The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 12, Milford, Kosciusko County, 4 May 1988 — Page 8

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., May 4,1988

Sports

Warriors breeze past Chargers

LIGONIER — Wawasee continued its successful girls’ tennis season Monday as the Warriors eased past West Noble, 4-1, in Ligonier. The win raised Wawasee’s season mark to 6-2 overall. The Warriors stand 1-2 in the Northern Lakes Conference. Wawasee’s three singles players had little difficulty in defeating West Noble’s top players. Only Nicole Neff, the Warriors’ number one player, needed three sets to win. Neff turned back Jenny Jackson, 6-2, 4-6, 6-0, giving Wawasee its first point of the day. Marci Wright added to the winning column by overwhelming Ann Heckner, 6-3,6-4. The deciding match came when Wawasee’s Heather Keiper bested Dee Dee Becker in straight sets. The young Warrior defeated the West Noble player, 6-1, 7-6, giving the Warriors the team victory. Erin Watson and Louise Matson capped Wawasee’s parade in

Wawasee edged at Invitational

j By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Editor SYRACUSE - North Wood recorded five first places Monday in the Wawasee Invitational to edge the host Warriors, 92 1 /2-87, during warm weather conditions. Manchester, which one week earlier captured the Goshen Relays, placed third, three points behind Wawasee. Northridge was fourth with 66 points and Whitko, fifth, at 59. Tippecanoe Valley scored 10 points and finished sixth. Wawasee, meanwhile, used two first places and a calculator to place second. The calculator was used after Manchester departed with the runner-up trophy, an error that was later corrected. The Warriors’ 400 relay team took the first victory, edging

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CATCHING UP — Wawasee’s Martin Casey, left, and Scott Carlin, right, try to catch up in the 100 Tuesday at Wawasee. Concord

Coaching keys tennis improvement

Attitudes play an important role in athletics. Wawasee fans should have learned this lesson this year — they’ve seen the effects, positively and negatively. Presently, though, Wawasee spectators should be encouraged with the team spirit that is apparent in all of the spring sports’ teams. Wawasee athletics is a class act, top to bottom. Give each player credit for the positive attitude. k But it has taken a lot of work to mold, shaping the character of the teams around the coaching staff. Much of the praise should be directed to the head Warrior — Hal Traviolia —for his efforts Still, it is the work of the coaches that blend talents and attitudes into a winning unit. I marvel at the patience of the coaches! One coach, in particular, has been a tremendous asset to Wawasee’s athletic program. Her teams, in recent years, hardly wot but Cindy Peterson’s attitude and work ethic never wavered. This year, because of the hard work and proper direction, Peterson’s girls’ tennis team has enjoyed a wonderful season. The

the winning column with a 6-4,6-3 victory over Wendy Nigent and Jenny Neff. Lora Hollar and Kim Garmichael fell to Annie Gardner and Gina Schemmerhorn, 6-4,6-7, 6-2. In junior varsity play, Wawasee easily defeated the Chargers. Like in the varsity match, Wawasee took the top three singles positions en route to the triumph. Deb Polise whipped Barb Michael, 8-0, in the top spot, while Christa Sincroft edged Dawn Rose, 8-4. Susan Hapner closed the Warriors’ effective singles play with an 8-0 shut out of Stacy Ray. West Noble’s lone JV victory came in the first doubles match. Pam Gunder and Heidi Harper squeaked out an 8-7 triumph over Susan Rumple and Sharon Gerenser. The Warriors swept the remaining three matches. Susan Parr and Barb Butler defeated Christy Roman and Karrie Moser, 8-4, while Michelle

Manchester and Northridge. Mike Meek, Basil Bonner, Dan McCulloch and Scott Carlin turned in a 44.9 time, slipping past the . Squires’ 45.2 clocking. Northridge’s four runners placed third, but with a respectable 45.7 time. Wawasee’s final individual victory came when Tim Edwards leaped 6-2 to win the high jump. Mike Glick jumped the same distance, but the Warrior was credited with the victory. Three second place finishes increased Wawasee’s standing at the finish. Garrett Ponciroli turned in a personal best performance in the discus, throwing the sphere 139-8 for second place. Rob Rhodes finished behind Ponciroli with a 138-3 throw. The Warriors’ 1600 relay finished in 3:31, seven-tenths of a second behind Northwood’s victory

Warriors have won six-out-of-eight matches (going into Tuesday’s action with North Wood) and are learning what it takes to win. / Mark My Words MARK J WEINSTEIN B In viewing many Wawasee athletic teams, winning is something that needs to be learned. Peterson is teaching this lesson on the tennis courts. This aspect of teaching is much harder than any physical education course Peterson teaches, especially when winning is more rare at WHS than a red T-Bone steak.

