Timeline From The Past: Sports Highlights And More
From the Files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society
Editor’s note: This is a retrospective article that runs a few times a month on InkFreeNews.
Feb. 26, 1979 — Just when Warsaw thought it was going to have to go without a late February state championship celebration, Henry Ford and Scott Hutcherson came along.
The two Warsaw Community High School sophomores picked up where the Tiger girls left off last year, and today, the town finds itself in a tizzy about two more state champs – his time, in wrestling.
Feb. 26, 1973 — The Warsaw Tigers battled back from a 10-point deficit in the Triton Sectional championship contest to stop defending titlist Rochester 65-56 and earned a spot in opening night regional action Friday against Penn, Elkhart sectional victor.
Warsaw cheerleaders are Carol Steele, Nancy Butts, Susie Smith, Mary Pat Dryer, Karen Widaman and Cindi Carey. Team members are manager Rick Heaton, Dave Kissell, Terry Ressler, Denny Hepler, Mark Hanna, Greg Heberling, Don Wihebrink, Jeff Tallman, Ster Watkins, assistant coach Hugh Ressler, Blaine Metzger, Greg Ault, Steve Shoemaker, Coach “Ike” Tallman, assistant coach Tom Sittler, Larry Richardson, DeLynn Geiger, Rod Wildman and manager Lance Clay.
Feb. 26, 1970 — Annexation ordinances that include approximately 440 acres and more than double the town’s population were passed unanimously Wednesday evening by the Town Board of Syracuse at a special meeting.
The 1960 census showed the Syracuse population at 1,595. Officials believe that it is much nearer 2,000 at the present time and they estimate a population after annexation at about 4,000.
Feb. 20, 1968 — A resolution recommending that Water Utilities Inc. flouridate Warsaw’s water supply was passed unanimously by the city council Monday night.
The council chamber was filled to capacity by dentists, physicians and other interested persons of the city, all speaking in favor of fluoridating Warsaw’s water supply.
Feb. 23, 1963 — Two contests wrap up the regular season tonight following a hectic nine-game schedule for Kosciusko County basketball teams Friday night that included a record-shattering 42 points by Warsaw’s Dave Johnson in an overtime victory over Tipton.
Johnson was lethel from all angles, especially at the charity stripe where he sank 20 out of 23. He scored 31 of his 42 points in the last half and overtime. His achievement, and the team’s, was lauded when fans poured onto the field after the thrill-packed, nerve-racking contest. Dave shed emotion-filled tears of joy when congratulated by his mates in the dressing room after the contest. The 42 points gave him the Central Conference scoring title, broke the all-time CIC single-game record and also shattered Whitey Bell’s Warsaw school record.
– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels