The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 46, Milford, Kosciusko County, 27 December 1989 — Page 8

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 27, 1989

Sports

Wawasee sports highlights of the 1980 s

I By MITCHELL STINSON Sports Writer It seems like it was just yesterday that we entered the 1980 s and now. the decade is almost over Has it really been 10 years since Larry Bird and Magic Johnson exploded onto the National Basketball Association as dominating rookies' 1 Nineteeneighty was also the year that the Pittsburgh Steelers won their fourth Super Bowl and that George Brett hit 390. en route to winning baseball's American League Most Valuable Player award. There have been a lot of memorable performances in the sporting world during the past 10 years That goes for sports at Wawasee High School too. The middle part of the decade was

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CROSS COUNTRY FEVER — Jeff Carey, left, and Jason Douglas were the key figures in 1988 w hen the W arriors advanced to state cross country competition for the first time in school history. The team took 14th place at state after concluding the regular season with a 12-2 record and a Northern Lakes Conference co-championship. (Photo by Mitchell Stinson)

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particularly successful for Wawasee's sports heroes, as the school produced two state champions and came close to a couple other titles A dynamic duo of wrestlers brought state championships back to Wawasee High School in 1986 Brad Traviolia and Lance Lantz won titles in the 155- and 167-pound divisions, respectively. They were also named to the Academic All-State team that year. Traviolia finished off a perfect season (42-0) with a 9-3 decision over a Beech Grove opponent in the championship match in Indianapolis. Lantz went 42-1 on the year and earned his way to the finals with a tough 4-2 decision over an East Chicago opponent He won the title by forfeit when his championship opponent was

unable to compete because of an injury. 1985 — Year Os The Warrior Nineteen-eighty five was a dream come true for Wawasee sports fans. Nobody came home with state titles but a couple of the school's teams got close. The Warriors' football team surprised a lot of people by earning state runner-up honors in the Class AAA football division. Nobody could have guessed the fate that was in store for coach

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STATE CHAMPS — Brad Traviolia. left, and Lance Lantz reach ed the pinnacle of their sport in 1986 when they both won state chain pionships in their respective weight classes. The two Wawasee grap piers also earned Academic All-State honors.

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LILLY LAUDED — Tim Lilly is pictured here catching a pass during the recent prep football season. The senior gridiron hero set new Wawasee receiving records in 1989 and was named to the Associated Press All-State football team. (Photo by Mitchell Stinson i

Myron Dickerson's team in the early part of the season, as it stumbled to a 1-4 record But the Warriors promptly turned their season around and began beating people. They didn't lose again until Indianapolis Roncalli beat them 37-3 in the championship game ir. Indianapolis The Warriors endec the season with a 9-5 record. Brad Traviolia was quarter back and team captai'n of that overachieving football squad. He

provided another highlight in 'BS when he captured third place in the 145-pound division of the IHSAA State Wrestling Meet. Lantz took fifth in the 167-pound division. Like their counterparts in football. the Lady Warriors' basketball team marched all the way to the state championship game in Indianapolis before losing. But unlike the football team, nobody was terribly surprised that the girls did so well. The Lady Warriors had a tradition of excellence in the mid-’Bos, winning four sectional titles under coach Dale Brannock before the 'BS season. The team compiled a 23-1 record in 1985. before falling to Crown Point, 48-31. in the final. The wrestling team and girls' golf squad rounded out a fine sports year for the school by capturing sectional titles. Cross Country Excellence The Wawasee boys' cross country program was in prime form during the 'Bos. as the boys’ squad compiled a cumulative 112-24 dual meet record. The Warriors earned one N'LC championship and three cochampionships in the decade Ttrey hi t-their peak in 1988 when Jeff Carey and Jason Douglas led the squad to a 14th-place finish at state competition The girls program was one to be admired as well, with a cumulative record of 78-46 during the decade The Lady Warrior harriers took seventh place at state competition in 1981 and 1982 Swimming Standouts David Keener received national recognition in 1989 when he was named to a high school AllAmerican swim team Keener placed second in diving at state competition that year. Brian Neff was named to the state swimming All-Academic team in 1988. (Jrapplers W ere Great Brad Traviolia and Lance Lantz provided the highlights for Wawasee's w restling program in the 80s. when they earned individual state championships in 1986. But the Warriors had plenty of other highlights too The team won regional titles in 1983 and 1984. and sectional titles in 1985 and 1986. under coach Rich Welborn Dave VanLue took over the coaching reins after the 'B6 season and led the team to sectional titles in 1987 and 1989. Sectionals Abound Eor Gymnasts Under coach Kim Conrad, the Lady Warrior gymnastics team won- sectional titles in 1981. 'B2. 'B3 and 'B6 Tracy Sumpter took over the coaching reins in 1987 and the team has won three straight sectionals for her. Linksters Were Laudable Coach Rudy Cesco led his girls' golf teams to NLC championships from 1982 through 1985. The team added a sectional championship to its name in 'BS The Lady Warriors also earned NLC titles for new coach Mark Timpe in 1986 and 1987. i The boys' golf program was strong in the early part of the decade, with Cesco guiding the squad to sectional titles in 1981. 1982 and 1984 1980 s — Top teams and performers Baseball: 1984-Brian Henson makes state North all-star team. Chris Yoder made the all-star team in 1987 Basketball: 1982-sectional champs: 1982-83 NLC co-champs; 1983- Vitaniemi makes academic all state team: 1986-87-Tim Mangas makes academic all state team. Cross Country: 1981-NLC cha m ps; 1982 -N LC co-champs: 1988- co-champs Finished 13th at state competition; 1989- co-champs Golf: 1981-sectional champs; 1982-NLC champs, sectional champs; 1983 NLC champs; 1984- champs Football: 1982-Ross Dablstrom is named to all state defensive team. 1985-state runners-up Brad Traviolia wins state Mental Attitude Award and is named to all state defensive team 1986-NLC champs Nate Rhoades and Scott McDowell are named to all state defensive team. 1989-Tim Lilly is named to all state offensive team Wrestling: - 1983-sectional champs, regional champs; 1984- champs, regional champs, NLC champs; 1985- champs: 1986-NLC

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BASKETBALL POWERHOUSE — The Wawasee girls’ basketball program reached its highwater mark in 1985 when the Lady Warriors advanced all the way to the state championship game, before losing. Displaying the team’s semi-state championship banner with then-principal Howard Huis are. from left: SatsSsv "a-oe. Aoita 3»™r. Siiessiel, Christy Speicher and sheila Kleinrichert. (Mail-Journal Photo)

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A WARRIOR FAMILY — Travis (left) and Troy Reiff, (right) share a glorious moment with their father. Tom. just seconds after Wawasee completed its 7-6 semi-state title win over Mississinewain 1985. (Mail-Journal Photo)

champs, sectional champs. Lance Lantz wins state championship at 167 pounds, makes all state academic team, and is awarded the IHSAA State Mental Attitude Award. Brad Traviolia wins state championship at 155 pounds, makes academic all state team, and is selected to allAmerican team by Amateur Wrestling .Vews. 1987-NLC champs, sectional champs. Brett Traviolia is state runner-up at 138 pounds 1989-sectional champs. Swimming: 1988-NLC cochamps David Keener is state runner-up in diving, and earns national honors when he is named to the high school all American team. Brian Neff is named to allacademic team. Track: 1982-Kevin Marks takes fourth in shot put at state competition Tennis: 1989-produced first individual NLC champions. Adam Wilson and Kermit Kropf were the top No. 1 doubles team while teammates Jerry Hutchinson and Jerry Smith were the best No. 2 doubles tandem: Swimming. 1988-NLC cochamps Jeff Keener, a standout diver, receives national honors when he is named to the high school all American team. (.iris Highlights of the 80s Cross Country: 1981-NLC champs, sectional champs; 4982-N’LC champs-, sectional champs

Basketball: 1981-sectional champs; 1982-sectional champs; 1983-sectional champs; 1984-NLC champs, sectional champs, regional champs; 1985-NLC cochamps. sectional champs, regional chdmps. semi-state champs, state runners-up; 1986-sectional champs. Track: 1980-NLC co-champs; 1981-NLC champs; 1982-NLC champs; 1983-NLC champs. Tennis: 1989-The Lady Warriors had their best season ever, finishing with a 10-4 record.

GYMNASTICS TRADITION — The Lady Warriors gymnastics team won its fourth straight sectional title last year. Anne Pohl, a senior at the time, is shown here during a performance that earned her second place in the sectional floor exercise competition. (Photo by Mitchell Stinson)

Golf: 1982-NLC champs; 1983-NLC champs: 1984-NLC champs; 1985-NLC champs, sectional champs; 1986-NLC champs; 1987-NLC champs. Gymnastics: 1981-sectional champs: 1982-sectional champs; 19 8 3-sectional champs; 1986-sectional champs; 1987-se ctio n a 1 champs; 1988-se ctio n a 1 champs; 1989-sectional champs. Volleyball: 1981-sectional champs; 1983-NLC champs. Swimming: 1989-NLC cochamps