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PAGE 20 - PLA1NPE ALEE - FRIDAY, JUNE 22,1984 Plaindealer photo by Mike Lamb Kris Teuber tries to pat on the surprise move on Richmond's cat- fourth inning action. Szonn recovered in time to tag Teuber out. cher, Chris Szonn, during a steal attempt of home plate during McHenry pounds Richmond's Legion team Vehring closes the door, bats come alive with 18 hits Mike Lamb Plaindealer sports editor Baseball fans have seen managers smile one day, and pull their hair out the next. This has become the case for both McHenry and Richmond teams in American Legion baseball. After battling a tough Crystal Lake squad to a 2-2 tie after eight innings, Richmond fell to 0-4 in the McHenry County League with a 16-3 defeat to McHenry Wednesday. McHenry Nautilus coaches Dave Williams and Dave Smith had smiles on their faces after watching the win. But both coaches, along with manager Russ Williams weren't too happy after watching the McHenry squad lose 8-3 Monday to Algonquin, and just barely edge Genoa City 10-9 last week Wednesday. Both Williams and Smith filled in for manager Russ Williams who was out of town. The game, however, didn't run in McHenry's favor at the start. McHenry's starting pit­ cher Bill Cameron experienced early arm problems and gave up walks to the first three Rich­ mond batters. Williams and Smith then made the decision to pull Cameron for left-hander Ross Vehring. That move proved out to be beneficial. Vehring gave up a double to Chris Szonn that cleared the bases, but after that it was a no-hitter. Vehring held Richmond scoreless in the remaining four innings, allowing no hits and striking out nine. "Bill Cameron told us his arm was a little sore," said Williams, "so we decided not to let him go on." Williams mentioned that Vehring had a tough time with Genoa City last week, but he "did a good job today." Williams was also glad to see the hitting come around. McHenry came back with four runs in the first inning, while a six-run fifth inning did in Rich­ mond. The game was called after five because of darkness. "We hit the ball good, but we didn't hit the ball good at Algonquin," Williams said. "We got a little t' , more serious yesterday in practice. We didn't like getting beat 8-3. "This gives the guys some confidence." Vehring, along with the rest of the top of the McHenry batting order showed off their con­ fidence early. Both Vehring and lead-off hitter Tim Pankiewicz Again, Pankiewicz, Cun­ ningham and Vehring came up with singles, with Teuber following with an rbi triple. BUI Cameron led-off the third inning with a single, while stealing second and taking third on the throwing error. He scored on Jim Colberg's single. Colberg scored two outs later on batted a perfect four-for-four, while Steve Cunningham ftWi n^SSj^S^^pom6Tm' Kris Teuber went three-for-four. ^aK&rangle run in the fourth Pankiewicz came up with the inning, McHenry finished off big hit of the game, a two-run homerun in the third inning. Altogether, McHenry sprayed out 18 hits during the five in­ nings. After Lddie Seelandt, Glen Hendricks and Jeff Klein scored on Szonn's double, Vehring retired the next two Richmond batters to end the top of the first inning. Pankiewicz led-off the first inning with a single, white Cunningham, Vehring and Teuber all followed with singles. A fielding error on Mike Pod- pora's hit by the third baseman scored the fourth run of the inning. Two more runs came across in the second inning for McHenry. Richmond with six runs in the fifth inning. Brad Snyder, Pankiewicz, Cunningham, Vehring, Teuber, Podpora and Bill Fritsch all singled in the inning. A Pat Dunne suffered the pit­ ching loss for McHenry at Algonquin. Bill Cameron finished off the fourth inning, while Vehring entered in the fifth inning. The game was called after the fifth inning. A solo homerun by Vehring and a two-run homerun by Podpora scored the only McHenry runs. The 4-1 McHenry Nautilus will travel to Wonder Lake next Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game. New Cary basketball coach makes no promises By Steve Metsch Plaindealer news service CARY - When it comes to promises, Rick Podraza is empty-handed. Rather than vow instant success for a basketball program that's been busy im­ personating the Chicago Bulls, Podraza takes a safer approach. First and foremost is setting his priorities. "I can't make promises. But I am committed to do the best for the program and the players involved. Sometimes promises are broken but commitments, those things you live by." Podraza said Tuesday. And with that, Podraza sets sail on a new challenge - the head coach's job of the Cary- Grove varsity boys' basketball program. Podraza was in Cary's gymnasium Tuesday afternoon, preparing to instruct one of two daily basketball camps. The only sound was that of a ball being dribbled by a solitary camper but if Podraza has his way, cheers will fill the void next season. He faces a formidable job. Cary hasn't had a winning season since 1977-78. Most of the experienced players from last year's 10-13 team have graduated and the feeder system pales in comparison to Crystal Lake's. But Podraza is itching for a challenge. He brings along a 209- 170 career coaching record and just completed an eight-year stint at Elmwood Park. Before that, he coached at Chicago's Gordon Tech. "I feel, what would you call, I guess confidence in having experienced two ends of the spectrum. At Gordon Tech we had talented players from all over the city. Then I go to Elmwood Park where we had to build from the elementary- school talent we had and we did that," he said. Podraza played for Gordon Tech and returned there after attending Northeastern Illinois University. Back at his old high school, he coached the freshmen and sophomore teams to con­ ference championships con- Carlton wins again Dennis Carlton of McHenry won his fifth race in a row in the spectator stocks last Saturday at Wilmot Speedway. Carlton won his