Merrillville High School - Merrillvue Yearbook (Merrillville, IN)

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Winning tradition continues as Karen Dudak captures state Once again the MHS gymnastics team had an excellent season, including a state champion. Karen Dudak, sophomore, stated, I think the team ' s success is due to the fact we all get along and work well to- gether. This is very important. The team ' s success was obviously due to many outstanding individuals. Interme- diate Dudak led the team all season. Du- dak won sectional all-around, placed 2nd in regionals, and won state all- around. The State Championship was held at Perry Meridian High School in In- dianapolis. Dudak captured her title in her second year of varsity gymnastics. Karen Kasperzak, sophomore, led the team on bars, winning in sectionals. Lisa Funder, sophomore, made the team on vault and on beam. DeeAnna McPherson, freshman, broke the school floor record with a 9.55, and was first on the floor all season, winning in sectionals and placing fifth in regionals. Shawna Eberle, junior, placed in the top three on the beam and floor all sea- son and made the sectional team. In optionals, Jeanine Kierzkowski, junior, was named Most Valuable. She placed in the top three in sectionals and regionals, making it to state in all-around competi- tion. Nancy Gress and Sarah McAnally, sen- iors, were named to the All-Conference team. McAnally stated, “I ' m glad we won conference. This boosted the whole team ' s confidence. Individuals were honored after the sea- son. Dudak received the Drive, Determi- nation, and Dedication Award, Best Men- tal Attitude, and Most Valuable Interme- diate Gymnast. Kierzkowski was named Most Valuable Optional Gymnast. Funder was the Most Improved. — Shawna Eberle, Buffy Palvas Preparing to dismount from the uneven bars Is Nancy Gress, senior. Performing her high scoring floor routine, Jeanine Kierzkowski, sophomore, wins another event. Displaying one of the talents that contributed to her title as State Champion, Karen Dudak, sophomore, performs on the bars. 117 GYMNASTICS

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Gymnastics MHS OPP M.C. Rogers 200.3 105.8 Lowell 204.35 109.2 Hobart 206.8 114.6 McElston 202.75 94.65 LaPorte 199.75 144.2 Crown Point 207.15 204.35 Chesterton 214.1 208.0 Valparaiso 204.4 198.1 Highland 210.55 211.15 Portage 198.9 183.2 I think the team’s success is due to the fact we all get along and work well together. This is very important” Karen Dudak, sophomore - Sara McAnnally, senior, shows her poise and grace on the balance beam. 116 GYMNASTICS Gymnastics: Front Row — Jeanine Kierzkowski, Lisa Funder, Nancy Gress, Karen Dudak. Second Row — Coach Bill Roberts, Rene Mischler, Denise Darkins, Deanna McPherson, Karen Kasperzak, Coach Diane Roberts. Back row — Amy Roberts, Jennifer Ogiego, Stecy Plesha, Sara McAnally.

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“My season didn’t go as planned. When I hurt my arm I lost a lot of strength in it.” Willie Croz, senior Varsity Wrestling MHS OPP Crown Point 46 16 LaPorte 42 12 Portage 49 15 Andrean 63 9 M.C. Rogers 53 8 Plymouth 56 13 Penn 44 23 Kokomo 52 12 Chesterton 55 11 Hobart 39 12 Valparaiso 47 16 Sectionals 1st Regionals 1st Semi-state 1st State 4th JV Wrestling MHS OPP Portage 39 18 Calumet 21 51 Lowell 27 34 Munster 25 35 Crown Point 24 47 LaPorte 44 30 Portage 35 40 Andrean 44 12 Lowell 26 33 Highland 24 37 Portage 48 24 Crown Point 27 45 M.C. Rogers 40 15 Hobart 33 12 Chesterton 39 30 Valparaiso 27 35 118 WRESTLING Mundell returns to state; he comes home a winner Sweat and determination paid off for MHS wrestlers with a fourth place finish in state. Six wrestlers qualified for state. But only Scott Mundell, senior, and Jay Mack, junior, placed. Mundell (34-0) clinched the state title in the 1 19 lbs. weight class. Mack (31-5) took fourth place in the 112 lbs. weight class. Scott is my first wrestler to win a state title as being head coach, commented Cameron. Mundell is MHS ' s first wrestler to win a state title since 1974, when Ken Dike won the heavyweight title. Mundell is a four year letterman. He succeeded to break two school re- cords set by Ken Turner, 1976-1978. Mundell broke the record for most wins in a career with a record of 102-12-1. In addition, he broke the record for the most pins in a career with 60 pins. Mundell commented, I was very happy when I won the final match be- cause I had reached my goal, being the state champion. In his road to state, Mundell had 21 falls and 43 takedowns. Strength, flexibility, height and leverage were Scott ' s advantages over other wres- tlers, said Cameron. Mack, a two year letterman, re- ceived a fourth place finish for the sec- ond straight year. I was pleased for Jay, stated Cameron. In his trip to state. Mack had 10 falls and 49 takedowns. “I was very pleased with my performance at state. It turned out real well, com- mented Mack. Another MHS hopeful, Willie Cruz, senior, was injured in regionals. Cruz hy- perextended his arm in competition but was able to go down state. My season didn ' t go as planned. When I hurt my arm, I lost a lot of my strength in it, stated Cruz. — Andrea Kawicki WRESTLING Kawicki