Wagoner and Lisa Stookey turned back Jessica Gabbett and Tammy Williams, 6-2.' Sara Moerchen and Teresa Musselman whipped Gretchen Moore and Heidi Haff, 6-1, to wrap up the victory. Wawasee 4, West Noble 1 Nicole Neff (W) def. Jenny Jackson, 6-2, 4-6,6-0 Marci Wright (W) def. Ann Heckner, 6-3, 6-4 Heather Keiper (W) def. Dee Dee Becker, 61,7-6 Annie Gardner/Gina Schemmerhorn (WN) def. Lora Hollar/Kim Carmichael, 6-4, 6-7,6-2 ’ Erin Watson/Loulse Matson (W) def. Wendy Wlgent/Jenny Neff, 6-4,6-3 Varsity record: 6-2 overall, (1-2) NLC JV Results Deb Polise (W) def. Barb Michael, 8-0 Christa Sincroft (W) def. Dawn Rose, 8-4 Susan Hapner (W) def. Stacy Ray, 8-0 Pam Gunder/Heidi Harper (WN) def. Susan Rumple/Sharon Gerenser, 8-7 Susan Parr/Barb Butler (W) def. Christy Roman/Karrie Moser, 8-4 Michelle Wagoner/Lisa Stookey (W) def. Jessica Gabbett/Tammy Williams, 6-2 Sara Moerchen/Teresa Musselman (W) def. Gretchen Moore/heidi Huff, 6-1

run. Scott Rozow, Andy Eberly, McCulloch and Bonner turned in the fast time, which nearly shattered a Wawasee school record. Wawasee head coach Jerry Minton noted the 1600 relay time was the fastest run at Wawasee in fiveyears. The record in the relay is 3:25.5, set in 1987. Rbzow added a second in the pole vault with his 12-6 performance. Whitko’s Glick also finished at 12-6 but won the competition by fewer misses. Jason Douglas added a third place performance in the 1600-meter run. The swift runner finished in 4:41.8. The Warriors’ medley relay team added a third place finish in the relays. Wawasee hosted Concord and Northridge Tuesday evening and will compete in the Concord Relays Friday, May 6. The Northern Lakes Conference meet will be held Thursday, May 12.

won the race, while Greg Lehman, not pictured, was credited with second place. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

Winning, in any sport, requires a strong mental approach to the game. Confidence is essential, especially in tennis. Peterson’s love for the game, student-athlete, and competitive nature makes her a natural winner. She hasn’t had the success on the courts in recent years, but 1988 is a different story. If anyone deserves a winning season, Peterson does. Her commitment to Wawasee’s tennis program, I believe, is overlooked. She, like the other Wawasee coaches, has given herself to better the students at the high school. It’s understandable, looking at the entire Wawasee athletic department, why Wawasee is recognized with class. It is time the program gets its due. □ Just when it looked like Wawasee would have a'winning baseball season, the Warriors have stumbled. Perhaps it’s because I put the “Weinstein Whammy” on them after their third victory. A.t that point, Wawasee had an impressive 3-0 slate. The Warriors’ were getting outstanding pitching, timely hitting and possessed a positive attitude. It looked like Neal Frantz was turning the program around,

•w a 1 sRMB-qOtfiygM tig* y.'* • S al I rni wo -JU k.~ a wHK *1 - ; ' *■'' ’ X 5 v \ L i—> * X 1.1 I 1 ; Wmlm ; JrrX'• -p# i a\VVt A|v ■ -X ; I - I T-• " iil 't 'I » i 'lnrTTiPia kA >tX-yJLXa I j., f ‘ i - ’ ‘4 "t " | i i '" i y y* 1 " T"'''“T'""'t 4'l“ 4' 1 ITT 1 I •* j » 1 I 1 J 1 I, * > a. -A. A i* A —l — t~~T~~T^T**T*t i f"t : r *‘**T* W T? RETURN SHOT — Susan Hapner returns the ball with a strong backhand in Tuesday’s conference match with North Wood. North Wood defeated the Warriors’ varsity and junior varsity teams, although Hapner and Michelle Wagoner defeated Jan Krotz and Jen Harsh, 6-3. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

Bremen rallies past Wawasee in nine

SYRACUSE — Bremen scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning Monday, breaking a 3-3 deadlock, as the Lions edged Wawasee, 5-3, in a Northern Lakes Conference boys’ baseball game. The loss dropped Wawasee’s overall mark to 7-7 and 2-5 in the Northern Lakes Conference.

