Norwalk Reflector ]

A-7 Mike Greco, Sports editor Friday, August 29, 2003 SPORTS (419) 668-3771 ext. 237

Building^^^H^^^ proces^B s continues for Norwal,LJ_J^J^^_____^^_^^_a»_j.^MiiiJlll»lttBMd«^»aBB«a^^ka Norwalk is looking for the "The top three are running very building process to continue this CROSS COUNTRY well in practice," Knoll said. season. "Meagan will be a great 5K run- On the boys' side, veteran Although the Truckers have ner. We have a little too big of a coach Bob Knoll has seven letter- experience, depth could be an gap between three and four (Cara winners back from a 4-6 mark issue. Smith) with a bigger gap arid fifth-place Northern Ohio "We only have seven runners between four and five (Jessica League 2002 team. so we need to keep everyone Brown)." Hie group is all underclass- healthy," Knoll said. But the potential is there to do men and consists of juniors Meanwhile, Norwalk's girls some damage. Damon Polta, Stephen Reitzel, team has a good combination of "If we get our four and five David Springer and Brandon experience and youth. closer to Nos. 1, 2 and 3, we will Phillips and sophomores Adam The returners are senior Anna be a championship team," Knoll Wetzel, James Kasten and Andy Babcock and juniors Brittany said." Warner. Van Natta, Jillian Hoyt and Still, Norwalk has the depth to Wetzel is the top returner, earn- Jessica Brown. contend for the NOL, which it ing honorable mention all-league Van Natta is a returning sec- didn't last season with just four honors last season. ond-team all-NOL selection. Her runners. His best time was a 17:49. He best time was 20:30 in 2002. "It is nice to have nine runners and Polta were the top two fin- She advanced to the regional and be back in the team chase," ishers in the Monroeville St. meet, but placed 45th in the Knoll said. Joe's 5K run earlier this Division II competition. Tiffin Columbian won both the month. Others include Babcock at boys' and girls' NOL crowns last Other top times comes from 24:10; Hoyt, 20:35 and Brown, season. Polta at 18:00; Reitzel, 18:52; 24:19. Springer, 19:14; Phillips, 19:17 Help is on the way with five SCHEDULE and Kasten and Warner, both new runners. Sept. 2 — at Wlllard w/Columbian, 5 p.m. 20:00. That list is junior Brittany Sept. 6 — at Tiffin Carnival, TBA "Everyone has improved over Lesch, sophomore Brooke Sept. 9 — Gallon, 5 p.m. last year and we are looking at Goostree and freshmen Meagan Sept. 13 — at Gallon Inv., 9 a.m. four runners in the 17s by mid Music, Cara Smith and Leann Sept. 16 — Upper, Fostorla, 5 p.m. Sept. 20 — at Ontario Inv., 9 a.m. LOU REDA/REFLECTOR season (Wetzel, Polta, Springer Hipp. Sept. 23 — Bellevue, Shelby, 5 p.m. and Reitzel)," Knoll said. "James Music is an all-league run- Sept. 27 — at Western Reserve Inv., 9 a.m. Returning members of the Norwalk's cross country team this season include (from left): front Kasten has shown great improve- ner who has already achieved Oct. 4 — at Fostorla Inv., 9 a.m. row — David Springer, Jillian Hoyt, Brittany Van Natta, Jessica Brown, Anna Babcock, and ment and should be the fifth man in the 19:50s. She finished Oct. 11 — NOL, TBA Brandon Phillips, (back left) Stephen Reitzel, Adam Warner, James Kasten, Adam Wetzel and Oct. 18 — District tournament, TBA over last year's No. 5 Adam first in the Thunder 5K run Oct. 25 — Regional tournament, TBA Damon Polta. Warner." recently. Nov. 1 — State tournament, TBA Experience a plus for new coach Steve Minor Experience should help the than the boys'. transition for new St. Paul coach CROSS COUNTRY "We don't like to put numbers Steve Minor. into our goals, like placing no For the boys' team, senior Nick On the girls' side, senior lower than fifth at every meet Fries, juniors Scott Gfell and Laura Reichel and juniors because you tend to limit, your- Scott Gfell and sophomore Bryan Amanda Allard, Kay Osborne, self that way," he said. Allard are all returners. Sara Nickoli and Lindsey "Hopefully, they will see that Newcomers include seniors Bungard are all returners. their hard work will pay off." Jarrett Roesch and Jon Kunisch Allard advanced to the region- Minor has been pleased with and junior Matt Holmer. al in Division III, placing 46th the work ethic. "Jon r.Kunisch and Jarrett in21:45r- • •;' "Many of the athletes partic- Roesch not only are solid mem- "Laura Reichel missect-all of ipated in a running club that bers, but senior leadership," last year with an ACL injury they started and ran on Minor said. "They both have and wants to make up for lost Mondays, Wednesdays and had success in other sports and time," Minor