le 0 0 (0) The Dallas Post Section 2 Wednesday, June 5, 1996 Sports\Week eidi Yankowski Heeb, '84 Dallas grad, just misses Olympics By LEN KRYESKI Sports Writer ATHENS, GEORGIA - At speeds above 35 mph, the race lor an opportunity to represent the United States as a member of the Olympic cycling team came to a screeching halt Sunday for former Dallas star athlete Heidi Yankowski Heeb. Sunday's run in Charlotte, North Carolina was the final quali- fier for an Olympic berth in cy- cling. Heeb came away [rom the event by placing 20th in the coun- try in the national point series. “It wasn't one of my better days,” said Heeb. “I kind of had a weird problem with one of my tires.” Three Olympic roster spots were filled after the competition - only one as aresult of the racing. Two more cyclists were selected by a polling of the coaches. Heidi's spirits were not diminished after failing to make the team. “It's a real prestigious event,” said Heeb, a 1984 Dallas gradu- ate, “and my thinking was wanted to make mysell known, and to make myself look good for a pro team. I need some good racing.” While the majority of Olympic sports favor girls college age and younger, cyclists have been known to make a name for themselves into their thirties. Don’t count Heidi out [rom making another run at the Olympic team in the future. She finished 15th among women at last year's Tour DuPont and was looking to improve that ranking in ‘96 before learning the womens’ Tour DePont was can- celled this year. Right now, however, her heart is set on making a professional cycling team. She's currently a member of A.W.V. team, based out of Alabama. It's comparable to playing for the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre Red Barons farm club, wailing for a shot at the Phillies. “They can help sponsor you and help pay [or a smaller team to gotoabigrace,” Heeb said. “A pro team pays you money lo compete and race.” Alter catching on with a profes- sional team, most cyclists leave the labor force to concentrate on biking. Very few have an easy time competing and holding on to their regular job. Atrip toAtlanta this July would have been a short jaunt. Heidi resides in Athens, Georgia with her husband Mark and is em- ployed as a marketing and adver- tising representative for’ I'TI Cable. She commutes to the office daily via bicycle. In addition to daily 20-mile trek to and from work Heidi enjoys groupriding. Her efforts ona two- wheeler add up to about 250 miles over Lhe course of six days a week. Mark usually outdistances her by 100 miles. Whether it's for a shot at the Olympic team, a pro club or sim- ply for compelitive cycling, prac- tice and training is quite a work- out. Rugged terrain isn't always the norm, but there are plenty of hills, mountains and steep grades to overcome. KNIGHTS CAN'T GET PAST DUNMORE to keep them in the game. Mike Woronko, runner. Ralph Wasiakowski, tag on for an out. Lake-Lehman couldn't bring the runs home in their district playoff against Dunmore last week. The Knights ended the season on the short end of a 5-2 game. But they didn't give up easily, as the defense came up with solid play in top photo, scrambled to pick up a wild pitch that bounced off the backstop, then tagged out a Dunmore right, Lehman second sacker, put the POST PHOTOS/RON BARTIZEK “It's kind of scary,” Heeb said, “and yet it’s fun!” In addition to hill intervals, practice routines include sprint intervals and motor pacing. In motor pacing, a cyclists will tail a car and try to keep pace. The idea is to build leg strength, pedaling power and in Heidi's case - strive to consistently pedal at 40 mph. Mark is usually in the car, but Heidi has been know to put her mom, Louise Yankowski to work while vacationing in Georgia. After lettering for four years at the sweeper position for the Dal- las field hockey team, Heidi played sweeper four more seasons at the University of Scranton. She re- ceived a bachelor’s degree in mar- keting and a minor in English while learning a valuable lesson about herself. “l decided that I needed an- other sport to play besides field hockey,” Heidi said. “Field hockey made me into a compelitive ath- lete. For girls especially, high school sports make a big differ- ence. Theyre confidence build- ers.” uf It was Mark who convinced her to take up competitive cycling. A sport she has been able to star in and take to the next level because of confidence and a determined, competitive spirit - the combina- tion that nearly led to a trip to the Olympics. For Heidi Heeb, someday, it just might. Yanks squeak by Giants with Sth-inning score By LEN KRYESKI Sports Writer DALLAS TOWNSHIP - John Pambinko drove home Tim Kerestes from third with an in- field single in the bottom of the fifth inning, breaking a 3-all tie and lifting the Yankees to a 4-3 victory over the Giants in Back Mountain Little League play Mon- day. Kerestes reached base via a one-out walk; the only free pass given up all night by losing pitcher Jim Belles. The Yankee catcher advanced to second on a wild pitch and continued to third on an errant throw before scoring the winning run. With the count full, Pambinko hit one deep in the hole to short- stop Eric Mahle and beat out the throw to finish the night a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. He also scored the game's [irst run on a wild pitch in the opening inning. Jeff Emanuel pitched six in- nings for the complete game vic- tory. The Yankee hurler struck out 12, allowed three runs on three hits and walked six Giant batters - one intentionally. Belles fanned 11, giving up four runs on six hits. He helped him- self by hitting a two-run round tripper in the third. Trailing 1-0, Charlie Strajewski tied up the game in the third by rifling a shot between shortstop Bob Gebhart and the bag at sec- ond. Kevin Domzalski scored on the single which also ended Emanuel's bid for a no-hitter. Belles followed with his fifth home run of the season, a towering two- run blow to right center. The Giants carried the 3-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth. Left handed pinch hitter Frank Buzin opened the Yankee hall of the inning by slashing a double down the left field line. He scored on single by Todd Kerestes. With one out and Kerestes on second, Matt Gehringer blooped a double to right center, tying up the contest. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Giants, who left the bases loaded with walks in the fifth and had Joel Mazer throw out, atlemplting to steal home with two down in the sixth. The Giants’ third and final hit off Emanuel] was a fourth inning single by [first baseman Matt Carey. Domzalski walked during all three trips to the plate and added two stolen bases. BACKMT BASEBALL RESULTS Misericordia honors 4-year athletes The College Misericordia athletic department recently honored 15 four-year varsity letters winners by presenting them with their “Varsity M” watches at the annual Winter/Spring Athletic Awards Dinner. Among the honorees were Jen Smith. Ray Klemunes and Jim Reynolds. MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL White Sox 17 - Harveys Lake Silver Bullets 11 The White Sox came from be- hind with 10 runs in the sixth inning to beat the Silver Bullets and improved their record to 9-2. For the White Sox, Sam Lloyd had three hits, Lisa Wasser had two hits and Molly Guntli had two hits, including a bases loaded triple. Molly Guntli pitched the last three innings, allowing no hits and no runs and struck out eight, to pick up the win. White Sox 27 - Bob Horlacher Giants 24 In a wild game, the White Sox outlasted the B.H. Giants. Lisa Wasser had three hits for the White Sox, while Caitlin Ward, Erin Swepston, Megan Williamson and Courtney Dombroski had two hits each. Sam Lloyd was the winning pitcher. Hoban, Coughlin, GAR. Hanover, EF Meyers, Nanticoke, Pitist Pout sville. Junior League results Back Mt. Braves 17 - Harveys Lake Indians 6 ; Stephen Moyer led the hitting attack with four hits including two triples. Josh Katyl and Lloyd Droppers added two hits each. Katyl, Moyer and Jared Karalunas combined to strikeout 13 Indians while scathering three hits with Katyl getting the win. Josh Schrader, Chris Navinand Paul Santarelli each singled for the Indians. Back Mt. Braves 16 - Back Mt. Pirates 5 Josh Katyl banged out a grand slam homerun and a triple in a game played at the Lackawanna County Stadium. T.J. Dougherty, Justin Bicking and Jared Karalunas all had two hits for the Braves. C.J. Adamchak highlighted the Pirate hitting with a three run homerun, Russ Susko added a double. Pirates 14 - Rockies 7 Randy Knappman collected the win with nine strikeouts. Knappman was three for four along with C.J. Admachak who was two for four and Kevin Razawich hitting a three bagger clearing the bases. Dan et a a li oe oon Bi § hii Mike Domzalski threw 16 strikeouts and batted three for four with three RBI's to lead the Pirates toaviclory. Andrew Lohin completed the game for a save on the mound while C.J. Adamchak went four for four with four RBI's. Dan Laurenzic also was two for three for the winners. Boys-Major League A’s 6 - Dodgers 4 Jell Dixon hit and pitched the win for the A's. He was two lor three with the bat along with Adam Tkaczyk hitting a double. Eric Kowalek, Josh Bryant and Scott Lozo had extra base hits for the Dodgers. Reds 15 - Yankees 10 Mike English was the winning pitcher while completing five in- nings with five strikeouts. Jell Emanuel pitched 14 strikeouts for the Yankees. The dillerence came from the hitting of the Reds’ players, Jesse Danoll gelling two hits, Blake Saba, three hits with double and Neil Buchman with a double. Matt Rondina had two hits at the plate for the Yankees. Cards 12 - Orioles 0 Brian Downey pitched a three hitler and scored three runs for the Cardinals in their win over the birds. Andrew Dale and Geoff Walp provided additional support at the plate going, three for four and two for three respectively. Ryan Gryskevicz had two hits for the birds. Indians 9 - A’s 4 John Schuliz had command of the plate and struck out 11 A's to collect the win. Indians getting multiple hits were Mike Yenason, Ungvarsky and John Barbose. Barbose and Mike Fehlinger also had triples in the game. Jefl Dixon led the A's hit- ters with homer and single while Bob Zaruta, Paul Saxon and Chase Susko were the remainder of the attack. Rangers 12 - Giants 11 The Rangers took a 12-6 lead into the bottom of the sixth then held on as the Giants comeback fell one run short. Shawn Whale More BMT BASEBALL, pg 12 be JI 3 8
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