Page 2 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015
RensselaeR CentRal Football
New look for state champs By HARLEY TOMLINSON
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com Rensselaer Central's state championship victory still echoes in the minds of players and fans alike. The euphoria everyone felt after the Bombers dismantled a very good Evansville Mater Dei team on Thanksgiving weekend lasted well into the new year. "The excitement will always be there, of course, when you win state," said Bombers coach Chris Meeks, the architect of the team's state run last fall. "But around spring break time, when we came back, I think at that time everybody got refocused and said it's time to move on and get ready for the new year." The Bombers lost 11 high-character, extremely talented seniors to graduation. What they leave behind is a program that will look to reload with a number of talented players in their own right. Bomber fans got to see many of those players in action in third and fourth quarters last fall and many times the team didn't miss a beat. "There are a lot of kids who weren't seniors last year that most years would have started for us. They've been waiting their turn and they'll get it this year. They can't wait." Meeks said. More than their athleticism, Meeks said his program will miss last
year's senior group because of their leadership. "Their leadership helped us get over the top," he said. "But I remind people of two things. Number one, a lot of these kids were huge contributors last year, whether it was on special teams or spotting in. We've got several returning starters. They were all big contributors to that state championship. Number two, not every one of those 11 kids that graduated last year were starters as juniors. My point is, we had kids in that senior class who emerged. For example, (kicker Nathan) Ziese didn't play until last year and was a big contributor. We're looking for those type of kids to emerge and become that impact player on a Friday night." Among those expected to emerge include seniors Keegan Stevens (quarterback), Garrett Eldridge (wing) and Austin Grist (running back), juniors Jonathan Hickman (defensive end) and Pedro
Hernandez (running back, cornerback) and sophomores Jaylen Gilbert (cornerback, back-up QB) and Isaac Ahler (kicker). Players who proved their worth on a state title team last year include senior linebacker Sam Ahler, an allstate pick who was named a Primetime 25 player by Indiana Football Magazine, and senior linemen Jack Ziese (junior all-state), Josh Purevich and Jared Shanley, who made up 3/5ths of a talented offensive line last season. "Those three are a great foundation for any offensive line," Meeks said. Those big bodies will be asked to move defenders around this season when the Bombers again break out their double-wing offense. Last year, Meeks and his staff added a shotgun formation to the offense and the Bombers generated more yards than any other team in the state. See NEW LOOK, Pg. 3
GO BOMBERS! PIZZA SANDWICHES CHICKEN
Pizza King 227 S. College • Rensselaer
866-7226
After serving as a weapon on special teams for Rensselaer Central's state title team last year, senior Garrett Eldridge will be the primary threat on offense this fall.
Thursday, August 20, 2015 —————––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 3
New Look: "These kids run it very effectively. And they believe in it. They understand it thoroughly," Meeks said of the offense. Stevens will step into graduating player Dylan Wright's shoes to run the offense. Stevens broke his leg early in the season last year, but has spent the last couple of years running the offense in practice as well as in JV and varsity games. "He looks good," Meeks said of Stevens, who was the team's back-up quarterback the past two seasons. "He runs the ball very well and he throws the ball very well. He was a good pitcher for the baseball team and his dad (Matt Stevens) is one of our coaches, so he understands the game and knows what we want to do." Other offensive weapons include Eldridge, who has the distinction of being the program's fastest player the past two years, Grist, Sam Ahler and Anthony Ybarra. :Garrett is a threat to score every time he touches the ball," Meeks said. "But we feel like we have several other weapons as well." The team's leading tackler as a junior last
year, Sam Ahler is expected to get a number of chances to shine on offense this season. "Again, this is a kid who played on JV two years ago and when we needed a kid to emerge to help us last year, he did that," Meeks said of Ahler. "Now we need other kids to emerge around Sam." Candidates to fill holes along the offensive line are Zach Wamsley, Koby Wright, Jordan Arnett, Bryce Kingman and Damian Marin. "All five are viable candidates to start on Friday night," said Meeks, who was to use this year's scrimmage game with North White to gauge who would be ready for the team's season opener with Kankakee Valley. Defensively, the Bombers will lean on Sam Ahler's leadership at linebacker, with junior Luke Branson expected to run down his share of players at one of the other linebacking spots. Grist will likely get some time at linebacker and Hickman will play defensive end. Expected to get looks on the defensive line are Jacob Trammel, Ziese, Purevich, Wright and Arnett. The secondary will include a rotation of
Run ‘Em Over Bombers! Scott Hermanson Wheel Alignment Bunkum & Airport Rd. Rensselaer
219-866-7205
From Page 2 Eldridge, Stevens and Gilbert. With just three starters back on both sides of the line, it will be a work in progress early on for the Bombers. "It's going to take time before we peak and play at our best," Meeks said. "That's the fun thing about football. We're not real deep, so an injury here and there could hurt us. But that's the way it is in 2A football, 3A football. I think as the season goes, we'll build some depth once we give kids some experience." Meeks and his staff would also like to incorporate some of the younger kids from last year's JV to keep the program on solid footing for years to come. "Last year, we had a lot of returners off a semistate team. Coming in, we felt like that was an experienced, seasoned group that had played together a lot. This team, we feel like we've got guys who can be formidable come tournament time and make a deep run, but some things have to happen. It starts with chemistry and at this point I love our team chemistry. The kids are playing together. There's no animosity, no greediness. Very similar characteris-
tics to last year's team," Meeks said. Due to the program's success over the past two seasons, the Bombers will play in the Class 3A playoffs later this fall. They will be a favorite to win a sectional that includes a talented Mishawaka Marian squad, tradition-laden John Glenn and Wheeler. "Can you compete in 3A? That's the question I've been getting from people," Meeks said. "West Lafayette beat the 3A champs last year in Tri-West. That was their only loss. West Lafayette beat Tri-West and didn't even win our conference. I think we can hold our own in 3A. It's a step up, but I think our kids are ready for it." This year's players are also ready to build their own identity after watching the seniors cap off their careers by making history. 'Rarely is the state championship brought up," Meeks said. "We do when we tell the kids we now know how to get there. We know what it takes. Our kids expect to play for another state championship sometime, and these kids this year think they can do it."
We Support the Bombers!
Join us before or after the game!
866-9999 847 S. College Ave. Rensselaer
PHOTO BY HARLEY TOMLINSON
The Barber sisters, senior Madeline (left) and junior Emily, will be major players in the success of this year's Lady Bombers' squad.