heat and went on to capture the 15-lap feature. Skip Martin, also of McHenry was in the early lead before giving way to Carlton. secutive years. He took the head coaching job at Elmwood Park in 1976 after assisting for one season. Nor­ theast Conference titles followed in 1979-80 and 1980-81, the first championship in the school's 25- year history. After going 11-14 last year and with enrollment spiraling downward, Podraza needed a change of scenery. "I thought that it was a good opportunity for advancement in my career. The Fox Valley, I think is a real good basketball conference. I know the com­ petitive atmosphere between the schools is tough. I think I'll like that situation." he said. Podraza faces a situation similiar to the (me left behind. Cary's enrollment of about 1,000 is the smallest in the seven-team FVC. Lower numbers could mean fewer premier athletes, but Podraza doesn't buy that notion. "I've been impressed with the turnout to camp so far. The numbers and intensity. The key will be getting some interest in the younger players. The one thing, I think, in improving and building the program is having athletes who truly can commit to themselves, not only to basketball, but to themselves to be the best people they can be and the best ai Fourteen juniors are currently enrolled in Podraza's camps. "I'm im­ pressed with the skills and competitiveness with which they played. From what I saw on the court, I'm encouraged with the determination of our players," Podraza said. "We're talking high-school age kids, not choice of the great players in the nation. We all make mistakes. The most im­ portant thing to our players is to bring our best effort forward, no matter what the individual outcome is," said the 33-year-old biology and earth science teacher. Cary has posted six straight losing seasons. In eight years under Jim Condill, the Trojans enjoyed just two winning seasons and never finished higher than fourth place in the FVC. "It's going to take a great deal of hard work, a great deal of desire and a great deal of determination from all the in­ dividuals, the parents, the parents, the players and the coaching staff," admitted Podraza. "I know several people have expressed to me that the younger players in the program have good potential. Perhaps in a season or two, we can have a good competitive team. It could happen sooner," he added. Note the use of "could." is a smart man, one promise things he can't deliver. Immediately, that is. Marlins give swimmers sarly competition Plaindealer photo by Mike Lamb Paula Wray executes one of her dives off the board at McHenry Knox Pool during the Marlins' meet against Farmington Tuesday. Wray placed first in the diving competition. By Barb Ansell Plaindealer sportswriter The swim team members of the McHenry Marlins may sometimes look like fish out of the water when they are not racing, but when the 120 member team is in the water they are feared as tough com­ petitors. The Marlins are in their third year with the McHenry Parks Department's summer program, under the supervision of head coach Mike Shanahan. The Marlins are com­ posed of two different divisions, an A and a B team. During the first two weeks of training all members are observed and placed on one of the two teams. Those swimmers with the most experience and knowledge about the strokes are placed on team A where they spend 75 percent of their training time improving their con­ ditions. Those swimmers placed on team B con­ centrate on developing stroke techniques. According to Shanahan, it is a good idea to begin training the swimmers early. "Getting the kids involved in the program around the age of six is helpful! At this age we teach them the competitive strokes, starts and turns. With three years of experience in the lowest age division, by the time they're eight, most of them can be successful in com­ peting." Shanahan said teaching the butterfly stroke is strictly the hardest stroke for the swimmers to master. "The butterfly stroke is strictly a competitive stroke. It is not a stroke that is taught in most lessons, so the kids have the least amount of practice on this stroke. This stroke al9o requires a lot of upper body strength to be very com­ petitive and many of the swimmers have not yet developed the needed amount of strength." Shanahan views the McHenry swim team program as a preparation for serious competition not only later on in high school, but also in the winter swim team competitions held at many of the local YMCA's. "During the summer we try to keep our program more on the fun side with not so much pressure. We'd like the swimmers to enjoy the sport at the same time they are improving and striving for success." Calisthenics are not stressed as much in the McHenry Marlins program Continued on pag* 11 McHenry wins meet In their first swim meet of the 1984 summer season, the McHenry Marlins defeated the Farmington team in both the A and B divisions Tuesday. The A team took Farmington 231-203, while the B team sank the Farmington team 224-23. Head coach Mike Shanahan liked what he saw. "We had a lot of new kids in this meet and it was a time for them to come out and see what they could do. From the looks of things, if they stick with the team, I think they have a lot of potential." The Marlins, whose A team placed fourth in the conference last year, looked strong in their competition against Farmington. "The A team looked good, despite our loss of several strong swimmers from last year," Shanahan said. "Farmington finished last year's conference in third place, so maybe we have a chance of moving up a notch in the A team standings this year Shanahan still feels the team to shoot for will be Plum Grove. Plum Grove competes all year round. The A team will face Plum Grove on July 3 at Plum Grove. Marlins A Schedule June 28 at Brentwood 5 p.m., July 10 - Antioch 5 p.m., July 21 Conference relays 9 a.m., July 27 Conference 12:30 p.m., July 5 at Plum Tree 5 p.m, July 19 at Conference 9 a.m.