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PAGE 6 - PLAINDKAl FR - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17,1982 50-Year-Qld Canoe Racer McHenry Does Have A State Champion MIKE LAMB Crowned state champion. The McHenry Warrior golf team and two cross country runners came close, but couldn't quite do it. It looks like another .sporting season will pass without a state champion. Wrong! McHenry does have a state champion. This state champion is a little too old for high school and participates in a sport very few people realize exists. But, 50- year-old Victor Hopp of 2013 Sunny£ide Beach Drive is the state champion in the Olympian sport oi conoe racing in the master division (40-years-old and up). Hopp and his partner, Fred Zien of Antioch, captured the Illinois title accumulating 51 points for eight official races. One of those races was held on the Fox River in McHenry last Sept. 19. They took third in that race with a time of one hour 14 minutes and 40 seconds for the 9M> mile course. They were awarded the championship trophy at an award banquet Nov. 6. ow you might think the sport of canoeing is an easy sport that requires little training. What can be involved in racing a canoe down a river? "It's just like running a marathon," explains Hopp. "The longer the race, the more you make sure you don't burn yourself out. You have to play chess with your opponents. There is a strategy involved. You just don't pound, pound, pbund." Hopp started canoe racing 10 years ago and since that time he has found out what it takes to win. He trains the year round. He weightlifts, runs, skis and canoes. Anyone serious about winning in the sport has to according to Hopp. "It's a year round thing. It's like everything else; as you improve you have to work hard to keep at it. We look at is as a sport to keep us going. In using 'we', Hopp is referring to his whole family that includes his wife and seven children. Even Hopp admits that most men quit canoe racing when they hit the ages of 47 or 48. While men his age were quitting he was com­ peting against men maybe twice as young. That doesn't bother him a bit. "They look at me and they say, "They look at me and they say, I can heat that old man and I give them a crack at me." Vic Hopp Although only Hopp and his younger son are involved actively now, the whole family raced canoes at one time -- even his wife, "We believe it's the way io live," said Hopp. What is probably so amazing about Hopp is this was his first season in the masters division. In past years he competed in the men's division which includes anyone 18-years-old and older. I can beat that old man and I give them a crack at me. I'll continue until I can't paddle anymore. Even when I don't bring the trophies home, I still will do it. Someone has to bring up the tail end. This just isn't a passing fad with me." Hopp belongs to the St. Charles canoe Club. He participates in canoe races in other midwest states as well as Illinois. He only competed in two races in Wisconsin and he and his partner finished third in total points. He explained the lengths of the races vary from 10 miles to 22 miles. And the lengths determine the strategy used. In their winning drive for the title, Hopp and Zien captured three firsts, two seconds and three thirds. They captured the race at Oswego which he and his partner "blew the rest of the field away on a very tough field." Hopp called the St. Charles race a "disheartening race." They managed a second, but should have had a first. "We blew a turn and we let a boat slip by us," explained Hopp. / "We were never out of con- teittion of any race. I thrive on competition. The better the race; the closer it is, I like it." Hopp says the McHenry race is considered one of the better races and is the last race of the season. Illinois, according to Hopp, has one of the largest turnouts for the sport. In fact, Hopp says the majority of the United States Olympians are from the Midwest. "I think our sport is on the rise. It's a sport theoretically bones can't be broken. I hope more people join it." In the same breath Hopp stresses the training involved in canoeing, he points out that technique is so important. "I don't care who you are, the arms can't do it all. You have to use the whole body. "You not only have to paddle, but in races like Des Plaines there are portages and you have to run with the canoe on your shouldersYou have to be in pretty good condition all around." And what is next after winning a state title? Well, Hopp says his next goal is a national title. You can bet as soon as the snow melts next spring, Hopp will have his canoe out in the water to prepare for that goal. The McHenry Plalndealer 6ports Creutz Misses Top 15 By Three At State PEORIA -- Disappointment and satisfaction Those two words were used quite often at the end of the McHenry Warrior boys' crossf country team season and when it officially came to a close at the Illinois High School Association state meet at Peoria's Detweiller Park. The disappointment again was experienced by Steve Carby who was still bothered by a side ache. It bothered him enough to only finish 154th. The satisfaction was experienced again by Chris Creutz with a place of 18th. With Carby ailing, it has been Creutz