By JIMMY KISSEE

As we approach the end of another year, it’s nice to take a look back at some of the sporting events that stand out in another successful year of Chesterton athletics.

The year of 2002 was one filled with dramatic team finishes, from the Chesterton girls soccer team, led by captains Amanda Harsy and Nicole Halls, capturing their third straight regional title, only to lose in a sudden death shoot-out in the state semifinal to the boys swim team placing fifth at state, behind the strong individual effort of Seth Barry, who won the state title in the 100-yard free and was runner-up in the 50-yard free.

Other impressive individual efforts were put in by wrestler Myles Hiteman (215 lbs.), who was the lone Trojan to advance to regionals after a second place finish at sectionals. When you think of other individuals that put their teams on their back and led the way you have to mention Cassie Peller. Peller led the Lady Trojans girls track team to a sectional title and paved the way for the cross-country team to a Chesterton best third place finish at state. Peller finished third in the 1,600-meter run and fourth in the 800-meter run at the track state meet. Peller was just as strong at the cross-country state meet with a seventh place finish.

The duo of Jon Pol and Max Goldak had similar success in both track and cross-country. Pol and Goldak, along with Steve Vrska led the Trojan track team to a sectional title and a strong showing at the state meet. Vrska placed seventh at state in the 3,200-meter run, while the 3,200-meter relay team of Pol, Goldak, Doug Sindelar and Geoff Lambert finished sixth. The Trojan duo picked up in the fall in cross-country where they left off in the spring, by leading the boys cross-country team to an impressive 12th place overall team finish at state.

An individual performance that is tough to forget is the round that girls golfer Erin Tang fired at the LaPorte regional. Tang shot an 86 at Beechwood Golf Course, which happened to be the best score turned in by a Region golfer.

The 2002 athletic year was also one where streaks were extended. From the boys swim team capturing their sixth consecutive DAC title, fourth straight sectional title and second straight undefeated season to the girls swim team winning its third straight DAC crown and sectional title. Another impressive streak was one put in by the Chesterton softball team. The Lady Trojans, behind ace, Laura Langendorfer, turned in the best record in school history (21-3, 21-1 DAC), including an unbelievable 19 straight wins, which was good for the DAC championship.

Another streak was kept in tact by the CHS girls tennis team, who won their second straight sectional championship and started a new one by winning its first ever DAC title.

All in all these stories made for an exciting year of athletics in Chesterton, but the one story that takes the top spot for the year of 2002 was the Chesterton gymnastics team bringing home its third state title in its 29-year history.

The Trogems knew they were beginning the start of something very special early on in February. For just the second time in Chesterton history the Trogems came out on top at the Merrillville dual meet. The Trogems capped of their undefeated regular season by handing Portage a 107.675-103.875 defeat and the girls were ready to make a run at the title.

The Trogems took the DAC title behind the impressive showing of Lauren West who placed fourth in vault, first in uneven bars, second in beam and first overall at the conference meet.

West went on to lead the Trogems to the top spot in a stacked sectional by placing first in beam, floor and all-around. Leslie West and Jenny Janosky helped capture the regional title, when each placed first in vault and floor, respectively.

At state, Lauren West stole the show. West placed first in bars, beam and all-around to seal the remarakable season for the Trogems.

All together the year of 2002 is one that will go down as one of the best ever in Chesterton history, but with many familiar faces still roaming the hallways, look for 2003 to be one filled with similar success.

January

Shea Bardeson scores 17 points to lead the Lady Trojans basketball team to a 42-31 victory in the second round of the McCutcheon Holiday Hoops tourney. CHS boys basketball picks up first DAC win of the year with a 66-32 win over Hobart. CHS divers place second at the Portage Diving Invitational.

CHS girls swim team places second at the Highland Invite. CHS gymnastics opens season with a victory over LaPorte. CHS girls basketball falls short in upset bid of Highland 57-54.

CHS wrestlers place eighth at DAC meet. CHS girls swim team wins third consecutive DAC title. CMS boys basketball team wins Fegley Middle School Tournament.

CMS wrestling individual conference champions, Matt Dutcher (80 lbs.), Andy St. Germain (90 lbs.) and Ryan Peterson (210 lbs.). CHS boys basketball gets back to the .500 mark with a 60-53 win over Michigan City. Duneland Swim Club wins Union Township Snowflake Invitational, Talor Whitaker takes first in all seven of his events.