RensselaeR CentRal Volleyball
Seniors to figure greatly in Bombers' success By HARLEY TOMLINSON
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com It's been years since the Rensselaer Central volleyball team has put this many seniors on the floor. Five seniors, many of them three-year starters, will be on the floor for second-year coach
Denny Graf, including hitters Maddie Gehring and Bailey Davis. Setter Jordan Spangler is back, as well as middle hitter Madeline Barber and defender/hitter Uriah Gerlach. Gerlach is also the team's back-up setter. See SENIORS, Pg. 4
Good Luck this Season Bombers! To buy a great gift or to make a great gift visit us for a fun shopping adventure
Long’s Gifts and
FOR YOU
from the “Needle’s Point” 125 N. Front - Downtown Rensselaer
Page 4 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015
RensselaeR CentRal CRoss CountRy
Experience to drive Bombers' CC teams By HARLEY TOMLINSON
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com
RENSSELAER — The numbers game has once again hit Rensselaer Central cross country coach Sid Dobson and his program. While the girls' team, which enjoyed tremendous success last season and return four of its top five runners this season, is undergoing a major surge in numbers, the boys' team is struggling to put a full team on the course. Just four runners will compete for the Bombers this fall unless Dobson can lure an able body to his program over the season's first couple of weeks. "We're not going to be a powerhouse, so our goal is getting better, faster every race," Dobson said. "It would be a shame not to see what our guys can do with a full squad." The Bombers return four-year varsity runner Beau Balch, the lone senior on the team. Balch ran No. 2 behind RCHS graduate Anthony Alsman last fall. He will be joined at the starting line by sophomores John Clay Anderson and Preston Tanner and freshman Collin Stanley. "We have to lean on Beau," Dobson
Seniors:
said. "He's the guy this year. But he's got to be a show me guy, not a tell me guy." With Balch in the lead and the steady improvement of both Tanner and Anderson, Dobson feels his boys' team could be a regional qualifier — if a fifth runner can be found. "We can compete for bigger things if we can get another runner who is serious about competing," Dobson said. The girls' team, meanwhile, is stacked with competitors, including four-year runners Riley Hickman and LeeAllison Korniak. The No. 1 runner for the Bombers the past three seasons, Hickman was pushed late in the season by Korniak, who was the first Bomber runner to enter the chute at the New Prairie Regional last fall. Korniak and Hickman finished 1-2 at sectional to help the Bombers claim the top spot. Sophomores Hailey Henry and Jaci Engleking also provided scoring punch for the Bombers last year. "That's a scary punch," Dobson said. Besides the continued improvement of Henry and Engleking, Rensselaer should benefit from the recruitment of sophomore Morgan Fleming to the squad. Fleming, who started for the
girls' basketball team last season, is in her first season as a member of the cross country team. Dobson also has sophomores Mayra Rodriguez, Hannah Hall and Kenzie Pfledderer to battle for scoring spots. "(Hickman and Korniak) are being pushed now by the younger kids coming in. It's made for some good competition," Dobson said. Dobson's roster is 17 girls strong, including five seniors: Hickman, Korniak, Jocelyn Johns, April Hendon and Nichole Stath. "They are all coming in much stronger than last year," Dobson said. "If they're improving, that's exciting." Dobson credits the veterans for bringing the younger runners along over the past two years. "That work ethic is great," he said. "Even the younger kids see that and want to get better." Look for the Bombers to get off to a strong start before focusing all of their attention on repeating as sectional champions in October. "They're a sectional favorite for sure," Dobson said. "But there's so much that can happen. It should be an exciting year."
Senior LeeAllison Korniak came on late last year to lead the Lady Bombers' CC team.
From Page 3
Senior Maddie Gehring
Though the Bombers lost all-everything Megan Dobson, a four-year starter who led the team in kills, digs and service aces with a jump serve last season, Graf feels he has the players to fill Dobson's shoes. "Bailey will step up and take care of Megan's spot," he said. "She looks good on the strong side, and Maddie looks really strong this year. They put in a lot of time in the off-season to get ready for this year." Gehring, Davis, Gerlach and Barber sisters Madeline and junior Emily all played club ball last winter. The rest of Graf's roster will include Ava Jackson, Regan Rodibaugh and Morgan Moore. Graf believes he has a team
that can pound the ball from the strong side as well as the weak side and the defensive coverage looks strong. "The girls do a good job passing," he said. "We doing good on floor coverage also." Graf is concerned in the lack of height. Jackson is the only player approaching six feet, with several others at 5-7, 5-8. "We're not real tall," Graf said. "And we need to get better at serving. But they're going to get better." With six freshmen and four sophomores on the JV team, Graf hopes to draw a couple of younger players to the varsity level to assist with blocking and back row work.
"We have some height with the freshmen," Graf said. "I think they can help us out later on. But they're coming out of eighth-grade so they're not used to the speed with the varsity." The return of several veterans and an improved skill set with many of those players has Graf excited for the 2015 season. "I think these girls can compete with just about anybody," he said. "I just want them to come out ready to play. As long as they play hard we should be fine. If they come out and play hard and get beat, then I can live with that. It's days when we don't play hard that really bothers me."
Thursday, August 20, 2015 —————––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 5 RCHS BoyS SoCCeR
Talent still dots boys' roster
Sophomore Sydney Bement showed an ability to work for her shot last year, finishing among the team leaders in scoring. She is expected to be a weapon on an offense that includes senior Monica Clemente this fall.
