I —. Sports The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday, October 25, 2001 Lake-Lehman coaches share multi-talented athletes By BETTY HINDS Post Correspondent LEHMAN - In a day when many high school coaches expect athletes to focus on a single sport, two Lake-Lehman coaches have a different philosophy. Soccer coach Mark Stroney and cross country coach Ed Radzinski share the talents of three students, seniors Dave Walters, Brian McMahon, and Greg Kostrobala. “High School sports are not just about winning or losing,” Stroney explained. “They are about what will benefit the boys in the future.” When Radzinski approached him _about recruiting some of his soccer Black Knights claim 3rd win After losing their first five games, Lehman stormed back with their third consecutive win. In the key play of the game, the Black Knights’ defense kept the Spartans from scoring a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. In the first quarter, on the third play of the game, Zack Ragukas connected with Josh Kuwaye, giving the Black Knights a 7-0 lead. The Spartans an- swered with a touchdown and a two- point conversion, giving Valley West an 8-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.. Valley West scored first in the second, but had their extra point attempt blocked. Lehman responded with a 62- yard touchdown pass from Ragukas to Jim Mahon. Lehman's extra point at- tempt was blocked as well, resulting in a one-point deficit for Lehman at half- time with a score of 14-13. On the opening kick of the second half, Lehman's Dave Harris recovered a fumble, and two plays later Kuwaye caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Ragukas. A tough defensive stand, in- cluding two consecutive quarterback sacks, kept the Spartans from scoring and gave the Black Knights the 19-14 victory. Ragukas was 5-of-16 for 156 yards. Kuwaye had 71 yards rushing and 94 yards receiving. Dallas shuts out N. Pocono Rushing for twp touchdowns and throwing three touchdown passes, quarterback Chuck Suppon was the main attraction in the Mountaineers’ spectacular show of strength. In the first half, the offense scored five times while the defense held the Trojans to 49 yards. The only score of the first quarter came from a 1-yard run by Suppon. In the second quarter, Dallas scored four more times, taking North Pocono out of the game. Suppon started the second quarter with a repeat performance of a l1-yard touchdown run. He continued his success by connecting with Duane Short two times, once on a 38-yard re- ception and again with an 81-yard re- ception. The final touchdown of the first half, and of the game, came from a 14-yard pass from Suppon to Jeremy Harris. Suppon was 8-of-17 for 194 yards. Jeremy Harris carried 17 times, gain- ing 111 yards. A.J. Harris rushed 97 yards on 7 carries. This Saturday Dal- las meets Lehman for the annual “Old Shoe” rivalry. SOCCER Nanticoke 4, Lake-Lehman 3 The Black Knights saw their 3-1 half- time lead go up in smoke. In the sec- ond half, Lehman was scoreless and was unable to stop the Nanticoke of- fense from scoring three times. Nathan Carsman led Lehman with two goals. Dallas 6, GAR 0 After a scoreless first half, the Moun- taineers blew away the Grenadiers in the second. Eric Baltimore and Ricky Branco each scored twice, while An- drew George and Ryan Morgan had one goal apiece. Ryan Love posted two as- sists. Dallas dominated shots on goal, See ROUNDUP, pg 12 players, Stroney agreed. “Cross-coun- try is an easy second sport because it does not take up too many extra hours, and cross-country helps the players stay in condition for soccer,” he said. “It also benefits the school to have them running on the cross country team.” Radzinski knows his situation is un- usual. “Coach Stroney is absolutely an angel,” he said. “I saw running poten- tial in some of the soccer players, and coach Stroney sat down with me and worked out a schedule.” Lake-Lehman Athletic Director Rich Gorgone also praised Stroney. “I give a lot of credit to coach Stroney. He evens allows the The Dallas Mountaineers soccer squad went honie for the third straight year with the “Players Trophy,” signi- fying a win over rival Lake-Lehman. Dallas won Tuesday's game 5-2, wind- ing up a perfect 18-0 regular season. Both teams are in the district playoffs and could meet again if they advance. high school once. If they are talented, why not let them do tu ports simultaneously?” Ed Radzinski Lake-Lehman cross country coach boys to miss non-crucial games so they can run.” The three athletes all have the posi- tion of midfielder for the soccer team. “Midfielders have the highest fitness level of all the soccer players,” Stroney explained.” They do the most running on the soccer field, and they are natu- rals at running cross-country.” Brian McMahon began running for the - cross-country team three years ago. “I ran in junior high and really en- joyed it,” he said last week. “I like get- ting to know both the soccer team and the cross-country team members. If kids are multi-talented, they should be doing two sports.” Unfortunately, Brian pulled the tendons and ligaments in his foot and is just now getting back to both sports. When he is in full strength, he usually finishes in the top five. Radzinski recruited soccer standout Dave Walters halfway through last year. “I could see that in the 1.75 mile loop he was well ahead of the other players,” he said. “It took some talking, but I convinced him to give it a try. In his first race, he came in 5th and helped us beat an undefeated team.” This year, Dave has finished in the top four of every District 2 Wyoming Valley League race in which he has run. Encouraging more coaches to follow their example, Radzinski concluded. “The kids are only in high school once. If they are talented, why not let them do two sports simultaneously?” continue dominance against Lake-Lehman Ryan Love put Dallas on the board early off a header from Andrew George, but Lehman responded with a Nathan Carsman goal. Love scored again, followed by Ricky Branco’s goal to give Dallas a 3-1 lead at half- time. Branco scored again early in the second half and Carsman followed. The final goal was Black, Blue Knights battle to tie scored by Angelo Recchia on a feed from Tim Faneck. In photos, clockwise from right: Ricky Branco was sand- wiched between Craig Kasper and Jason Mahle; Eric Baltimore kept his eye on the ball; Dave Walters ran down a pass; Dallas keeper Jon Pall stopped a Lehman shot on goal; Dallas cap- tains hoisted the “Players Trophy.” From left, Paul Shiber, Andrew George and Tim Fa- neck. J Lehman, Sem may meet again in playoffs The Lake-Lehman/Wyoming Seminary field hockey game played last Friday turned into all it was cracked up to be, as the two powerhouse squads locked horns and ended in a 1-1 tie after over- time. The tie paved the way for the Black Knights to clinch the regular season championship with a 4-1 win Monday over E. Stroudsburg North. Lehman scored in the first half and then held off Sem until Ann Marie Janus found the net with under 8 min- utes left in the game. Neither team was able to score in the single 10-minute overtime. In left photo, Lehman’s Meredith Ed- wards, in white, battled over a loose ball. At right, Lauren Lipski stayed a step ahead of Sem’s Laura Suchoski. POST PHOTOS/RON BARTIZEK
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