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Erne, Joy Making Tracks In Mud Racing

While his job at the United Parcel Service allows him to drive the 'big brown truck', 38-year-old Brian Erne loves nothing more than driving his 1948 Jeep he calls the Insta-Gator. Veteran stock car driver Dale Jarrett has made the 'big brown truck' common among households in his NASCAR commercials.Erne and best friend Tim Joy, both Whitko High School graduates, are trying to make a name for themselves in the sport of mud racing. Erne, whose daughters Nicole, 9, and Elizabeth, 5, go to Burket Elementary School, remembers going to mud bogging events back in the 1980s.In 1993, he experienced his first mud drag race.He began his own racing career almost immediately and has been hooked since.Hooked like Tiger Woods is to golf.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Softball Ends Season With Sectional Loss To Peru

NORTH MANCHESTER - Batting in the clean-up spot, Peru sophomore Tara Martin certainly cleaned up Tuesday evening. With both Peru and opponent Tippecanoe Valley enjoying their best seasons in school history, Martin was just what the doctor ordered for Peru, leading the Tigers to a 7-4 win over the Vikings in the semifinal round of the Manchester 2A Sectional. Martin put Peru on the board in the first inning with a two-run homer over the left-field fence, and then after Valley put a run across in the top of the fourth Martin answered with a grand slam. Martin, who also pounded out a single, finished the day 3 for 4 at the plate with six RBIs and two runs scored.The two blasts were her fifth and sixth homers of the season.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Columbia City Runs Past Tigers

Entering Friday night's first contest between Columbia City and Warsaw in almost 20 years, both teams knew what they wanted to do.And it was strikingly similar.The execution, however, was not. The name of the game was ball control; running the ball and controlling the clock at the same time.The Eagles, 2-7 last season, did it to perfection and came away from Fisher Field with a 28-14 win over the Tigers, who also finished 2-7 a year ago. With the tandem of Josh Monesmith (189 yards) and Ryan Sewell (119), the Eagles outrushed the Tigers 328-121 and dominated the time of possession. "We got backed up on our side of the field from the very get-go," Warsaw coach Phil Jensen said."They just wore our defense out.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Beeson Returns For Fourth Tour Of Duty

You know the saying about you can never go back? Joe Beeson has found you can go back. Not once. Not twice Not three times. How about four times? In an effort to right its girls tennis program, Warsaw has turned to Joe Beeson, who started Warsaw's boys tennis program in 1962 and coached until 1969. Then Beeson left to build the Warsaw Racquet Club.He returned to coach the Warsaw boys from 1982-1987.He followed that by coaching Warsaw's girls team from 1989-1992.It was then the Warsaw girls enjoyed their greatest run, going to semistate for four years in a row and advancing to the state final four in 1990 and 1991. Warsaw hopes Beeson, who has since sold the Warsaw Racquet Club and retired, can bring back the old magic.
<!--1up-2-->By Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Competing At Junior Olympic National Championships

A large number of area track and field athletes have qualified for the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic National Championships at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The meet will run July 22-27. Events do not begin until July 24. To advance to the national meet, the top six from the state meet at Carmel on June 28 moved on to the Region 7 meet at Carmel on July 13. The top seven in each event at that meet moved on to the national meet. National Championship Qualifiers: Bantam Girls (ages 9-10) - Julie Seiss (High Jump, 800). Midget Girls (ages 11-12) - Laurel Jenks (3000); Youth Boys (ages 13-14) - Ryan Brennan (Discuss, 4x400); Dan Fussle (100, 4x400, 4x800); Cory Gackenhimer (4x400, 4x800); Kris Hueber (4x800, 4x400); Michael Jenks (4x800); Brad Seiss (High Jump, 4x400, 4x800). Intermediate Girls (ages 15-16) - Beth Miller (Shot Put). Intermediate Boys (ages 15-16) - Greg Seiss (4x800); Jacob Sweatland (3000); Josh Sweatland (4x800); Young Men (ages 17-18) - Mike Alford (High Jump). Pictured are: front row (L-R), Michael Jenks, Brad Seiss, Ryan Brennan, Julie Seiss, Laurel Jenks. Back row, Beth Miller, Jacob Sweatland, Greg Seiss, Josh Sweatland, Dan Fussle, Kris Hueber. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Strieby Headed To X-Games, Gerber Wows Fair Crowd