CHS boys basketball comes from behind to defeat Andrean 63-61. CHS boys baseball coach Jack Campbell is honored by Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for accumulating 500 wins. Tim Ray is named CHS boys track head coach.

Duneland Swim Club competes at state meet in Indy, Kyle Whitaker brings home four first place finishes. CHS boys swim team knocks off a tough Munster team 104-82. CHS gymnastics team wins its own CHS Invite.

CHS wrestler Myles Hiteman (215 lbs.) advances to regionals with a second place individual finish at sectionals. CHS girls basketball wins homecoming/senior night game 62-41. CHS boys swim team captures sixth consecutive DAC championship.

CHS freshmen boys basketball team finishes 3rd at Valparaiso tourney. CHS gymnastics knocks-off top-ranked Valparaiso 112.15-109.325.

February

CHS wrestler Myles Hiteman (215 lbs.) suffers first-round regional loss to Hobart’s Chris Ciesielski (3-2), Hiteman ends season at (31-10). CHS gymnastics takes first place at Lafayette Jeff Invite. CHS girls swim team wins 3rd straight sectional crown.

Chesterton 5th-grade boys basketball team places 2nd at Hoosier Hysteria Tourney in Fort Wayne. CHS girls basketball defeats Portage in sectional opener 63-48. St. Pat’s 7th-8th grade girls basketball improves to (17-1) with a 36-25 victory over LaPorte St. John.

CHS gymnastics defeats Merrillville 110.325-107.825, this marks only the second time in the 29-year history that the Trogems have won a dual meet at Merrillville. St. Pat’s 5th-6th grade boys basketball wins the LaPorte St. John’s Lutheran Tourney. CHS girls swim team finishes 13th overall at state.

CHS girls basketball drop sectional semi-final to Valparaiso 39-32. CHS girls soccer goalie Danielle Guerra signs letter of intent to play at Valparaiso University. CHS gymnastics end regular season undefeated with a 107.675-103.875 victory over Portage.

CHS boys basketball wins Senior Night game over Boone Grove, 59-50. CHS boys swim team win sectional championship for the fourth straight year. Steve Kearney steps down as head cross-country coach after four years at CHS.

Matt Campbell scores 18 points to lead the Trojans over Calumet, 75-60 in the CHS boys basketball season finale. Chesterton’s Trevor Andershock and Mike Claudio named to the DAC all-conference basketball team.

CHS boys swim team place fifth at State meet in Indianapolis. Seth Barry won the 100-yard free and finished second in the 50-yard free. The 200-yard free relay team of Gavin McCarthy, George Grcevich, Kyle Pawlak and Barry finished second. CHS gymnastics caps-off undefeated regular season and win DAC Championship. Lauren West finished fourth in vault, first in uneven bars, second in beam and first overall.

March

Tom Radtke scores 17 points to lead the CHS boys basketball team to a 58-56 sectional semi-final win over Hobart. Valparaiso ends CHS boys basketball season in sectional final, 48-26. CHS gymnastics wins sectional title. Lauren West places first in beam, floor and all-around.

CHS girls bowlers place 1st, boys 3rd in regional bowling competition. CHS boys track finishes second at 12th annual Viking Indoor Track and Field Invite. Chesterton’s Cassie Peller places first in the 1,600-meter run at the Bomber Boiler track meet at Purdue Univeristy.

CHS gymnastics team wins regional title, Leslie West takes first in vault, while Lauren West finshes 1st in bars, 2nd beam and 1st all-around. Jenny Janosky places first in floor event.

Charlie Lorenz (200 Free), George Grcevich (200 IM and 100 Breast), Seth Barry (50 and 100 Free) individually earn Swimming all-DAC selections. The relay teams of Barry, Grcevich, Gavin McCarthy and Kyle Pawlak (200 Free relay) and Barry, Joe Hroma, Lorenz and Nick Oates (400 Free relay) both awarded All-DAC.

Chesterton’s Kelti Cunningham is selected to the All-DAC swim team. The 200 Medey Relay team of Cunningham, Cara Davison, Allison Koval and Jenny Milchak and 200 Free Relay team of Davison, Kelly Hodgson, Cortney Lipniskis and Milchak are both selected on All-DAC swim team.

