The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 1, Milford, Kosciusko County, 18 February 1987 — Page 8

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., February 18,1987

8

Sports

Traviolia, Welborn advance to state

(By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Editor GOSHEN — In some ways the Goshen semistate was a disappointment for Wawasee’s four wrestlers. However, the Warriors will send two wrestlers into the state championship round this weekend at Market Square Arena. Traviolia will square off in the first round against Southport’s Doug Jackson. Jackson has a 27-3 record and finished third in the Seymour semistate. Welborn’s opponent, Alejandro Cavzos of East Chicago Central, finished second in the Merrillville semistate. He has a 27-6 record entering the championship round. The way the two Wawasee wrestlers earned the trip to Indianapolis was diferent than expected. The Warriors’ Jeff Welborn, winner “of 34-straight matches, finished third in semistate competition, while Brett Traviolia, with a 23-8 record, placed second.

Dickerson resigns WHS coaching position

\ SYRACUSE - For Myron Dro-kerson, his mission at High School is over. The 52-year old football coach resigned Thursday, Feb. 12, as head football coach and dean of students. Dickerson’s resignation will take effect at the end of the school year. X / Dickerson has not' announced his plans for future employment. He has turned down an offer from South Bend Clay. An official announcement is expected to be made next week. Dickerson came to Wawasee seven years ago. At that time, the Warriors’ football program was virtually non-existent. Since then, however, Dickerson has guided Wawasee to the Class 3A state championship game in 1985, and to an unbeaten regular season last year. The Warriors were ranked atop the 3A poll all last year. In Dickerson’s seven seasons at Wawasee, he compiled a 38-36 record. The three seasons prior to Dickerson’s reign, Wawasee compiled a 4-16 mark. “When I arrived here, the football program was at its lowest ebb,” admitted Dickerson. “Since then, through hard work from our staff, but mostly the athletes, the program is now at the top of its game.” Dickerson informed Wawasee Superintendent Roger Thronton and Principal Ned Speicher several days before submitting his resignation. A final attempt to keep Dickerson failed the day before he submitted his resignation. Although leaving, Dickerson will always remember the 1985 season. The Warriors, with a 4-4 regular season mark, cruised through the playoffs, before losing the state championship game in Indianapolis. “Seeing the change in the attitude of the young men that year was the best thing about it,” admitted Dickerson. “It was a group of players determined to do something, then went about it.

Lancer mentor reaches 200th career victory m

Wawasee’s wrestling program has certainly enjoyed its share of highlights the past few years. And this year is no exception. Two Warriors, Brett Traviolia and Jeff Welborn, earned the right to advance into this weeks state championship round at Indianapolis Market Square Arena. Wawasee is known for its quality athletic program. Perhaps the greatest recognized program, though, is wrestling. -Last year Wawasee carried two state champions on its roster — . Brad Traviolia and Lance Lantz. This year, another pair of Warriors are vying for the coveted state title. What an accomplishment for the Wawasee program. The latest Warrior heroes are Brett Traviolia and Welborn Traviolia, although probably tired of hearing about his brother’s wrestling records, can accomplish the same feat —a state championship — this weekend. Welborn, meanwhile, has been the talk of the Wawasee wrestling team this season - and he deserved the attention. He leads the Warriors in most statistics, including his 35-1 record. For Welborn, this season has been a mission to win a state title. He has reached his goal — making it to the state round — now he has to take the prize. Here's hoping the best for Wawasee’s top two wrestlers this season. Both Traviolia and Welborn are a credit to Wawasee High School and the school’s wrestling program. □ I do not know why I was surprised, but viewing the fans at last weekend's Warsaw Regional girls' basketball championship really, shocked me Both Warsaw and Columbia City fans were obnoxious and rude in their behavior at the game — especially the Columbia City supporters Both students and adults from Columbia City continually shouted unfavorable comments at Warsaw’s players and coaches throughout the game. The game apparently was very important to the group from Columbia City. , t . . Viewing the same asj do I can’t understand why adults, esoecial-

Wawasee’s Chris Yoder and Eliseo Roa were eliminated early. With Wawasee’s finishes, the Warriors placed eighth in team scoring with 32% points. Bellmont, which qualified eight wrestlers for the state finals, captured team honors with 145% points. t Welborn was the favorite at Goshen in the 145 pound weight class. But a semifinal round defeat to Muncie Central’s Jack Carroll allowed the Warrior to finish no higher than third. Traviolia, meanwhile, wrestled extremely well all day. He won three consecutive matches before Carroll’s Will Ragle caught the 138-pound Warrior. Ragle entered the semistate as the Carroll Regional champion — besting Traviolia in the finals. The same was true in Goshen. After Traviolia easily defeated Oak Hill’s Ross Werking 12-3, he solidified his berth in the state championships with an impressive 14-5 verdict over Bellmont’s Kurt Ashley.