By HARLEY TOMLINSON
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com
RCHS GiRlS SoCCeR
Bombers have holes to fill By HARLEY TOMLINSON
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com
RENSSELAER — The Rensselaer Central girls' soccer program lost just three seniors to graduation this past spring. But the impact they had on and off the field will be hard to replace, said coach Ernest Watson. "Kara (Bulington), Allie (Graves) and Holli (Shafer) were great players for us," he said. "Though we lose just three seniors, we lose a lot positionwise." Bulington and Graves finished 1-2 in scoring last fall and Shafer was the midfield stopper, using her frame to punch the ball to the opposing team's end of the field. It now becomes Watson's job to find replacements for those players, who led the Lady Bombers to their greatest season in history last year. He does return several players from that team, including seniors Monica Clemente, Paige Morris and Leah Coley. Also back are juniors Lexi Wuethrich and Megan Massoels and sophomore Sydney Bement, who filled in nicely when both Bulington and Graves missed games with injuries. Look for Clemente and Bement to increase their scoring this year. "Monica led us in assists and held down the midfield for us," Watson said. "Bement did a nice job her first year. We think those two players will be able to score. We just need to find somebody
who can get the ball to them. "If we can spread the field, we'll be okay." Shoring up the defense will be Massoels, junior Kelsey Spurgeon and junior Jessy Kuiper. Wuethrich will also play a big role on holding teams down in front of junior goalkeeper Cheryl Sutton, who surprised in her first season in net. "She did a heck of a job for us last year," Watson said. "She came out for the first time last year and walked right into the keeper spot. We were lucky to get her." Watson also had junior Marijka Pastoor, daughter of Saint Joseph's College president Robert Pastoor, fall into his lap this summer. A gifted athlete, Pastoor will assume the stopper role and keep the ball out of the Bombers' side of the field. "I'll be looking for her to score, too," said Watson, who will again be assisted by former Bomber standout Laura Benner. "She has a strong enough leg to score from outside the arc." The Bombers shouldn't look to rebuild this season but rather reload with a handful of untested players. Watson believes his team will be much better later in the year than at the beginning. "I think we'll be really competitive," he said. "If we're competitive then we have a chance to win some games. Right now, we're looking at conference and sectional, so the wins and losses don't mean anything until you get to those games."
RENSSELAER — Rensselaer Central boys' soccer coach Chip Gull is a big believer in chemistry when it comes to bringing kids together for a single goal. Last year's Bomber squad, which won the program's first sectional title and nearly added a regional crown to their haul, had chemistry coming out of their ears in a memorable season. Nine seniors dotted Gull's roster last year and many of them played together since the day they could put on shin guards all by themselves. "We had great leaders last year and they all got along real well on and off the field," Gull said. "We want to build that kind of chemistry this year." The Bombers lose three-fourths of the school-record 122 goals they scored last year, including college recruits Anjel Clemente (Prairie State) and Chandler Gull (Saint Joseph's College). Graduation also took the services of another scorer, Matthew Rodibaugh, and two of the team's top defensive players in Bryce Deno and Nathan Myers. But the cupboard is far from bare
for Gull, who will have senior striker Pierce Van Houten back for a fourth year. Van Houten was one of three players to score over 20 goals last season and is a preseason all-state selection. "We've got a good nucleus of juniors who started varsity for us last year and got a lot of minutes," Gull said. "Those guys will have to come in and fill some shoes. We'll have a different look and a different talent level, but we like what we have coming back." Because his reputation will precede him at every stop, Van Houten will likely be marked from the time he steps on the field or off the boss by the opposition this fall. "He's going to have to be really patient," Gull said. "He's going to have to feel his way through because he won't have five guys next to him who can kick the ball outside of 18. Those kids hit rockets." Expected to join Van Houten on offense are juniors Graham Balvich and Grant Myers as well as sophomore Joe Rule, who could patrol both sides of the field in his first full varsity season. See TALENT, Pg. 7
Junior Evan Brandenburg is back to patrol the net for Rensselaer Central's boys' soccer team this fall. Brandenburg had a fantastic season last year when the Bombers won 16 games.
Page 6 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015 KV GiRlS Golf RCHS GiRlS Golf
Herma ready to lead Lady Kougars
Lady Bombers rounding into shape
By HARLEY TOMLINSON
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com
By HARLEY TOMLINSON
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com
RENSSELAER — A series of tournaments to start the season has ferreted out a handful of potential leaders for Rensselaer Central girls' golf coach Stephanie Davisson. Playing the most consistent golf thus far is senior Ava Davisson, who led or co-led the Bombers in tournament stops at Kankakee Valley, McCutcheon and Benton Central. On her heels are senior Lauren Powell and sophomore Kerry Branson, who will likely play the No. 1 or 2 position for RCHS this fall. Powell was a top four scorer for the Bombers last season when they made a run at a regional spot and Davisson and Branson got in a few rounds at the varsity level. Also back is Jillian Lucero, who will be looked at to nail down the No. 3-4 spot for the Bombers. “With three very friendly and athletic seniors, our returning sophomores and new freshmen are in for a fun season,” Davisson said. Sophomore Lily Steinke will also play in the top five for the Bombers while other younger players at the JV level will continue to fine-tune their games with an eye at helping the varsity at some point this season. “It looks like we will have another team of young freshmen coming on board, building depth in a program that I have enjoyed coaching for the past 10 years,” she said. A former golfer for the Bombers, Davisson took over the program from her former coach, the legendary Rich Stefanich. She has been able to match some of the Bombers’ success under Stefanich, qualifying several teams for the regional and challenging for the Hoosier Conference title. But the conference has grown by four schools with the addition of Lewis Cass, Hamilton Heights, Northwestern and Western. The league meet will be in Tipton.
Senior Lauren Powell is one of two golfers with any varsity experience for RCHS.
