The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 2, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 February 1988 — Page 8

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., February 24,1988

8

Sports

Tigers avenge loss; edge Warriors

ELKHART — Warsaw Community High School’s boys’ swim team avenged its loss to Wawasee in the Northern Lakes Conference meet the week before Saturday by winning the Elkhart Sectional, 223-221, over the Warriors. Concord and Elkhart Central shared the third position in sectional competition with 182 points. Rounding out the field were North Wood, 125; Elkhart Memorial and Tippecanoe Valley, 64; Goshen 51; East Noble, 37; and Bremen, 22. Wawasee appeared to have tied for the sectional championship on the final event, but a technicality overturned the championship. The Warriors won the final race — 400 freestyle relay — and Warsaw was fifth. But Elkhart Central, which would have placed third, was disqualified and each team moved up one position. The advancement brought the Tigers from fifth to fourth, giving them two extra points and the victory. Despite the second place finish, Wawasee Had 16 personal best swims and will send five in-

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WORDS OF COMFORT — Wawasee swim coach Tim Caldwell shares some insight with one of his swimmers during the Elkhart Sectional last Saturday. The Warriors finished second but will advance five to this weekend’s state finals. (Photo by Nevin Dulabaum)

Wawasee whips Plymouth

SYRACUSE — Wawasee dominated its gymnastics meet with Plymouth Tuesday evening, taking the top-three positions in all events, in whipping the visiting Pilgrims, 96.4-73.25. Wawasee’s junior varsity scored 81.2 in the meet. The win raised Wawasee’s season record to 11-0 heading into Thursday’s competition with two state-ranked teams. The Warriors visit Homestead as part of a triangular meet with East Noble. Darcey Smith was named gymnast of the meet for her first place performances (JV) on vault, floor and all-around. The sophomore scored 7.6 on vault and 7.9 in the floor exercise. Meanwhile, on the varsity level, Angela Kistler was the star as she took two individual titles. Kistler won the vault competition with a 7.65 score, then closed the meet with the all-around crown (31.7).

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dividuals to this weekend’s state championship meet. Brad Smith, who won the 50 freestyle with a sectional record swim, will participate in the 50 free and 100 butterfly. Others advancing include Dave Keener, diving, and the 400 freestyle relay team (Matt Fryback, Brian Neff, Mark Rich and Smith. Caldwell was named the sectional coach of the year by his peers in the post-season field. Caldwell guided his team to a cochampionship in the Northern Lakes Conference this season. The conference championship is the first in Wawasee school history. The victorious Tigers will send five individuals to the final meet of the season. Kenton Hoppas, Chad Twombly, Rory Callaghan, Shane Diffendarfer and Paul Deming (teaming with the previous three in the 200 medley relay) will represent Warsaw. Saturday’s championship meet was close from start. Warsaw took the lead by winning the opening 200 medley relay, then increased its margin until diving.

The Wawasee sophomore added a second place performance on the bars and third place on beam. Nicole Iwankowitsch captured the bars competition with a 9.0 tally. Diane Karst uton the event at the junior varsity level. On the balance beam, Anne Pohl turned in the highest score — 8.3 — to edge teammates Britani Stoller and Kistler, both scoring 7.6. Karen Butt won the JV competition. Butt turned around and won the floor exercise with a 8.5 score. She edged Barbie Signorelli and Pohl in the event — both scoring 8.35. Signorelli added a second on vault (7.50) and second allaround (30.55). Stoller added a third place on bars (7.9) and third all-around (29.9). Wawasee returns to home for Monday’s rescheduled meet with Elkhart Central. Competition begins at 6 p.m.

The Warriors’ 200 medley unit placed second in the competition with a 1:43.01 clocking. The Tigers won the event with a 1:41.13 time —a sectional record. Smith gave Wawasee its first sectional champion in the 50 freestyle. The senior splashed his way into the sectional record books with the : 21.92 victory. The individual victory was the last title for the Warriors until the final event. In the 400 freestyle relay, Fryback, Neff, Rich and Smith set another sectional record with their 3:17.64 time. The new mark shattered the previous standard, 3:18.49, set in 1984. The Warriors nearly gained another sectional champion, only to see Keener nosed out by Elkhart Central’s Doug Rice. The Central diver, the only one to defeat Keener this season, scored 459.85 to edge Keener’s 459.70 score. Both divers, however, advanced into this weekend’s state finals in Indianapolis. Goshen’s Jason Pyles, scoring 429.00, was the final diver qualifying for the state finals.