who has been pulling up the slack for the Warriors. Warrior Coach Bill Hutchinson said before the meet he was hoping both runners would finish in the top 15-^teani champion with 91 points and Creutz came close. £ Peoria Bergen was second with 134. He was close. He beat the guy that individual champion was John pretty much. I really didn't have any strategy. I just wanted to go with Steve, but he didn't go." Creutz said it effected him somewhat that Carbv wasn't able to run up front, but not that much. Carby finished the course with a time erf 16:02, way off his normal time. Creutz received a medal for his 18th finish. York won the class AA title with 79 points. Ignatious was second with 167, Springfield-Lamphier was third 194, Marist 204, Hindsdale 218 and Palentine 236. Loyola who won the sectional meet at Schaumburg, finished 11th with 315. The individual champion was Brent McLain of Benton with a time of 14:39.5. In class A, Trenton Wesclin was the beat him last week (sectionals). The kid from Deefield, Matt Mitchell," said Hutchinson. "He ran a good race. He did a real nice job. It was very cold; in the 30's. But that effected everybody the same. It wasn't really that bad of conditions." Creutz, who finished the three mile course with a time of 14:53, was happy with his performance. "It wasn t a fast race and it was pretty tough," said Creutz. "It was just (me big pack Jacobeon of Cornell with a time of 14:43.2. John King of Immaculate Conception was second at 15:03.3. Schaumburg was the title winner in the girls race with 97. Belvidere was second with 129 and Downers Grove North was third with 140. Shelly McBride of Crete-Monee was the individual champion with a time of 11:36.8. Pam Ranghi of Collinsville was second at 11:40. The Lake Region YMCA is offering swimming programs for preschoolers beginning this week and concluding the week of January 22. Most of these programs will meet for ten weeks. A gym and swim program is available for children from four months of age to six-years old. The gym and swim program for 3,4,5 and 6 years olds has been renamed this session. The classes are still offered far three different levels. The Tadpole R f j d d a s s i s b e g i n n i n g , T a d p o j t e W"' is intermediate and Tadpofc Bit the advanced preschool classes. "P-nut diving for six-year-olds is available on Tuesday afternoon. Taddiwogs is a class for six-years-olds designed to work on the stroke development of front crawl, back crawl and the start of the breaststroke, plus strength and endurance. This class meets on Thursday or Saturday. These classes and many more are now open for registration. The Lake Region YMCA is begin­ ning racquetball leagues for youth through adults. The leagues are divided into two separate divisions; a mens and high school boys division and women and high school girls division, Each division has three skill categories; novice, beginners in­ termediate and advanced. The leagues officially start this week. For more information contact the Lake Region YMCA . Crystal Lake Anglers The November meeting of the Crystal Lake Anglers will begin at 7;30 p.m. Wednesday in the Moose Hall in Crystal Lake. Election of the officers for next year will be the main point of business and all members are urged to attend. For more information contact Vic Owens at 459-4359. Changes Made In NSC For 1983-84 School Year MVP'S -- The four most valuable players for the four individual sports were announced at the fifth annual Johnsburg High School athletic award night. Standing left to right: Mike Hurckes, football; Theresa Hauck, volleyball, Cindy Guetzloff, tennis and Jay Jackson, cross country. The complete story on the award night is on page seven. STAFF PHOTO -- MIKE LAMB Rockets Continue To Roll In Playoffs SHAW MBNA NEWS SEXVKE BRIANSPEARS OREGON -- Richmond-Burton soared to a 44-0 victory over Oregon in the quarter-finals of the Illinois High School Association Class 2A playoffs Saturday. Commenting on the lopsided score, R-B coach Randy Hofman said, "I think our conference is just a lot tougher than theirs." The Rockets will host 11-0 Bloomington Central in the semi-final playoff game Saturday at l p.m. The winner will advance to next Friday's Class 2A championship game at Illinois State University, Normal. It's the second staight trip to semi-finals for the Rockets, f Richmond-Burton was at its best -- This Is Your -- LAST CHANCE To Get a Styleline 3-SEAS0N ROOM at 1982 prices! piling up 286 yards in total offense while holding the Hawks to just 58 yards and one first down -- that on a penalty. In the second quarter, the Rockets scored three touchdowns thanks to three Oregon turnovers--all fumbles. "We played real good defense and shut them down well," Hofman said. Brian O'Tooles punting was a factor, averging 37.5 yards on four kicks. He booted one for 80 yards. In addition he completed four passes in seven attempts tor 122 yards. "Offensively, I was afraid of the field conditions, that they might keep the offense from moving the ball. But the field was in good condition and that wasn't a factor." Hofman said. The first tally and the one Rich­ mond-Burton needed, came on a 30- yard field goal by Brad Curtis. Brad Christensen scored the first touch­ down of the game in the second