Lehman hopes for season of no ifs’ Head Coach: Rich Gorgone (26th season overall) 1993 record: 6-6 (District 2 Class AA semi-finalist) Key players: Seniors, Jamie Patton (LB), Chuck Kindler (OT/ DT), Tom Smigielski (TB/DB), Brad Bittenbender (WB/LB), Dave Thomas (DT), Jason Stockage (C), Tim Waslick (SE); juniors, John Oliver, (QB/DB), Mike Pitcavage (TB/LB), Chris Swire (G/DE), Mike Spencer (G/DE), Mike Adamshick (LB) Maybe this will be the season. Maybe this will be the season Lake-Lehman head football coach Rich Gorgone will be able to complete a successful season without wondering “what might have been”. Oh sure, the Black Knights have been more than competitive in recent years in the Wyoming Valley Conference Divi- sion II. But recently, it seems as though something has stood in the way of preventing the Black Knights from making the leap from contenders to champions. 1994 LAKE-LEHMAN BLACK KNIGHTS - Kneeling, from left, Ebin Walter, Tim Waslick, Jamie Patton, Brad Bittenbender, Dave Thomas, Tom Smigielski, Chuck Kindler, Bob Roberts, Jason Stockage, Gabe Sidonio. Second row, Dave Rogers, Roy Holcomb, Kevin Whipple, Len Crawford, Joe Kosier, Mike Gorgone knows the word “if” has become a frequent part of his vocabulary when talking about his Black Knights in recent sea- sons. “We've had a couple of breaks that haven't gone our way, but I think we've been a very competi- LAKE-LEHMAN FOOTBALL yards through the air, second in the conference. “They had an outstanding sea- Conte, Angelo DeCesaris, Chris Swire, Dan Thomas, Jason Adamski, Joe Morris, Mike Woronko. Third row, Chris Bath, Mike Pitcavage, Erik Crisman, Chris Lucarino, Tony Tereska, Mike Adamshick, John Oliver, Mike Spencer, Chris Caines, Brian Wesley, Ryan Hartz, Marc Ronczka, Tom Fostock. : “Everyone in our division is good. We have some nice talent, but so does “Injuries and depth are going to be factors this season. We have- n't gotten off to a good start as far as injuries are concerned, but if we can stay healthy, we should be a very good football team.” Also returning on offense is tailback Mike Pitcavage. The 5- w - *® . 4 o 4 4 4 - - ree Ty note Satie Unies Senn Tha © © “ = Oo © 0 © S 8 ar TEs aan TD tere E ilk Lua ad “4 'The Dallas Post Fall Sports Preview ' ~~“ “' Wednesday, September 7; 1994" The Dallas Post Fall Sports Preview Wednesday, September 7, 1994 9 Improved image brings big turnout Head coach: Richelle Straka (2nd year) 1993 record: 5-10 Returning letterwinners: Seniors, Alisa Merolli (setter); and Alyssa Rosentel (hitter) Promising players: Seniors, Laura Chocalla (hitter); Joyce Scott (defense); juniors, Sarah Misson (blocker), Susan Benedetti (de- fense); sophomores, Emily Schweitzer (defense) Richelle Straka isn't a build- ing contractor and she’s never built a house. But she is a volley- ball coach and despite her lack of experience in the construction field, she knows a strong struc- ture can’t be built in a day. Neither can a competitive vol- leyball team. But it appears as though the second-year head coach of the Dallas Mountaineer girls’ volley- ball team has the program headed in the right direction. Last year, Straka laid down the foundation. This year, she’s hoping to build on it. “I think the word is getting around that our program is mov- “Our goal is to improve on last year’s record and, at all times, put our best foot forward.” Richelle Straka Dallas volleyball coach ing forward,” said Straka, who has a whopping 33 girls on her roster, including 12 players who are new to the program. “Our team is much better on skills this year. We probably had better girls last year, but this year the skills are much stronger. Our goal is to improve on last year’s record and, at all times, put our best foot forward.” ; The Lady Mounts finished the 1993 season with a 5-10 record, returning just two letterwinners to the court in seniors Alisa Merolli and Alyssa Rosentel. Merolli is a strong setter while Rosentel is a hitter. But Dallas has a number of promising players, including a strong sophomore class. “They're going to be outstand- ing,” said Straka, who coaches DALLAS SPIKERS - Front row, Angie Austin, Shannon Caboot, Allison Ash, Amy Wisnewski, Sara Clement, Joy Scott, Sarah Podehl, Stacia Stire. Second row, Lori Buzzen, Christy Callahan, Alisa Merolli, Emily Schweitzer, Joey Walko, Sue Buckley, Bridget Baines, Jill Jumper. Third row, Stacey Engler, Heather Deeble, Chris Kovaleski, Laura Kaschenbach, Alyssa Rosentel, Michelle Chocallo, Sarah Misson, Laura Chocallo, Jen Miers, Richelle Straka, coach. DALLAS VOLLEYBALL the team with her husband, Kevin. “I think that when they're seniors you are going to see a Dallas team seriously competing for the (league) championship. It takes time to build to that level but this is a real good group. They listen well and follow instructions.” In addition to the two returning letterwinners, players