VARSITY Wawasee 96.4 Plymouth 73.25 Wawasee J V 81.2 Vault 1. Angela Kistler 7.65 2. Barbie Signorelli 7.50 3. Anne Pohl 7.45 JV Darcey Smith 7.6 Bars 1. Nicole Iwankowitsch 9.0 2. Angela Kistler 8.25 3. Britani Stoller 7.9 JV Diane Karst 7.0 Beam 1. Anne Pohl 8.3 2. Britani Stoller 7.6 3. Angela Kistler 7.6 JV Karen Butt 6.1 Floor 1. Karen Butt 8.5 2. Barbie Signorelli 8.35 2. Anne Pohl 8.35 JV Darcey Smith 7.9 All-Around 1. Angela Kistler 31.7 2. Barbie Signorelli 30.55 3. Britani Stoller 29.9

Smith put together a strong effort in the 100 butterfly, only to finish a second behind Tippecanoe Valley’s Scott Beery. In the 100 freestyle, Rich returned from an injury that sidelined him the week before to place second. Central’s Jason Landrum won the competition with a : 48.42 time. Rich finished at: 49.56. Christer Tungard added a third place in the 500 freestyle with a 5:03.23 time, while Scott Berkey was fifth at 5:12.10. David Ridings continued to score points for Wawasee with his third place showing in the 100 backstroke. Scott Rozow added a fourth place effort in the 100 breaststroke moments before the Warriors took the 400 freestyle relay in record time. Other Warriors finishing in the top 12 include Casey Kline, 11th in the 200 freestyle; Eric Hood, seventh in 200 free; Ridings, eight in 200 individual medley; Rich, seventh, 50 free; Neff, ninth, 50 free; Rozow, eighth, 100 butterfly; Kline, 10th, 100 freestyle; Hood, 10th, 500 freestyle; and Berkey, seventh, 100 breaststroke.

vital to Gophers success

University of Minnesota point guard, and former Wawasee shooting guard Kim Zurcher has enjoyed a successful season, although playing in a limited role. The latter has not pleased Zurcher, obviously, but the model student/athlete will not complain. Zurcher, during the first half of the season, started the majority of games for the Golden Gophers. He didn’t start the first five games for coach Clem Haskins when the Gophers went 1-4. But Haskins switched to experienced players in game six and the team took off. Mark My Words MARK WEINSTEIN Zurcher was part of the move to experience as the Gophers won five straight non-conference games. The former Warrior was not the whole story in Minnesota’s climb to .500, but he did play a vital role in the team’s success. However, it seems with Zurcher’s success comes less playing time. Strange, but true. Most recently, Zurcher has found himself resting on Minnesota pine more than performing on the hardwood floor. And the way he’s been playing, the move makes little sense. It almost looks like Haskins has given up on this year’s team and is preparing for the future. I can understand the building process, but losing certainly will not help Minnesota’s situation. Name five blue chip high school basketball players that desire to play in a losing program? If Haskins sticks with his game plan, Minnesota’s basketball program will be buried like Gophers.

TIM CALDWELL Team Scores Warsaw 223, Wawasee 221, Concord 182, Elkhart Central 182, North Wood 125, Elkhart Memorial 64, Tippecanoe Valley 62, Goshen 51, East Noble 37, Bremen 22. Results from Saturday's Elkhart Central boys' swimming sectional. The first six individuals were in the finals, the second six in the consolations. The winning times and scores are listed at the end of the finals in each event.

The latest questionable coaching move came last week against Michigan. The Gophers played their best game of the year and trailed seventh-ranked Michigan by two with 19 seconds remaining. And they had the basketball. Up to that point, Zurcher had 10 points, including two three-point field goals. In fact, Zurcher had only missed two shots in the contest. After a time out, Zurcher set up the offense. One Zurcher pass later Michigan won the game. An errant two-point fielder missed miserably and the Wolverines escaped with the win. This story could be told repeatedly throughout Minnesota’s season. Zurcher isn’t the savior at Minnesota, but he certainly could bring the Gophers closer to winning — consistently — than individuals playing in his spot. He turns the basketball over less than any player on the team (with similar playing time). Anyway, complaining will not solve the situation — Zurcher knows that. That’s what makes him the quality Big Ten player and person he is. He knows what got him to Minneapolis and is thankful. A lot of players would sulk then quit. Not Zurcher. He’s in a class all his own. □ Wawasee’s second boys’ basketball season begins in two weeks (Wednesday, March 2) against Warsaw in the opening round of the Triton Sectional. This will be Wawasee’s second straight year opening with Warsaw. Hopefully, for Wawasee fans, the outcome will be different. The Warriors struggled last season against the Tigers, although they were as talented. Looking at the opening round game, both teams look to be evenly matched. Wawasee will have the better record, but the Tigers whipped the Warriors in the regular season. Revenge would be very sweet for Wawasee. □ Games on tap this week include contests involving Triton Sectional teams. Wawasee closes the season at Bremen, while Elkhart Central visits Warsaw. Other games are John Glenn at Tippecanoe Valley, Logansport at Rochester, Triton at Culver, Mishawaka at Goshen, North Wood at Fairfield, Concord at Westview, Michigan at lowa and Minnesota at Wisconsin. Homer Miller (.689) — Wawasee, Elkhart Central, TVHS, Rochester, Triton, Goshen, North Wood, Concord, Michigan, Minnesota. Mark Weinstein (.678) — Wawasee, Warsaw, TVHS, Rochester, Triton, Goshen, Fairfield, Concord, Michigan, Wisconsin. Dale Tobias (.656) — Wawasee, Warsaw, TVHS, Logansport, Triton, Goshen, North Wood, Concord, Michigan, Minnesota. Mark Huffman (.633) — Wawasee, Warsaw, TVHS, Rochester, Triton, Goshen, North Wood, Concord, Michigan, Minnesota. Derk Kuhn (.600) — Wawasee, Warsaw, TVHS, Rochester, Triton, Goshen, Fairfield, Concord, Michigan, Minnesota.