WHEATFIELD — When Kankakee Valley's girls' golf team lost its top four scorers to graduation last year, sophomore Hannah Herma knew exactly what needed to be done. "I knew somebody needed to step up," she said. So Herma, who learned the game as a youth playing in camps at Sandy Pines before joining the Kougars as a freshman last year, went to work over the winter, spring and summer to fine-tune her swing and putting stroke. The work has paid off. She led the team in scoring during the Kougars' string of tournaments to open the season. She continues to excel in 9-hole matches, where she will fine-tune her game in preparation for the Twin Lakes Sectional later in the fall. "Hannah worked so much," KV coach Ron Stanton said. "She worked every day all winter and all summer, I knew she was going to be a solid player for us." Herma opened the season by placing second at the Rensselaer Central Invitational, an event the Kougars won as a team for the first time. "She had a little swing trouble and started guiding it a little bit. But she's great. She works harder than anybody I've ever saw," Stanton said. A strong iron player, Herma broke 100 throughout the early portion of the fall even as she worked through driver and putter woes.. "She's been shooting in the low 40s pretty well. She shot 40 four times this summer, so she's capable of shooting in the 30s," Stanton said. Entrenched in the No. 2 spot for KV is senior Kayla Groen, who was the No. 5 player for last year's regional qualifying team. Seniors Erin Gouwens and Kaitlyn Moore and freshman Kiri See HERMA, Pg. 8
BOMBERS ARE #1
Anders Water Conditioning Anders Concrete Walls Since 1991
Since 1974
108 S. Weston St. • Rensselaer, IN
866-7430
The Club for Busy People
HEATING & COOLING SALES • SERVICE & INSTALLATION
219-688-9955 • 219-987-3850 24-Hour Emergency Service
Owner Pat & Kim Wease
822 Country Sq. Plaza Hebron, IN
(219) 996-2911
1334 15th St., SE DeMotte, IN
(219) 987-7911
www.anytimefitness.com
Thursday, August 20, 2015 —————––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 7
Talent: "Early on, we'll go with guys who were role players for us last year until we nail down a team we're comfortable with," Gull said. "I think by the sixth game of the season, we'll have a good idea of how good we'll be getting. We're not going to look at wins and losses. We want to get better as individual players and that will transfer to our team philosophy." Junior goalkeeper Evan Brandenburg returns to clog up the net. He had an impressive varsity debut last year when the Bombers won 16 games and lost just three. Settling in to deflect shots and passes in front of Brandenburg are Bryce Nesius and Braden Dobson, who played alongside Myers and Deno last year. Ben Hillan will return at midfield and Jarrett Nagel is one of a handful of talented freshmen who could get some minutes. "It's a matter of fitting some pieces together and that will take a little time early on," Gull said. Selected as captains of the squad are Van Houten, Dobson and Brandenburg, who Gull is counting on to be the vocal leaders. "We need to be communicating in
From Page 5 practice and in games and those are the guys who we're asking to lead us," Gull said. Besides piecing together a team that can challenge for conference and sectional titles later in the season, Gull will also spend the early part of the season putting together a bench. The Bombers opened the 2015 campaign with a road game against Kankakee Valley on Aug. 18. "The question I have is who is going to be my 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th players off the bench," said Gull, who will have a roster of around 25 this season. "Who are going to be my first five guys off the bench? We need those guys to give us good, quality minutes and we're not sure who that's going to be." Gull and his staff should have a better understanding of those roles when the season gets underway. Currently, the team is fine-tuning the fundamentals rather than talking strategy. "We want to get better tactical-wise and technique-wise," he said. "We have a bucketful of stuff to learn, but first and foremost, I want these kids to have fun."
PHOTO BY TOM SPARKS
Kankakee Valley will break out its vaunted option game when it travels to Rensselaer Central for a season opener Friday night.
KanKaKee Valley Football
Stewart looks forward to new year By TOM SPARKS
Sports Correspondent
WHEATFIELD – Kankakee Valley coach Brad Stewart knows that key games for the Kougars will include Lowell, Andrean and Munster, not to mention Rensselaer. He is fond of saying, “To be the best in our conference we must find a way to beat the
best.” Last year's record of 6-5 didn't sit well with Stewart, his assistant coaches and the team. Especially disturbing was the sectional loss to New Prairie. “We have very small numbers for a 4A football program,” said Stewart, “but the quality of our athletes is improved due to the off-season work outs and commit-
Weˇre TRUSTing you to give us a win!! FIRST TRUST CREDIT UNION
Wheatfield 4259 W. State Rd. 10 • 956-3922
800-276-6161 Federally Insured By NCUA
or visit us on the web at www.firsttrustcu.com
JOIN TODA MEM Y! B OWN ER ED
ment. Our offensive line is experienced and our offensive backfield is talented. Defensively, we are strong in the secondary, talented but a young linebacker corps and solid defenders up front. The kicking game appears to be improved with a renewed commitment to performance.” See NEW YEAR, Pg. 8
STOWERS & SON
Meat • Groceries • Produce Wheatfield • 956-3411
Page 8 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015
KanKaKee Valley Volleyball
Plenty of talent available for KV By TOM SPARKS
Sports Correspondent
Wheatfield – The Lady Kougars were a shade over 50-50 last year with a 17-16 record and, according to Coach Adair Baysinger, have worked hard in the offseason to improve greatly. “I am very excited about this season,” said Baysinger. “We should have a very strong and effective offense this year. Our hitters are hitting a lot smarter and harder. We have been spending a lot on our practice time working on passes to make sure
Among the players returning this year include Brea Toppen, Lindsay Stokes, Jill Warner and Leah Gouwens. we become more accurate, as well. "Our back row players are becoming a lot better at reading the hitters and our passes are beginning to become much more consistent which will allow us to utilize our offense.” The Lady Kougars
New Year: The Kougars will feature QB/DB Darrick Webster, RB Jimmy
Herma:
return some talented players in Brea Toppen, Jill Warner, Lindsay Stokes and Leah Gouwens. There are also six seniors on the squad which will provide some much needed experience. In addition to Toppen, Warner, and
Gowens, there are Alyssa Hoffman, Taylor Whitson and Kayla Page. Baysinger, with a coaching record of 40-23, will again be assisted by Carly Maple, Madison DeYoung and Dianna Freund. The Lady Kougars face a daunting Northwest Crossroads Conference schedule again this fall. They opened the season Tuesday night against Argos. KV has also been thrust into a new sectional alongside Griffith, Hammond, Hammond Gavit, Hammond Clark and Lighthouse CPA.
From Page 7
Elliott, LB/FB Randy Sneed and defensive end Aron Ceglarek. They also
From Page 6
Woolever occupied the 3-5 spots for KV in the early portion of the schedule. Stanton has hopes for Moore, who played well as a sophomore before sitting out last y ear. "She took a year off to go to cheerleading and she didn't pick up a club for over a year. But she'll be back. She'll be breaking 100. She's got one of the best swings on the team," Stanton said. Stanton hopes his team continues to improve throughout the season with an eye set firmly on qualifying for a regional spot in September. The Kougars are defending sectional champions, beating Twin Lakes on its home course. "We would like to get out of sectional, but that would be a bonus if we do. I'm hoping we improve enough to get out of sectional. But if we don't, I've got two girls for sure I would like to see get through," he said.
have 11 seniors all looking to contribute. In addition to Webster and Elliott, there are Cody Gronkiewicz, Tyler Kinney, Joe Steinke, Jon Stepp, Riley Fisher, Brad Hall, Jake Williams, Chad Witt, and Jerome Wyrobek. “We anticipate a very good year if we learn to use our athleticism,
strength, and speed with proper technique, discipline and teamwork,” said Stewart. Stewart will be assisted by coaches Dann Ellenwood, Jake Graegin, Bob Szafranski, Chase Estepp, Zach Prairie, Bob Wragg, Zack Randall, Norm Hemphill and Mark Lukacek.
www.netdsb.com Rensselaer 866-0013
DeMotte 987-4141
Roselawn 345-4141
Morocco 285-2255
PHOTO BY TOM SPARKS
Among players returning for KV this fall is four-year starter Brea Toppen (4).
12028N. 200W. • Wheatfield, IN
219-956-3111
Thursday, August 20, 2015 —————––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 9 KVHS GirlS' CroSS Country
KVHS BoyS' CroSS Country
Lady Kougars ready to be relevant once again
KV keeping goals lofty By TOM SPARKS
Sports Correspondent
By TOM SPARKS
Sports Correspondent
WHEATFIELD – Coach Lane Lewallen's teams seldom seem to have slow years, but last season was one of them. He looks to remedy that this season with some top notch performances by some top notch athletes. The girls to keep an eye on include seniors Leah Gouwens and Kaila Moskalick, juniors Allison Schultheis and Ally Schumacher, and freshman Hazel Veldman. Gouwens will be competing at the varsity level in two sports this fall as she is also projected to be a standout on the volleyball team. “Leah is fresh off the state meet in the 4-by-400 for track last spring and is a terrific all-around athlete,” said Lewallen. “Hazel has burst onto the varsity scene in a big way, and Kaila adds a lot of talent, work ethic and depth. Ally Schumacher was a regional qualifier last season and veteran Ally Schultheis's knee is rehabbing nicely. Crystal Benitez and Breanna Rose also add depth, with both potentially being very strong runners for us.” Lewallen has a lifetime coaching record of 531-311 and has coached the girls to four sectional championships, three NCC titles, 'three semi-state team berths and one state meet berth. "After a rare down team year in 2014, we will be much improved with six new faces in 2015,” he said. "I'm looking forward to this season a great deal."
PHOTO BY TOM SPARKS
Allison Schultheis is expected to give Kankakee Valley's cross country team leadership as it looks to compete for a sectional title this fall.
The Kougars opened the season with a Hokum Karem meet at home on Tuesday.
WHEATFIELD – Coach Tim Adams is big on overall fitness and usually turns out a well-conditioned group of runners. This season should be more of the same. “Success for us will depend on staying healthy as our varsity runners transition from summer long, slow miles into the faster paces associated with getting ready for races,” said Adams. “I predict some moving around in the pecking order. Right now, we are watching intently how numbers five through nine play out. With any luck, we will have some fierce, good-natured competition for spots five through seven." Last year the team was 5-1 in regular season meets in the Northwest Crossroads Conference, finished fourth in the championship meet, tied for second overall for the season and were the eventual sectional champs. The goal this year is to make it out of the regional. “A semi-state berth has evaded our reach since reassignment to a different regional in 2008,” he said. “The strength of our four and five runners may play heavily on whether we obtain that goal.” While the team has just two seniors, Isaac Tillema and Kreed Gentz, it boasts three juniors that would be assets to any team in Danny PHOTO BY TOM SPARKS Rockley, Denver Smith and Bryce Niewoehner. Danny Rockley was a player in The Highland, Lowell and KV's sectional win a year ago. Hobart meets will be important match-ups for the squad. One big change this season will be the conference order being determined solely by a team's finish in the championship meet. In the past, mid-week double dual meets constituted 50% of the season standings.
Page 10 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015 Covenant Christian Girls soCCer
Knights coach
excited about returners By TOM SPARKS
Sports Correspondent DeMOTTE – The Covenant Christian Lady Knights hope to build on last season’s record of 8-71. Coach Aaron de Jager will count on seniors Frankie Slayton, Scarlett Dennis, Allison Eades and Whitney Rouster to provide leadership on this small but surprisingly tough team. When asked about athletes to watch and important match-ups, de Jager's response to both was an enthusiastic, “All of them!” The coach brings a lifetime record of 36-28-4 to the team and is dead set on bettering his team's post-season record. The Knights play in a sectional that includes Rensselaer Central, Kouts, Morgan Township and Hebron. “We may be a small team, but they are tough, conditioned, and will run for a full 80 minutes with no subs,” he said. “I am just looking forward to a great season that God had in store for us all. Go Knights!” Covenant opens the season at Kankakee Valley on Aug. 25.
PHOTO BY TOM SPARKS
Whitney Rouster is one of four veteran seniors returning to this year's squad.
Covenant Christian boys soCCer
CCHS has big shoes to fill By TOM SPARKS
Sports Correspondent
DeMOTTE – The Covenant Christian Knights will be reliant on a number of young players this season as they try to replace the five varsity starters lost to graduation. Luckily for coach Andrew Dunham, there are several players ready to step up. Three players to watch on the team include Jake Bowers, Isaac See BIG SHOES, Pg. 11
PHOTO BY TOM SPARKS
CCHS volleyball coach Alison Kroese drills her players in a recent practice.
Covenant Christian volleyball
New coach takes over at CCHS By TOM SPARKS
Sports Correspondent
DeMOTTE – The ladies of the Covenant Christian Volleyball team are under new tutelage as Alison Kroese has taken over a head coach. In her first year, she likes what she sees. See NEW COACH, Pg. 11
Thursday, August 20, 2015 —————––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 11
Tri-CounTy FooTball
Bounce-back season for Cavaliers By CHARLIE AKERS
sports@thehj.com
WOLCOTT — Eric Davis enters his second year as the Tri-County Cavaliers head coach, and after a disappointing 2014 season at 2-8, Davis and the Cavs look to bounce back and have a better season. This year Davis is already seeing a better attitude from the players. He said that is a key component to the success of the team this year. “Our attitude has been much better from last year compared to this year. That is really how I look at it,” Davis said. “I would say our overall attitude is much better.” Another key component that Davis said is that the team was able to replace the numbers they lost from last
year to this year. The added numbers means that the coaching staff has to teach the game to new players. “There is a lot of teaching going on here we have a lot of young guys or new guys to football,” Davis added. “Overall we have a lot of potential and we will grow quickly through the first few weeks of the season just because we have such a large upside.” One key to the possible success to Tri-County’s season is the Cavs' ability to utilize their speed. On offense the Cavs look to get their key players in open space and make their opponent try and make open field tackles. SEE BOUNCE, Pg. 12
Tri-County senior Trenton Kyburz (15) joins quarterback Blake Justice as major offensive threats this fall.