They deserve the largest part of the credit.” The Warriors limited their opponents to 27 points in the five post-season games before falling to Indianapolis Roncalli in the title game. Wawasee continued last season where it left off in the 1985 season. The Warriors finished 8-0, including five shutouts, and were ranked No. 1. MYRON DICKERSON However, the spirited Warriors _ lost in the second round of the tournament to North Wood, a. team that played in the state finals. Before coming to Wawasee, Dickerson served four years as head coach at Fort Wayne North, compiling a 26-11 record. He resigned following North’s ' perfect 1979 season which included a No. 5 final ranking. Just as the case with his work at Wawasee, at Fort Wayne, Dickerson took a losing program and built it into a winner. “I guess you can say I get my kicks from building programs and seeing young men realize they can win,” admitted Dickerson. “I get a good feeling from that.” Dickerson also coached five years at East Noble before moving to Penn High School as an assistant coach.

Muncie Central’s Myles Thornburg proved to be little competition for Traviolia in the semifinal round. Traviolia bested the Muncie wrestler 6-3, earning the right to wrestle Ragle. While Traviolia was having fun disposing of his opponents, Welborn faced his toughest competition of the season; After pinning I Huntington North’s Scott Reust m 3:49 in the second period of the second round, Welborn suffered his first loss of the season in his next match. Carroll, a Muncie Central grappler, decisioned Welborn 12-8, and eventually won the semistate championship with a 8-6 victory over Bellmont’s Mike Tricker. Carroll improved his record to 37-2. Welborn closed out the match with a 15-4 decision over Elkhart Memorial’s Tim Smart. Yoder advanced into the second round with a 6-2 victory over Huntington North’s Scott Gard. He lost in the second round to Lakeland’s Mike Conley. Roa was not as fortunate as Yoder. The 119-pounder lost in his initial bout to New Haven’s Tim Wilson. At the semistate round, only the top four finishers in each weight class advance to the state finals.

Traviolia, Welborn continue tradition SYRACUSE — The Pride of the Lakes is a popular theme around the Wawasee Community School area. But it also is the theme of two Wawasee wrestlers who will defend the Warriors' pride in this weekend s state wrestling championship. Both Brett Traviolia and Jeff Welborn earned the right to compete ih the championship round with their efforts in the Goshen' semistate last weekend. Traviolia finished second to Fort Wayne Carroll’s Will Ragle, while Welborn placed third after dropping a semi-final affair to Muncie Central’s Jack Carroll. "I am looking forward to it,” said Welborn. "This is what I have worked for, and now it’s here.” Traviolia echoed the same sentiment. With the pair of wrestlers entered at the ultimate level, it marks the second consecutive year that two Wawasee wrestlers wrestled in the state meet. Last year. Brad Traviolia and Lance Lantz came away with state championships. By the way it is going, sending two Wawasee wrestlers — and coming away with state championships — could become a tradition at Wawasee. I guess on that, we will just have to wait and see. But this weekend starts a new game for the Wawasee pair. They have the chance to walk off with the biggest prize in high school wrestling —a state championship. And both have a legitimate shot at claiming the crown "I just want to have fun and wrestle my best," said a nervous Jeff Welborn. "At that level, everyone is good. It will take a lot of effort to come away with a state title." But if anyone can do it. Welborn can. He enters the glamorous tournament with a 35-1 record. Had he not lost in the Goshen semistate, he might have been the top seed in the finals. "Goshen has had the toughest semistate in several years,” admitted Welborn and Traviolia. “Usually the best in the state are there.” That is evident with the consecutive number of state titles Delta —a participant in the Goshen semistate — hds won. / • But, even though Welborn is considered to have a greater chance at winning a title, don't count out the scrappy TravioliaJrom-COnsideration The 138-pounder wrestled his best at Goshen, and appears to be moving in the right direction. Perhaps his toughest challenge will be against Ragle — who upended him in regional and semistate competition. “It’s going to be a real challenge for me,” said Traviolia. “I am a little scared, because down there, every match is important. You have to be on top of your game." Although both earned the right to wrestle in the championship, the way they reached that position is totally different. Welborn coasted through the regular season without a loss. Traviolia. meanwhile, was on the verge of losing total interest in the sport. But. he regained his excitement near the end of the season. The rest is history. For the Wawasee pair, four straight wins will earn them a state championship. It will be difficult, but they’ve been through some hard times before. Traviolia will face Doug Jackson <27-3> of Southport. He finished third is the Seymour semistate. Welborn goes up against Alejandro Cavazos of East Chicago Central. The runner-up in the Merrillville tournament has a 17-6 record. The Warrior duo have worked hard all season. This could be their time in the sun.

