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R PAGE 7 - PLAINDEA1.ER - WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER It, If On Nov. 23, close to 600 performers will pack the McHenry west campus gym. A total of 24 teams have been invited to flip, roll and cartwheel their way into the hearts of awestricken fans. This is Power Tumbling. The McHenry edition erf the power tumbling circuit is the McHenry County Tumbleweeds, who will be hosting the United States Tumbling Association event next Sunday. Tumblers from 5-18 years of age are expected to compete in the event in three different levels of competition, Beginner and Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Power tumbling is a form of gymnastics, in which the athlete uses a series of front and back rolls, flips, roundoff, somersaults and just about anything that will please the judges. Judging is based on difficulty and form of the participant's routine as he or she advances down a 50-foot mat. The Tumbleweeds are a non-profit organization, which has hired a head coach, Duane Sperry and an assistant coach, Lori Knaack in an effort to bring tumbling and gymnastics to an area that has hardly any. "Right now, this area is booming treatise we are the only form of gymnastics around here," Sperry said. "Our program has doubled in the past year from about 20 to 45 tumblers." As a Tumbleweed,every athlete, no matter what age, starts in the beginner category to learn basic tumbling techniques such as somersaults and roundoffs. As confidence is gained and more difficult manuveurs are mastered, the gymnast advances to Intermediate and finally the Advanced level. "For the average kid, it takes about two years to move into the advanced level of competition, "Sperry said. "Some make in sue months and some don't make it in four years, though." Tumbleweeds Power Tumbling Hits McHenry Area Many hours of conditioning and practice are required when perfecting tumbling skills. At the left, Coach Duane Sperry makes himself useful as a "spot­ ter" as one of the youngest Tumbleweeds, Carly Kun- zer, practices a flip. Sperry revealed that the seven- year old may be ready for Nationals competition in a few years. At the right, Sperry and Tumbleweed president Bil Roark use a special belt to help 12-year- • old Vicky Bruce attempt a forward flip with a twist. Sperry said that Bruce is in her fourth year.of tum­ bling, the most of any of the Tumbleweeds and that she also has an excellent change at post-season com­ petition. Below, the Tumbleweeds show off ribbons, trophies and medals that they have won so far this season. Story And Photos By Joel Wakitsch s The Tumbleweed go through rigorous practice w* three times per week and train all year round as the competition season starts in August and winds up in February. "We practice only once a week during the summer to keep the kids in shape for the upcoming season," Sperry Practice consists of stretching exercises, running, sit ups and push ups as well as the actual tumbliitf. Sperry noted "You have to be strong and have lots of guts to go far in this sport." President of the Tumbleweeds, Bill Roark said that in actual competition, each tumbler must make two passes at the long mat, showing a minimum of three skills. He also revealed that as of now, most of the competitors are girls, but that he sees that changing in the future. "Tumbling is wide open to boys right now," Roark commented. Tumbling, according to Roark , does have regional, national and international competition. The National championships will be a three-day meet in Tempe, Arizona this year. On the international scene, Sperry said that Russia and Germany are among the best countries at power tumbling. So far this season, the Tumbleweeds have accumulated about 50 ribbons, three trophies and 12 medals in only three meets and will be looking to up this total next Sunday. "With 600 competitors, our meet will rank as one of the biggest of the season," Roark noted. "I'm sure people will get a kick out of it, and be amazed at what these young kids can do." The event will start at 10 am and wind up about 4 pm, Roark said, with the advanced gymnasts tumbling at about 3 pm. m (M 1 " tAKL WALSH So I Hear It must have been Whispering Oaks Night at the Longhora. Wouldn't know how many were there, but Mel Pond, Norm Hoym, Bob Sullivan and their fair ladies made our evening pleasant by stopping by our table to chat. The Sullivans we have known since they and we had children in grade school. Mel Pond says he has been one of our readers for 9 or 10 years, but our paths have never crossed. Norm Hoym and I decided recently that we each have only one bad habit left -- smoking cigars. We are also alike in the fact that we like a little nip now and then. We don't count that as a bad habit because we heard some place it is known to help circulation. And, that we do -- cir­ culate. Had recently decided to discontinue putting our feelings in print when friends leave this earth. Now, I am reminded Betty Lou Weber was one loyal reader of this column. A sports fan all the way, Betty Lou was really a Cub . fan. She switched to the Soir for awhile, then went back to the Cubs, her first love. Barb