said. "She has Saturdays," he said. "They have so far led by example this put a lot of work in this sum- also ran in a number of 5K's season: mer and is looking forward to this summer — Basket Run, "I feel Scott Gfell has really her last year. River Fest Run, Monroeville dedicated himself this summer "Amanda Allard made it to the St. Joe 5K run, Strawberry 5K and his hard work will pay regional (meet) last year, but has and Thunder 5K. Both the off." fought off injuries in the offsea- girls' and boys' have good Minor is looking for improve- son. She knows what it takes to upperclassmen experience and LOU REDA/REFLECTOR ment as the campaign progress- get there, so no one more than leadership." es. her knows how to get back. I just New London and Mapleton Returning letter-winners for St. Paul's cross country team in 2003 include: (left front) Amanda "Our goals are to come away at hope some of the other girls go are the defending Firelands Allard, Kay Osborne, Sara Nickoli and Linda Bungard. (Back left) Josh Beebe, Bryan Allard, season's end knowing they did with her. I think the other girls Conference champions for the Laura Reichel, Scott Gfell, Nick Fries, and Coach Steve Minor. the best they could individually will surprise themselves if they boys' and girls', respectively. "I think Western Reserve will Sept. 9 — at Monroeville, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 — FC Meet (at Mapleton), TBA and as a team," Minor said. just try to go after Amanda Sept. 13 — at Gallon Inv., TBA Oct. 18 — District meet, TBA "They truly understand they will Allard." be the team to beat in the FC for Sept. 20 — at Cardinal Stritch Inv., TBA Oct. 25 — Regional meet, TBA get out of this sport exactly what Minor said the goals for the the girls and Ashland Crestview Aug. 30 — at Bucyrus Inv., 9 a.m. Sept. 27 — at Western Reserve Inv., TBA Nov. 1 — State meet (at Scioto Downs), they put into it." girls' team aren't much different for the boys'," Minor said. Sept. 6 — at Tiffin Col. Carnival, TBA Oct. 4 — at Medina Inv., TBA TBA Edison coming off state appearance MILAN — Edison is coming Oct. 25 — Regional Meet (at Tiffin), TBA Ladies in Blue • PREVIEW of area boys' Nov. 1 — State Meet (at Columbus), TBA off a state appearance last sea- GIRLS' CC teams on/Pg. A-10 son. New London ished third in Firelands The Lady Chargers finished Caitlin Bement. Sept. 6 — at Dover Inv., 9 a.m. llth in Division III competition. Conference and seventh at the Sept. 13 — at Gallon Inv., 9 a.m. district meet. Other members of the team Sept. 20 — at Cloverleaf Inv., 8 a.m. open with win Sixth-year coach Dean consist of Melissa Kelley, Keely Stanfield has senior letter-win- Sept. 23 — at Fredericktown Inv., 4:30 p.m. Norwalk heads into its own ners Mandi Wurmser and • Monroeville Telquist, Ashly Feller and Sept. 27 — at Western Reserve Inv., 9 a.m. Samantha Boyd. Oct 11 — FC meet (at Mapleton), TBA Invitational at 1-0 after beat- VOLLEYBALL Christie Shover and sophomore Oct. 18 —District meet, TBA ing Shelby 15-3, 15-1 in the MONROEVILLE — With "We have a' good mix of Sarah Foster. young and experienced run- Oct. 25 —Regional meet season-opener Thursday. slated to compete in the St Paul Edison went 8-2 in dual meets, only three letter-winners back, Nov. 1 — State Meet (at Columbus), TBA Katie Schafer, Tiffany Invitational Saturday, while Lady the Eagles have to get the ners," Schwiefert said. "We third in the Sandusky Bay want to remain competitive in Mulder, Lisa Lee, Jamie Montoeville hosts CtestviewThursday. Conference, third at district and younger runners up to speed Monroeville Johnson, Anna Miller, Katie the Firelands Conference and Tuesday—Weiigton, Western Reserve, 430 pm fifth regional. for a successful season. Sept. 6 — at Tiffin Columbian Inv., 9 a.m. Wrabel, and Stephanie Broz • WR 2, SC 0 But the Lady Chargers lost "We have some new girls out return to the regional meet as a were all 100 percent servers. and a couple of freshman that team." Sept. 9 — St. Paul, 4:30 p.m. Kelly and Shelly Schnee, main- Mapleton is the defending Sept. 13 — at Lakota Inv., 10 a.m. At the net, Tiffany Mulder was Western Reserve posted a stays in the program the last are showing potential," fourth- Sept. 16 — at Old Fort, 4:15 p.m. 20-of-20 at the net with eight second FC win Thursday. year coach Wayne Chasney league champions. Sept. 20 — at Ontario, 9 a.m. four years, to graduation and are "Mapleton and Crestview kills. Katie Schafer was 35-of- For the undefeated Lady now running at Cumberland said. Sept. 27 — at Western Reserve Inv., 9 a.m. 35 setting