ly. would get on the players — even their own. These kids are very young, and the pressure that fans put on them is unfair. I certainly hope spectators of high school sports grow up This isn’t the professional level. Mistakes will be made — there's no sense in yellingat the players. □ Grace College men’s basketball coach Jim Kessler must be living right. The 10-year mentor of the Lancers secured his sixth-straight Mid-Central Conference championship Saturday evening with an im- > pressive 90-76 victory over Goshen College The victory also gave Kessler his 199th career coaching victory at Grace. Kessler picked up No. 200 Thp IV! Ark Tuesday evening with the vzl 111 IC iviai lx Lancers’ 117-62 romp over IUSouth Bend. Victory No. 201 await & , Kessler at Bethel College Satur- / day afternoon. □ MARK A special ceremony honoring WEINSTEIN the 1977 Wawasee boys’ basket- M-t f ball team is being planned by gts Wawasee athletic director Hal Traviolia. All players, managers and coaches will be honored at I ” halftime of the Warriors' Friday, Feb. 18 game with Bremen. The 1977 team was the first unit in Wawasee history to win a sectional championship. □ Although I do not agree with major league baseball’s free agent system, I am glad to see that New York’s Don Mattingly received what he wanted in his arbitration case Hp asked.far £l Yankees offered tlvmiftion.

Team Scores — (Numbers in parentheses indicates state qualifiers): Bellmont (7) 145; Delta (7) 99%; Fort Wayne Wayne (3) 56; Lakeland (3) 48; Fort Wayne Dwenger (2) 44%’ Wes-Del (2) 41; Carroll (3) 38; Wawasee (2) 32%; Yorktown (2) 31; Muncie Central (2) 30; Muncie South (1) 27; Goshen (1) 26% , Bremen (1) 26%’ Adams Central (2) 26; Fort Wayne Elmhurst (1) 20%; Elkhart Memorial (2) 18; Elkhart Central (1) 16; Northridge (1) 16; Marion (1) 15%; Huntington North (1) 15%; Norwell (1) 13; Harding (1) 13; Plymouth (1) 12; North Wood (1) 11%; South Adams (1) 11; New Haven (1) 10%; Fort Wayne Concordia (1) 10. Blackford 8, DeKalb 4; Wabash 4, West Noble 4, Oak Hill 4, Warsaw 3, Woodlan 2%, Whitko 2, Heritage 2, Churbusco2, Concord 2, Eastside 1%. Championship Round 98 — Troy Gerky (Bellmont) d. Junior Smith (Lakelaffd) 13-4; 105 — John Martin (Dwenger) d. Dave West (Carroll) 6-0; 112 — John Faurote (Bellmont) p. Keith Whittern (Goshen) 4:58; 119 — Paul Gunsett (Bellmont) d. Larry Garber (Lakeland) 1-0; 126 —- Greg Krider (Bellmont) d. Steve Mix (Wayne) 6-3; 132 — Paul Baker (Bellmont) d. Jeff Tuttle (Delta) 9-6; 138 — Will Ragle (Wayne) d. Brett Traviola (Wawasee) 8-3. ' . 145 — Jack Carroll (Muncie Central) d. Mike Tricker (Bell-

mont) 8-6; 155 — Bobby Johnson (Wes-Del) p. Randall Hayes (Delta) :15; 167 — Tom Uhrick (Elmhurst) d. Shane Sutherland (Yorktown) 11-6; 177 — Ron Coffel (Bremen) d. John Kintz (Bellmont) 9-4; 185 — Duane Morris (Delta) d. Greg Gray (Northridge) 4-3; Hwt — Greg Gehl (Dwenger) d. Dan Brekke (Elkhart Central) 9-2. Consolation Round 98 — Roger Hirst (Delta) d. Mark Foreman (Muncie South) 6-4; 105 — Mark Griffith (Adams Central) d. Juan Barrantes (Harding) 13-6; 112 — Mitch Hansel (Marion) d. Shane Reynolds (Adams Central) 5-2; 119 — Todd Mansker (Yorktown) d. Scott Hungerford (Carroll) 3-2; 126 — Andy Parkinson (Delta) d. Troy Bingaman (Elkhart Memorial) 8-2; 132 — Rob Ice (Wes-Del) d. Ed Leßeau (Concordia) 9-7; 138 — Erick Tucker (Norwell) d. Myles Thronburg (Muncie Central) 5-2. 145 — Jeff Welborn (Wawasee) d. Tim Smart ('Elkhart Memorial) 15-4; 155 — Paul Voigt (Carroll) d. Tom Roahrig (Plymouth) 6-4; 167 — Randy Neuenschwander (South Adams) d. Mike Conley (Lakeland); 177 — Ryan Miller (North Wood d. Curt Crouch (Delta) 9-7; 185 — Scott Lahr (Wayne) p. Reid Wise (New Haven) 3:40; Hwt — Chris Ervin (Huntington) d. Greg Hendrickson (Delta) 4-2.