resembling a competitive group of nine Warriors. I still believe the Warriors will surprise some teams this season, and definitely in the future. Frantz is a winner and he will develop a winner at Wawasee. His cupboards were left a little bare this season, although some talent exists on Wawasee’s diamond. Area baseball fans will shortly learn, and respect Wawasee’s baseball program. □ One of Wawasee’s staunchest supporters has decided to move from the community, leaving a hole to fill. Wawasee’s Assistant Superintendent, Howard Hull, was hired this past weekend as Superintendent of the SmithGreen Community Schools. His departure will be missed academically, for sure, but so will his support of Wawasee athletics. Hull was a Warrior dur- , ing $ most glamorous era. He appreciated the students’ effort and cheered their success. Hull witnessed several conference championships, sectional, regional and semistate crowns. His departure will be noticed in the classroom, but his enthusiasm of Wawasee athletics will never die. Hull will always be a Warrior, even in Churubusco.

The game proved to be a pitching duel between Bremen’s Joe Bennett and Mike VanDiepenbos. Both pitchers went the distance. The Warriors took the early lead, scoring two runs in the third inning. Chris Conkling opened the inning by lining a double to left. After a sacrifice grounder moved Conkling to third, the sophomore scored on Fred Crouch’s runproducingsingle. Rodney Coy followed with another single to left and Dan O’Haver delivered Crouch with an RBI single to right. The Warriors’ rally was.halted when Jay Koontz bounced out to

Eisenhour, Mikel lead Warriors past Plymouth

PLYMOUTH — Depth was key to Wawasee’s girls’ track team victory Tuesday at Plymouth. The Warriors’ depth pushed the visitors past the Pilgrims, 69-49, in a scheduled triangular meet. Concord, the third party, failed to make an appearance in Plymouth. The Minutemen, instead, expected to host the event. The victory raised Wawasee’s season mark to 3-4 and 2-4 in the Northern Lakes Conference. Concord’s misfortune proved to be Wawasee’s good fortune Tuesday The Warriors received triple victories from Krissy Eisenhour and Lisa Mikel en route to the easy victory. Jennifer Titus and Steff Jamiel each added double victories for the Warriors. Eisenhour impressed the Plymouth spectators with wins in the 100 and 300 hurdles. The sophomore finished the 100 in 18.1, then ran the 300 in 53.6. Eisenhour’s third victory came in the 1,600 relay. She joined Jerlyn Sponseller, Mikel and Kendra Douglas for the 4:36.6 winning time. Mikel, meanwhile, claimed the 100 and 200 races. The freshman won the 100 in 13.4, then finished the 200 in 27.7. Perhaps one of the keys to Wawasee’s victory was the return of Jamiel. Injured throughout much of the season, the senior returned and took two victories.

Northrop pounds Wawasee, 22-0

FORT WAYNE — Jill Shappell limited Wawasee to one hit Saturday, and the host Fort Wayne Northrop squad pounded out 15 hits en route to an easy 22-0 rout of Wawasee at Northrop High School. The loss drops Wawasee to 3-6 on the season. Northrop is 6-1 this season. Northrop wasted little time getting to Wawasee. The hosts collected four runs in the opening inning and breezed to the victory. Shappell, who went the distance, gained her sixth win against one defeat. Coy, megn-

the pitcher. ■ Wawasee added a run in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk. VanDiepenbos opened the inning by reaching first. Conkling, Chad Jones and Crouch drew consecutive passes as VanDiepenbos scored. It was the last time Wawasee dented the plate. ■Two singles and a walk plated Bremen’s first run of the game in the fifth. The Lions tied the game one inning later when they combined two singles and a pair of walks after two were out. Wawasee had a scoring chance

Jamiel won the high jump with a less-than-spectacular 4-8 jump, then won the long jump. Jamiel’s victories were important, although her return from the injury list was crucial. Titus was the final individual to win at Plymouth. She took the 1,600 run in 6:01.6, then captured the 3,200 with a 13:04.4 clocking. Closing Wawasee’s parade of champions was the 400 relay. Audra Bouse, Julie Gunn, Nikki Marsh and Lydia Bonner took the prize with a 57.7 time. In addition to the long list of first place finishers, Wawasee had a host of runners-up and nearly swept third place. Gunn placed second in the high jump (4-6) and long jump (13-11/2), while Amy Parr was second in the discus with a 93% throw. Sponseller was second in the 300 hurdles with a 56.7 time and Michelle Katsanis placed second in the 800 with a 2:51.8 clocking. Anne Sims recorded a personal best time in the 300 with a 57.7 time and third place finish. It was the first time the performer finished under one minute. Staci Freel added a personal best time in the 800, finishing in 2:52.1 and third place. The Warriors visit Columbia City Thursday afternoon in a triangular meet with DeKalb.

while, suffered her fifth loss of the season against three wins. v In other softball action, Tippecanoe Valley scored three times in the bottom of the fifth inning to defeat Wawasee, 6-4. The loss was the seventh of the season for the Warriors, they’ve won three times. Jennifer Brumbaugh paced Wawasee’s five-hit attack with a pair of singles. Kristine Gibson scored twice for Wawasee and Angie Kauffman had two RBI. The Warriors host Warsaw Thursday afternoon at Vega Field.

Panthers whip Warriors

SYRACUSE — Wawasee proved to be little match to North Wood Tuesday afternoon as the visiting Panthers swept the Warriors, 5-0, in a Northern Lakes Conference girls’ tennis match. The loss drops Wawasee to 6-3 • overall and 1-3 in the Northern Lakes Conference. X The closest match in varsity action was in second doubles where Tina Cope and Shari Miller were stretched by Louise Matson and Erin Watson. Nevertheless, the pair of Panthers prevailed, 7-5,7-5. Jenny Pletcher opened singles competition by defeating Wawasee’s top player, Nicole Neff. North Wood’s star turned back the Warrior 6-2,6-0 to set the tone for the match. Marci Wright fell to Jodie Cripe in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, and Lisa Hahn topped Heather Keiper, 6-3, 6-1. Tis Tucker and Kari Grimm closed the door on the Warriors with a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Lora

Northridge nine edge Wawasee

SYRACUSE — Northridge broke open a close ball game Tuesday with 10 runs in its last two at bats as the Raiders whipped Wawasee, 15-2, in a Northern Lakes Conference girls’ softball game in Syracuse. Poor defensive play hurt the Warriors in the conference game with Northridge. Wawasee committed 10 errors in the game, the third time the Warriors have

in the sixth when it put runners of first and third with two out. Conkling’s second double of the game highlighted the uprising, but Crouch fanned to end the inning. In Bremen’s ninth, Bennett opened with a single and Tim Lawmaster followed with a double. Bennett scored on a flyout and Lawmaster concluded the Lions’ scoring when he crossed the plate on an infield out. VanDiepenbos, despite taking

" * JI ’ . -..'.■•A V sfij ■ ag| I HHk. ■ ■ I' ’S.' ‘ '' ' ? STRONG THROW — Rob Rhodes releases the discus Tuesday in the Warriors’ meet with Concord. The Minutemen defeated the Warriors at Wawasee’s sun-drenched track. (Photo by Maili Weinstein)

Hollar and Kim Carmichael. In junior varsity action, North Wood edged Wawasee, 6-3. Winning for the Warriors were Sara Moerchen, an 8-4 decision over Lynn Dawson, and two doubles teams. ~ Susan Parr and Barb Butler disposed of Mee Keota and Micky Adhens, 8-1, before Michelle Wagoner and Susan Hapner whipped Jan Krotz and Jen Harsh, 6-3. Wawasee returns to Northern Lakes Conference action Thursday afternoon when its faces Warsaw in the Lake Citv. North Wood 5, Wawasee 0 Jenny Pletcher (NW) def. Nicole Neff (Waw),6-2,6-0 Jodi Cripe (NW) def. Marci Wright (Waw), 6-2,6-4 Lisa Hahn (NW) def. Heather Keiper (Waw), 6-3,6-1 Tiff Tucker/Kari Grimm (NW) def.c Lora Hollar/Kim Carmichael (Waw), 6- 6-2 Tina Cope/Shari Miller (NW) def, Louisse Mahon/Erin Watson (Waw), 7- 7-5

reached double digits in the category. Northridge took a 5-0 lead in the fourth, but the Warriors countered with their first tally in the bottom frame. Wawasee’s final run came in its last plate appearance, but by then, it was too late. The Warriors visit Warsaw Thursday afternoon for another Northern Lakes Conference game.

the loss, pitched well enough to win. The hard-throwing senior walked four and struck out three. O’Haver and Conkling paced Wawasee’s eight-hit attack, both with a pair of hits. Jay Koontz, Adam Wilson, Crouch and Coy each finished with one hit. The Warriors travel to Dunlap Wednesday, May 4, for a conference game with Concord. Wawasee will host North Wood on Friday.