The day after his dad taught him to ride a bike, Brian Strieby says, he was out in the yard jumping stuff. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Now 27, the Syracuse native is making a career of it, and will compete August 5-18 in the Downhill BMX competition at the third annual X-Games outside of Los Angeles. After finishing in the top 16 last year in the X-Games, which were held in Pennsylvania in 2001 and 2002, Strieby received an automatic invitation for this year's third annually competition. Clearly one of the best in the world at what he does, Strieby shrugged the notion off Wednesday night at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, where he and other riders put on a pair of shows filled with high-flying tricks. "Not really one of the world's best, just crazy enough to go down the side of a mountain as fast as you can on a BMX bike," joked Strieby, who has been riding for 18 years.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mustangs Off And Running, Win Season Opener

If their idea was to send a message to the rest of the Interstate Football League, consider it done. Consider it signed, sealed and delivered - the Kosciusko County Mustangs have arrived. Stamped with a three-sack performance from Joe Sittler, an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by speedster Jon Hill and an interception by Andy Crisp on the second play of the game, the Mustangs opened their inaugural season Saturday afternoon with a 27-8 thrashing of the Hendricks County Generals at Fisher Field. "Everybody on this team has worked hard," said Sittler."There's a lot of dedication on this team, and today it showed.It was just great to come out and play and hit somebody other than ourselves." Sittler and a number of his Mustangs teammates played their high school football at Fisher Field for Warsaw - some for Ted Huber and Bob Montel, some for Phil Jensen - and Saturday afternoon they offered both a look into the past and future.
Dale Hubler, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Softball Ends Season With 10-0 Sectional Loss To Columbia City

WATERLOO -&#202;After playing well for the past three weeks, the Warsaw softball team was looking forward to playing in the DeKalb Sectional. However, the Tigers knew they would face a strong challenge, drawing No.7 Columbia City in the first round of sectional competition. In the end, Columbia City improved to 26-1 by defeating the Warsaw squad 10-0 in six innings. "We got a tough draw," said Warsaw coach Craig Helfrich."Columbia City is a very good team, but we came out here ready to play." The Tigers were agressive at the plate early, as Star Gonzalez got a hit in the first inning.With one out, Gonzalez pounded a one-out single to centerfield.She was stranded at first as the next two batters got outs. After holding Columbia City scoreless and hitless in the bottom of the first, Warsaw's three batters in the second frame each struck out.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sport Editor- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Falls In Sectional 8-0

PLYMOUTH - What goes around comes around. In the case of Whitko's varsity baseball team, it came back two- fold. Avenging a 4-0 regular-season loss, Rochester topped its Three Rivers Conference rival 8-0 Monday in the first round of the Plymouth Sectional.Rochester is now 20-7, while Whitko ends its season at 11-10. "A lot of people predicted us to finish last in the TRC," Whitko coach John Strayer said."I kind of think the first time Rochester wasn't totally prepared, and Alan Robbins pitched well that day for us.This time they were ready for us.(Bryan) Holcomb did a good job keeping us off balance." Holcomb, a right-handed senior, didn't overpower Whitko, but what he did was toss a three-hitter with two walks and eight strikeouts to up his record on the mound to 9-3.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Golf Sectional Showcases Talented Teams

In the winter, when there's snow on the ground, young kids like to play a game called king of the hill. The idea of the game is just like it sounds, to make it to the top and not be knocked off.To stay atop the rest of the players for as long as possible. It seems as if Warsaw's varsity golf team has been doing this all season.And doing it well, too. The Tigers will enter Saturday's sectional at Rozella Ford Golf Club with an 18-2 record.Included in that record are first-place finishes in the Michigan City Marquette Invite, Rochester Invite and the Northern Lakes Conference Tournament.Go ahead and throw in their perfect 6-0 regular season record in the NLC and they have a conference championship as well.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Chalfant, Seiss Place In Top 5 At State