Big Shoes:
From Page 10
SeePorte and Ezra Schakel. Bowers, a senior, played defensive center mid last year and will be the leader on the team. According to Dunham, Bowers works harder than most if not all of the other players and it shows. Junior Forward Porte has great speed and finishing ability and hopes to build on his nine goals and seven assists from last year. Schakel is much improved from last season where he still put in five goals and notched 12 assists. “Our strength should be an active midfield, strong goal-keeping, and a strong team character; a lot of motivated young men,” said Dunham, in his tenth season of Coaching with an enviable lifetime record of 91-47-8. “We finished 10-7 last year,” he said. “We hope to improve on that while competing each game as a christian team.” Dunham will be assisted by Nick Dekryger. The team and Dunham look forward to their annual meeting with Kankakee Valley, a series led by the Knights.
New Coach:
From Page 10
“We have the potential to have a great year if the team continues to work as hard as they have,” said Kroese. “I think they understand that, too.” Kroese has a team loaded with seniors, including Renae Buiter, Katelyn Zeldenrust, Shannon Martin, Mackenna Vander Tuin and Karlie Klomp. Kroese, while new at CCHS, has coached in one form or another since junior high when she helped out with AAU. She teaches second grade at DeMotte Christian School and coached their eight-grade team last year. Kroese will be assisted by Tara Kikkert and Courtney VabderMeer
Page 12 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015
Bounce: Davis has to get his outside players in open space due partially to his young offensive line. The Cavs averaged 19.2 points per game in 2014. “We have a nice group of athletes. We have young linemen. If you were to watch us we are going to be a team that tries to get speed in space and take advantage of that aspect of our team,” Davis said. “I think we will be known as more of a speed team than in the last few years," senior quarterback Blake Justice added. "Coach is really looking to get guys on the outside and let them do their thing. “We definitely do not have the size on the line that we have had in past years, but I think the speed on the outside is faster.” Justice had the bulk of the yards for TC last season, collecting 1,991 of his team's 2,555 yards. He completed 105 passes for 1,454 yards with 11 touchdowns and added another 537 yards on the ground with 13 more scores. Along with using their speed on offense senior running back and outside linebacker Trenton Kyburz said they will use their speed on defense. Along with utilizing their speed the defense plans to be aggressive. Defensively, the Cavs allowed 41.4 points per game in 2014. “We are going to be known for our different stunts,” Kyburz said. “We have to be fast to stunt.” Added Davis: “We want to be an aggressive defense. (A defense) that
Tri-CounTy Volleyball
From Page 11
is gap sound and have all of our assignments covered. We want to be moving and bring some movement and pressure to utilize that athletic aspect to our team."
“I think we will be known as more of a speed team than in the last few years."
— TC QB Blake Justice Part of the reason the Cavs believe they will have a better season this year is because they have better leadership than they have in past years. “I think basically what we have been missing a positive attitude in practice and before game time,” Kyburz said. “We cannot be hard one each other when things
go wrong because that has torn our team apart in past years. I think with this leadership and the younger kids know what we expect of them so things are working out.” “Really, last year we did not have a good year at all only winning one game and then getting the win from a forfeit," Justice said. "I feel we can win more games than that. I think we need better leadership than what we have had in the last few years. I think we really need to get those freshman and sophomores confident in their abilities.” The Cavs scrimmaged Caston Friday night at home. Davis looks to get his team out of the scrimmage healthy and to work out some small assignment and technique issues he has seen in practice. “The biggest thing is getting out healthy. Secondly, is to look at our over all execution,” Davis said. “I feel like there were some positives that came out of (the intersquad scrimmage), but we also saw a lot of little assignments and technique issues that we were able to address.”
Youth getting shot at varsity WOLCOTT — It's a predicament Tri-County volleyball coach Andrea Gretencord finds herself in once again. Due to the lack of numbers at the upperclassmen levels, Gretencord has been forced to use the talents of her young players, including freshman Chloe Auxier at setter, to compete this fall. Auxier is good enough to play at the varsity level, but it is quite an eye-opener for the former middle schooler. "It will take time to get into a rhythm," Gretencord. "The younger kids will need time to get used to playing at the varsity level. To go from eighth grade to varsity is a huge change." TC's veterans include sophomores Grace Michal and Torie Miller, who will both play all-around. Senior Chloe Bahler is back at hitter and fellow senior Tess Madary is the defensive specialist after serving on the JV a year ago. Also back is Havannah Williams, who can cover the floor for the Cavaliers. "We are kind of young, but we're playing pretty decent even though these kids don't have a ton of experience," Gretencord said. "It will take time to put things together. Right now, we're focusing on getting better at everything." Compiled by HARLEY TOMLINSON
Proud Sponsors of Rensselaer Bombers Stop in after the game
Serving the Community 12 Years
CLARK’S CUTTING EDGE, INC. LANDSCAPE AND LAWN CARE Ron Clark Braden Clark 16 East North Street, P.O. Box 437 Remington, IN 47977 Business 219.261.2861 Cell 219.863.4174
Restaurant Hours Mon.-Thurs. 5am-10pm Fri. & Sat. 24 hours Sun. 5am-9pm
Gas & Convenience Store Open 24 hours 7 days a week • Truck Parking • Snacks • Drinks •Lottery
9435 W SR 114, I-65 Exit 215 • Rensselaer • 866-5436
Thursday, August 20, 2015 —————––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 13
North NewtoN Football
Spartans have new offense, defense and head coach By GREGORY MYERS
nceeditor@centurylink.net
MOROCCO — With a completely new offensive scheme, new defensive principles and a new head coach, the North Newton Spartans are looking to improve from a 3-7 record last year. Taking over as new head coach is Jeff Bean, who served as an assistant coach for the Spartans last season, was 22-49 from 2007 through 2013 at River Forest. He also served as head coach at Calumet in 2006, going 3-8. “We won’t be a real big team but we do have a lot of skilled guys and we should be able to take advantage of our speed,” said Bean. The Spartans return seven starters on each side of the ball including seniors Noah Olive (5’11, 170), Evan Herr (5’9, 160) and Brady Decker (6’4, 175). While he didn’t play last year, quarterback Jono Bigger (6’3, 179) will be under center for his senior year. “He has been a great leader for this team,” said Beam. “He has a great arm. He is very mobile and he sees the field well.” Moving from a spread offense to primarily using the Wing T, North Newton has a stable of running backs
that will carry the ball including Herr, Olive, junior Patrick Davis (5’7, 165) and junior Justin Harrell (5’10, 179). “All of these guys are very quick and agile,” added Bean. “They are good at finding the open hole and will be counted on for a big part of our offense.” The team’s top receivers will be Decker, junior Mike Cain (6’, 176) and sophomore Colt Wagner (6’, 145). Manning the team’s offensive line will be senior Cory Campbell (6’, 240), juniors Elliot Raavel (5’8, 175) and Tyron Grevers (5’10, 259) and sophomores Eric Scheeringa (6’1, 197) and Chris Gatton (6’1, 256). For the Spartans defense, senior Anthony Gillespie (6’1, 175), Raavel and Scheeringa will man the defensive line. At linebacker will be Davis, Olive, Bigger, sophomore Max Seitzinger (6’, 155) and freshman Alex Goetz (5’9, 150). The secondary will be comprised of Decker, Cain and Wagner. Herr will once again handle the punting duties, while junior Shawn Schoon will be the team’s kicker. Also expected to see a lot of time this year on varsity are freshmen
North Newton's Alex Goetz brings speed out of the backfield for first-year coach Jeff Bean this fall. Ben Vanderwall (5’9, 135) and Billy Wilson
(6’, 190). “We have a great
Servicing all makes and models, Transmission/Engine COMPETITIVE PRICES
freshman class and I am excited about the
future of this program,” said Bean. While Vanderwall will be the team’s backup quarterback, he is also expected to see time at wide receiver and as a defensive back. “We were very competitive this summer in 7-on-7 games and we even won the Twin Lakes Shootout,” said Bean. “We will be a run first team, but our passing game has really stepped up this summer.” North Newton opens up the 2015 season at South Newton in the annual county rivalry game. The Rebels defeated the Spartans last year 40-0. “The first game will be a big test for us,” said Bean. “They have a lot back, but we want to get that county trophy back over here. Besides that we want to take it one game at a time and get ready for the sectional, which I think is wide open this year.”
GIVE US AN ELECTRIFYING WIN SPARTANS!
AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. Auto Repair & Towing Rebuild Starters & Alternators
Phone (219) 866-2233 or 1-800-742-9051 ˇComplete Service Stop and Tiresˇ
1920 North McKinley Ave. Rensselaer, IN 47978
Mon.-Fri. 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Auto • Truck • Diesel • Marine • Farm 10024 N. St. Rt. 55 (Rt. 10 & Rt. 55) • Roselawn, IN M-F: 8am - 5pm, Sat.: 8am-Noon
219-345-3345
Page 14 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015
North NewtoN Volleyball
Spartans young again this year By GREGORY MYERS
nceeditor@centurylink.net MOROCCO — Featuring a very young squad the North Newton Lady Spartans finished the 2014 season 7-17. With just two seniors, North Newton will be young once again, but this year they do return with a little bit more experience. Under new head coach Brittany Klemz, the Lady Spartans return four starters from last year’s squad in senior setter Bethany Bober, juniors Morgan Goddard and Skyler Belt and sophomore Allie Decker. “The girls are really coming together and playing well as a team,” said Klemz, who served as 7th grade volleyball coach at North Newton since 2007. “They have the fundamentals down and the desire to win. Bethany, our four-year starter at setter is really the key to our team and is our leader.” Last season, Bober was named team MVP and first team all-conference. Other award winners included Morgan Goddard (outstanding defensive player and second team all-conference) and Allie Decker (Rookie of the Year Award and all-conference honorable mention). “Our ultimate goal is to be ready to compete for a sectional title,” said Klemz. “There is plenty of room for improvement. I had most of these girls in the 7th grade and it’s exciting to see how they have improved and I am excited to see where this team can go.”
"It’s exciting to see how they have improved and I am excited to see where this team can go.”
North NewtoN Cross CouNtry
Solid group returns for North Newton cross country By GREGORY MYERS
nceeditor@centurylink.net With a good group of runners back, the North Newton cross country teams are in position to continue their streak of success. For the past two years, the boys and girls teams placed in the top five at sectionals and qualified for regionals. “We have very good numbers on the boys team with 14 on the team,” said coach Tim Loughmiller. “Our numbers aren’t so good on the girls’ side with just four runners right now. We are looking to add a few more so that we can post a team score.” Top returning runners on the boys’ team are juniors Miguel Espino, Jacob Kessler and Shadoe Beard. Leading the way for the girls are seniors Elizabeth Musikant and Kandace Wedding, and sophomores Ivy Allen and Anne Marie Schara. “We have some good young talent on both teams,” said Loughmiller. “The season is all about improvements and so far both teams are working hard. We want to try and win the conference and advance our teams into regionals. This is a fun group to coach and they all have good work ethic.” In the Greater South Shore Conference, Wheeler and Hanover Central will be the teams to beat this upcoming season.
North Newton's Miguel Espino (left) followed in the footsteps of brother Leo last season. Now Miguel will be asked to lead the Spartans this fall.
How to contact . . .
Republican RENSSELAER
Community News for Over 140 Years
www.rensselaerrepublican.info call . . . 219.866.5111 fax . . . 219.866.3775 mail . . . 117 N. Van Rensselaer St. Rensselaer, IN 47978
PHOTO BY HARLEY TOMLINSON email us directly . . . comments on general editorial or concerns to
csievers@rensselaerrepublican.com graphics to
misty@rensselaerrepublican.com advertising to
cindy@rensselaerrepublican.com anita@rensselaerrepublican.com comments on Sherri’s articles to
smorrison@rensselaerrepublican.com sports releases or comments on Harley’s articles to
harley@rensselaerrepublican.com email . . . classifieds or legals to classifieds@rensselaerrepublican.com advertising quotes to cindy@rensselaerrepublican.com or anita@rensselaerrepublican.com news and press releases to csievers@rensselaerrepublican.com
Thursday, August 20, 2015 —————––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 15
South NewtoN Football
Rebels ready for breakout season in new conference By GREGORY MYERS
nceeditor@centurylink.net
KENTLAND — The 2015 season is poised to be a big one for the South Newton football team. With 16 seniors back from a team that went 6-4, the Rebels are ready for a breakout season especially considering it’s the first one for them in the Sangamon Valley Conference that features Illinois teams of Watseka, Momence, Clifton Central, Dwight, Iroquois West and Paxton-BuckleyLoda or PBL. “This is a solid football conference that we are moving into,” said South Newton coach Chris Bell. “PBL and Clifton Central are really good programs and have very good numbers with like 90 kids on the team. We have to be prepared.” Key players this year for the Rebels include seniors John Dafcik (5’11, 155) at quarterback, Skylar Sanders (6, 160) at running back and outside linebacker, Colton Cothran (6’, 215) at defen-
Back as offensive threats for South Newton this fall are John Dafcik, Skyler Sanders and Sam Applegate. The Rebels return almost all of their yardage on offense from last season. sive end and offensive tackle, Damari Embery (6’2, 225) at linebacker and offensive guard, Asael Nunez (5’6, 150) at linebacker and offensive line, Ulysses Rodriguez (5’10,
150) at linebacker and offensive line and Sam Applegate (5’10, 155) at wide receiver and defensive back. Juniors Craig Wheelock (6’1, 165) and Neil Geswein
(5’10, 160) will also have big roles this season. Junior Evan Stitz will once again handle all of the kicking duties for the Rebels. “Offensively we should be
very solid,” said Bell. “We have an aggressive line and all of our skilled positions back. We aren’t a big team, so we will have to rely on our quickness.” On defense, South Newton is switching to a 3-5 scheme to take advantage of their aggressive and fast linebackers. “There may be some transition time before we are firing on all cylinders defensively but I think this is a better overall fit for our personnel,” said Bell. “We won’t see any of our potential sectional opponents during the regular season. So I want to see improvement each week and see us compete come sectional time. We are in one of the toughest 1A sectionals in the state.” South Newton hosts North Newton to open the season Aug. 21. “I think it’s going to be a real competitive game,” said Bell. “They have a new good coach and a really good athlete at quarterback. I expect an intense interesting game.”
