y FEE ROR REL SAR ER RE ERE The Dallas Post SportsWeek Fe i Fl i og on LH TATE EE RETR ® 2 Pe Girls’ soccer teams face tough league format this season But Lake-Lehman, Dallas still plan to finish well By DAVE KONOPKI Sports Correspondent Ron Moran and Charlie Hampel have had their share of suc- cesses over the past three seasons. But if both girls’ soccer coaches are to have success this year with their respective teams, they'll have to overcome two obstacles: bad weather and a new league format. With opening day less than a week away, the Dallas and Lake- Lehman girls’ soccer teams have yet to hold an outdoor practice, thanks to residuals from the “Great Blizzard of '93". Practices have been limited to the confines of the gymnasium, a far cry from the open space of a normal soccer field. In addition, the Wyoming Valley Conference has restructured the league format, dividing the league into two divisions with the top seven finishers from last year placed into one division. That ‘means Dallas, the defending regular-season conference cham- pion, and Lake-Lehman, the defending District 2 champion, will be coupled with such league powers like Bishop Hoban, Wyoming Seminary, Crestwood and Coughlin. Here's a closer look at both teams: Dallas has five senior leaders Moran lost six players to graduation {rom last year's WVC title team. But the fourth-year coach returns a solid nucleus of five returning seniors and a host of talented underclassman. “We hope to be contenders,” said Moran. “We're going to need good senior leadership. The question mark is how well the under- classmen develop. “The league is going to be tough,” added Moran. “They'll be more balance this year. Each year the teams are getting better and better. Lehman and Bishop Hoban should be the league favorites while Sem should be strong.” The Lady Mounts will be led by returning all-state performer Nina Mathers. Mathers (fullback) is joined by fellow three year starters Patrice Shovlin (forward) and Karen Wisniewski (midfield). Eve Figueora (goalkeeper) and Jill Kowalski (defender) are also re- turning seniors. Returning junior starters include Courtney Gauntlett (full- back), Carrie Miller (forward) and Amy Smith (goalkeeper). Moran will also be looking for help from juniors Colby Gauntlett, Cindy j==MaierydJessica.Kerr, Tara Killeen; Holly Mannear, Lynn Murphy and Alisa Merolli. Lehman returns most of 1992 team Hampel has good reason to be optimistic this season after losing just two starters from last year's 16-2 team that defeated Dallas, 1-0, in the district final. “Our goal is to make the playoffs,” said Hampel, understating his team’s chances. “I think our offensive line is one of the best in the league. I think we'll be able to score goals and we hope our de- fense can play like they did last year.” That would be quite an accomplishment considering the Lady Knights surrendered just nine goals in 18 games last season. Like Moran, Hampel feels the new league format should make for an interesting season. “It should make every game an exciting one," said Hampel. “Any team in our division can win it. It should make everyone in the league better. I think Bishop Hoban and Dallas are the favorites.” Hampel's returnees are senior lettermen Liz Manzoni (forward), Jenny Farrell (midfield), Teresa Gulbish (forward), Jill Smigielski (midfield), Erin Loftus (defender), Carrie Snell, and Heather Isaacs (midfield). Returning junior starters include Christina Jones (defender), Heather Evanish (defender) and Gretchen Dershimer (forward). Returning sophomores include Nikki Sennett, Carrie Llewellyn, Mandy Turner and Judy Sichler. POSTPHOTO/GRACER DOVE Champion arm wrestlers First-place winners in Lake-Noxen School's 12th annual fifth and sixth grade arm wrestling tournament were, back row from left: gym teacher Dwight Barbacci; Amy Newell, Division I; Ryan Williams, heavyweight; Christina Royer, Division Ill; front row: Nack Newell, flyweight; Nicole Parson, Division Il and Justin Harris, lightweight. Absent from photo: Eric Sickler, middleweight. W-B YMCA now registering for spring swim lessons The Wilkes-Barre YMCA is now taking registrations for the spring session beginning April 12. Skipper I & II are for children under three with a responsible adult. Under supervision of a qualified instructor they will learn safety and fun. Skipper III is for children 3 to 5years old. Beginner skills will be taught along with safety and enjoyment. Skipper IV is for children 4 and Syears olds who have all the skills from Skipper III and can swim at least 15 feet and tread water for rn 20 seconds. Grade school children will be offered progressive swimming from the non-swimmer (pre Polli- wog) to the expert (Shark). No one fails, everyone improves. The “Y" also provides Teen and Adult swimming lessons for the beginner to the advanced swim- mer. They will work at their own pace and ability with the help of the instructor. For more information call the