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Big Plays Lead Wawasee To Win

SYRACUSE - Gene Mitz pumped his hand, hopped, skipped, jumped and broke into a little jaunt on the sidelines. The big plays kept coming.Finally, they were by his Wawasee Warriors, not against them. Yes, Wawasee's football coach celebrated often on the sidelines with his team Friday evening.And when his players ran off their home field following their 26-14 win over Carroll, the coach lagged behind his team.A couple of reporters approached, and understandably, Mitz asked, "Could you give me five minutes, guys? I'm exhausted." He took his break, then talked in the conference room, which is adjacent to Wawasee's locker room.Queen's "We Will Rock You" blared out of a boombox in the locker room.On this night, this was one raucous locker room full of ecstatic Wawasee players. The Warriors beat only two teams on the field last year.And here they are, 1-1 in 1997.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Big Inning Ends Valley's Baseball Season

SOUTH WHITLEY - The combination of a hard-hitting Norwell team and untimely mistakes were too much for Tippecanoe Valley to overcome as the Vikings fell 13-3 in the Whitko sectional baseball final Thursday afternoon, the first held at Whitko. It was the first sectional final for Valley since 1994. The tone of the game was set early when Norwell's Scott Woodward reached base after striking out and then advancing on a passed ball. Woodward then advanced to second on a stolen base and scored on a throwing error by Tippecanoe Valley shortstop Brandon Newcomer.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tiger Softball Team Wins Sectional

The time when coach Craig Helfrich suspected his team would win Saturday's sectional championship game came after the top of the second inning, when he watched his Warsaw softball team worm its way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam. "I told our assistant coach (Earl Barger), 'Things are going to go our way today the way we dodged that bullet,'" Helfrich said. Eventually Concord ran out of bullets, and things indeed went Warsaw's way.The Tigers (20-11) won their first sectional title since 1995 by beating 15-14 Concord 2-0.Warsaw sophomore right-hander Michelle Liebsch, aided by Warsaw's sharp defense, pitched the complete game and upped her record to 11-5.She allowed seven hits - five in the first three innings - walked one and struck out eight. Afterward, Helfrich looked like a little boy, bounding out of the dugout and prancing around the diamond, looking for anyone and everyone to hug.He leaped into arms of one of his players.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

DeGeeter Wins Two, Leads Tigers To Sectional Championship

WATERLOO -ÊSome pitchers would be satisfied to get one win in a day.At Saturday's DeKalb Sectional, Warsaw ace Ryan DeGeeter picked up two. After pitching seven innings and getting a win in the morning game against Fort Wayne Carroll, DeGeeter was called on in the sectional final against Columbia City and led the No.6 Warsaw Tigers to a 9-4 win. With the score tied at 4-all, DeGeeter stepped to the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning. "I knew when we brought DeGeeter in we had a very good chance of winning," said senior catcher Josh Stork. DeGeeter shut down the Eagles, pitching three innings with no hits, no runs and three strikeouts.All totaled, DeGeeter pitched ten innings, gave up one hit, struck out 15 batters and walked four batters. After the impressive performance, DeGeeter remained humble. "We'll see how my arm feels tomorrow," he said.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Tigers Close In On Undefeated Season

After Thursday's golf match ended, Warsaw senior Kerri Wrobel approached coach Bob Turner and said Warsaw's new record out loud: "14-0." Any concerns about unlucky 13 derailing a perfect season vanished as Warsaw shot better than its team average in beating Manchester.Warsaw typically shoots around 184 or 185, but the Tigers downed Manchester 182-198 at Rozella Ford.Manchester dropped to 11-7. Warsaw senior Kerri Wrobel won medalist honors with a seven-over-par 42, and senior Jaci Thallemer, golfing in the fourth spot in the lineup, added a 43.Wrobel hit long, straight tee shots that nearly always stayed on the fairway.Thallemer was consistent, recording either fours or fives on all nine holes. "Jaci Thallemer had one of her better scores this year and her best score on this course," Turner said.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Maintains Mastery Over Whitko

