4 > bf ANY NT The Dallas Post SportsWeek Bl School news HB Calendar HB Classified Geurin “wrestles at NCAA nationals 2 By DAVE KONOPKI Sports Writer Two years ago, Mike Geurin was earning the respect of wres- tlers and coaches all over the wrestling tradition-rich state of Pennsylvania as a member of the Lake-Lehman Black Knights. Now, he's earning the respect of a nation. The former Black Knight stand- ®.. and current redshirt fresh- man at Lock Haven University competed in the NCAA Division I wrestling championships last weekend on the campus of the University of North Carolina. In the process, Geurin raised more than a few eyebrows with his upset win over Oklahoma's Quincy Clark. Clark, 27-4, the fifth- seeded wrestler at 177-pounds, is @2 returning two-time All America for the Sooners and won the Big Eight title this season. Geurin entered the tourney with a record of 17-8 and was unseeded. ~ It's safe to say Geurin has been in plenty of important wrestling matches since he first put on a singlet as a second grade student. But this match may have been the most important. + “That was probably the biggest @ match in my life, up to that point,” said the redshirt freshman who was the PIAA Class AA state run- ner-up during his senior year at Lehman in 1991. While at Lehman, Geurin was also a three- time District 2 champion and a two-time Northeast Regional PHOTO BY TOM WILLIAMS AT THE NATIONALS - Lake-Lehman graduate Mike Geurin wrestled in the NCAA National tournament last weekend at the University of North Carolina. While he didn't win any medals, he upset the number five seed. A 1992 graduate of Lehman, Geurin is a red-shirt freshman at Lock Haven University. “When we were going into over- time, I knew I could take him down,” said the 20-year-old son of William and Barbara Geurin. “A couple of times during regulation I got in deep and thought I had him, but he got away. That was running through my mind when I got a single-leg on him in over- time. But I took him down and won the match. It was a great feeling.” Geurin was eliminated from the tournament with two heartbreak- ing losses following his win over Clark. Geurin lost a close 5-3 champion. “I knew what I had t6***d€é{Sion to Bob Ferraro in the do to beat him - get my shots off ™8§&0ond round." TYailing 4-3, and wrestle the entire seven min- 9c ® Thematch between Geurin and Clark went seven minutes because the score was tied 7-7 after regu- lation. The two wrestlers began the overtime period standing and, despite the experience of his opponent, Geurin was confident heading into the extra period. ¢ Geurin let Ferraro escape in the closing seconds and nearly had a takedown to tie the contest as time ran out. Ferraro went on to finish eighth in the tourney, thereby gaining All-America hon- ors. In the first round of consola- tions, Geurin suffered a tough 7- 6 loss to Michigan State's Erich “When we were going into overtime, I knew I could take him down.” Mike Guerin Harvey. Although he fell short in his quest to become an All-America during his freshman year, Geurin has proved to many, but more importantly to himself; he'belongs wrestling on the DiviSion I level. “I went through a time at Clar- ion when I questioned whether I should continue wrestling,” said Geurin, who attended Clarion University for one year following high school. “It's kind of intimi- dating going into a Division I wrestling program and sometimes you question whether or not you can compete at that level. I kept WATER WIZARDS - Shown in the photo are, row 1, Matthew Schweitzer, Justin DeSalvo, Carey Fetting-Smith and Eric Daney. Row 2, Bill Boyle, Heather Yuhas, (assistant coaches), Shannon Gaffney, Megan Daney, David Conyngham, Connor Fetting-Smith, and Jerry Rynkiewicz, head coach. BMT swimmers in Y championships Seven swimmers from the Back Mountain represented the Wilkes- Barre YMCA Dolphin swim team P this past weekend at the Eastern District YMCA Swimming Cham- pionships, at the LaSalle Univer- sity Natatorium in Philadelphia. In the 10-and-under age group, Eric swam the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke and was a member of the 200 medley relay, while Justin competed in the 50 breaststroke. Carey was part of the 200 free relay and also swam the 50 free and 50 fly. For the 12-and-under boys, Matthew, Connor and David were members of the 200 medley relay team. Matthew also swam the 50 fly and 50 free. Inthe 12-and-under age group, Shannon was part of the 200 medley relay team while Megan swam the 50 back, 200 individual medley and was the lead-off swim- mer for the 200 free relay. Megan placed eighth in the backstroke, earning her a chance to compete in the Pennsylvania East-West YMCA Swimming Championships, March 27 at the Penn State McCoy Natatorium at State College. The Dolphins are coached by Jerry Rynkiewicz with assistants Bill Boyle and Heather Yuhas. Weight For Wishes update: As of Monday, March 21, Dave Konopki's weight was 257 1bs., a loss of 24 lbs. from his starting point. Watch for a complete update of weight loss and pledges next week. telling myselt positive things to suppress those feelings. Now, I'm very happy at Lock Haven. This is my new home away from home.” Geurin earned a spot at nation- als with a second-place finish in the Eastern Wrestling League Championships. He lost an 8-4 decision to West Virginia's Dean Morrison, who went on to win the NCAA national championship in Chapel Hill. That match, combined with his outstanding performance at na- tionals, answered any questions about Geurin’s chances of being; successful on the national level. “That motivates me a lot, know- ing I'm right there and can com- pete at this