Wilkes-Barre YMCA at 823-2191. Black Knights set a new standard Finish season at 24-7 and among state's top eight teams By DAVE KONOPKI Sports Correspondent Rich Davis, Dave Clancy, Jesse Martin, Chris Ziomek, Will Woronko, Dave Fosko, Tim Waslick. Remember those names. Write them down. Because if you're a follower of Lake-Lehman basket- ball, you're going to be hearing those names for a very long time. Yes it's true that the Black Knight's season ended last Friday night with a 57-35 loss to Pottstown at Martz Hall in Pottsville. But not before they posted a 24-7 record, advanced to the PIAA Class AAA eastern state semi-final and secured their place in Lehman history. “This team has set the stan- dard by which all Lake-Lehman teams will now be measured,” said head coach Rodger Bearde, who took the Black Knights further in the post-season than any team in Lehman history. “They have a lot to be proud of. In time, they will look back and see all the things they have accomplished.” Bearde knows this team's suc- cess did not come easily or over- night. “These kids didn't have any- thing easy,” explained Bearde, who completed his 14th season at the helm of the Black Knights. “They had to work hard for everything i SOFTBALL - Shown are members of the 1993 Minutemaids softball team from left, first row, they accomplished. They had a tough year as sophomores, a decent year as juniors but they worked very hard in the off-sea- son to become a good basketball team.” This should not be a time of sorrow for the Black Knights but rather a time of reflecting on their accomplishments, both as a team and as individuals. Rembering times like: e Rich Davis getting his 1,000th career point and his incredible off-balance shot as time expired in triple-overtime to give the Black Knights their first conference title since 1980 with a win over Mey- ers. : e Dave Clancy's buzzer-beating three-pointer against Wyoming Seminary to send the game into overtime. e Jesse Martin's 25 point per- formance against Shamokin in the opening round of the state tournament. : » Chris Ziomek’s outside bar- rage that helped lift the Black Knights to the championship in the Crossin Tournament. : e Will Woronko's in-your-face defense, especially in an early game against Wyoming Area. With the Warriors stalling the ball the junior guard was a one-man wrecking crew, forcing two cru- cial turnovers and helping Lehman escape with the win. e Dave Fosko's 10-point sec- ond quarter that lifted the slump- ing Black Knights to a win over Honesdale in the opening round of the District 2 tourney. e Tim Waslick's heroic efforts off the bench against Honesdale. Waslick handled the ball well despite extreme pressure and nailed a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to give the Knights a much needed lift. Bearde had nothing but praise for his players, especially his seniors. “They're all great kids. Not just athletes but citizens and stu- dents,” said the Lehman coach of Davis, Clancy, Ziomek and Mar- tin. “These kids are looked up to and respected by their fellow stu- dents. Their parents should feel very proud.” While Davis, Clancy and Mar- tin are almost assured of continu- ing their basketball careers in college, Ziomek may have played his last organized game on the varsity level. And Bearde heaped adulation upon his fiery, unher- alded senior guard. “He was the leader on the team,” said Bearde of Ziomek. “He was also our best defensive player. This team would have never been the same without him. He gave every ounce that he had to give. He may not have gotten the head- lines but I'll always remember Tiffany Owens, Shavertown; Stephanie Kriner, Trucksville; Jean Giarratano, Wapwallopen; Tracey Roulinavage, Wilkes-Barre and K Second row, Ann Faulls, Harveys elly Turant, West Wyoming. Lake; Tammy Stevens, Tunkhannock; Heather Roulinavage, Wilkes- Barre: Danielle Knorr, Ashley and Debbie Dyak, Wyoming. Third row, Nadine Lex, West Hazleton; Renee Klem, Plains; Bob Bertoni, Nanticoke, coach; Dave Kozemchak, Lehman, assistant coach; Elaine Dunn, Wilkes-Barre and Stephanie Grohs, Tunkhannock. The teams play their home games at Quality Hill in Nanticoke. Area grads bolster LCCC softball team The women's softball team at Luzerne County Community Col- lege is busy gearing up for its 1993 season. This year’s squad is under the direction of coach Bob Bertoni and assistant coach Dave Koz- emchak. Returning players on thisyear’s team include Ann Faulls, cap- tain, left field, Dallas High School graduate; Heather Roulinavage, captain, right field, a graduate of G.A.R. High School; Tiffany Owens, captain, third base, Dal- las High School graduate; Elaine Dunn, captain, first base, G.A.R. High School graduate and Renee Klem, pitcher and second base, a graduate of Bishop Hoban High School. The remainder of the 1993 squad is made up of Kelly Turant, short stop, graduate of Wyoming Area High School; Debbie Dyak, catcher, also a Wyoming Area