INDIANAPOLIS -&#202;When Wawsee's Rob Chalfant got to Carroll Track an Field Stadium in Indianapolis Friday night to watch the girls state finals, the first thing he thought of was the Olympics. "My goal is to run in the Olympics someday, and when I walked in and saw this track, it's the first thing I thought of," said Chalfant."I was just so proud to be here." "Then when I got here today (Saturday), the crowd was huge, and I was really nervous." Chalfant felt those nerves through most of the meet, but before he stepped to the line to begin the 3200 race, something happened. "It's weird," said Chalfant."I was nervous until I got to the start line.Then instead of being nervous and scared, I was just happy.It felt good to be there, and all of a sudden it was fun." Going into the competition, Chalfant was seeded second in the 3200.After the fist lap, he had fallen to ninth place in the race.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Cass Ends Squires' Softball Season

WABASH - Last year against Cass in sectional play, Manchester starting pitcher Jarra Renz struggled to find the plate. Friday evening the junior fireballer looked poised and held No.4 (2A) Cass in check. The Kings' Ollmay Wilson, however, was just a little bit better. Wilson went seven innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out 11 to lead Cass to the Wabash Sectional title with a 2-0 win over the Squires. It was the first time the Squires were shut out this season. "Two good pitchers went at it," said Manchester coach Jim Troyer."(Cass') was just a little bit better tonight.I give Jarra a lot of credit, though.She was a battler tonight and showed a lot out there." Cass drew first blood after Manchester right fielder Stephanie King misplayed a ball in the outfield in the bottom of the second inning.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Despite Errors, Marian Ends Valley's Season

PLYMOUTH - Like Tony Stewart in a race car on Memorial Day, the numbers seemed to make endless laps inside second year Tippecanoe Valley baseball coach Scott Backus' head. At the conclusion of Valley's first-round sectional game with Mishawaka Marian Monday, the scoreboard read Marian 8, Valley 2. Not to be confused with the score, these numbers represented the errors. Despite numerous errors, Marian topped Valley 5-4. "We made some base running mistakes," Backus, a former Valley player himself, said."We put ourselves in position twice, and we took ourselves out of position twice.We stayed in the game when we needed to." The loss ends Valley's season at 11-14-1; Marian improves to 15-14 and will play Rochester in Thursday's first game.Rochester (20-7) topped Whitko (11-10) 8-0 in Monday's second game.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tigers Take Title; Vikings Advance

For the fifth consecutive year, Warsaw took the sectional team title, shooting a 309 Saturday at Rozella Ford Golf Course.The top three teams, as well as the top three individuals not on an advancing team, will be in the regional round Friday at Chestnut Hills in Fort Wayne. Culver Military Academy and Tippecanoe Valley shot 316s, with CMA winning a fifth-man tie breaker to take second. "We shot a really good front nine, a 149," Warsaw coach Bob Turner said."On the back nine we faltered on the first four holes.Our key is we have five golfers.What always wins for us is our depth." This was Warsaw's depth: Ryan Slone, Adam Johnson and Greg Clay, it's three, four and five golfers, shot 79, 79 and 77.In the No.1 and 2 slots, Justin Howell and Aaron Turner shot a 74 and 83, respectively.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tigers Look To Atone For Tie

It's Friday afternoon on Memorial Day weekend and Warsaw baseball coach Will Shepherd is doing anything but vacationing. The fourth-year Tiger skipper is in his office scribbling numbers on the back of a piece of paper.He adds the numbers and comes up with 68-47-1.This is his coaching record at Warsaw High School.Do the math and that's an average of 17 wins and 12 losses per year.But it's the "1" that Shepherd is answering questions about. That one represents a 5-5 tie with Elkhart Central earlier this season.Warsaw's next opponent will be those same Blue Blazers in Monday's Elkhart Memorial Sectional at 1 p.m. "It (sectional draw) worked out great in a lot of respects," said Shepherd."One way or another, whether it's positive or not so positive, somebody is going to come out of Monday without a tie.They want to know who is the best team that day." As if he were a history teacher, Shepherd remembers the previous meeting with Elkhart Central all to well.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tigers Overcome Obstacles To Earn Ticket To State Finals

