The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 31, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 September 1987 — Page 8
THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., September 16,1987
8
Sports ■ i S'
Wawasee defense keys first win
| By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Editor SYRACUSE — An exciting offense will win fans, more importantly, a stingy defense wins games. Wawasee discovered this fact Friday evening as it kept Concord out of the end zone and limited the Minutemen to 112 net yards offense in its 7-3 Northern Lakes Conference win The victory raised the Warriors’ mark to 1-2 overall and in conference play. Concord fell to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the NLC. The middle two quarters were the telling story in the game. Neither team scored, or seriously mounted a scoring threat in the opening and closing periods of the game. p In the second frame, Wawasee’s offense controlled the pigskin for nearly half of the quarter. The end result was seven points.
IHy wi IFW * JW » * HcTW * ~ '-** , * a-. jbT SElfik jffjgs',.. y %wijr ri ON THE WAY BACK — Debbie Bickel swims the 100-yard backstroke for Wawasee during its non-conference meet with East Noble. The Warriors defeated the Knights 87-85. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)/
Wawasee swimmers
LAPORTE — Wawasee girls' swim squad traveled to LaPorte for its relay meet and came away with an impressive B’ division championship. The Warriors’ 151 easily won the division., outlasting Rensselaer’s 137 points and Plymouth’s 133. Wawasee’s winning effort was the result of five first places and four meet records The Warriors won the medley relay, 400 individual medley, 200 butterfly, 500 freestyle and 400 breaststroke. The winning medley relay team, in capturing the victory, set a new LaPorte Relays B’ division record. The Warriors’ team of Danielle Iwankowitsch, Cyndi Guimond, Lori Boles and Sherry Payne finished in the record-setting 2:03.16 Northern Lakes Conference foe, Plymouth, was second with a 2:10.24 time.
Season ends with Super Bowl beginning
Since the National Football League looks destined to be heading towards a strike-torn season, it was good to get the Super Bowl out of the way in the first week of the season. I am not talking about Denver’s come-from-behind win against Seattle or New England’s controversial victory over Miami. Not even Cincinnati’s thrilling two point win over Indianapolis No, I’m referring to Monday’s game pitting the league’s two best teams the past two years — Chicago and New York Giants. Some of the faces have moved on, but only a few. The most notable come from Chicago, where Buddy Ryan departed last year for Philadelphia and Jim McMahon walks the sidelines because of a possible careerending injury. But even with those two not a factor in Monday’s outcome, it was still a most enjoyable, Super Bowl-type game. If nothing else, the aura surrounding Soldier Field resembled the premier game in the NFL. 1 I
After a Concord punt early in the period Chris Conkling engineered a ball-control drive. The Warriors’ sophomore quarterback moved his team deep into enemy territory before Mike Meek bulled his way into the end zone from one-yard out. Meek continued to sparkle from his running back slot, picking up 18 of his 62 yards in the game-winning drive. Still, it was the passing of Conkling and a Brad Richards gallop that paved the way for Wawasee’s score. Richards broke loose for 16 yards on a third-and-four play, then Conkling teamed with Brett Harter on a 34-yard strike to the Minutemen three. Two plays later Meek scored. Meek’s o6e-yard plunge culminated th\ 11-play, 77-yard drive for the Warriors. Bruce Jackson added \he point after touchdown for a> 7-0 Wawasee lead. The Warriors maintained their 7-0 lead early in the third period
Wawasee took a breather from another record setting performance in the 500 freestyle to get enough momentum to set another mark. In the 400 individual medley, Boles, Iwankowitsch, Steff Berkey and Guimond set another LaPorte record with a 4:44.66 time. The same four Warriors captured the 200 butterfly in record time, finishing in 2:03.43. Wawasee’s final record performiknce was in the 400 breaststroke. Iwankowitsch, Berkey, Payne and Guimond joined efforts to finish in record time —5:19.69. The other Wawasee first place was in the 500 freestyle progression. Berkey, Payne, Sirena Bartow and Boles finished in 5:42.25, finishing five seconds ahead of Plymouth. In other events, Wawasee placed fourth in the 400 freestyle
Still, there was something else making this game a little more special. The hitting was spectacular, perhaps more fierce because of the two' teams represented. Mark My Words MARK WEINSTEIN Ft *4 fl ■L ]f By judging the hitting — even some good one-two punches — going on during the game, this game was very important to both teams. It was the super bowl of Super Bowls for the. Bears and Giants. The NFL was a huge success this season, only because of its first game Super Bowl format. Everyone won in this system, the fans and players. Players collect their large . /
before Concord threatened to pull even. Defense Stops Concord Jade Hagen, punting for the Minutemen at midfield, set up the visitors best scoring opportunity of the game. The junior boomed a 45-yard punt, Meek fumbled the punt at the five and Concord recovered the football at the six. But that was as close as Concord would come to paydirt. The Warriors dropped Vic Chael for a one-yard loss, then yielded a yard before breaking up a potential touchdown pass on third down. The Minutemen settled for a 22-yard Steve Harder field goal, and a four-point loss. “The big factor was the goal line stance,” said Wawasee head coach Myron Dickerson. “The pressure was on the defense the entire second half but the kids showed the kind of character they have.” In the second half, Wawasee’s offense moved into Coqcord territory only twice. The remainder
Warriot's slip past Knights
SYRACUSE?*— Wawasee opened its home girls’ swim season with a win, but barely. The War2wofs led from the start, but held on at the end to claim a 87-85 victory over East Noble. The Knights trailed Wawasee by six points entering the final event — the 400 freestyle relay. A first and second place effort would give the visitors the victory. But the Warriors finished second, landing enough points to win. Tonya Perzanowski, Sirena Bartow, Sherri Payne and Lori Boles turned in the runner-up swim in 4:22.10. East Noble’s winning time, 4:13.99, easily bested the Warrior effort. Overall, Wawasee won six individual events. Boles accounted for two of the victories, including the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. opened the evening with a narrow win in the 200 medley relay. Perzanowski, Cindy Guimond, Stef Berkey and Debbie Bickel finished in 2:09 06, one second ahead of East Noble. Boles scored her first victory moments later in the 200 freestyle. Boles' win, coupled with Bartow’s second place effort, gave the Warriors a 19-11 lead after two events. East Noble crept within six, 26-20, when Janelle Hite won the 200 individual medley for the Knights, but Payne delivered for Wawasee in the 50 freestyle. Payne’s 27.36 time in the 50 lifted the Warriors at a crucial point in the meet.
win LaPorte Relays
relay with a 4:44.41 clocking and fourth in the 400 backstroke. The Warriors placed third in the 800 freestyle relay and second in the 200 freestyle relay. Wawasee returns to Northern Lakes Conference action Thursday evening with a meet against Goshen. The event is scheduled for6:3op.m. Team Scores “B” Division 1. Wawasee 151; 2. Rensselaer 137; 3. Plymouth 133; 4 Elk. Memor. 81; 5. New Prairie 75; 6. Bridgeman 70; 7. Bremen 53; 8. LaSalle 47 “B” Division »• 200 Medley Relay: 1. Wawasee 2:03\16; 2. Plymouth 2:10.24; 3. Rensselaer 2:15.52 \ 800 Freestyle Relay: \ 1 Plymouth 10:06.64\ 2. Rensselaer 10:12.17; 3. Wawasee.. 10:42.52
sums of money, players have less of a chance at sustaining a career-threatening injury like McMahon, fans are happy and life can resume, peacefully See you next season. Although professional football seemingly will conclude its season this weekend, major league baseball continues in the most exciting part of the season — pennant races. In looking back several months ago when I made my picks for divisional winners, I discovered I made several blunders. My most notable goof was selecting the Chicago White Sox to win the American League West. In that division any team could have won the title. Unfortunately, the Sox decided not to enter the race this year, rather, hibernate for the summer. The American League East was a little more predictable, although I missed it again. With my heart I picked Detroit, with my mind, New York. I should have known that