graduate; Stephanie Kriner, pitcher, Dallas High School gradu- ate; Nadine Lex, outfield, a gradu- ate of West Hazleton High School; Jean Giarrantano, second base, Ebenezer High School graduate; Danielle Knorr, pitcher, a gradu- ate of Bishop Hoban High School; Tammy Stevens, third base, a graduate of Tunkhannock High School; Stephanie Grohs, outfield, also a graduate of Tunkhannock High School; and Tracy Rouli- navage, first base, G.A.R. High School graduate. The Minutemaids will open their 1993 season on Thursday, April 1 when they host Penn State- Hazleton for a doubleheader, at 2 p.m. Following Thursday's game, the team will travel to Delaware Community College on Saturday, April 3 for a doubleheader begin- ning at noon. Megan Daney takes three medals at meet Megan Daney brought home three fourth place medals from the Pennsylvania East/West YMCA Swimming Championships this past weekend. Megan repre- sented the Wilkes-Barre YMCA Dolphin swim team in the 10- and-under age group. The meet was held at the Penn State Uni- versity McCoy Natatorium at State College. In the 100 yard IM (individual medley), Megan lowered her time to 1:11.28 - a personal best time. The other individual event which Megan swam was the 50 yard backstroke. She was able to swim another personal best time of 32.77. Both of these times are Dolphin team records. Teaming with Tricia Rado, Kelly Chamberlain and Amy Krysiewski, Megan also participated in the 200 yard freestyle relay. The Dol- phins captured fourth position with a time of 1:59.10 - a new Wilkes-Barre YMCA team record for the 10-and-under age group. Megan is the daughter of Mike and Nancy Daney of Shavertown. She is a fifth grade student at the Westmoreland Elementary School. The Dolphins are coached by Jerry Rynkiewicz and Bill Boyle. Nicole Gfeller is the aquatics di- rector and Bernie Hargadon is the executive director of the Wilkes- Barre YMCA. Dallas Jr. Football board meeting The board of directors of the Dallas Junior Football Association will meet Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at the American Legion in Dallas. him.” ‘Bearde also acknowledged the. support of two crucial components to the Black Knights success; his wife, Addie and assistant coach Clarence Ozgo. “You don't stay in coaching for 28 years without someone behind you,” said Bearde of his better half. “People say I'm mellowing out, she’s just keeping me calm. She loves the kids. [wouldn't have any success in coaching if it were- n't for her. ; “You don’t know what it's like to have a man like Clarence Ozgo next to you on the bench,” added Bearde. “It's like having another head coach. You can't measure how much he means to your team. He gets along well with the kids and the kids really respect him." a So, the Black Knights’ season has come to an end, but not be- fore collecting a championship banner and a lifetime of memo- ries. “They reaffirmed our philoso- phy of coaching,” concluded Bearde. “When you have good kids who work hard, good things will happen. | know | have to convince them how I feel about them and what they accomplished. Some- day they'll realize what they did. Maybe it won't be until their 10th year reunion.” ; Hopefully, like the rest of us, they can realize it already. On Saturday, March 20, the Strikers wrestled at ‘Mountain View and placed 13 wrestlers. They were Bantam Class: 45 lbs., John Houssock, lst place; 55 lbs., Dale Radginski, 2nd place; 60 lbs., Joe Miller 3rd place; Unlimited Matt Galka, 2nd place. Midget Class: 80 lbs., Louie MacMillan, 3rd place; 85 lbs., Richie Maciejczak, 3rd place. Junior Class: 83 lbs., Jason Wood, 2nd place; 83 lbs., Jason Maciejczak, 3rd place; 83 lbs., Mike Galka, 4th place; 90 lbs., Justin Harris, 2nd place; 90 lbs., Jarrett Tuttle, 4th place; 97 lbs., Lynn MacMillan, 1st place;i 97 Ibs., Eric Sickler, 2nd place. On Sunday, March 21, they wrestled at Crestwood and placed six wrestlers. They were Bantam Class: 45 lbs., John Houssock, 3rd place; 55 lbs., Dale Radzinski, 3rd place. Midget Class: Unlimited , Mike Burnside, 4th place. Junior Class: 91 lbs. Eric Sick- ler, MacMillan, 1st place; 98 lbs., Jayson Harris, 3rd place. Wyoming Sem MVP's Athletic Director Marvin Anti- nees and coaches of Wyoming Seminary winter sports pre- sented Most Valuable Player awards during a recent assem- bly at the Kingston school. Named MVP were: Corey Crawford, Dallas, defensive ice hockey; and Nick Mahler, Dallas, boys’ swimming. Pictured are Nick Mahler, left and Corey Crawford. Back Mtn. Baseball to meet April 5 Back Mountain Baseball, Inc. will hold a general meeting on Monday, April 5, 8 p.m. at the Dallas American Legion. The new constitution and by-laws, recently approved by Little League Head- quartes in Williamsport will be voted on by the general member- ship. All managers, coaches, par- ents, volunteers and the general public are invited to attend. 1st place; 98 lbs.,, Lynn -
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