period after the Hawks fumbled on their own six yard line. The two point con­ version pass from Brian O'Toole to Christensen made the score 11-0. A 49-yard pass from O'Toole to end Paul Miller set up a three-yard touch­ down run by Henry Halverson which increased the Richmond lead to 17-0. The two point conversion failed. Another Oregon fumble inside its own 20-yard line paved the way for a 10-yard touchdown completion from O'Toole to Miller. The extra point kick by Halverson gave the Rockets a 24-0 halftone lead. The third period was scoreless, but Richmond-Burton tallied on the first play of the fourth quarter when sophomore quarterback Craig Komar tossed a 46-yard strike to Christensen. The extra point by Halverson put his team ahead by 31 points. Komar was responsible for the last two scores also. The first was a 12- yard touchdown pass to Jessie Brantley and the second was a one- yard sneak. One of the PAT's was good by Halverson, making the final score 44-0. The Northwest Suburban Con­ ference is taking a whole new shape for the 1983-84 school year. With two schools leaving the con­ ference, two others will be joining it. Antioch and Warren, two school who have been a dominate force in the conference, will be leaving. Taking their place will be Marian Central and Marengo. With these changes, Johnsburg School District .12 Superin-,„, tendentDupH^iAndreas.saidtfaeiq conference has swung more weatward y and Johnsburg is more or less in the center of the conference. Johnsburg is a recent newcomer itself in the conference and Andreas says the Skyhawks are comfortable where they are. "Competitively, we were nervous against Antioch and Warren. We really coped very well. Those are bigger schools." Johnsburg Athletic Director Jim Meyers was not available for com­ ment. But head football Coach Randy Oberembt said the conference will be more balance for Johnsburg to play in. "The enrollment will put us more in the middle of the conference. It will give us the opportunity to play more schools our size. Football wise, both schools (Marengo and Marian) are good football schools. They will be very competitive in our conference." Principle Sister Ann Rena made the announcement of Marian Central entering the conference. This will be the third conference in as many years for Marian. The Hurricanes have been spending the 1982-83 season in the West Suburban Catholic Conference. "There were a number of reasons for the decisions to seek membership in the Northwest Suburban Con­ ference," said Sister Ann Rena. "One of the major concerns was our sen­ sitivity to two major areas; namely, that more parents would be able to attend competitive athletic contests, musical contests, academic com­ petition, as well as cultural fairs and student-exchange programs if we were in a conference nearer (geographically) to our family locations. "Secondly, we were interested in minimizing the strain on our students who spend several hours on school nights traveling to distant points of the WSCC for events. This has not been good on their health needs and surely cut seriously into after school homework schedules and time to be with their families and in some in­ stances, the need to be at places of employment Sister Ann Rena also1 Said the longest trip for away events in the conference is about 25 miles. In the WSCC, that was the shortest trip. She also believed in renewing the relationship with fans from Marengo and Johnsburg from the cancelled SHARK conference and the op­ portunity to build new spirited competition with other area schools will enhance the potential for quality competition and fill stands in athletic events, which do make up the greatest percentage of conference events. Marengo and Marian Central join Johnsburg, Grant, Grayslake, Lake Zurich, Round Lake and Wauconda in the conference. Parks & Recreation The fun can be shared ty all when skiing down the slopes at Alpine Valley. This trip is offered to all residents -- young and old. The cost includes transportation, lift ticket, lessons and rental equipment (if needed). Hie trip will start at 8:30 a.m. from City Hall on Friday, Jan. 14 and will return at 6:30 p.m. this trip will be chaperoned by the City of McHenry Department of Parks and Recreation Staff. Sign up at City Hall and call 344-3300 for any questions about the trip. | Senior Citizen I Discount L*!!.------sgi ving^ OT_comjg!et<B_rqqim. CALL NOW! Daily 8-5, Sat. 9-12 (414) 275-2176 RT. 14 NORTH WALWORTH, WISC. BRAND NEW PROCESS ONIY AT CLASSIC TROPHIES! XPRB WUSELf! Instantly print your artwork, lettering, photograph, or logo onto a variety of materials with the XpresTM Process featured in our store. In a matter of minutes, you can be the owner of a unique t-shirt, cap, tote bag, award or plaque...bearing your design. Put names and numbers on team jerseys and caps. Print your favorite picture or saying on a shirt. Personalize book bags with your school's name. Print brass business cards. Make a brass plaque from that important document, diploma, or bir­ th certificate. Personalize an award for someone special. Come in and XpresTM yourself. CLASSIC TROPHIES 920 Front St., McHenry 344-2260 •p-- *wri HAVE YOUR FAVORITE BABY'S PICTURE PUT ON A TEE-SHIRT PP. 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