AV Te DarLasPosT Vol. 102 No. 46 Wednesday, November 20, 1991 SportsWeek BW School news | Hl Classified HB Calendar Team effort took Dallas to state field hockey final | By FLORENCE FINN Sports Correspondent When a team reaches the final game for a state championship, it is ludicrous to speak of anything but success. Success is what char- acterized the Dallas field hockey team this entire season and you won't hear any regrets expressed from the players or their coach. “We can't feel upset since we've had a great season,” declared Kelly Cleary regarding the Mounts sec- ond place finish in the Class AAA state title match. After memorable 1-0 wins in the prior two games, the Mountain- eers fell by the same score to Emmaus November 16 in Collegev- ille. Emmaus won the way it got to tig final, by allowing no scoring agdinst its swarming defense. What makes a great season? It is more than a team’s record al- though Dallas boasts an impres- sive 15-2-2 finale. If a team is measured by its character along with its accomplishments, then the Mountaineers also qualify, for they seem to epitomize all that high school sports should be. The modest senior six spoke of friend- ship, fun, support, team, and the thrill of being a part of a superior program. All-star MVP Megan Moran commented, “It was per- sonally rewarding to me to be a part of a team that went this far.” Togetherness seems to be the thread that maintains the charac- ter of the team. It is the pervasive force which began developing four years ago among these friends who cqistently give credit to their tenmates, younger players, J.V. ~~ players, and coach. “The younger players really pushed us to do our best,” applauded an unselfish Sue Richardson. Tammy Dzanko, a dedicated senior substitute, was especially supportive and instru- mental to the success of the state runners-ups according to her fel- low seniors. In the beginning of their season, the team had a simple goal. Ac- cording to Amy Shelley, “Our goal was to do our best whether we won or lost.” Oddly enough all of the seniors expressed surprise at how far they had gone. “Making it that far was better than we expected,” Kelly Cleary reflected and Amy Shelley reiterated the same senti- ments. Perhaps this was due to the fact that this team has established a new Dallas high in hockey ac- complishments. No other team has ever reached the state playoffs and Coach Robyn Jones rewarded that team effort at their annual ban- quet by giving the Kubis Award to the entire team rather than one player. Jones offered this philosophy for her team. "A team is no better than the individual's ability to contribute toa greater unity," Jones said. "The sacrifice of individual ambition for the attainment of team goals is a most human quality essential to sports as well as busi- ness and personal life." If you haven't noticed by now, team is the recurring word. Trying to evoke individual responses from the group is literally impossible. Goalie Ann Smaka, who had been instrumental in the Boyertown win in the semi-finals, which ended in ashootout, praised her teammates. “It was always total team effort,” she explained. “We had fun on and off the field.” Perhaps this unique camarade- rie developed as a result of close Scholarships or aid there ByN-LORENCE FINN . Sports Correspondent yJot many people have had the algic experience of being in a locker room when seniors have completed their final high school competition. Whether it be a male or female team, there are always tearful farewells, and sometimes a respected silence. Shirts with fa- vorite numbers are handed down to junior buddies in an unspoken ritual or a decorated cake with school colors is offered as a tribute to friends of four to six yars of camaraderie that can’t be equaled w other situation. Then we often ask the same athlete to give up the bonding, the competitive spirit, the intense ri- valry that causes the natural adrenalin flowing as no drug can. ‘Get on with your life! Forget about playing and hit the books. After all, very few earn a living from sports.” Asking that is like asking a musi- cian to. throw away his instru- ment, or a writer to throw away his pen, for, “It is in games that many discover their paradise.” * Isubmit that no athlete needs to give up a sport to become a stu- di§lt; no athlete needs to give up a sport to receive a quality educa- tion. Athlete may have both and the sport may even enhance their college experience. Certainly there are very few athletic scholarships, but there is a school where any calibre athlete can enjoy playing. The question is how does one find this institution. There is a process that the athlete, the high school coach and guid- ance couriselor may initiate to aid the player in his/her quest for a school in which he/she can spend the next four years. In conjunction with the player's coaches, they need an honest evaluation regarding their abili- ties. This can also be done by another coach or camp clinician. Once the ability is determined, the level of play needs to be estab- lished. There are three levels of NCAA play: level one is the most competi- tive and gives athletic scholarships and paid visits among other ad- vantages. However, there are many Division I schools that choose not to give athletic scholarships such asthe Ivy Leagues and other highly academically competitive schools. | Many times scholar athletes qual- ify for academic scholarhsips in for high school athletes the schools. There are also National Associa- tion of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) schools that can give small amounts of athletic aid. Division II schools may give partial scholar- ships while Division III may not give any, but financial aid pack- ages may be advantageously af- fected. There may also be addi- tional perks for the athtlete such as comfortable work study pro- grams. More importantly, the support of a coach may hold some weight in admission offices when the athlete is just under SAT ex- pectations for example. In the guidance office of most schools there are handbooks which list schools and their divisions and majors. With the help of the coun- selor, students should make a list of possibilities. Then they and the high school coach can make an athletic, academic and social pro- file to send coaches. This should be done after one’s junior season and it should include a game sched- ule for scouting purposes. Most college coaches will send a questionnaire or contact the ath- lete, coach, or counselor. Then they will request a video tape which should include skills and game situations. What most people don't know is that various NCAA rules govern when and where a college coach may contact a player. The numerous NCAA rules are also in the guidance office and should be strictly followed. A call from the high school coach to the college coach is a valuable part of the process. The college coach will aid the player in setting up visits, getting unofficial admini- stration evaluations, checking on financial aid, campus tours, and team introductions. Most coaches appreciate knowing about prospec- tive athletes providing contacts are honest and realistic in their rec- ommendations. Once contacts are made, ath- letes need tovisit compuses, mingle with teams and ask many ques- tions regarding programs, special services, conditioning and train- ing facilities, extent of schedules, coaching expectations, and any other concerns the athlete may have. Counselors and coaches can help their student athletes, but ‘the athletes need to help them- selves if they wish to continue sports participation after high school. DALLAS FIELD HOCKEY TEAM - Members of the Dallas Field Hockey team take time out to pose for their photo. Sitting in front, Tammy Dzanko, Becky Yurko; kneeling, Kim Donlin, Mindy Haber- stich, Bridget Temperine, Tami Palka, Theresas Mathers, Nina Mathers, Jill Kowalski, Beth Delescavage, Cathy Grosman, Kelly friendships off the field. The senior six are all bosom buddies and have been throughout their educational experiences. This friendship was evident in the words of Cleary who emotionally expressed, “We had so much fun playing that it is sad for me when I think we won't play together again.” Megan Moran echoed those feelings as she spoke of togetherness on and off the field. The Mountaineers hockey week- end was begun by a special pep rally at the high school. “It was like no other pep rally we've ever had,” Sue Richardson exclaimed. But, this was only the capping gesture of the support from school peers, parents, fans, and teammates according to the seniors. Deco- rated caravans traveled to watch their team and the team gave them something to watch: overtimes, shootouts, exemplary hockey. It didn't end at Collegeville. The celebration continued. Throughout the Dallas area horns blared, welcoming back the hockey heroines, and showing their pride. The Dallas Adult Basketball League began play on Sunday, Nov. 17 with 3 games at the Dallas Senior High School. In the opener, Payne Printery defeated Humphries 85-68. Joe Flaherty scorched the nets for 30 while teammate Steve Harnisferger chipped in 24. Overall Payne banged in 15 three point goals. Frank De- bona led Humphries with 33 points. In the middle game The Fieldhouse Sporting Goods nipped Darling Farms 51-48. Rich Coslett led the winners with 15 points while Frank Bogdan and Mark Farrell broke into double figures with 10 each. Mark Bolinski led Dar- ling’s with 18 points, all com- ing on three point baskets. In the nitecap the Grand Slam Sports Bar beat Jim-Jon Adult basketball league begins new season Tomatoes 45-38. Steve Thomas paced the winners with 19 while teammate Steve Dente added 12. Tom Shalata led the losers with 12 points. Overall the opening day fea- tured some great fast-paced ac- tion. Thirty three-pointers were made, and game one featured a thunderous slam-dunk by Payne's Joe Flaherty. Play continues on Sunday, Nov. 24 with three games. For further information re- garding the league call Jack Wolenskyat 675-5201 or Chuck Wilson at 675-1100. STANDINGS Payne Printery 1-0 Fieldhouse 1-0 Grand Slam Sports Bar 1-0 Jim Jon Tomatoes 0-1 Humphries 0-1 Darling Farms 0-1 Trap shoot November 24 Irem Temple Gun Club will hold a Trap Shoot November 24, starting at 12 noon, open to the public. New shooters welcome. Ammo and refreshments available. Before BUCKY'S Cleary, Scott Bent; standing, Coach Robyn Jones, Ann Smaka, Kelly Janosky, Katie Sallit, Karen Wisnieski, Cindy Maier, Megan * Moran, Susan Richardson, Amy Shelley, Abby Russin, Kelly : Freeman, Coach Paulette Dent and Heather Kowalski. (Post Photo/ - C.M. Denmon) Four of them had one more chance to play together in the annual All- Star game the next day. Then, the team celebrated together in the timely hockey banquet on Sunday evening where its coach praised her team for its loyalty, dedication and ability. The season has finally come toa close, but the special memories will remain forever - memories that include joy, fear, tears and friend- ship. They will flash in a mental highlight film as the individuals visualize in slow motion an out- standing play, a friendly high five, a supportive tap on the shoulder, a hug from a parent. The final loss will fade, but the experience of having been there will remain vivid throughout their lives. The Dallas Field Hockey Team has achieved what every high school player dreams of - the excitement of state competition. : Most of the seniors will continue playing in some college setting, but the memory of their final high school hour is etched in the mir- rors of their minds. Dallas, Lake-Lehman players in All-Star game On Sunday, November 17, at Meyers Stadium, High School field hockey came to a close for nine seniors from both Dallas and Lake- Lehman when the East tied West, 1-1, in the annual Wyoming Valley Conference Field Hockey All-Star Game. Seniors from Dallas participating on the West team in their last field hockey game were, Kelly Cleary, Amy Shelley, Megan Moran and Sue Richardson. Lake-Lehman had five seniors on the East squad: Jennifer Cross, Karen Halowich, Jonelle Pall, Heather Ruger and Heidi Wenrich. Megan Moran and Heather Ruger were named defensive MVP's. All players from each school include field hockey in their future plans and were recruited at the All-Star game. AUTO BODY & FRAME Swim meet planned at CYC The Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center will celebrate its 28th Open Swim Meeton Saturday, Dec. 7. Kevin Bogdon, pool manager, stated that the meet is open to the public to observe the number of swimmers from all over the area who will be competing for individ- ual awards. The meet will begin at 9 a.m. with warm up, and the actual competition at 10 a.m. Saturday's event include all 14 and under age group swimmers. : There will be a total of 70 events. throughout the day with awards given for the first six finishers. Rev. John S. Terry is Director of the CYC which is a member agency of the Wyoming Valley United Way. For more information, don’t hesitate to call the CYC, at 823- 6121 or stop in and see us at 36 So. Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre. After 696-2187 The Best Price for Quality Repairs The Only Shop In The Northeast Certified To Give A |? ¥ 3 Year Paint Performance Guarantee 254 Cliffside Ave., Trucksville, PA FEATURING CAR-O-LINER The World's Finest Repair System For The Modern Auto » Free Pick Up & Delivery * Free Estimates * Car Rentals * Insurance Estimates Services: We Employ Certified Technicians Rt. - 309 2 LUZERNE DALLAS HWY. =p N A TRUCKSVILLE i ih ennu, [3 (& x O° 1st TRAFFIC LT J HOLLY %% ST. ¢= < EE
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers