It may have been by the slimmest of margins, but it didn't seem to matter to Bob Turner and his Warsaw girls golf team Saturday at Rozella Ford.

The name of the game was finish in the top three and advance to the regionals. With an 18-hole score of 381 the Tigers did that, capping off a week Turner described as yo-yo with its ups and downs.

"I figured Columbia City was the team to beat," Turner said. "I thought second through fourth would come down to Goshen, Concord and us."

Columbia City won the team title with a 371, followed by Concord with a 373, Warsaw and Goshen with a 382. Wawasee finished fifth with a 414, followed by Elkhart Central (419), Elkhart Memorial (424), Lakewood Park Christian (433), NorthWood (439), Valley (440), Northridge (443), Whitko (453) and Triton (487).

Under Turner, who is in his 14th year as Warsaw's coach, the Tigers have now advanced to the regional 12 consecutive times.

Along with the top three teams, the top three individuals not on an advancing team will play in Saturday's regional at Noble Hawk in Kendallville.

Moving on individually are Alyson Krebs (Goshen, 88), Allison Rodino (Elkhart Central, 90) and Sara Kitt (Elkhart Central, 91).

Abby Schori led the way for the Tigers, firing a 90. Katie Manning finished with a 93, whil Erin Elliott added a 95.

"Our top three golfers played pretty good," Turner said. "A couple other teams may have had more firepower. There was a lot of competition here today."

Other Warsaw scores included Dayna Ridderman with 103 and Katrina Bonahoom with a 104.

After finishing last season with a 4-21 mark, Tippecanoe Valley improved to 15-10 this year. The Vikings finished 10th out of 13 teams in Saturday's sectional with a 440.

"As a team we dropped an average of seven strokes per match this year," Valley coach Roger Moriarty said. "We had 11 people on the team this year and we'll have everybody back but Kendra Koser."

Koser led the way for the Vikings Saturday, finishing with a 101. Other Valley scores included freshman Kara Kramer with a 103, Jennifer Yeiter with a 109, Trista Moyer with a 127 and Kelly Moon with a 130.

"We had a freshman that really played well for us this year," Moriarty said. "Kara Kramer stepped up and really played well. There weren't too many matches where Trista Moyer and Kelly Moon didn't play well."

Scoring for Wawasee was Ashley Bell (93), ReBecca Stoelting (97), Carrie Alles (110), Kayla Auer (114) and Allison Scherer (116).

Scoring for Whitko was Angie Herron (107), Ashley Schrader (114), Beth Truman (115), Teri Walter (117) and Miranda Krider (118).

Concord's Ericka Dooley was the match's actual medalist, shooting a round of 76.

Saturday, Warsaw will attempt to advance to the state match for the first time in school history.

"I told the parents today if a couple of the girls got hot anything could happen," Turner said. "We're just gonna go there and play golf. We're not gonna try and be someone we're not. We're gonna go play our game and let the rest of the field make mistakes."

WARSAW SECTIONAL

Team Scores - 1. Columbia City 371, 2. Concord 373, 3. Warsaw 381, 4. Goshen 382, 5. Wawasee 414, 6. Elkhart Central 419, 7. Elkhart Memorial 424, 8. Lakewood Park Christian 433, 9. NorthWood 439, 10. Tippecanoe Valley 440, 11. Northridge 443, 12. Whitko 453, 13. Triton 487

Actual Low Medalists - Ericka Dooley (Concord) 76, Andrea Brown (Col. City) 87, Alyson Krebs (Goshen) 88

Medalists Not On Advancing Team - Alyson Krebs (Goshen) 88, Allison Rodino (Elk. Central) 90, Sara Kitt (Elk. Central) 91

Warsaw scores - Erin Elliott 95, Abby Schori 90, Katie Manning 93, Katrina Bonahoom 104, Dayna Ridderman 103

Valley scores - Jennifer Yeiter 109, Kara Kramer 103, Trista Moyer 127, Kelly Moon 130, Kendra Koser 101

Whitko scores - Teri Walter 117, Angie Herron 107, Beth Truman 115, Ashley Schrader 114, Miranda Krider 118

Wawasee scores - Ashley Bell 93, ReBecca Stoelting 97, Kayla Auer 114, Carrie Alles 110, Allison Scherer 116

Jarrett Continues Strong Rookie Season

By Dale Hubley, Times-Union Sports Writer

TOLEDO, Ohio - With just four races remaining in the 2001 season, 25-year-old ML Motorsports driver Jason Jarrett has all but wrapped up ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year honors.

Already enjoying a comfortable lead over fellow contenders Todd Bowsher and Donny Morelock, the third-generation North Carolina racer only added to his advantage Sunday by qualifying second and finishing third in the Jasper Engines & Transmissions 200 at Toledo Speedway.

In the last six events, Jarrett and the Warsaw-based stock car team have finished second three times, third twice and eighth once.

"We've led laps in the last seven races," ML Motorsports crew chief Scott Eldridge said. "You just have to put yourself in position to win, and we're doing that. We'll get one (win) here. Things are going good right now. We've got three big-track races left and I know we'll be superb there."

Jarrett, whose father sits third in the NASCAR Winston Cup standings, certainly put himself in position Sunday in his first appearance at the half-mile oval in northern Ohio.

After spending much of the 200-lap event in second and third, Jarrett took the lead on lap 186 when frontrunners Frank Kimmel and Andy Belmont pitted during a caution brought out when Kentucky driver John Hayden made contact with the turn 4 wall.

The ML Motorsports entry led the next four laps, but running on seven cylinders, was passed by Kimmel and Belmont on lap 190.

Kimmel, a Jeffersonville native, took the checkered flag to pick up his third consecutive win. The win was the 10th of the year for the two-time and defending ARCA champion and 33rd of his career.

Belmont finished second, followed by Jarrett, Jeff Finley, Mike Buckley, Ron Cox, Roger Blackstock, A.J. Henriksen, Norm Benning and Steve Cronenwett in the top 10. Morelock and Bowsher finished 13th and 17th, respectively, while 16-year-old Indiana driver Shelby Howard started 20th and finished 18th after rear end problems ended his day 41 laps from the finish.

"I'm not disappointed that we finished third, it's just frustrating losing to the same car (Kimmel) every week," Jarrett said. "They've got a great team and all, but they're not that much better than us. It's just frustrating to not know what the difference is."

Jarrett chased Kimmel and ran in second for the first 75 laps before being passed by the aggressive Belmont, who worked his way through the field by nudging competitors out of the way. By the end of the race, the front grill on his Ford was heavily damaged.

With Texas driver Chuck Weber hitting the turn 4 wall on lap 79, Jarrett opted for pit road, running third and returning to the track in fourth.

After shuffling through a pit cycle on lap 126, Jarrett worked his way through the field and took over second again on lap 153.

With 18 laps remaining, Hayden careened into the wall, setting up the final pit stops and the winning pass for Kimmel.

"We didn't really have a good car on the first set of tires," Eldridge said. "When we got the second set on we really seemed to pick it up. We came in and pitted when nobody else did, and the cards really played into our hands."

After Sunday's third-place finish, Jarrett and the ML Motorsports team remains second in the ARCA season standings, trailing Kimmel and leading Belmont.

Before the race, officials conducted a ceremony in memory of the victims of this past week's national tragedy. The hood of Jarrett's Pontiac carried the message "We Race In Their Memory."

NASCAR and IRL called off this weekend's events, as did the NFL and Major League Baseball. At the ARCA race, fans dropped donations into drivers' helmets prior to the race to be sent to New York and Washington D.C.

"Things still didn't feel right, but I thought ARCA made the right decision to run," Jarrett said.

The ML Motorsports team will be in action Saturday in a previously postponed race at Berlin Speedway in Marne, Mich.

ARCA RE/MAX SERIES

Toledo Speedway, Sept. 16

Jasper Engines & Transmissions 200 (event #21)

200 laps (.5-mile oval)

Top 10

1. Frank Kimmel (Jeffersonville, Ind.) Chevy

2. Andy Belmont (Penndel, Penn.) Ford

3. Jason Jarrett (Hickory, N.C.) Pontiac

4. Jeff Finley (Lansing, Mich.) Chevy

5. Mike Buckley (Ann Arbor, Mich.) Chevy

6. Ron Cox (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) Chevy

7. Roger Blackstock (Shelby Twp., Mich.) Ford

8. A.J. Henriksen (Lake Zurich, Ill.) Chevy

9. Norm Benning (Pittsburgh, Penn.) Ford

10. Steve Cronenwett (Westland, Mich.) Chevy

Margin of Victory: 2.359 seconds

Cautions: 10 for 47 laps

Average speed: 69.431 mph

Lap leaders - Frank Kimmel 1-91, 136-185, 190-200 (152); Andy Belmont 92-135 (44); Jason Jarrett 186-189 (4)

Tippecanoe Valley Wins Triton Tennis Invite

Times-Union Staff Report

BOURBON - Winning the championship in three of five matches, Tippecanoe Valley's varsity boys tennis team won Saturday's Triton Invitational.

The Vikings posted a score of 51, followed by Whitko with 40, Triton with 36 and Knox with 31.

Valley picked up wins at No. 1 singles with Phil Jackson, No. 3 singles with Scott Kindig and No. 2 doubles with Brad Roberts and Brett Kollin.

Whitko's Blake Hike won at No. 2 singles, while Triton's Matt Craft and Matt Yankovich won at No. 1 doubles.

TIPPECANOE VALLEY 51, WHITKO 40, TRITON 36, KNOX 31

(championship matches)

Singles

No. 1 - Phil Jackson (TV) def. Jarred Jagger (Whi) 6-0, 6-0

No. 2 - Blake Hike (Whi) def. Sam Vanlaningham (TV) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3

No. 3 - Scott Kindig (TV) def. Nathan Collier (Whi) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles

No. 1 - Matt Craft/Matt Yankovich (T) def. Stuart Jackson/Zach Shambaugh (TV) 6-3, 6-2

No. 2 - Brad Roberts/Brett Kollin (TV) def. Matt Dodge/Tim Dodge (K) 6-7, 6-4, 6-3

NORTHRIDGE 47, WAWASEE 31, CANTERBURY 31, HIGHLAND 28, MERRILLVILLE 27, LAKE CENTRAL 20, PORTAGE 10, S.B. ADAMS 6

Saturday in Merrillville

Wawasee's varsity boys tennis team competed Saturday in the Merrillville Invitational. The Warriors tied Fort Wayne Canterbury for second with 31 points. Northridge won with 47 points. Wawasee finished second at both doubles positions with Logan Pilcher and Mickey Ashpole and Rosten Trobaugh and Joey Szynal.

(Wawasee results)

Singles

No. 1 - Evan Gerard, 4th

No. 2 - Scott Beasley, 4th

No. 3 - John Lundgren, 6th

Doubles

No. 1 - Logan Pilcher/Mickey Ashpole, 2nd

No. 2 - Rosten Trobaugh/Joey Szynal, 2nd

Saturday in Syracuse

Wawasee JV NLC Invitational

Team scores - 1. Northridge 20, 2. Wawasee 17, 3. Warsaw 16, 4. Concord 14, 5. Plymouth 13, 6. NorthWood 8, 7. Elkhart Memorial 7, 8. Goshen 0

(championship matches)

Singles

No. 1 - Chris Trobaugh (Wawa) def. Ray Truman (War) 8-4

No. 2 - Andy Dowell (NR) def. Jacob Vewynet (Ply) 9-7

No. 3 - Jason McDowell (Wawa) def. Chad Miller (NR) 8-2

Doubles

No. 1 - Ryan Ellsworth/Blaine Sumpter (War) def. Micah Weaver/Shea Reyaligo (Con) 8-2

No. 2 - Randy Nord/Bobby Roczkowski (NR) def. Matt Houin/Evan Smith (Ply) 8-4

VOLLEYBALL

WAWASEE INVITATIONAL

Saturday in Syracuse

Wawasee's varsity volleyball team hosted and won its invitational Saturday. The Warriors, which ended the day 4-0, topped Columbia City 15-3, 15-10 in the title match. Whitko competed in the eight-team tournament and finished eighth.

Team standings - 1. Wawasee, 2. Columbia City, 3. Culver Girls Academy, 4. Bethany Christian, 5. Garrett, 6. Elkhart Baptist, 7. Wabash, 8. Whitko

(Wawasee scores)

Wawasee def. Elkhart Baptist 15-6, 15-2

Wawasee def. Bethany Christian 15-5, 15-8

Wawasee def. Whitko 15-0, 15-6

Wawasee def. Columbia City 15-3, 15-10

(Wawasee leaders)

Kills - Kim Likens 18, Kathy Likens 17, Jessica Leach 16, Staci VanLue 15

Blocks - Leach 7, Chrissy Kime 5

Aces - Angie Weybright 4, Kasey Bollier 3, Ka. Likens 3, Ki. Likens 3, VanLue 3

Assists - Candice Brown 62, Ka. Likens 6

Digs - Brown 28, VanLue 26, Ki. Likens 23, Ka. Likens 20, Weybright 13, Bollier 12

(Whitko scores)

Bethany Christian def. Whitko 12-15, 15-9, 15-13

Whitko def. Elkhart Baptist 15-4, 14-16, 17-15

Wabash def. Whitko 10-15, 16-14, 15-4

All Tournament Team - Sarah Roth (Bethany Christian), Dana Roberts (Columbia City), Chasidy Myers (Columbia City), Kelly Surfus (Garrett), Jessica Leach (Wawasee), Kathy Likens (Wawasee)

TIPPECANOE VALLEY INVITATIONAL

Saturday in Akron

VALLEY DEF. FREMONT 15-8, 15-11

NORWELL DEF. VALLEY 13-15, 15-7, 15-12

MACONAQUAH DEF. VALLEY 15-10, 15-4

Tippecanoe Valley's varsity volleyball team hosted its invitational Saturday with Fremont, Norwell and Maconaquah. The Vikings ended the day with a 1-2 record, picking up a 15-8, 15-11 win over Fremont. Valley is now 7-10 overall.

(Valley leaders)

Assists - Sherise Denny 106

Aces - Denny 8, Heather Ramsey 7, Billie Jo Rosenstiel 3

Service points - Denny 17, Ramsey 11, Rosenstiel 11

Kills - Rosenstiel 13, Chelsea Stavedahl 11, Abby Shafer 8, Denny 6

Blocks - Stavedahl 10, Denny 8, Rosenstiel 3, Shafer 2

MICHIGAN CITY TOURNAMENT

Saturday in Michigan City

WARSAW DEF. PLYMOUTH 15-13, 15-5

WARSAW DEF. KANKAKEE VALLEY 16-14, 15-5

MICHIGAN CITY DEF. WARSAW 15-4, 15-3

FT. WAYNE CONCORDIA DEF. WARSAW 15-5, 15-3

Warsaw's varsity volleyball team competed Saturday in the Michigan City Invitational. The Tigers ended the day with a 2-2 record, picking up wins over Plymouth and Kanakakee Valley. Warsaw is now 12-4 on the year and hosts Northern Lakes Conference rival Wawasee Wednesday.

(Warsaw leaders)

Kills - Myra Sells 32, Ashley Hart 13, Nicole DeFord 12, Michelle DeGeeter 11, Krystan Klotz 9

ELMHURST INVITATIONAL

Saturday in Fort Wayne

DEKALB DEF. MANCHESTER 15-0, 15-3

LEO DEF. MANCHESTER 15-0, 15-2

CHURUBUSCO DEF. MANCHESTER 15-9, 15-6

Manchester's varsity volleyball team competed Saturday in the Fort Wayne Elmhurst Invitational Saturday. The Squires were defeated by DeKalb, Leo and Churubusco. Manchester is no 2-18 on the season.

SOUTHWOOD INVITATIONAL

Saturday in Wabash

9th - Whitko def. Oak Hill 15-8, 16-14

Northfield def. Whitko 10-15, 15-3, 15-13

Whitko def. Maconaquah 15-4, 15-9

Valley def. Whitko 15-6, 15-11

Whitko leaders - Leah Winger 12 aces, Kristy Jeffrey 7 aces, Alice Caudill 7 blocks, Jackie Arnett 35 digs, Amanda Busz 10 aces

WARSAW JV INVITATIONAL

Saturday in Warsaw

Warsaw def. Lake Central 15-2, 15-13

Warsaw def. Elkhart Memorial 8-15, 15-7, 15-11

Warsaw def. Rochester 15-3, 15-8

(Warsaw leaders)

Kills - Rebekah Reichard 22, Mallory Hepler 19, Kara Meyer 18

Service points - Heather Barrett 23, Hepler 21, Cheyenne Runnells 17

Aces - Hepler 7, Runnells 5, Barrett 1

Digs - Meyer 21, Reichard 15, Jessica Hollar 12

Assists - Hollar 37, Barrett 30

Warsaw season record: 11-2

GIRLS SOCCER

BLACKFORD 4, MANCHESTER 1

Saturday in North Manchester

Manchester's varsity girls soccer team hosted and fell 4-1 to Blackford Saturday. Amy Vogel scored the lone goal for the Squires, who are now 0-5 on the season. Emilee Grossman assisted on the goal.

Manchester goal - Amy Vogel

Manchester assist - Emilee Grossman

Manchester saves - Amanda Penrod 10

WARSAW 3, EAST NOBLE 0

Saturday in Kendallville

Warsaw's varsity girls soccer team traveled to East Noble Saturday and came away with a 3-0 win over the Knights. Lauren Witzky, Chelsea Boyd and Claire Beckett all scored a goal for the Tigers, who are now 5-2-2 on the season.

Warsaw goals - Lauren Witzky 1, Chelsea Boyd 1, Claire Beckett 1

Warsaw assist - Ashley Kitchens

CONCORD 6, WAWASEE 0

Saturday in Dunlap

Wawasee's varsity girls soccer team fell 6-0 Saturday at Northern Lakes Conference rival Concord. The Warriors are now 1-8 overall and 0-2 in the NLC.

BOYS SOCCER

WARSAW 0, WAWASEE 0

Northern Lakes Conference rivals Warsaw and Wawasee played to a draw Saturday in boys soccer action, ending the game tied at 0. Wawasee is 7-2-2 on the season and 1-2-1 in the NLC.

Corner kicks - Wawasee 4, Warsaw 4

JV - Warsaw 3, Wawasee 1

Wawasee goal - Austin Kaiser

*The remainder of the weekend's high school results will appear in tomorrow's Times-Union. [[In-content Ad]]