The Yankee slugger is the best first baseman in the game today. He has proved that true over the last three years. Check out his statistics. In three full years with the Yanks, Mattingly has 656 hits, 89 home runs, 368 RBIs, and his hitting .304 in that span. He is also a gold glove first baseman. The Yankees had to pay for his services, but Mattingly is worth the money. □ The Solid Ones are developing into a quality basketball team. Wawasee boys’ basketball coach Gary Goshert has the team close to peak form. Wawasee, indeed, will be a threat to win this year’s Triton Sectional. The opposing teams better watch out. The Solid Ones are coming. □ The Black and Blue (Chicago) Bears will play a benefit basketball game against the faculty at Wawasee High School Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Wawasee High School athletic office, or from any member of Wawasee’s boys basketball team. Tickets will be available at the door. Players from the Bears, tentatively, include Otis Wilson, Dave Duerson, Kurt Becker, Neal Anderson, Mark Bortz, Calvin Thomas, Jim Morrissey, Tim Wrightman, Emery Moorehead, and Steve McMichael. Some of the players on Wawasee High School’s team include coaches Gary Goshert, Neal Frantz, Troy Albert, Tim Caldwell, Hal rraviolia, and two former Wawasee standouts. An official roster will be announced at a later date.., □ Although Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight gets a lot of negative ink, I must stand up for him for his statement against the current college basketball system. Over the years, college basketball players have been forced to

Ik

ANOTHER VICTORY — Wawasee’s Jeff Welborn gains the upper hand during his second round match against Huntington North’s Scott Reust during Saturday’s Goshen semistate. Welborn finished third at 145 pounds, aruL'will advance with teammate Brett Traviolia to the state finals in Indianapolis. (Photoby Mark Weinstein)

Warriors clip Panthers with free throws

SYRACUSE - Good basketball teams find ways to win. Friday evening the Wawasee boys’ basketball team used clutch free throw shooting down the stretch from sophomore Matt Dick to thwart a late North Wood rally ahi claim a thrilling 57-52 Northern Lakes Conference victory. With the win, the Warriors improve their season record to 14-4, and 4-2 in the conference. North Wood slips below the .500 mark with its 8-9 record and 1-5 NLC record. “This game really meant a lot to us,” said Wawasee head basketball coach Gary Goshert. “We’ve had troubles handling North Wood in previous years. For that reason, along with it keeping us in contention for second place in the NLC, we’re very happy with the win.” In a game that Wawasee entered as the favorite, it proved to be more of a struggle. The Warriors’ offense struggled early, and often, while North Wood controlled the boards for much of the contest. During the first half, which Wawasee concluded with a 25-23 edge, North Wood controlled the boards at its offensive end. Because of several second shot opportunities, the Panthers stayed close to the Warriors. Wawasee, in the end, however,

Packer leads Grace to MCC crown

GOSHEN — Grace’s Worth Packer had a career game Saturday evening at Goshen College. For the Lancers, though, it was just another day at the office. Grace went to work in the first half, and didn’t quit until it secured its sixth straight MidCentral Conference championship with a 90-76 romp over Goshen College. The Lancers, with the win, raise their season mark to 20-6, and 6-1 in the MCC. The Maple Leafs fall to 8-15 overall and 2-6 in the conference. Packer was the foreman in the first half, scoring eight of his first nine field goals in the session.

outrebounded the Panthers 31-25. Tim Mangas grabbed team honors with eight rebounds, while senior Mike Eastman totaled seven boards. Still, it was Wawasee’s reserves that lifted the Warriors past North Wood. Dick started Wawasee’s victory run with a 15-foot jumper from the left side late in the first period. He later sealed the triumph with four pressurepacked free throws in the final seconds. The sophomore finished with six points. Dick’s first period field goal gave the Warriors a 13-11 first period lead. From there, North Wood played catch up the rest of the evening. “Everytime we are not playing well, we get someone coming off the bench and contributing in a real positive way,” said Wawasee head coach Gary Goshert. “That’s a nice asset to ,have — someone coming off the bench that way. It’s been a key for us all season.” Wawasee broke open a 25-23 halftime advantage in the third period. Outscoring the Panthers 10-4 in the period, it appeared as though Wawasee would coast to another victory. Seven North Wood turnovers, many caused by Wawasee’s intense man-to-man defense, fueled the Warriors’ spurt.