200 MR — Warsaw (Kenton Hoppas, Shane Diffendarfer, Chad Twombly, Paul Deming); Wavrasee; Tippy Valley; Concord; Central; East Noble; 1:41.13 (SECTIONAL RECORD). North Wood; Goshen; Bremen. 200 Free — Dan Stauffer (Con); Rory Callaghan (War); Shane Maust (NW); Daniel Saunders (Cen); Christer Tungard (WW‘; Tcdd Ramer (NW); 1:46.86. Eric Hood (WW); Pete Dyba (War); John Heffern (Cen); Jeff Janda (War); Casey Kline (WW); Michael Sigsbee (Cen). 200 IM — Kenton Hoppas (War); Mike Jansen (Con); Shane Diffendarfer (War); Michael Hostetler (Cen); Jeremy Houchens (Con); Chad Berger; 2:04.96. Brad Pfister (Mem); David Ridings (WW); Donald Hawk (Cen); Leandro Bier (Cen); Gary McCraner (Mem); Doug Bowman (EN). 50 Free — Brad Smith (WW); Jason Landrum (Cen); William Harris (Con); Nate Lelle (NW); Scott Anderson (Mem); Keith Bush (NW); 21.92 (SECTIONAL RECORD). Mark Rich (WW); Chad Twombly (War); Brian Neff (WW); Jeff Unger

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WAWASEE SUPPORT — Wawasee’s Tim Caldwell and several swimmers support Dave Keener during the junior’s final dive at sectional. Keener placed second but will advance to the state meet. (Photo by Nevin Du’abaum)

Harter leads Warriors past stubborn Blazers

SYRACUSE — Wawasee took its basketball season to a new height Saturday evening as Brett Harter tallied a personal-high 20 points in the Warriors’ 76-66 nonconference whipping of Elkhart Central. The win pushed the Warriors’ record to 10-9, an incredible accomplishment after a lackluster 2-7 beginning. Wawasee has strung five victories together and won eight of 10. Saturday’s contest belonged to the Warriors, particularly Harter, from the outset. Gary Goshert’s club built a 17-12 first period lead, thanks to a balanced attack anchored by Harter. The 6-1 senior scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in the opening period to ignite a spark underneath the Warriors. The flame grew in intensity as Wawasee pulled away from the Blue Blazers in the second period. Sectional Tickets SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School boys basketball fans are reminded that sectional tournament tickets go on sale at the high school athletic office Friday, Feb. 26. Tickets are $6 per person. Tickets for players, parents and faculty will be sold from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. followed by Green and Gold ticket holders (10 until 12-nocn); season ticket holders aid students (12-noon until 1 p.m.) and school corporaticn residents from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. On Monday, Feb. 29, tickets will be sold from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. for school corporation residents. All unsold tickets will be returned to Triton High School by 4 p.m. “We are improving in every game,” said Goshert after the win. “We’ve have individual players, like Bret) Harter, getting better and better every game.” Lusty perimeter shooting and solid defense keyed Wawasee’s second quarter spurt. The Warriors, in outscoring Elfchart Central 22-17 in the period, hit nine of 15 field goals to put daylight between the two team:. Included in the uncanny shooting were two Matt Koble triples and three fielders, each, from Matt Dick and Rob Huey. Central, however, cut into Wawasee’s 10-poin halftime lead early in the third stanza. The Blue Blazers used Che three-point