Gerasch has lost her motor-driven wheel chair partner. They not only drove past our house on a wing and a prayer, but with big smiles. We hope they have a sports program in heaven. Maybe the Cubs have a farm team up there. The puzzle is solved. The bird book shows we have chicadees at our feeders. My old theory that a good offense is the best defense in sports has been thrown for a loss many times. Notre Dame won a big one over Alabama, scoring only 7 points while the losers couldn't put a point on the board. The Illini can't seem to win in spite of quarterback Dave Wilson picking up 400 to 600 yards passing. Statistics don't count. For my part, give me some scoring. In baseball, a 5-4 or 6-5 game is more ex­ citing than a 1-0 pitching duel. In high school basketball, 60 or 70 points are just fine if • ,1. 1 V- you are on the long end of the score. "I play a lone hand as far as the news media is con­ cerned. Lack of fairness bothers me. For instance, some cars are named that "may" be dangerous. But, there is no "proof". Let's get the proof, then crack down. Another one: Certain foods "may" cause cancer. Not for sure. Newspapers have always been guilty of printing sensational stories on page 1, then printing a one paragraph correction on page. 13. Tain't fair. There is something sad about the Gladstone store closing, it was good for McHenry. I can well remember when Morris Gladstone came to town and opened a modest little store in the building now occupied by McHenry Drapery. The late Ben Brefeld built shelves in the store and business got under way. In my book, Mr. Gladstone was a fine, honest man. His business flourished and larger quarters were soon needed. The late A. P. Freund provided the spacious new building. McHenry is changing. Some of us hate to see certain changes. Finally heard from Ken Espey, former McHenry Police Chief. Was worried about him, worried that the i Florida sunshine or some dashing widow had gotten the best of him. Watching the Chicago Bears lose a 10-6 game to the Houston Oilers didn't make for a perfect Sunday af­ ternoon. The Bears had chances to put the game on ice in the first quarter, but lacked the old killer instinct. As great as Walter Payton is, he is not Earl Campbell. Nor is he Gayle Sayers. Nor does he have enough help. And -- Vince Evans is not a Ken Stabler at quar­ terback. Not yet. He may be in time. D'Angelo Most Valuable Gridder Senior halfback Dave D'Angelo was selected by his teammates as the Most Valuable Player for the past season. The announcement was made at the annual banquet held last Thursday at West Campus. Dave had 11 touchdowns the past season, including the returning of three kickoffs for TD's. The young speedster was such a menace to opposing teams at kickoff time that it got to be opposing teams would do everything in their power to keep the ball away from Dave. Mark Schiller was named the Most Improved Player, while the Most Courageous lineman award went to senior Andy Saunders, and the Best Defensive Player award went to Kevin Lavin. Coach Joe Schlender awarded 32 major letters to his squad, and talked briefly on the past season. He was quite proud of the ac­ complishments of the squad, stating that they reached two of the three goals set at the beginning of the season. Winning the opening game against Stevenson, and a winning season, a record of 5 and 4. The only obstacle was the homecoming loss to conference champs Gary Grove, which went un­ defeated in conference play. Major "M" awards went to the following seniors: V. Betancourt, 2 yr.; K. Belzer, 2yr.; B. Boeka; D. D'Angelo, 2yr. Capt.; J. Doessel, 2 yr.; D. Freund, 2 yr.; S. Haley, 2 yr.; J. Hendricks; J. Jablonski, 2 yr.; R. Kalck, 2 yr. Capt.; T. Klapperich, 2 yr.; K. Lavin, 2 yr. Capt.; J. Major; J. McNish, 2 yr.; M. McWilliams; J. Nielsen; S. O'Halleran; R. Quinlan; P. Ritthaler, 2 yr.; A. Saun- decs, 2 yr., Capt.; M. Schiller; P. Schmitt; andT. Woo, 2 yr. Major "M" awards in­ cluded juniors, T. Barry; J. Caron; A. Clark; M. Connor; K. Gartner; T. Lynk; C. Rehberg; S. Schmidt; and T. Wagner. Minor "M" awards: J. Black; Don Jourdan; D. Kueffner; B. Myers and J. 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Grandma, but Dunkin' Donuts is now in the muffin business Introducing mouth watering blueberry, delectable honey bran, and delicious corn muffins We're baking them fresh every driy. .it our participating shops, and we re making them by hand, from only the finest ingre dients. just like you do You can take them home or you can e<it' them in our shops, hot. with melted butter And everybody's raving about funv d«'lic ious ' they are Sorry Grandma We hate to do this to you but that's the way the muffin crumbles The perfect muffins from Dunkin Donuts Another reason why it s worth the trip 50C OFF ON >/2 DOZEN MUFFINS OR Cannot be combined with another offer. Offer ndMiwobl> for 50 cents OFF 1 dozen I \ $LOO OFF ON 1 DOZEN MUFFINS. ' (WITH THIS COUPON.) I I This offer is good at all participating Dunkin Donuts shops until 11-22-80. Limit 1 coupon per customer Limit: 2 Dozen DwHUT# ••4504 W. Rt®. 120,1 - vtttt ~vrr . •»». It9 UNMrth the trip. McHenrv. III. 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