Syracuse -ÊA new millenium, the same result. The Wawasee Warriors started off the 2000 version of football the same way they started the past season, by defeating the Whitko Wildcats by a 20-point margin.The Warriors were able to defeat Whitko 42-22 by means of some big plays and some long, sustained drives.One season ago, Wawasee shut out the Wildcats 20-0 at Whitko. One major reason for the impressive victory was the play of junior quarterback Brent Doty.Doty rushed for a team-high 62 yards, highlighted by a 57-yard touchdown, and passed for 107 yards, completing 11 of 15 attempts. Wawasee coach Joe Rietveld was somewhat surprised by Doty's effort but appreciative of his talents.
Rick Blue, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

College Roundup

WINONA LAKE - It only took about 24 hours for the Grace College women's tennis team to fix what was going wrong.And it came together in a big way as the Lady Lancers stunned perennial Mid-Central Conference power Goshen 5-4 Thursday in the league opener for both teams. Grace was coming off of a 7-2 loss to Manchester just a night earlier in which the Lady Lancers led 2-1 after doubles play, but was swept in singles after winning just one set in six matches. But Thursday, Grace turned around a 2-1 deficit after doubles play to win spots two through five in the lineup and stun Goshen 5-4.The team victory ended a streak of seven consecutive wins in the series for the Maple Leafs since Grace began its women's tennis program in 1998 and avenges an 8-1 loss a year ago. Grace rolled at No.2 doubles as freshmen Julie Wegener and Brandy Allen cruised to an 8-1 victory, but Goshen won 8-4 at No.1 and 9-7 at No.3 to take a 2-1 lead into singles play.
Times-Union Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

College Roundup

HUNTINGTON - The Grace College men's tennis team cruised to an 8-1 victory Thursday over Huntington in the Mid-Central Conference opener for both teams. The Lancers won two of three doubles matches and then swept all six singles matches for the victory.Landon Reifsnider, Dan Benyousky, Zac McGowen and Drew McIntire all won in both singles and doubles.Grace has now won all 12 singles matches it has played this year, dropping just one set in the process.The Lancers (2-0, 1-0 MCC) will be off until playing new Mid-Central Conference member Spring Arbor September 11 at 11 a.m.on the road.
Times-Union Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Tiger Golfers Survive, Advance To State Finals

FORT WAYNE - Coaches have been saying it for years during state tournament play, and Thursday third-year Warsaw boys golf coach Ben Barkey said he's a believer in the "survive and advance" cliche. "Survive and advance, I'm a big believer in that today," said Barkey, whose sixth-ranked Tigers advanced from the Homestead Regional at Chestnut Hills in Fort Wayne to the state finals on the virtue of a fifth-man tiebreaker."We played a great front nine, and then we just kind of slipped on the last few holes.I'm just glad we had five scores in the 70s.It was a long day.It was almost as long waiting as it was playing in the heat." The top three teams, as well as the top three individuals not on an advancing team, qualify for Tuesday's first round of the state finals at Legends of Indiana in Franklin.
Dale Hubler, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Tops Wawasee In Wild Season Opener

SOUTH WHITLEY -ÊThe football teams from Whitko and Wawasee enjoyed starting the season so much that they decided to extend the season opener.It took four quarters plus two overtimes for the teams to break a scoreless stalemate and finish with a winner. In the end, the Wildcats came out on top 8-7 after a 2-point conversion in the second overtime to win their first season opener in three years. "It's been a while since we started the season with a win," said Whitko coach Bryan Sprunger."It's been three years since we won the first game of the season." Wawasee scored the first points of the game on the second play of the second overtime.Brent Doty scampered one yard into the endzone to put the Warriors up 6-0.After Luke Speakman split the uprights, Wawasee held a 7-0 lead.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Bremen Defense Short-Circuits Triton Offense