level,” said the health and physical education major. “When I was little, I didn’t wonder if I could compete on this level, but I used to dream of being able to wrestle competitively with the best in the nation.” That dream has come true. Brad Barket is track all-American By DAVE KONOPKI Sports Writer If Brad Barket were competing in the 800-meter run for the Uni- versity of California at Los Ange- les right now, he'd probably finish among the top three runners in the event. Quite a accomplish- ment considering the tradition- rich track and field program at UCLA. But, you see, Brad Barket is still in high school. The 17-year-old Dallas native recently gained All-America status with a sixth place finish at the National Scholastic Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY. Barket finished the 800-meter event in a personal-best time of 1:55.54. The winning time in the event was Junior National record 1:51.1. The son of Sol and Gail Barket of Dallas is a student at the Ped- die School, a private school in Hightstown, New Jersey. As a high school freshman, Barket competed with the Dallas High School cross-country and track teams where he won the District 7 championship in the mile and earned a third-place finish at the D-2 cross-country champion- ships. He transferred to Peddie before his sophomore, year. “I thought I had a better oppor- tunity there,” said Barket, of his decision to attend the prepara- tory school. “They compete in a lot of major events and they have an indoor track at the school. I also liked the prep school atmos- phere better. But still have a lot of friends at Dallas.” Although at first he was un- sure of who his competition would be at the event in Syracuse, Barket knew it would take a personal best if he was going to gain All- America honors. “I wasn't really sure who was going to be running,” said Barket, who also competes in the mile. “As it turned out, one kid was the winner at the Pan-Am games. I wanted to finish in the top six and I knew it was going to take a personal best to accomplish it.” Five heats of 12 runners apiece competed in the nationals. Barket qualified for the event with a time of 1:55.69 and was seeded in the first heat, a heat reserved for the fastest runners. In fact, all six runners who gained All-America status joined Barket in the first heat. Now Barket, who returned from a visit to his brother, Todd, in Los Angeles last weekend, is looking forward to a solid individual and team season with Peddie. “Right now, I just want to con- centrate on this season,” said Barket, whose spring track sea- son begins this week. “We're get- ting ready for the Penn Relays (in Philadelphia) and a couple of other big relay meets (Barket is also a member of the Peddie's 4x400 relay team which is ranked num- ber eight in the nation). We should have a very good season.” Barket also has track aspira- tions following high school, in- cluding competing on the colle- giate level and, perhaps, repre- senting his country as well. “I'm hoping to make the (USA) Junior National team,” Barket said of the team which will compete in Puerto Rico. “I'm going to have to run in New Orleans and probably finish with a time of 1:52. I'll probably have to train a little harder, run some more distance and get more strength training. Right now, I'm running between 35 and 40 miles a week and lifting weights every other day. “I want to run in college but right now I really don't know where,” said Barket, who has shown interest in UCLA, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgetown and Princeton. “Hopefully, I'll be going on a track scholarship. Our school (Peddie) has a 100 percent college place- ment record and the best guid- ance counselor in the nation. I know I can compete on the Divi- sion I college level. Right now if] were running for UCLA, I'd proba bly be finishing in the top three at 800 meters.” Not too bad for a 17-year-old with two more high school sea- sons to go. Special watches for special team By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff Among the many accolades given to the Dallas football team for its championship season was a special gift, a first for both giver and recipient. At a special assembly March 17, representatives of Gruen Marketing Corporation, famous for its watches, gave each player a special wristwatch decorated with a logo commemorating the team’s recent Class AA state champion- ship. The player's name was en- graved on the back of each watch. Herb Heavin, Gruen military marketing specialist and father of sophmore tailback Cody Friedel, first conceived of the idea and presented it to the company, supported by booster club mem- bers Frank Natitus and John Straigis. With the customized designs and engraving, each watch is worth at least $150, Heavin said. “This was the first time that Gruen has done something like this,” said Gruen vice-president Sam Rostock. “We're behind the team 100 percent.” Heavin, Rostock and Gruen representative Mike Conahan were on hand at the school for the presentation. “We are very proud to donate these watches as a token of our appreciation for your great sports- manship, leadership and desire to succeed,” Rostock said to the team. “Wow! This is great!” grinned John “Rosy” Robinson, trying on his watch as soon as he received it. “What do you think?” he asked of the people seated behind him. Other team members were equally impressed, busily adjust- ing watch bands and admiring one another's timepieces. =~ WHAT A WATCH - Above, Dallas football player Dan Natitus receives his watch from Herb Heavin, Gruen representative. Below, the watch face up close. fo
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