of the half was played in the shadow of Wawasee’s goal post. Nevertheless, the Warriors’ defense was up for any Concord challenge, denying the visitors a touchdown. Garrett Ponciroli was the defensive star for the Warriors. The junior recorded five solo tackles, four assists and two quarterback sacks. “Ponciroli did a real good job,” said Dickerson. “He stopped them when they were moving the ball with the counter play. Pone is one of the premier lineman in the conference.” Meanwhile, Mike Foy turned in one blocked field goal attempt, two solo stops and five assists. Jeff Galloway registered six tackles, including a pair of quarterback sacks, and recovered a Concord fumble. Also aiding Wawasee’s defensive cause was Mike Page’s five solo tackles and eight assists. John Frasure added five solo stops and four assists, while Jay
Julie Gunn nailed the diving championship for Wawasee, scor ing 205.05 points Dawn Firestone captured second for the Warriors and Sara Moerchen was sixth. The Warriors failed to win another victory until Boles won her second event of the night. In the 500 freestyle, Boles jumped oui io an eariy lead, then pulled away in the final four laps. Guimond closed Wawasee’s individual victory parade in the second-to-last event, 100 breaststroke. Guimond finished in 1:15.32, six seconds better than East Noble’s Lori Wolbrook. Wawasee hosts Goshen Thurs day in what could be a pivotal Northern Lakes Conference meet. Wawasee 87, East Noble 85 200 MR — Wawasee (Tanya Person. Cindi Gyman, Steff Berky. Debbie Berkel), East Noble 2:09 0 200 FREE — Lori Boles (W), Sirena. Bartow (W), Sara Stoneburner (EN) 2:19.4 200 IM - Janelle Hite (EN), Cindi Gyman (W), Steff Berky (W) 2:18 5 50 FREE — Sherry Payne (W). Shelly Smith (EN), Debbie Beckel (W) .27 .3 DIVING — Julie Gunn (W), Dawn Firestone (W), Laura Lash (EN) 205 0 100 FLY - Janelle Hite (EN). Steff Berky (W), Cari Maloney (EN) 1 03 8 100 FREE — Laura Holdbrook (EN), Sherry Payne (W), Shelly Leeman (EN) :59 5 500 FREE — Lori Boles (W), Connie Anderson (EN), Sara Stoneburner (EN) 6:23.5 100 BACK Cindy Igney (EN), Debbie Beckel (W), Shawna Miller (W) 1:14.1
400 IM Relays: 1. Wawasee 4:44.66; 2. Plymouth 4:58.80: 3 Rensselaer 5:17.03 200 Freestyle Relay: 1. Rensselaer 1:56.12; 2 Wawasee 1:56.31; 3. Plymouth 1:57.73 200 Butterfly: 1. Wawasee 2:03.93; 2 Plymouth 2:15 88 ; 3. Rensselaer 2:17.29 400 Freestyle Relay: 1. Rensselaer 4:23.61; 2. Bridgeman 4:27.36 ; 3. Plymouth 4:38.98 500 Free Progression: 1. Wawasee 5:42.25;. 2. Plymouth 5:47.72; 3. Rensselaer 5:54.46 \4OO 1. PlWouth 3-*T0.58; 2. Bridgema(i's:bTß/; 3. Rensselaer
George Steinbrenner would mess up the Yankees, Lou Piniella cer i tainly hasn’t. I Presently, Detroit and Toronto are in a dead heat. It is too close to call, although I’m pulling for an upswing in the automobile inI dustry. i In the National League I was on • target. In the eastern division I s felt St. Louis would walk away 1 with the crown. At the All-Star break it looked like the Runnin’ s Redirds were going to sprint r towards the championship. I They’ve since slid back to the t pack and now are fighting for e their life. In the westi jt was San b Francisco. Roger Craig was too good of a manager not to bring I the Giants all the way back this , year. e The final 20 games of the e season should be interesting. In major league baseball, the dog it days of summer are certainly i, here. h Hang on, it will get very inII teresting from here on out! it Games on tap for this week are
Koontz registered two solo tackles and seven assists. The Warriors look for another Northern Lakes Conference victory Friday evening when they face North Wood in Nappanee. The Panthers are 1-2 overall, 0-2 in the NLC. J DEFENSE DOMINATES Defense Dominates C W First Downs io 9 Rushing Yards 67 128 Passing Yards 5 74 Passes 49 1 612 1 Offensive Plays 43 44 Punts 6 33.3 7 21.8 Fumbles Lost 3-1 Penalties 6 45 5-45 Scoring First Quarter — None Second Quarter — Mike Meek (W) 1 yard run, Bruce Jackson kick. Third Quarter — Steve Harder (C) 23 yard field goal. Fourth Quarter — None Score By Quarters Concord 0 0 3 0 — 3 Wawasee 0 0 0 0 —7
100 BREAST — Cindi Gyman (W), Laura Holdbrook (EN), Danyi Hickaman (W) 1:15.3 400 FR — East Noble 0, (Teresa Shepherd, Janelle Hite, Shelly Leeman, Carl Maloney Warsaw
4:13 9 Deflected pass, PAT drops Tigers