BOURBON -ÊThe offense by Triton's football tallied just 93 yards in a 42-0 Friday loss to Bremen. The Trojans had three turnovers: two fumbles and an interception.They carried the ball 29 times and gained only 62 yards. The Lions scored 12 points in the first quarter and added 15 more in the second quarter to put the game away 27-0 at halftime. Junior running back Zach Thompson scored three touchdowns for the Lions on 5-, 10- and 3-yard runs. Counting last week's 34-7 loss to Culver, the Trojans have been outscored 76-7 at home. Culver's offense tallied 367 yards against Triton; Bremen gained 314. Triton, 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the Northern State Conference, is at John Glenn next Friday. Bremen improved to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the NSC.
Times-Union Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Baseball Team Finishes Successful Season

The Warsaw Indians, a wooden bat, amateur baseball team comprising of several local players, recently completed it most successful season to date. The Indians have been around as a team for several years and used to play in a league in Goshen.Grace College graduates Andy Manes, John Edwards and Josh Bailey then joined the team after college and played in the aforementioned league until it folded in 2003. While Manes and company competed in the league in Goshen the Indians won the championship four years in a row. The players then decided to join the Michiana Amateur Baseball Association, which is a summer destination for many college baseball players. While many notable and accomplished college baseball players compete in the league, perhaps the most notable is Notre Dame's Evan Sharpley.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Putting Your Putting Skills To The Ultimate Test

Are you a good putter? Do you think you could beat others in a contest? Well, then try your hand (and stroke) in the Compaq World Putting Championship by Dave Pelz. Open qualifying for the championship happens right here in Warsaw at Rozella Ford Golf Club until August 15.The entry fee is $10 for two chances. Pelz, acknowledged as one of the world's best short game teachers, had often wondered who really is the best putter.Rather than continue the guesswork he decided to hold a competition open to all golfers, both amateurs as well as as the world's top professionals regardless of age, sex or handicap, to determine who really putts the best. At the inaugural championship last December, PGA tour member Len Mattiace captured the World's Best Putter title. The regional championships will take place Sep.13-Oct.31.The winners from regional round will advance to the Compaq World Finals Nov.29-Dec.1 at the Walt Disney World Resort.
From The Rough, By Greg Jones, T-U Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Guyton Talks Draft And Recker

Just a few months ago speculation had Indiana guard A.J.Guyton entering the NBA draft.The draft was held Wednesday. You wouldn't have found Guyton in the draft but at Warsaw Community High School, where he and guard Michael Lewis, along with IU recruits George Leach, Jeff Newton, Tom Coverdale and Mike Roberts, conducted a basketball clinic for kids. As he walks off the court under a basket, Guyton flips the ball one-handed behind his back.The ball rolls up the backboard and goes through the net. Each of the 30 kids sits down on the bleachers where he or she individually has his or her picture taken with the IU players.Then the kids stand in a single-file line and wait their turns for each player to autograph the pictures. After the last kid trudges through the line -Êthey're off to eat pizza - the 21-year-old, 6-foot-1 Guyton stays in his seat and grants an interview.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

For Now, Warsaw Takes Control Of NLC

MIDDLEBURY - Much like the Harlem Globetrotters have their way with the Washington Generals, Warsaw's football program seems to have its way with Northern Lakes Conference rival Northridge. The Tigers continued their dominance of the Raiders Friday night with a 35-7 thrashing that marked the seventh consecutive time Warsaw has upended Northridge.Warsaw's last loss to the Raiders came in 1991, a 3-0 loss on the road.Northridge was also the first team the Tigers beat under current coach Phil Jensen, 24-22 in 1996. The win improves Warsaw's overall season record to 5-0 but more importantly, to 2-0 in the NLC.Northridge falls to 0-5 and 0-3 in conference play.With Goshen's 16-15 win over Concord, Warsaw is the only undefeated team left in the NLC. Sophomore tailback Brad Seiss put the Tigers on the scoreboard just 11 seconds into the game with his 90-yard return of the opening kickoff.Justin Plank added the extra point, and Warsaw was well on its way.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Claims Baseball Crown

