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20 - PLAINDEAMCIl - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2.1JW let's talk Johnsburg grapplers confident By Mike Lamb Mike Roberts says with confidence, "We are going to improve. We are not going to finish in the bottom of the conference." He's confident because his team only has one direction to go - up. The Johnsburg Skyhawk wrestling team finished with a 5- 13-1 overall record and a 0-7-0 Northwest Suburban Conference record under the guidance of Don March. After three years as March's assistant, Roberts was ap­ pointed head coach last May 25. The 25-year-old cpacft is a graduate of Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wise. He played four years of college football. Jim Briscoe will be his assistant. Roberts inherited a wrestling program only in its fourth year at Johnsburg. The last few years the program has experienced growing pains, but Roberts believes it's heading in the right direction. Gone is Johnsburg's only state wrestling qualifier in the school's history. Mike Hurckes lost in the second round of the state meet in the 132 pound weight division and finished with a 30-9-1 record. He graduated last spring. Roberts does have six returning letterwinners to work with. Two of the letterwinners are sophomores and two are juniors. Mike Cahill at 126 and John Grenman at heavyweight are the two seniors. Mark Dumelle at 167 and Joel Rowland at 132 are the returning juniors, while Shawn Kee at 119 and Scott Lehmann at 112 are the sophomores. With those returning let­ terwinners, Roberts says he has some talented freshmen who will probably help out. "We have a better balanced team than last year. We don't have a single outstanding in­ dividual as of yet. But I have a lot of confidence in the returning letterman," said Roberts. "Our strength is in our younger kids." Along with Grenman and Cahill, Roberts has three other seniors on the squad; Jim Bentz, Darin Peterson and Bentley Treat. Bentz is out for the first time. A standout fullback on the football team, Roberts says he will help out at the heavyweight division. Grenman, Dumelle and Bentz were NWSC all-conference football players, and Roberts: says that's a plus for his wrestling team. "There is a definite correlation between football ability and wrestling ability. Both are very aggressive sports. All- conference signifies good athletes." Roberts admits the success of the wrestling program at Johnsburg lies in the future, but he warns his team has not brushed this season aside. "We're a very young team, but we're extremely optimistic. Were still two years away from a very fine wrestling team, but were still very optimistic. "We're not looking ahead two years. We have some fine kids right now. We're certainly not counting this season out. "The team set some goals for this season. They are high. The team wants to finish with a .900 conference record and a .500 overall record. The kids have shown tremendous im­ provement and it's a legitimate goal." The Skyhawk squad looked for NWSC victory number one Tuesday against Marengo at the Johnsburg gym, in a double dual with Hebron. Marengo, a newcomer in the conference, is Grant for the as the NWSC only in its second year with wrestling. Roberts seei heavy favorite title. "I don't think I'm out of line by saying Grant is the powerhouse in wrestling. They are definitely the leaders to beat. I see Wauconda, Round Lake and Grayslake as challenging Grant. The four remaining schools will be fighting to get in the upper bracket. Anyone jof them is capable of being in there." With such a young team, Roberts says,"it will be crucial to get off on the right foot. They will need some early success." After a conference match with Round Lake, Johnsburg will travel to Richmond for a tournament on Dec. 3. Roberts says his squad is looking for­ ward to this tournament. "A team goal is to place as high as third." Timothy Christain, Ham- phsire, Marengo, Marian Central, Big Foot, Valley Lutheran and Richmond will be the teams participating. Roberts says his team has a tough non-conference schedule which includes; McHenry, Jacobs and Valley Lutheran. . . . win first NWSC match in sweep JTAFF PHOTO-MIKE LA-"* The Johnsburg Skyhawk wrestling team has six letterwinners returning for this season. They are; (front) Scott Lehman and Mike Cahill, (kneeling)»Shawn Kee and Mark Dumelle/ (standing) John Grenman. Joel Rowland is not shown. Varsity schedule 7 Geneva Tourney 9 Dec. 2 at Round Lake 6 p.m. Dec. 3 Richmond tourney 10 a.m. Dec. 6 McHenry 6 p.m. Dec. 9 St. Francis Tourney Dec. 13 at Hebron 7 p.m. Dec. 16 Marian € p.m. Dec. 20 at Hampshire 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at Richmond 6 p.m. Pill 28 Jacobs 11a.m. Jan. 6 at Grant 6 p.m. Jan. a.m. Jan. 13 Ridgewood Wauconda- Jan. 20 at Lake Zurich 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Valley Lutheran Jan. 27 Grayslake 6 p.m. Feb. 4 NWSC Feb. 10 IHSA regionals Feb. 17 MSA sectionals Feb. 24 IHSA state finals Coaches sometimes get in trouble when they make pre­ season promises. Johnsburg Skyhawk wrestling coach Mike Roberts made two promises, but it looks like he won't be sorry he made them. Roberts promised his team would improve upon last year's 5-13-1 record and would not finish at the bottom of the Northwest Suburban Conference. By picking up its first con­ ference win in two years and' jumping out to a 2-0 start, it looks like the Skyawks have made good on Roberts' promises. Johnsburg completely dominated Marengo and Alden-Hebron in a double dual Tuesday. Johnsburg defeated Marengo 56-12 and Alden-Hebron 56-14. "We wrestled better than I thought. I'm real pleased in what I saw Tuesday night," said Roberts. "I'll tell you how excited the kids are - five kids have asked if they still can come out for the team. Winning works wonders. "This gives us a tremendous boost going against Round Lake Friday. Round Lake is going to be tough." Roberts was pleased with the performance of his freshmen and sophomores. Roberts reported that his team had freshmen and sophomores wrestling in 11 matches, .winning all of them. . Sophomore Shawn Kee " won both of his matches at 119 pound weight division. Kee defeated Doug Am- brosse of Marengo 8-4 and pinned Rod Tessler of Hebron. Jim Walker, a freshmen, also won two matches. At 126 pounds, Walker defeated Joe Burno of Marengo 16-0, and pinned Bob Krause of Hebron. Mark Dumelle, a junior, was alao a double winner, recording two falls at 167 pounds. He pinned Lee Hilbert of Marengo and Tim Head of Hebron. Scott Leh­ man also recorded two falls. He pinned Kevin Jennings of . Marengo at 112 .pounds -- ̂ Mike Miles of Hebron. Ed Klein (98), Jim O'Brien (145), Bentley Treat (166) and John Grenman (HWT) were all double winners for Johnsburg. Klein won by forfeit against Marengo and pinned Kevin Harris of Hebron. O'Brien pinned Tim Keffer of Marengo and won by forfeit against Hebron. Treat picked up his victories on forfeit, while John Grenman won by forfeit against Marengo and pinned Mike Hallisy of Hebron. Mike Cahill at 138 pounds, was also winner against Marengo, pinning Terry Bellar. Tony Garcia was winner for Johnsburg against Hebron, pinning Mike Price. MORE RELAXED McMAHON continued from page 22 but everybody concerned," McMahon said "Everybody is more relaxed now artd we're playing like it. We're playing like the team we should have been playing like all year long. "Now everything is coming together for us, our defense has been playing great football. The offense has been moving the foot­ ball, but we really haven't been scoring enough points and that's going to be the biggest key in the next three weeks," he added. Sunday, a Bear offense which is ranked fifth in the NFC despite its lack of scoring punch, gets a chance to break out of its doldrums against a sieve­ like Green Bay Packer defense that has been allowing more points than Ford has cars. "Green Bay is known for their defense. They've got (James) Lofton, (John) Jefferson and Lynn Dickey has been having a good year," McMahon added. "And they're scoring a lot of points and that has been the reason they've won six ballgames. "I'd like to see us score 30, 35 points this week because you're going to have to score some points to beat Green Bay. You really can't shut down a team like Green Bay, although we did shut down San Francisco, who I think has one of the best offenses in the NFL." Mother Nature may have had a little hand in that as well. McMahon and Com­ pany have rallied around monsoon-like conditions' that have been af­ fectionately tabbed "Bear weather." McMahon has shined in the soggy conditions. He has completed 48 of 76 passes - a 63.1 percent clip - for 556 yards in the last four weeks. The 24-year-old California native currently ranks as the Bears' all-time passing leader, based on his 78.3 NFL careering. "I doubt if it will be raining, but it could be snowing up there in Green Bay. I know it's going to be cold," McMahon added. Gloomy weather or not, McMahon has his reasons why the Bears went into an early-season swoon. After a 3-1 preseason start, a fickle Chicago press was figuring this to be the Bears' year. What they soon found was the exact opposite and the reporters jumped off the bandwagon and on the Bears' backs. "I think the press is what really hurt our ballclub earlier in the year because they were blowing things out of proportion," McMahon added, "ftow that we do have a winning streak going everybody's on our side again." The USFL has been waving their offers of big bucks in front of many NFL players nearing the end of their current contracts. Evans is just (me several to take the bait and jump ship. McMahon hinted he'd do the same thing if he were in Evans' Shoes. "I take nothing away from Vince, I think he's done a great job for us when he got to play this year." GREAT BODIES FOR SALE McHenry Nautilus HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB i NAUTILUS CONCEPT To afford an individual to develop to his/her maximum strength and fit­ ness as efficientlyas possible. This goal is achieved by utilizing the most advanced equipment, trained instructors and scientifically researched training principles. GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH... ...A NAUTILUS MEMBERSHIP IT'S A GREAT GIFT IDEA SKIERS! Let us get you in shape for the season! MEMBERSHIP HONORED AT AFFILIATED CLUBS WORLD WIDE! 804 MILL ST. •McHENRY Behind Taylor Made Golf company Headquarters (Old Mill) on Crystal take Black Top LOOK GREAT FEEL GREAT BE GREAT! FREE TRIAL WORKOUT Call for appointment today 344-2202 A COMPLETE NAUTILUS WORKOUT REQUIRES 30 MINUTES 3 TIMES PER WEEK 1 YR. MEMBERSHIP $299<>0 JUST HOURS: MON-FRI 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. SAT 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. SUN 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Bowlers raise money Bowlers in many leagues throughout McHenry County recently par­ ticipated in a "Beat the Champs" contest and netted $389.54 to purchase speech aids for the Nu-voice club of the Easter Seal society for McHenry County. The Nu-voice club is a learning and support group for all McHenry County residents who nave un­ dergone laryngectomees. JHS JV's win_ The Johnsburg junior varsity wrestling team opened its season with a 54-9 win over Marengo. The Skyhawks only suffered two losses. A total of three Skyhawks recorded falls. They were; Dave Thoren (126), Ed Schultz (132) and Brian Hauck (138) in 17 seconds. TIS THE SEASON TIES reg. 85#-20" FREE TIE WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANY DRESS SHIRT DRESS SHIRTS reg. 1500-2400 GOO0KC. 1 THRU BSC. 24 vSTORE FOB MEN XI' VJ.V It KM MtTfwt.M nt *m» Ml • » 1214_N, GREEN ST. McHENRY MTh 9^5:30 Frj j fcp SatJ-5 JO PEN Til 8PM BEGINNING DEC. 81 i