If you look at the list of accomplishments for this year's girls track and field team at Warsaw Community High School, it's possible to see why they're sending five individuals to compete in Saturday's state finals at Carroll Stadium on the campus of IUPUI. That list of accomplishments looks something like this: Kokomo Relay champions, fourth at the Turtle Town Invite, third in the Northern Lakes Conference, second in the Warsaw Sectional, and ninth out of 40-plus teams in the Bremen Regional. Look at the cards stacked against the Tigers, and their trip to the state finals is all that more impressive.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tiger Netters Claim Crown

"In a zone," "streaking," or simply "hot." Call it what you will, but Warsaw's Kim Paczkowski and Anne Jarrette found the rhythm midway through their semifinal match with Manchester at No.1 doubles.They carried that rhythm over against Wawasee in the finals as Warsaw won a competitive sectional title on Saturday. The semifinals pitted Wawasee against Valley and Warsaw against Manchester on Saturday morning.As expected, Wawasee had an easy time with Valley winning all five matches in straight sets to move on to the finals. However, the other semifinal matchup was grueling.Warsaw's Kim Bradley methodically won at No.1 singles with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Kari Hostetler, but that was one of the few quick matches. At No.1 doubles, Kristy King and Amy Manges jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the third set, but Paczkowski and Jarrette then caught fire.They fought back to 6-6 and then won the tie-breaker 7-0.
JASON KNAVEL, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Triathlon Gets Under Way This Weekend

Do you like to swim? Like to run? Like riding a bike? Then chances are the sixth annual triathlon in conjuction with the City of Lakes Balloonfest is for you. The event will get under way June 26 at 8 a.m.in Winona Lake.The triathlon will consist of first swimming a quarter-mile in Winona Lake, riding a bike 13.5 miles around Pierceton and back to Winona Lake, and then running three miles around the town of Winona Lake. According to Phil Eherenman, 330 athletes participated in the event last year and he expects just as many or more this year. Contestants will be grouped in divisions five years apart.Example: the youngest division will range from 15-20 years old.The next would be 21-25, and so on.The event, which is sanctioned by the U.S Association of Triathalons, is open to male and female contestants.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Kloser Named Academic All-State

Warsaw's Matt Kloser was recently named to the Academic All-State baseball team by the Indiana Coaches Association.Kloser played catcher for the Tigers, who won 20 games in a season for the first time in a decade. Kloser was Warsaw Community High School's salutatorian for the 1997-1998 school year.He graduated with a GPA of 13.757.He will attend the University of Notre Dame, where he plans to study sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. The son of Jerome and Carol Kloser, he has been the WCHS student body president and a member of the National Honor Society, student council, Distributive Education Clubs of America, Future Business Leaders of America and Spanish Club, and is active in his church. Kloser was also the single recipient in Kosciusko County of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.He won a scholarship that provides full tuition, fees and a special allocation of up to $700 per year for required books and equipment for four years.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Squires, Vikings Advance Athletes To State Finals

KOKOMO - Decisions, decisions. Manchester's Rex Reimer advanced to the Kokomo regional after placing second in the Plymouth sectional.Thursday he placed second at the Kokomo regional to advance to the state competition.Then he had a decision to make. Reimer, a senior at Manchester High School, is scheduled to graduate next Friday.The problem? The boys state track meet is scheduled the same day. "My parents and I have talked about it because I figured I might make it to state," said Reimer."At first they said 'no' to me going to state, but then they decided I could jump in the preliminary three jumps at state and still make it home in time for graduation.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016
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