Linn High School - Wildcat Yearbook (Linn, MO)

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Young cross count fairs well despite inexperience The stage was set. The Linn runners had been defeated twice this year by Fatima, and now they faced them again, this .time at home. The week before the race was spent working hard to finally beat their rivals. With a crowd present to cheer them on at their first home meet, the stage was set and the test came. V Behind a second place finish by Paul Gelven, the Wildcats won first place. HWe had come back Oaks and Vienna. The team went on to finish the season with a 17-30 record. After going to state in 1982, Uwe weren't used to losing, said Conner. This year's team had only two experienced runners, so during practices, they worked on base work and running long distances, according to Coach Conner. ttWe set down goals and strived toward them, he said. uWe were a pretty good team considering we were :' and smoked them, said Coach mostly freshmen, said Paul a i: Conner. They also edged out Blair Cielven. , Ki, 5.- ii i The only athletes returning from last year, Paul Gelven and Scott Light, led the less experienced runners. A few deep breaths are taken by the var- sity squad before the start of the district meet, where Linn placed sixth. On a county road near the fieldhouse, y Chris Mathews puts in some of the eight 1 miles that were run every day at practice. 26 T Sports

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g. ' ' ' ' a ,. .is Always iione big play away The tension was mounting. The atmosphere was just right for a possible upset. Linn took the field in their patented red and white to face the charge of the Ashland Eagles. The final 9-8 loss was a common occur- rence. The game was so close, just as many of the games Linn encountered. We were always one big play away from winn- ingf' said Lisa Balkenbusch. Hard work, endless hours of practice and lots of dedication were all ingredients in building the Wildkitten softball squad. The girls chalked up four vic- tories in only their second season ofsplay. Voss. Coach Deb Kahler said, ilThe soft- ball league we played in during the summer helped the girls learn the fundamentals and prepared them for the season. The Varsity squad improved its record to 4-10-1. They picked up their first victory of the year in the Jefferson City Invitational. The Junior Varsity finished at 1-5. The last game saw the Kittens find their first win. The Kittens were plagued with in- consistent plate performances and a sometimes leaky defense. HWe played well, but sometimes our inex- perience showed through, said Sue Scheulen. Varsity Linn 6 Vienna 12 Linn 9 Fatima 20 Linn 3 Vienna 21 Linn 3 Russellville 5 Linn 19 Jeff. City J.V. 10 Linn 12 Blair Oaks 9 Linn 8 Blair Oaks 5 Linn 8 Ashland 9 Linn 0 Fatima 10 Linn 2 Jeff. City 11 Linn 13 New Bloomfield 12 Linn 6 Crocker 6 Linn 6 Rolla 9 Linn 10 Richland 11 Linn 3 Russellville 6 Junior Varsity Linn 9 Vienna 14 Linn 0 Fatima 18 Linn 3 Ashland 15 Linn 4 Fatima 14 Linn 5 Jeff. City 22 Linn 15 New Bloomfield 13 Feeling the excitement as another game is about to begin are team members Kris Wilmesher, Light, Lorie Bunch, Mary Otto and Tammy Lisa Balkenbusch, Stacey Assisting on the play, Mary Otto helps the Kittens end another inning. Sports 1 25

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I , ,h h h ' h X X WM?! h The varsity runners are Front: Brian Gentges, Spencer Kemmer, Darren Pat- Members of the junior varsity are DeWayne Sprenger, Scott 4w..,,m.gx-.K Using the isokenetic machines, Mike Bunch attempts to increase his upper body strength during one of the bi-weekly workout sessions. Preparing to run in the Linn Invitational Paul Gelven, Spencer Kemmer and Mike Bunch collect their thoughts and size up the competition. terson and B. J. Kramer. Back: Dan Campbell, Paul Gelven, Chris Mathews, Schmid, Kevin Jaegers, Jerry Haslag, Brian Scheulen and Coach Mike Bunch and Coach Scott Conner. Hot Pictured: Scott Light. Scott Conner. Sports h 27