The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 40, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 November 1990 — Page 19

Gymnastics team looking to reach new heights

By MITCHELL STINSON Sports Writer After five straight “curtain calls” as Wawasee Gymnastics Sectional champions, the Lady Warriors have given themselves a tough act to follow this season. Last year’s squad was particularly impressive, posting a 13-1 record and being ranked as high as 13th in the state. Coach Tracy Sumpter would be happy with another season like that one but she would be even happier if her team could finally rise to the upper echelon of regional contenders. Sectional successes aside, the Lady War-

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SHOOTING FOR SIX — The Lady Warriors gymnastics team will rely on these four letter winners in its quest for a sixth consecutive Wawasee Gymnastics Sectional championship. The team is scheduled to open its season January 7 with a home meet against East Noble and

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riors don’t scare anybody at the regional level. “I’d actually like to go to regional with Wawasee being considered a threat,” Sumpter said wistfully. Even if they don’t advance any further than usual, the Lady Warriors have some talented gymnasts who could make it to state competition on an individual basis. Seniors Karen Butt and Barb Signorelli headline the list of returning letter winners, with both being skilled at a variety of events. In last year’s Valparaiso Regional, Signorelli came within two-tenths of a point of qualifying

for state competition in the uneven bars. Butt was tops on the team in the vault and floor exercise at the 1990 Wawasee Sectional. Senior Nikki Marsh and junior Lisa Wight are a couple of other Wawasee returnees with sectional experience under their belts. Sumpter is also looking for a contribution from junior Mel Hobbs, who was the team’s top junior varsity performer last year. Sarah Locke is a promising newcomer who will participate in some varsity events as a freshman. She was a junior high standout at North Webster and

Fort Wayne North Side. Pictured, from left, are: Barb Signorelli, Lisa Wight, Karen Butt and Nikki Marsh. (Photo by Mitchell Stinson)

"GO BIG GREEN" MICHAEL B. TALLON C.P.A. 103 Pickwick Place SYRACUSE, IN 457-4226

Wed., November 14,1990 —THE MAIL-JOURNAL

belongs to a private gymnastics club in the Michiana area. The Lady Warriors will lose the senior leadership provided by Angela Kistler, Diane Karst and Darcey Smith last season. Kistler was strong in all four events and

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won the team Most Valuable Player award. After a nondescript start in her underclassmen days, Karst blossomed into a top-level performer in 1989. She was the Lady Warriors’ steadiest performer at last year’s Wawasee Sectional, taking fifth place in the allaround competition. Smith was a key contributor in the balance beam and floor exercise events before an earlyseason knee injury ended her gymnastics career. Karst was the only Lady Warrior senior to stay healthy throughout. The Wawasee gymnasts will miss their graduated comrades but they have already showed that they can be competitive without them. Kistler sprained her ankle toward the end of the regular season and was just a shadow of her former self during post-season play. Despite the injury problems, the Lady Warriors still managed to win their fifth consecutive Wawasee Sectional title. Now, they’re hoping to keep that momentum going in their bid for a sixth. Coach Sumpter had a lot of girls come out for the team this year and she’s not planning on cutting anybody. With 15 gymnasts vying for her attention, she’s glad to have the help of assistant coach Nika Prather. “It’s nice to have an assistant coach who knows what I want and who knows gymnastics,” Sumpter said. “That’s rare.” The Lady Warriors will open their season January 7 with a home meet against East Noble and Fort Wayne North Side. The Wawasee schedule is loaded with eight home dual meets this season and only three matches on the road.

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