WARSAW — Bremen quarterback Joe Bennett hit little Tim Kyser with a four-yard scoring pass and Bennett teamed with Casey Miller on the two point conversion lifting Bremen past Warsaw 8-7 Friday in Northern Lakes Conference action. The win improved Bremen’s record to 2-1, both overall and in the Northern Lakes Conference. Warsaw dropped to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the NLC. Lady luck was on the Lions side as the contest entered the final minutes. Trailing by seven, Bremen marched deep into Warsaw territory but faced a third-and-four situation from the eight. Warriors lose KENDALLVILLE - In what may have been a sectional preview turned out to be a thorn in Wawasee’s side Thursday, Sept. 10, when East Noble handed the Warriors their first cross country Jos of the season, 26-30. “They could be a thorn in our side all year,” said Wawasee coach Jerry Minton, in reference to East Noßle. Wawasee bested Lakeland 16-45 to raise its record to 5-1. East Noble’s Anthony Howe took meet honors with his 16:40 time. Wawasee s Jeff Carey placed second, eight seconds behind Howe’s winning time. Jason Douglas placed fourth in the meet, four seconds slower than East Noble’s Kent Harman. Erik Mock was sixth at 17:39, while Steve Eastman placed seventh (17:47). In girls’ competition, Jennifer Titus placed third for the Warriors as the Syracuse school split decisions with East Noble and Lakeland. Wawasee defeated East Noble 22-37 before bowing to Lakeland 26-31. Titus finished in 16:43, well off Dawn Bowers’ winning 16:04 pace. Stacy Freel was sixth at 17:20, while Lori Gargett finished in 17:51 and Jill Bouse, 18:21. Both Warrior squads will run in the West Noble Invitational Saturday morning.
Wawasee at North Wood (score), Warsaw at Northridge, Plymouth at Bremen, Concord at Goshen, Michigan State at Notre Dame, Indiana at Kentucky. MARK HUFFMAN (.777) — North Wood (14-10), Northridge, Plymouth, Goshen, Notre Dame, Indiana. MARK WEINSTEIN (.777) — Wawasee (17-0), Warsaw, Bremen, Goshen, Notre Dame, Indiana. DERK KUHN (.750) — Wawasee (13-12), Warsaw, Bremen, Goshen, Notre Dame, Indiana. HOMER MILLER (.750) — North Wood (14-6), Warsaw, Bremen, Goshen, Notre Dame, Indiana. DALE TOBIAS (.625) — Wawasee (3-2), Warsaw, Bremen, Goshen, Notre Dame, Indiana.
. > BARTON BLAST r- Amy Barton hits the ball over the net during junior varsity action Saturday against Warsaw. The Warriors scored the point, but Warsaw won the match. (Photo by Mark Weinstein ) »
Bennett, under a moderate , Tiger pass rush, had his pass I deflected by a Warsaw defender J and into the arms of Kyser at the two. A couple of plays later, Bennett . joined forces with Kyser for the six-pointer Bennett completed ; the comeback with a two-point j conversion pass to Miller. 1 Around The NLC j On the game-winning play, Bremen head coach Dennis ’ Sienicki wanted to kick the extra point. But place-kicking specialist Matt Coffel was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital at halftime and the Bremen coach was forced to go for the win. t The move paid off for the Lions ] as Miller caught Bennett’s pass t in the end zone. Warsaw finished the evening j with a balanced attack, 107 pass--3 ing and 103 rushing. Bremen, meanwhile, passed for 151 yards r and netted an additional 122 ; yards on the ground. ; The Tigers travel to Midj dlebury Friday evening for a j NLC contest with Northridge. The Raiders lost 13-7 to Plymouth ; last Friday.
) Big Ten football: At A Glance i * Coach: John Gulekunst (Duke, 1966), second year Record at school: 7-6, Career ■ . record: 7 6 ■ " 1986 records: 6 6. 5 3 in Big Ten I ,w schedule: Sept 12 Northern lowa. Sept 19, California, Sept. 26 Central ■ Michigan, Oct. 3. Purdue. Oct 10, at Northwestern; Oct. 17, Indiana; Oct. 24. at ■® ft Ohio State; Nov. 7, Michigan; Nov 14, Wisconsin; Nov 21 at lowa * I 1 I Asse,s antl Liabilities: Lettermen returning —42 Starters back — offense 6 B I (Paul Anderson, G; Troy Wolkow, G, Craig Otto, TE; Rickey Fogey, QB; Dar f I rell Thompson, TB; Gary Couch, FL); defense 2 (Doug Mueller, NG; Steve * 1 Frankl| n, SS); speciallsts2 (Chip Lohmlller, PK, Brent Herbel, P). « I °* her Pl’ysrs to watch: Jason Bruce, SE; Alan Holt, QB; Roselle Richardson, I ' FB; Gary Hadd, T; Brian Bonner, LB; Ron Goetz, OLB: CharlesMcCree, CB S Strong points: Offensive backfield, primarily running backs; Strong and ex I ' . perlenced front line; Kicking game [•- KHy/ Questions: The entire defense Will Minnesota's newcombers fill the void from I * he 9 radua * lon loss ’ Coach's quote: "We need to solidify the offensive Ilne Our guard situation Is ex ■ Z* cellent, but our new tackles and center must perform. Our development was a little slow In spring practice, so that remains an area of concern." GATE KUNST Predicted finish: 5 —6 overall, 4-4 in Big Ten.
Coach: Earle Bruce (c .Io State, 1953), ninth year Record at school: 75-22, Career record: 121-56-0. ■ 1986 records: 10 3,7 Ith Big Ten (tie for first). 1 1987 schedule: Sept 12 West Virginia. Sept. 19, Oregon; Sept. 26at LSU; Oct. 3at S Illinois; Oct 10 Indiana; Oct. 17 at Purdue; Oct 24 Minnesota; October 31 ■ * Michigan State; Nov 7at Wisconsin, Nov. 14. Iowa; Nov 21 at Michigan ■ V Assets and Liabilities: Lettermen returning — 36 Starters back—offense 6 (Joe j. f Staysnlak, T, Jeff Uhlenhake, G; Greg Zackeroff, G; Vince Workman, TB; Nate J BB | Harris, FL; George Cooper. FB); defense 8 (Eric Kumerow, OLB. Mike 3 * Showalter, T; Fred Ridder, MG; Derek Isaman, OLB; Chris Spielman. LB; < William White, CB; Greg Rogan. CB; David Brown, FS); specialists 2 (Matt ■ V Frantz, PK; Tom Tupa, P). ' BMT Other players to watch: Jim Bryant. TB. Anthony Cupe, SE; Pat Thomas, NG; ■ Ray Jackson, R; Derek MacCready, T; John Sullivan, LB. ■ Strong points: Talented, deep and experienced defense; Linebackers areexcepB tlonal — perhaps best In Country; Outstanding offensive backfield; Sound kick- ” Ing game; A winning tradition * JK. Questions: Can Tom Tupa fill the quarterback needs vacated by Jim Karsatos? | The Strength and durability of the offensive line; Can the Buckeyes remain Inlury free, especially offensively? Coach's quote: "Staying healthy Is the key to our season We have the potential EARLE BRUCE for a good team, but we have to avoid Injuries." Predicted finish: 11—0 overall, 8-0 In Big Ten. *
GOSHEN 33, NORTHWOOD 0 — Rick Mirer’s strong and accurate arm was too much for North Wood as the Redskins blitzed the Pahthers 33-0 in Nappanee. With the win, Goshen raises its record to 3-0 overall and in the Northern Lakes Conference. North Wood falls to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the NLC. The Redskins took a 14-0 first half lead when Jim Bechler caught a 32-yard TD strike froip Mirer in the first period. Moments later Jim Hoke scored from two-yards out, giving the visitors a commanding lead. Goshen broke the game open in the third period, scoring two touchdowns, although missing both point after touchdown attempts. Hoke paced Goshen’s rushing attack (106 yards) with 96 yards on 18 carries. Mirer finished the evening completing 12-of-26 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. WAWASEE 7, CONCORD 3 — Mike Meek scored from one-yard out Friday evening and Wawasee’s defense kept the Minutemen from paydirt en route to a 7-3 Northern Lakes Con-
ference victory in Syracuse. The Warriors’ game-winning score came midway through the second period. Meek’s one-yard plunge culminated a 11-play, 77-yard drive and was set up by Chris Conkling’s 34-yard pass to Brett Harter. PLYMOUTH 13, NORTHRIDGE 7— Northridge had six turnovers, two touchdowns called back, and lost leading rusher Chris Roderick Friday evening as Plymouth defeated the Raiders 13-7 in Plymouth. Both teams enjoyed fine offensive performances, despite the low scoring game. Northridge totaled 275 yards in offense, while the Rockies netted 294, 243 on the ground. Northridge took a 7-0 lead into the half when Randy Cook ran seven yards for the score in the first quarter. Steve Mayer’s one-yard run evened the score in the third and Mayer’s one-yard scamper in the fourth period won the game for Plymouth. The Rockies, 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Lakes Conference, travel Friday evening to Bremen for a critical NLC contest. The Raiders host Warsaw in their homecoming game.