Winter Sports Awards Most Valuable Players awarded to Seth Barry (boys swimming), Tom Radtke (boys basketball), Mandi Loving (girls basketball), Kelti Cunningham and Cortney Lipniski (girls swimming), Lexi Yelton (girls diving), Lisa Talarico (cheerleading), Lauren West (gymnastics) and Myles Hiteman (wrestling).

CHS girls gymnastics wins state title for the third time in 30 years. Lauren West finishes first in bars, beam and all-around. Bob Buscher steps down as CHS head boys basketball coach. Duneland Swim Club member, Kyle Whitaker places first in all five of his events at the state swim meet. Matt Rosiecki wins the 10-and under boys 200 Free and 100 Breast, while Albert Miller took first in 11-12-year old boys 50 Fly and 100 Breast.

April

CHS girls track opens season with 78-45 victory over Lake Central. CHS pitcher, Tom Shumate tosses a complete game one-hitter to lead the Trojans baseball team in the season opner over Bishop Noll, 2-1. CHS softball team places second at Boone Grove tourney.

Mike Darnell signs letter of intent to run cross country at St. Joseph College. CHS boys golf team shoots a 320 at the Michigan City Marquette Invite, just 14 shots off of the lead. Chesterton cross-country runners Lindsay Hattendorf and Nicole Hartford sign letters of intent to run for Indiana University and Ball State University respectively. Alicia Babcock hits a bases-clearing triple in the bottom of the seventh to lead the Lady Trojans softball team over Morton 5-4.

CHS boys and girls track teams win West Lafayette Relays. CHS junior varsity golfer, Steve St. Germain fires a 76 to earn co-medalist honors at LaVille JV Golf Invite. CHS boys baseball team comes from six-runs down in the bottom of the seventh to beat Crown Point 7-6.

CHS girls track team sweeps the Crown Point triangular meet with Valparaiso and Crown Point. CHS junior varsity softball pitcher, Laura DeLeon fires a no-hitter as CHS beats LaPorte 11-0. CHS girls tennis finish second at Michigan City Invite.

CHS boys track team finishes second at Lime City Relays, while girls track team finishes fourth. Jessica Doyle throws a complete game one-hitter, for a 8-0 victory over Munster, as the CHS softball team wins its 11 straight game. Laura Langendorfer follows that up by hurling a no-hitter over Valparaiso, for the 2-0 win and 12th consecutive win.

May

CHS girls tennis team ups to (8-0) with a victory over Merrillville, however the Lady Trojans winning streak was snapped by Andrean the following match. CHS girls softball wins 13th straight, with a 1-0 win over Portage. Sam Chumbley shoots a 78 to lead the CHS golf team to the LaVille Invite title. CHS girls track places second at DAC meet.

Pam White wins Chesterton Tribune Bowler of the Year Award with a score of 656. CHS softball extends their win streak to 16, with a 15-0 thumping of Michigan City. CHS girls tennis team outlasts Valparaiso, earns a share of DAC title.

CHS junior varsity girls tennis finishes second at Merrillville JV Invite. CMS 7th-grade boys track wins conference championship, 8th-grade boys finish second. CHS softball hands Highland a 3-2 defeat, extends win streak to 17.

CHS girls tennis win first-ever DAC title. CHS girls softball clinches DAC title by edging Crown Point 1-0, the win is the 18th straight for the Lady Trojans (20-3, 12-1 DAC). CHS girls track team wins sectional title.

Tom Peller named CHS boys basketball coach. CHS girls tennis wins sectional championship over Valparaiso for the second straight year (3-2). CHS freshmen baseball team wins Portage Tourney.

CHS boys track team wins sectional championship. CHS softball team wins 19th straight game, with a 4-0 shutout over LaPorte in the final regular season game. Tim Ray named boys cross-country head coach.

CHS softball team (21-4) has its win streak (19 straight) and season ended in the opening round of sectional play by Portage (2-0). CHS girls tennis team falls 4-1 in regional opener versus Michigan City. CHS girls track places second at regionals, advances to state meet.