who are expected to have an impact on the 1994 squad include, seniors Laura Chocalla (hitter) and Joyce Scott (defense); juniors, Sarah Misson (blocker) and Susan Benedetti (defense); and sophomore Emily Schweitzer (defense), who has earned a spot on the starting lineup despite never playing vol- leyball before this season. J. N= nw Consider this: Three years ago jye football team,” said Gorgone, son last vear.” said Go everyone else.” 10, 165-pound junior, who will it was Injuries. lots and lois of p15 saerated By Heb Rolorte, moar. said Gorgoneofthe Rich Gorgone also start at linebacker, began his DALLAS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL injuries - injuries which forced gg} Langan, Scott Kerkowski,Don athletes. John's a great athlete Lake-Lehman football coach sophomore season on the bench u a en fe » eB ack Knights to play an inex- Spencer and Scott Shafer. “This whoca ’ but earned a spot in the starting y pp . . Thur. Sept. 8 Hazleton Home ericnced plover at nearly eve L ocandoalotforus. Butldon't : 3 p Di Sul, despite ods 0d year, | think we could be in the Sink we can Just sit back and parlield and rajssd a fow o8 BULLY STORAGE SYSTEMS Tues. Sept. 13 GAR Away ord. they held their own against hunt for a championship, if we feature our pass offense. Wehave Swire and Mike Spencer have browsin the final five games ofthe Thur. Sept. 15 Abington Home 1 many teams. Two years ago, the stay healthy. We have a lot of the ability to run the ball and already gotten either hurt or suf- season. ol Mon. Sept. 19 WVW Away | Black Knights played nearly every tools and some very good athletes we're trying to get as many people fered from illness during the pre- On defunse, joining the eam Wed. Sept. 21 Pittston Home en mide ii to hee returning. involved in the offense as pos- season. are a couple of big hitters in senior T : S N 27 Wvormnina Ar Aw : 1 tart forced Lak t The Black Knights return a sjble. But in the end, we're going Kindler, a 6-3, 265-pound middle linebacker Jamie Patton ues. Sept. yoming Area ay Sow Slant lorce eMante number of outstanding athletes to do what the other teams give senior, will start at offensive/de- (5-10, 195) and senior defensive Thur. Sept. 29 Tunkhannock Away sells ior a .500 Season f crit from last year's history-making yg." i fensive tackle; Smigielski, a 6-1 tackle Dave Thomas (6-2, 250). Tues.Oct. 4 North Pocono Home fs A ara Soaps i “ertical team including one of the most Although they have a number 172-pound senior returns to his Both Patton and Thomas started : a Thur. Oct. 6 Nanticoke Away CY niarcts Thay. Bove. pio dangerous passing duos in the of quality people back from last defensive back position and will at their respective positions last THE FINEST IN TRUCK CAPS AND VAN EQUIPMENT Mon. Oct. 10 Crestwood Home ventedlake Lehman fom nnash. To0, year, the Black Knights have got- have time in the Black Knight season. 8 : Wed. Oct. 12 WSAVT Home | ing with a regular season record Junior quarterback John Ol ten off toa shaky start in terms of backfield on offense; Swire (5-11, Our schedule Is loaded,” said 1447 Scott Street Mon. Oct. 17 Lake-Lehman Away of 8-3. Instead, they finished the ver Jo 1, 27 ag er Wide bad luck early in 1994. Lehman 225)and Spencer (5-10, 185), both Gorgone, of his wvC Divsion II Wilkes-Barre. Pennsvivania 18705 Wed. Oct. 19 Hanover Away regular season with a respectable receiver im Was lic (6-0, ) has already suffered a couple of juniors, will play on the offensive opponents. “Everyone in our ’ y Tues. Oct. 25 Meyers Home 6-5 mark and made the Districto return to the gridiron for an €n- injuries to key players, although and defensive lines. division is good. We have some PHON i (71 7) 822-2448 Thur. Oct. 27 Coughlin Home rots bor tie Botta oor core performance following a pone of the injuries appear to be “We have to stay healthy,” said nice talent, but so does everyone Tues Nov 1 League Playoff pay * sensational season last year. In of the season-ending variety. Gorgone, who enters his 26th else. I think a lot of games will be 2 : 22g y Although he hopes the days of. 1993, the combination of Oliver- Returning starters Chuck seasonoverall, and 10th consecu- decided in the fourth quarter. It's Thur. Nov. 3 District Playoff using it are coming to an end, to-Waslick gained more than 600 Kinder, Tom Smigielski, Chris tive year, with the Black Knights. goingtobeavery interestingyear.” as el Straka a Your Money's worth Plus friendly service and complete satisfaction Steven’ s Town & Country Cleaners Country Club Shopping Ctr. * 675-0468 \ a Good Luck Back Mt. Teams! \\ DEUFET ANTI (ol a= 1g CN sy fo Tra I & 668 Memorial Hwy ., Dallas Good Luck Back Mountain Atheletes J Carmen's Flowers apa array ) SALE NAPA EVERCRAFT™ 6-PC. DELUXE SCREWDRIVER SET Chrome vanadium alloy steel with power- grip handles. 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