(Gos); Todd Jackson (War); Steve Malone (EN). Diving — Douglas Rice (Cen); David Keener (WW); Jason Pyles (Gos); Dale Shannon (Cen); Todd Waikel (War); Matthew Berg (Cen); 459.85. Eric Meade (EN); Charles Rush (Con); Mike Janda (War); Greg Jenks (Mem); Tim Randolph (NW); Chris Clark (Mem). 100 Fly — Scott Beery (TV); Brad Smith (WW); Chad Twombly (War); Matt Fryback (WW); Mike Jansen (Con); Michael Hostetler (Cen); 51.90 (SECTIONAL RECORD). Eric Mohler (War); Scott Rozow (WW); Donald Hawk (Cen); Chris Brandt (War); Darin Rauguth. 100 Free — Jason Landrum (Cen); Mark Rich (WW); Keith Bush (NW); William Harris (Con); Nate Lelle (NW); Todd Jackson (Cen); 48.42. Scott Anderson (Mem); Paul Deming (War); Todd Ramer (NW); Casey Kline (WW); Brent Beery (Bre); Steve Malone (EN). 500 Free — Rory Callaghan (War); Dan Stauffer (Con); Christer Tungard (WW); Shane Maust (NW); Scott Berkey (WW); Pete Dyba (War);

field goal to close the gap to four after three, then one point early in the final quarter. But the Warriors held their ground, never relinquishing their advantage. Elkhart, in the meantime, began to unravel. The visitors committed three straight turnovers without scoring, then missed two bonus opportunities from the charity stripe. Wawasee never let the Blue Blazers back into the contest. Clutch free throw shooting in the final minutes sealed Wawasee’s fifth victory in a row. Harter went to the stripe five times in the period, sinking four. Three Warriors — Bonner, Frasure and . Carey — were perfect from The line (2-of-2), while Dick hit three of four. Wawasee’s foul shooting accounted for 13 of its 22 fourth period points. “We showed some poise at the end. We took care of the basketball and made our free throws,” added Goshert. “Then we stopped them on defense and got some rebounds.” Beside the play of Harter, 20 points and six rebounds, Wawasee picked up solid performances from its entire cast of players. Bonner finished in double digits for the second consecutive game with 14 points, while Dick added 14 markers. Koble chipped in 12 points and Huey netted six. The Warriors’ leading scorer, Darin Atwood, ended the evening with four points and six rebounds. In junior varsity action, Wawasee rebounded from its loss at North Wood with a thrilling 48-44 win over the Blue Blazers. Wawasee will close its regular season Friday evening at Bremen. The Warriors face Warsaw in the opening round of the Triton Sectional, Wednesday, March 2. Wawasee (76) FG FT TP Harter 7 6-8 20 Koble 2 6-8 12 Bonner 5 4-5 14 Frasure 1 2-2 4 Atwood 2 0-0 4 Dick 5 3-4 14 Huey 3 0-0 6 Carey 0 2-2 2 Totals 25 23-29 76 E. Central (66) FG FT TP Kollat 9 2-2 24 Ertel ' 5 2-2 17 Dempster 4 4-5 12 Williams 2 1-2 5 Freese 1 2-4, 4 Krause 2 0-0 4 Totals 23 11-15 66

4:51.87 (SECTIONAL RECORD). Brad Pfister (Mem); Jeff Janda (War); John Heffern (Cen); Eric Hood (WW); Matt Koppin (Con); Scott Klepinger (Con). 100 Back - Scott Beery (TV); Kenton Hoppas (War); David Ridings (WW); Chad Berger (Con); Daniel Saunders (Cen); Steven Lidy (Cen); 54.99 (SECTIONAL RECORD). Gary McCraner (Mem); Chris Bandt (War); Kevin Crouch (Cen); Jeff McGowen (NW); Chris Reed (Bre); Doug Bowman (EN). 100 Back — Shane Diffendarfer (War); Jeremy Houchens (Con); Jeff Unger (Gos); Scott Rozow (WW); Jason Pritchard (War); Nicholas Dejong (Cen); 1:10.65. Scott Berkey (WW); Nathan Duell (Con); Doug Berger (NW); Eric Rudin (Cen); Bob Lynn (TV); Darin Rauguth (Con). 400 FR — Wawasee (Matt Fryback, Bryan Neff, Mark Rich, Brad Smith); Concord; North Wood; Warsaw; Memorial; 3:17.64 (SECTIONAL RECORD). Goshen; Bremen; East Noble; Tippy Valley.

Three-Point Shots: Elkhart Central 9 (Kollat 4, Ertel 5); Wawasee 3 (Koble2, Dickl). Score By Quarters Wawasee 17 22 15 22—76 Elkhart Central 12 17 21 16—66 Junior Varsity Wawasee 48, Elkhart Central 44. v I BRETT HARTER Iff W if* MATT DICK Hl -%/SW || Rl i wF BASIL BONNER