pins — except Ponnciroli who won by forfeit. Lantz’s pin was the most surprising of the evening. Wrestling against Tim Roahrig, ranked fourth in the state, Lantz pinned the Plymouth wrestler in 51 seconds. Wawasee’s next action is scheduled for the NLC meet Saturday, Jan. 24.

On The Mark / MARK WEINSTEIN Wawasee’s faculty. Tickets will be on sale at Wawasee High School, and other locations throughout the tri-town area (Milford, Syracuse, and • North Webster). Cost for admission is $5.00. □ As long as Tim Mangas wears a Wawasee uniform, the school scoring record, set by Jeff Long, will remain in jeopardy. Long, now a student-assistant coach aL Grace College, scored 1,053 points in his career that spanned from 1980-1982.

“I always thought I could play in this league,” said a confident Zurcher. “But I just needed the chance to play along with the right situation.” ' ■» ’ But Purdue could not offer him a scholarship this Reason. He would have been forced to play as a walk-on, then, the following season, he would be awarded an athletic scholarship. “It was something that I thought about, and something that I always wanted to do, ’’said Zurcher. “But Minnesota (with Haskins, who previously worked with Schnepp under Gene Keady at Western Kentucky) offered a scholar-

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Wawasee drops heart-breaker to Valley

MENTONE — Plain and simple — Wawasee’s boys basketball team let the game at Tippecanoe Valley get away from them. The Warriors, 10-2, watched the Vikings erase a 14-point deficit in the third period to post an impressive 59-57 come-from-behind non-conference overtime victory. “This was a big win for us,” said Tippecanoe Valley head coach Bob Dußois. “I was disappointed by the way we played in the first half — we smelled up the place. But we finally got things going our way in the second.” The contest was strange right from the start. Wawasee won the first half, rolling to a 12-point halftime lead. During the first 16 minutes, the Warriors used solid defense with outstanding perimeter shooting to gain the sizeable lead. But the lead evaporated very quickly. The Vikings, in desperation, switched from a man-to-man defense, which did very little in .the first half, to a trapping style in the second. The latter defense was one of the keys to Valley's comeback. Another key was the Vikings' ability to control the boards in the second half. Valley benefited from its rebounding strength by scoring several second-chance shots. The most important second shot occurred during the three minute overtime period. With the score even at 57-all, Valley’s Chris Zolman missed a 15-foot jumper but Dion Anglin’s tip-in with two seconds remaining lifting the Vikings past Wawasee. Still, Anglin’s heroics would not have been possible if Valley’s defense didn’t stop Wawasee’s explosive offensivejjjtack in the second half. Valfeytrailed 37-25 at halftime. “We went to the trapping defense because nothing else was working in the first half,” said a jovial Dußois following the game. “Fortunately it worked. I couldn’t think of anything else to use.” Valley used its trapping defense to force several turnovers, and create poor shot selection for the Warriors. In creating both problems for

Mangas, during his three-year career, has scored 828 points — 64 /shy of Brooks Koble’s third place / total of 892. The current Wawasee standout moved ahead of Jon Vitaniemi for fifth place with his 19-point effort against Northridge last weekend. Steve Zurcher (1969-70) presently holds the fourth position with 890 points. John Hamilton, who played from 1970-72, is second with 1,028. □ This might not be the place for what I am going to write, but since this is my column, I am going to share some thoughts about my job with you. , -> First of all, I want to encourage you to write me and share your likes-''and dislikes about my writing style. I am willing to listen to what you have to say. But, my main objective, at this newspaper, or at any other paper that I’ve worked for, is to write the truth as I view the event. That’s the only way I can write — as I viewed the event. I will not discolor the truth — even if it steps on a few toes.