South NewtoN Volleyball
Rebels reload for volleyball season By GREGORY MYERS
nceeditor@centurylink.net
KENTLAND — Ever since Laura Robbins took over as head coach at South Newton, the program has shown steady improvement each year. Last season was her best in
her five years here compiling a record of 21-12. Gone from that squad are several key players, including Morgan Richards and Darian Hoaks, but the future still looks bright for the Lady Rebels as they return three starters in seniors Logan
Glassburn, Kristin Dauksza and Kelsea Willey. “Logan played club ball this past year and she has really improved,” said Robbins. “Kristin is stepping up in her new role as a setter and has done really well. It is exciting to see her in that
leadership role. Kelsea is our best server and is just an all around good player. She does everything well.” New to this team is senior Mackenzi Marohl, who transferred last year from Rensselaer. She will be the team’s libero.
Seniors Payton Barrett and Grace Wernert will also see increased roles this season. “Payton will be our other setter and she like Kristin has really good hands,” said Robbins. See REBELS, Pg. 16
Page 16 —————––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2015 Fall Sports Preview —––––––––––––––––– Thursday, August 20, 2015
Rebels:
From Page 15
“This is only the second year for Grace, but she is a dedicated athlete and I know she will continue to improve.” Sophomores Tess Patterson, Maggie Mulligan and Jenna Schriner are expected to be key bench players for the varsity. Freshman Madeline Whaley is another varsity player to keep an eye on this season. “Madeline will play a lot for us on varsity this year,” said Robbins. “She played a lot of club ball last year and she will be an excellent player. I’m excited about her future.” South Newton is ready for its inaugural season in the Sangamon Valley Conference, which is an Illinois Conference featuring Watseka, Momence, Dwight, Clifton Central, Paxton-Buckley-Loda or PBL, Iroquois West and Cissna Park. For the Lady Rebels that means facing two teams that went to the state tournament last year in volleyball in Watseka and Cissna Park. “We just have to see what happens,” said Robbins. “This first year will be a learning experience for us. I know Watseka and Cissna Park were really good last year and Cissna Park will be really good again this year. Our goals are to win a sectional and be one of the top teams in our conference. This team will be one of the best all around teams I have coached. We have good diversity. We will be a very good passing team and I am excited to see how we grow.”
A large group of senior veterans will carry the South Newton volleyball team this fall. PHOTO BY LORI MURPHY
SN cross country ready to compete as a team By GREGORY MYERS
nceeditor@centurylink.net
KENTLAND — Caleb Chapman advanced to the state finals as a freshman and he will be one of the top runners in the area again this year as South Newton has a young but talented cross country squad. New coach Shaun Pluta has liked what he has seen so far early this season. “Cross country is currently a small program here at South Newton, though I expect to see it grow in the upcoming years,” said Pluta. “The athletes have individual goals they are trying to improve upon from last year and are working to
make strides in developing a strong program. I have seen these athletes’ speed and endurance greatly improve over the past few years (starting from when they were in middle school). Their hard work continues to impress me and makes me excited to see what they accomplish this season and in seasons to come.” Pluta feels as his young teams grows together the program will only become more and more successful. “One of our biggest strengths is that we are a young team made up of freshmen and sophomores,” added Pluta. “This gives the athletes the opportunity to grow
together in their goals and accomplishments for three seasons. I see this being something very positive for the team as they progress and come together as the program develops.” “This year we will have Caleb Chapman, Josh Durlacher, and Caleb Battering returning to the team,” said Pluta. “As a new coach, it is beneficial to work with athletes that are familiar with one another and know what ‘our’ goals are and what we are going to do in order to achieve those goals. Chapman has an incredible work ethic, and is constantly pushing himself in and out of season. Battering and
Durlacher have demonstrated pushing each other to improve through competition. All in all the group has a great sense of humor and makes it a fun team to be a part of, all while putting in the time and effort to become strong CC competitors.” Joining the team this year is freshman David Florian-Carlson. “He participated in cross country in the middle school as well as track, so running hard is nothing new to David,” said Pluta. “David walked into this season making strong goals for himself, and put lots of time in over the summer to help prepare for this season."
Lady Spartans’ golf team off to good start MOROCCO — With a key early season win, the North Newton girls’ golf team is ready for the 2015 season under new coach Josh Stringfellow. The Lady Spartans will miss last year’s sectional winner Alisha Watts but will rely on seniors Morgan Kutsch and Anyssa Long and sophomores Katherine Lang, Emma Wynn and Chanel Novak. “Our two seniors have provided good leadership and are helping the younger girls improve,” said Stringfellow. “Katherine has been dynamite for us and is a big contributor for this team.” This season, some of the team’s goals include winning a conference title and just overall improvement. “Hanover Central is the team to beat,” added Stringfellow. “Then it’s us and Bishop Noll, who we defeated Aug. 11.” Because of the heavy rainfall this summer and the flooding at Hazelden Golf Course in Brook, the team will have all of its home matches at Lugene Links in Lake Village. Compiled By GREGORY MYERS