Chesterton native Bob Jacobs of Sand Creek Country Club wins second straight Indiana PGA Tournament event. Chesterton’s Brent Bradford wins regional title in the high jump. Chesterton’s Jon Pol, Geoff Lambert, Doug Sindelar and Eric Lewis finishes second at regionals in the 3,200-meter realy, advance to state meet. Chesterton’s Steve Vrska advances to state in the 3,200 meter-run.

CHS boys golf team places second at Duneland Invite, Sam Chumbley led the way firing an 81.

CHS honors spring most valuable players Steve Vrska (boys track), Tony Cunningham (baseball), Sam Chumbley (boys golf), Andrea Wiese (girls tennis), Cassie Peller (girls track), Emily Prather (field events), Laura Langendorfer (softball), Spencer West (field events).

CHS awards Lindsay Hattendorf and Steve Vrska as CHS Senior Athletes of the Year.

Chesterton’s Lisa Anderson and Laura Langendorfer named to the softball All-District team and CHS softball coach, LouAnne Hopson named District One Coach of the Year.

June

Steve Vrska finishes seventh at state in the 3,200 meter run. Chesterton’s 3,200-meter relay team of Eric Lewis, Geoff Lambert, Doug Sindelar and Jon Pol places sixth at state. CHS boys golf finishes second at sectional match, advances to regionals. Chesterton’s Cassie Peller finishes in third place in the 1,600-meter run and fourth in the 800-meter run at state, while Lindsay Hattendorf finishes fourth in the 3,200-meter run.

CHS softball players, Lisa Anderson, Nicole Felta and Laura Langendorfer are all awarded first team all-DAC. CHS track members Doug Sindelar (800-meter and 3,200-meter relay), Jon Pol, Geoff Lambert, Eric Lewis (3,200-meter relay) and Steve Vrska (1,600 and 3,200-meter) all awarded all-DAC. Nicole Hartford and Cassie Peller (1,600 and 3,200-meter run) and the 3,200-meter relay team of Mandi Loving, Hartford, Peller and Lindsay Hattendorf all selected all-DAC.

Chesterton’s Trevor Andershock signs letter of intent to play basketball at Tri-State. CMS athletes Ryan Hutnick and Kelly Peller win the Larry James Scholar Athlete Award for 2002. CHS boys golf season comes to an end at regionals.

Chesterton graduate, Eugene Halpin wins four national championships at the 2002 United States Disability Championships, (400, 800, 1,500-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly). Duneland Mavericks win Shamrock Shenanigans tournament in Crystal Lake, IL. Indiana Bulldogs win the Summer Blast Tourney in Logansport, IN.

Instant Irrigation Angels win the 2002 LIberty Rec. Minor League Baseball Tournament.

July

The 14-and-under StingRays girls travel softball team wins the Tri-Valley USSA World Qualifier Tourney in Downs, IL. Mike Rouse named CHS girls cross-country head coach. Duneland Swim Club takes top honors at Highland Summer Invitational.

First Source Bank Volcanoes win the 2002 Liberty Rec Senior Softball Tourney. Carl’s Truck Repair/Houchen’s Construction Honeybees wins the 2002 Liberty Rec Minor League girls softball tourney. Duneland Diamonds 13-year-old All-Stars defeat Schererville 11-2 and Valparaiso 12-5 to win the Babe Ruth All-Star tourney.

Yankees win the 2002 Liberty Rec Major League Baseball Tourney title. State Park 11-12-year-old All-Stars win the Little League District One title. Duneland Wrestling Club members: Jon Kritzer, Zach Thourton, Matt Dutcher, Andy St. Germain, Charlie Morgan. D.J. Kritzer, Mike Rizer and Jake Thornton are all warded the 2002 Deuberry Scholarship award.

Duneland Mavericks win the 2002 Naperville Wood-Bat Classic. Liberty Rec Liberty Rec 12-and-under and 16-and-under girls softball girls softball teams each win Indiana state titles. Chesterton’s 13-year old baseball All-Stars place second at Regional. Liberty Rec 14-and-under girls softball team advances to Ohio Valley Regional.

Duneland Swim Club places first at Union Township Summer Swim Invite. Liberty Rec 12-and-under girls softball team wins Ohio Valley Regional, while both 14-and-under and 16-and-under are both eliminated at Regional.