4 The 16-point first half effort was Packer’s finest offensive explosion in his four-year college career. The former Wawasee product finished the contest with 25 points and 10 rebounds. “Worth came to play tonight,” said Grace coach Jim Kessler. “Good teams have different people surface in different games. Packer took the lead tonight.” Packer’s first field goal, three minutes into the contest gave the Lancers an 8-6 lead. From there, Grace never trailed. Grace, holding a comfortable 45-33 halftime lead, extended its margin midway through the final half. Key free throw shooting by

miss more school than any other athlete. That is because TV governs college basketball. It appears as though college presidents and athletic directors are more interested in making money than educating their studentathletes. I think it is time to put a stop to weekday college basketball and return the game to the weekend. Less school will be missed, and the students will benefit in the long run X ° Remaining as the guest panelist this week is Richard Rhodes. Because of time. Rhodes was asked to remain as the special picker. Ijopefully. he will improve on his percentage, which fell last ' week as-be missed three of the 10 games. Mark Huffman continued to shock everyone with another perfect week of picking. Because of his selections, he moved from the cellar to third place. Heading the prep list is Wawasee’s contest with Elkhart Central. Other games include North Wood at Bremen, Plymouth at Tippecanoe Valley, Fairfield at West Noble, Warsaw at Mishawaka, Goshen at Rochester, Concord at Elkhart Memorial, and Central Noble at Nor thridge. lowa at Indiana is the lone college game on tap. MARK WEINSTEIN (.800) — Wawasee, Bremen, Tippecanoe Valley, Fairfield, Warsaw, Goshen, Concord, Northridge, and lowa. DERK KUHN (.772) —Wawasee, Bremen, Tippecanoe Valley. Fairfield, Mishawaka, Goshen, Concord, Northridge, and Indiana. MARK HUFFMAN (.755) —Wawasee, North Wood, Tippecanoe Valley, Fairfield. Warsaw, Goshen, Concord, Northridge, and Indiana. HOMER MILLER (.755) -Central, North Wood. Plymouth, War saw, Goshen, Concord, Northridge, and lowa •RICHARD RHODES (.736) —Wawasee, North Wood, Tippecanoe Valley, West Noble, Warsaw, Goshen, Concord, Nbcthridge, Indiana •Denotes Guest Panelist

“If you struggle offensively, and keep playing solid defense, yog’ll have to win at the end,” said Goshert. “It paid off for us tonight.” Wawasee increased its lead to 12 early in the final period, but a late Panther rally nearly caught the Wart-iocs. North Wood closed within five, 51-46, with 1:43 remaining, but that was as close as the visitors could come. From there, Darin Atwood and Mangas each canned a pair of charity tosses, keeping the Panthers away until Dick closed the door on North Wood. Mangas paced the Warriors’ attack with 20 points. Brett’Harter and Atwood both chipped) in 10 points, while Dick failed to miss a shot in scoring his six points. Rob Prenkert led North Wood’s attack with 14 points. Dustin Miller and Trey Schwartz both finished with 11 points for the Panthers Statistically, the Warriors were whistled for nine turnovers —a season low. The Panthers had 18 turnovers in the game. Wawasee shot 40% from the field (22-54), compared to the Panthers’ 50% (21-42). From the charity stripe, Wawasee connected on 13-of-15 shots (87%). North Wood managed a respectable 10-of-14 from the stripe for 71%.

5 the Lancers enabled the visitors - to win the game going away. For the game, Grace connected 5 on 28-of-31 free throws. From the 1 field, the Lancers shot 57% , (30-54). Besides Packer’s heroics, 1 Grace received a balanced scoring attack. Graham finished with 17 points, while Ben Teske added 5 16, and John Hans chipped in 11. J Goshen was aided by 11 three- , point field goals. Tim Springer led the assault with 20 points, inJ eluding four three-pointers. Keith 5 Gingerich, Bob Nemtuda, and 1 Terry Slabaugh all added 12 f points for the Leafs.

lestone