KIM ZURCHER

Wawasee, Valley climbed within two at the close of the third period, 45-43. The Vikings continued their surge in the fourth quarter as

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VALLEY DRIVE — Tippecanoe Valley’s John McDaniel drives past Darrin Atwood during first half action in Valley's 59-57 overtime victory over the Warriors. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

If Wawasee’s boys basketball team stinks up the court, well, that’s what I am going to say. On the same line, if the Warriors play exceptionally well, I will praise their effort. I wish all the Wawasee athletic teams well in their respective sports. However, I am not a Wawasee fan — in my writing. □ It was not a good week for the founder of this column. I struggled through my worst week of predictions — correctly picking five of the nine games. But, I did not do the worst — only because of the tie-breaking formula I concocted. The formula, simply, is based on the score of the game (which I decide) Because I was closer to the total points scored in Wawasee’s victory over Northridge (5 points) than Mark Huffman (17 points), then Huffman gains the recognition of being the worst prognosticator this week. However, my first place lead dropped one game. Derk Kunn made up the difference in the

ship, and they needed help immediately. It was a good situation for the.” The move to Minneapolis was the best for Zurcher, and now, for Minnesota. “I would have loved to have gone thereisaid Zurcher, referring to Purdue. “But this was the right situation for me. It has worked out nicely for me at Minnesota.” Zurcher quickly cashed in the chance to play in the Big Ten. He moved from a reserve player in pre-season workouts to the starting point guard for the Gophers. “Kim Zurcher is a real hard worker,” said Haskins about his point-guard. “He’s not as talented as a lot of players, but you can’t tell him that. He’s having a fine season for us.” That was evident last Wednesday evening when he led the Gophers in scoring at Purdue. Zurcher connected on six-of-eight field goal attempts, and all four of his free throws for 16 points. However, Zurcher’s return to Indiana was not as enjoyable as he would have liked. Making his first start in Mackey Arena, Zurcher envisioned upsetting the Boilermakers. Instead, Purdue waltzed past the Gophers. “We didn’t play well at all tonight,” insisted Zurcher following the game. “Now we must pick up the pieces and go from here.” In dropping the one-sided game to fifth-ranked Purdue, Zurcher felt Minnesota’s offensive scheme suffered because of the Gophers’ tendency to play one-on-one basketball. “Not too many of them (Minnesota players) have played the passing game before,” said Zurcher. “If I want the basketball, it seems like I have to go one-on-one with it. I hate that type of basketball. ” Zurcher’s feelings were accurate in the Purdue loss. Without exception, Zurcher was open most of the evening from the perimeter. But, the Minnesota players did not recognize the situation and get him the ball. “We just have to work on it,” added Zurcher. “It is a long season — we just need to work hard and improve week by week.” Zurcher, in the classroom, is just as bright as he is on the court. The former Indiana high school All-Academic player presently holds a 3.4 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).’He is majoring 4n School Management and Business.

they took their first lead of the game — since a small lead in the first period — midway through the final stanza. “We showed some impatience

Warriors’ 58-57 win over Northridge. Everyone missed Plymouth’s stunning upset of fourth-ranked Concord. Anyway, it is time to turn our attention this week to the games at hand, and the guest panelist. Serving as the guest this week is Dr. Roger Thornton. True, he was last weeks panel member, but, since the new superintendent improved the guest’s percentage, I decided to give him one more opportunity. I honestly think his six-of-nine effort last week was a fluke. His work this week will tell the true story. Anyway, eight games highlight our picking this week. Included in the tard is Wawasee’s second game since Christmas towards its Northern Lakes Conference championship. The Warriors travel to Goshen Friday evening for a 7:30 clash with the Redskins. Other games on tap are Plymouth at Rochester, Prairie Heights at west iNooie, wnitKu at Warsaw, Concord at Mishawaka

while they were making men i uii at us,” said Wawasee head coach Gary Goshert following the disappointing defeat. “Maybe that is (Continued on page 9)

Marian, East Noble at North Wood, Northridge at SB St. Joe, and Westview at Wawasee. This week’s tie-breaker is the score of Wawasee’s game at Goshen. MARK WEINSTEIN (.817) — Wawasee (58-44), Rochester, Prairie Heights, Warsaw, Concord, North Wood, Northridge; and Westview. DERK KUHN (.746) —Wawasee (61-60), Rochester, Prairie Heights, Whitko, Concord, North Wood, Northridge, and Wawasee. HOMER MILLER (.732) —Goshen (67-61), Plymouth, Prairie Heights, Warsaw, Concord, North Wood, SB St. Joe, and Wawasee. •ROGER THORNTON (.690) —Wawasee (67-61), Plymouth, Prairie Heights, Warsaw, Concord, North Wood, Northridge, and Wawasee. MARK HUFFMAN (.676) —Wawasee (74-66), Plymouth. Prairie Heights, Warsaw, Concord, North Wood, Northridge, amrwestview. — •Denotes Guest Panelist