August

The Sunday Bethlehem’s Couples League win the Chesterton’s Women’s Bowling Association Tourney of Champions. Duneland Swim Club member Kyle Whitaker wins five events to take top honors at state meet. CHS girls finish second, while the boys place third in the final DAC overall team standings.

Liberty Rec 12-and-under girls softball team adavances out of pool play at the Softball World Series. CHS girls golf starts off the season with a fourth place finish at the New Prairie Invite. Liberty Rec 12-and-under girls softball team finish fourth at United States Softball World Series after a 2-0 loss to Washington Township, NJ.

CHS volleyball opens season in stylish fashion with a win over Morton. CHS boys soccer hands Wheeler a 2-1 defeat in season opener. Duneland Swim Club member Kyle Whitaker, sets two new Indiana state records and wins all six of his events to take home the high point award at Central Zone Swim Championships in St. Paul, MN.

CHS football team smashes Highland 34-3 in the season opener. CHS boys tennis open season with a convincing 5-0 win over South Bend Adams. CHS girls soccer beats Valparaiso 2-1, avenge only DAC regular season loss from the previous season.

September

Flannery’s wins regular season championship and post-season tourney of the Westchester Horseshoe Men’s League. CHS girls cross-country wins Artesian Classic at Martinsville. Chesterton native Jeff Ryan wins Dunes Classic Championship with a one-under par 71.

CHS boys and girls cross-country teams finish third at Fort Wayne Northrop Invite. CHS volleyball wins its own CHS Invitational. StingRays under-14 girls softball team win Blueberry Festival Tourney.

CHS girls cross country team tops eventual state champs Valparaiso to win the New Prairie Invite, Cassie Peller led the way for the Lady Trojans taking the individual title in 14:38. CHS boys tennis places third overall at South Bend Riley Invite. CHS girls golf adavances to regionals with a third place finish at sectionals. CHS boys cross-country team places eighth at New Prairie Invite.

CHS football team suffers first loss of the season to conference rival Valparaiso, 17-10. CHS girls soccer team falls in shoot-out against Portage. CMS cross-country teams sweep the top spots at New Prairie.

CHS freshman football outlast rival Valparaiso 13-7. CMS 7th-grade boys and girls cross-country teams win Viking Invitational at Valpo. CHS girls cross-country team places second at Culver Military Academy Invite.

CHS football team wins a homecming thriller over Portage 42-40.

October

CHS football coach John Snyder named Indiana Coach of the Week by the NFL and Indianapolis Colts. CHS boys tennis team wins sectional opener over Portage 3-2. CHS boys tennis drop sectional championshiop match with Valparaiso 3-2.

CHS boys soccer rolls on Senior Night, 4-0 over Michigan City. CHS boys and girls cross-country teams finish second to Valparaiso at the Duneland Conference Meet. CMS cross-country teams sweep titles at Kankakee Invite.

CMS 7th-grade volleyball places second at Valpo Tourney. CHS girls soccer comes up victorious in the sectional opener over South Bend Washington 12-0. CHS boys soccer wins sectional opener over Rensselaer, 6-0.

CHS boys and girls cross-country teams finish second at sectionals behind Valparaiso, however Cassie Peller, individually wins the sectional crown. CHS boys sectional get knocked-off in sectional final versus Valparaiso 2-1. CHS girls soccer team wins a wild one in the sectional semi-final over Portage 2-1.

CHS girls soccer wins their third straight sectional championship by defeating LaPorte 2-0. CHS boys cross-country team finishes third at New Prairie Regional, advances to semi-state. CHS girls cross-country team places second at New Prairie Regional, Cassie Pelle, individually Cassie Peller wins the regional crown in record fashion.

St. Pat’s cross-country team wins PAC title. CMS 7th-grade boys cross-country wins conference champioship, 8th-grade girls finish second, while both 8th-grade boys and 7th-grade girls finish third.

CHS girls soccer tops Valparaiso 4-2, to win their third straight regional title. CHS volleyball team drops the sectional opener (16-21, 21-10, 14-21, 21-15, 15-9) to a tough Merrillville team. CHS boys cross-country advances to state with a fourth place finish at the New Prairie semi-state.

CHS girls cross-country team advances to state after finishing second at the New Prairie semi-state. CHS girls soccer team advances to state with a pair of 1-0 victories over Lake Central and South Bend Adams for the semi-state championship. CHS football team drops sectional opner to Crown Point 34-14.