It was a simple question. It just took Wawasee seven innings to come up with the answer. Throughout the championship game of the Warsaw Baseball Sectional, Wawasee coach John Blunk kept asking his team if they really wanted to win. The Warriors answered that question Monday when Shawn Johnson crossed home plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Wawasee won its first sectional title in four years with a 3-2 win over Churubusco. "Basically they were down," Blunk said."I yelled at them, and I said 'We are going back to our old ways, Wawasee wants to be losers, not winners.' I put it to them on the spot, and asked if they wanted to win." Asked and answered. Wawasee was down because it let Churubusco back into the game after holding a 2-0 lead.Two Wawasee errors in the sixth inning led to two Eagle runs and a 2-2 tie.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Holterman Pitches Wawasee Past Warsaw In Semifinals

Wawasee coach John Blunk had a decision to make. It was a choice he had to make between pitchers Rod Holterman and Josh Mitchell.And it was so tough, Blunk had three lineups before the game started, and it basically depended on who was pitching. He turned one lineup into the press box, and minutes before the game, he turned in a second.He finally decided on Holterman, or actually his pitchers decided on Holterman. With both pitchers warming up, at first it looked as tough it would be Mitchell and his curveball would be the man.But as the warm up period went on, Holterman and his fastball got the call. Mitchell told Blunk that Holterman should get the start. Holterman went out and allowed Warsaw just three hits and struck out eight en route to a 3-1 Wawasee win Monday in the Warsaw Baseball Sectional semifinals. Warsaw coach Will Shepherd was certainly impressed, again, with the pitcher who has three wins against his team this season.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

College Roundup

WINONA LAKE - The Grace College women's tennis team is off to its best start in school history after a 7-2 victory over Spring Arbor Saturday.The Lady Lancers have never finished Mid-Central Conference play with a record better than 2-5, but are already 3-0 this year. Grace jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after singles play as Anna Metz and Sarah Peters won 8-1 at No.1.Kari Hueni and Juli Linton picked up an 8-4 win at No.2, while Amber Needles and Brianne Beach got a victory after Spring Arbor's team was forced to retire with an 8-7 lead because of an injury. In singles play, Metz quickly worked through Spring Arbor's Kristen Perry at No.1 singles, getting a 6-1, 6-1 victory.The team remained undefeated in conference play at spots four through six as Hueni won 6-2, 7-5 at No.4, Beach won 7-5, 1-6, 10-8 in a super tiebreak third-set at No.5, and Needles won 6-0, 6-4 at No.6.
Times-Union Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw, Wortinger Work Toward Regional

The Warsaw Tigers have been preparing for this event all year.According to head coach Bob Turner, they even took a poor score at the conference meet for the simple reason that they were looking ahead to this.For the Tigers, it will take a complete team effort to advance to the regionals. Kari Wortinger is also looking toward regional.She has taken medalist honors in 13 of Wawasee's 16 events.Her worst round in the past three weeks is a 43.She shot an 81 at the conference meet to take medalist honors by five strokes.And it could have been better.She shot five-over par on the final three holes.Wortinger will take a different route to the regional than Warsaw though.She will have to do it on her own.The chances of her team advancing out of the sectionals are slim.
Jason Knavel, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

NorthWood Football Team Adds To Warrior Woes

SYRACUSE - Wawasee is only about 15 miles down the road from NorthWood.But in terms of football programs the two schools are drastically far apart. NorthWood, led by all-purpose quarterback Charlie Roeder and 1,000-yard rusher Aaron Huber, is considered one of the top teams in the area.The Panthers flexed their proverbial football muscle as they held off a feisty Wawasee squad 34-14 Friday. The Panthers got off to a furious start as they drove the ball 67 yards in nine plays, with Huber finishing the drive on an 8-yard run. Wawasee quickly responded, mounting a drive of its own.The drive was quickly halted, however, when on first-and-10 Warrior running back Rustin Mikel was brought down 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage.Forced to air the ball out, Wawasee's drive stalled.
Dan Riordan, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016
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