with 14 assists. Roughriders, Julie Finley was 18- "I think we need to get expe- should be strong teams and New Sept. 30 — at Mapleton, 4:30 p.m. College in Kentucky. London has a large pool of Oct. 4 — Plymouth, Western Reserve, 10 am In the jayvee match, Norwalk of-19 in serving with 16 points. Stanfield is assisted by Angie rience, but we could do very Oct. 11 — FC meet (at Mapleton), TBA won 17-15,3-15,15-3 in its opener. At the net, Danielle Sidell went well. We just have to stay potential talent," Schwiefert Farmer and Randy Foster. said. Oct. 18 — District meet, TBA Kristin Ciosezwski, Courtney Hipp, 11-of-15 with six kills. Jenny Hall strong the whole season. I Oct. 25 —Regional meet Sarah Mulder, Katie Singer, Lindsay contributed six blocks and six think we got tired at end of last Schwiefert is assisted by Jason Nov. 1 — State Meet (at Columbus), TBA • New London Scherley and Jerry Beck. Wright, and Stacey Gerke were 100 digs. Setter Andi Yaussy had 15 season." percent servers. The Norwalk assists. Western is slated to host Returning letter winners are Invitational starts at 9 am Saturday. NEW LONDON — Having six • Plymouth Tuesday—at Monroevie WWeington, 430 p.m. Medina Buckeye Wednesday. of the top seven runners back Charlene Downing, Jenna Poths, Sept 6 — at Tiffin Carnival, 9 a.m. should aid veteran Dan Olien in Brooke Ruffing Sept 9 —St. Paul • St. Paul 2, M'vllle 0 • Mar£. 2, Edison 0 Chasney is assisted by Drew PLYMOUTH — .Team mem- Sept 13—at Gabon Inv., 9 a.m. the 2003 season/ bers for Marty McKenzie, who The group includes Megan Karnehm, Dannielle Scherley, Sept 20 — at Ontario Inv., 9 a.m. St. Paul upped its record to MILAN — Margaretta Jackie Ryan and Greg Siesel. enters his third year as coach, are Sept 27—John Speer Inv., TBA Shepherd and Courtney juniors Brooke Waddles and CW. 4—atMonroevitlew/Ptyrnouth, 10a.m. 2-0 both overall and in the dropped Edison 15-2, 15-3 in Wuensch. Kristen Keaton, sophomore Oct 11 —FC Meet (at Mapleton), TBA Firelands Conference with a Sandusky Bay Conference "And we've got a lot of new- Heather Stoodt and freshmen Oct. 18 —District meet, TBA . 15-11, 15-12 win Thursday. action Thursday. Brooke comers that are going to really • Western Reterve Oct. 25 — Regional meet; TBA For St. Paul, Megan Centers Martin had two points and Heather McVey and Nichole Nov. 1 — State meet (at Columbus), TBA push returnees," said Olien, LaCroix. led the way at the net going 28- four digs for the Lady who is in sixth season. COLLINS — Rob Schwiefert of-32 with 14 kills. In serving, Chargers (2-1,0-1). Edison is takes over as Western Reserve's Plymouth "Gabrielle and Danielle Aug. 23 — at New London Inv. Dallas Niedzwiecki, Tricia slated to host St. Mary Tuesday. Wuensch are two top newcom- coach. Aug. 26 —Crestline Schwab and Amy Widman were ers that will really help us. I Schwiefert inherits five Aug. 30—at Bucyrus Inv. all 100 percent. Katie Playko • T. Col 2, WMard 1 look for us to be very compet- returners from a second-place EdJion Sept 6-atTiffin Carnival was 65-of-67 with 21 assists. itive this year. finishes in the Firelands Sept. 6 — at Tiffin Carnival, 9 a.m. Sept 9—at Lucas Inv. For the Lady Eagles (0-2), W1LLARD —Willard Sept. 8 - StMar/a/Vermilion, 4:30 p.m. Sept 13—at Gallon Inv. "It should be a very competi- Conference, Ontario Kristen Pocock was 60-of-62 dropped to 0-2 overall, 0-1 in tive season with everyone push- Invitational and John Speer Sept. 13 — at Gallon Inv.. 9 a.m. Sept 16—at OU Fort Inv. with 16 assists. At the net, Emily Invitational and fourth spot at Sept. 16 — at Huron, 4:30 p.m. Sept 20 —at Ontario Inv. the NOL with a loss Thursday. ing for a top seven spot." Sept. 20-at Caidlnal Stritch Inv., 8:30 a.m. Sept 27 — at Lexington Inv. Fries was 14-of-14 with nine For the Lady Flashes, Sarah Also returning for the Ladycats the district last season. Sept. 27 — at John Speer Inv., 9 a.m. Sept 30—at Crestline points and nine digs. St Paul also Fries had 24 kills and 11 digs. is Holly Romelfanger, Holly Those returners include seniors Sept 30- at Eite Co. Championship. 4:15pm Oct. 11—FC (at Mapleton) claimed the jayvee match with a 15- Willard is slated to play Perkins, Jenn Suvar and Jen Brittany Pickett, Jessica Patrick Oct. 4 — at Medina Inv., 9:30 a.m. Oct 18 — District meet, TBA 7,15-3 decision TheLadyFtyosae Octll-SBC(atMargarett9),ia30am HS: Oct 25 —Regional meet Tuesday at Shelby. Bottomlee. and Jennifer Drennen, junior Nov. 1 —Stale Meet (at Columbus). TBA Last year, New London fin- Jackie Davis and sophomore Oct. 18 - District Meet (at Gallon), TBA