November

CHS girls cross-country team places third at state in Bloomington, individually, Cassie Peller (7th) and Mary Ballinger (8th) finish in top ten. CHS boys cross-country team finishes 12th overall at the state meet in Bloomington, top individual finishers were Jon Pol (46th) and Max Goldak (53rd).

CHS girls soccer suffers shoot-out loss (5-4) in the state semi-final to Bloomington South. CHS boys tennis players Nick Mastile and Zac Dawson selected first team all-DAC. Duneland Swim Club wins 14-high-point trophies at the Fall Invitational.

CHS girls soccer players Amanda Harsy, Heather Seerup, Nicole Halls and Marianne Shumaker are all selected to the all-DAC soccer team. Chesterton Pop Warner Jr. Midgets advance to the state finals with a 14-0 victory over Michigan City. Local runners Ryan Young and Tim Carmody qualify for AAU Youth Nationals.

CHS girls soccer coach, Kip Walton steps down after nine seasons at CHS. CHS honors 2002 Fall Sports Most Valuable Players Cassie Peller (girls cross-country), Erin Tang (girls golf), Nicole Halls (girls soccer), Nick Johnson (football), Eric Lewis and Erik Babcock (boys soccer), Nick Mastile (boys tennis), Laura Catherman and Julie Furois (volleyball) and Max Goldak and Jon Pol (boys cross-country).

Chesterton Pop Warner Jr. Midgets win state title and advance to Regionals with a 12-6 victory over Hobart. Lakeshore Gymnastics have string showing at Memory Maker Invitational. Duneland Swim Club place third at Pepsi Challenge Munster Invitational.

CHS girls basketball top Munster, 57-39 in the season opner. Chesteron Jr. Pee Wee cheerleaders place first at District Competition and advance to Regionals. CHS girls basketball falls short in upset bid of No. 5-ranked West Side, 63-60 in overtime.

CHS girls swim team wins season opener 117-69 over Highland. Former Chesterton graduates, Nicole Hartford (Ball State University) and Lindsay Hattendorf (Indiana University) qualify to run at the 2002 NCAA Cross-Country Championships. CHS wrestling team places second at CHS Super Duals, individually Keith Bonner (125 lbs.), Jon Nolan (152 lbs.) and Phil Miehle (275 lbs.) win their respective weight classes.

Matt Campbell scores 20 points to lead the CHS basketball team to a 78-24 win over River Forest in the season opener.

December

CHS wrestling team places third overall at the Valparaiso Duals Tourney, Jon Nolan

(152 lbs.) and Phil Miehle (275 lbs.) individually win their weight classes. CHS boys swim team starts off the season with an impressive 137-38 victory over Wheeler. Liberty Rec softball player, Dawn McClellan is awarded the Outstanding Glove Award for her defensive play in 2002.

Chesterton Pop Warner Jr. Midgets get ousted in regional play 36-8, versus Harvey, IL. CHS boys swim team wins Munster Relay Invitational. Chesterton football players, Nick Johnson, Jim Sosnowski, Spencer West, Dave Novotney and Myles Hiteman are all awarded all-DAC football. Duneland Swim Club wins LaPorte Invitational.

CHS wrestlers hold on for their first DAC victory of the season against Michigan City 36-33. CHS girls cross-country first-year coach Mike Rouse named ICGSA Coach of the Year. CHS wrestling team places second at the Wawasee Invite, individual winners were Matt Dutcher (103 lbs.), Dave Novotney (171 lbs.) and Myles Hiteman (215 lbs.). CHS boys basketball suffers tough losses over weekend to conference rival Valparaiso 55-44 and No. 1-ranked Munster 57-55 on a last second tip in at the buzzer.

CHS boys swim team captures the Highland Invite, by outlasting last year’s state-runners-up South Bend Riley 498-431.

CHS boys basketball win the Huntington North Holiday Tournament by defeating Calumet 82-34 in the opening round and handing the host Huntington North Vikings a 52-45 defeat.

Chesterton wrestlers place 19th out of 32 teams at the 2002 Al Smith Classic in Mishawaka.

Individually, Myles Hiteman was the top finisher for the Trojans placing second overall.

Posted 12/31/2002