[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 93 (Monday, July 18, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WON BY MISHA-WAKA'S KINGSMEN

  (Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the 
Kingsmen of Mishawaka's Penn High School. Previously unranked going 
into the 1994 Indiana State Baseball Tournament, Coach Greg Dikos and 
his Kingsmen were not given much of a chance at winning the 
championship. After an impressive showing of guts and determination, 
however, the Kingsmen emerged victorious as the 1994 Indiana State 
Baseball Champions.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Coach Dikos, assistant coaches Jim 
Kominkiewicz, Joel Reinebold, Tom Csenar, Joe Higginson, and each 
member of the team for this tremendous victory. As a graduate of Penn 
High School, I am particularly proud of this team's achievement.
  After a slow start to their season, the team pulled together, and 
through sheer determination and great ability, they won their final 13 
games. The Kingsmen started their run at the State title by capturing 
the Elkhart sectional. They capped off their dream season by defeating 
McCutcheon High School 4-3 in the championship game.
  The championship team roster includes Todd Colburn, Matthew Hertel, 
Brian Gordon, Nathan Morrett, Gregory Delnat, Jeff Persyn, Timothy 
Furrow, David Haverstick, Ryan Takach, George Holloway, Bradley 
Boynton, Kent Blossom, Vincent Mucker, Shawn Summe, Todd Fizer, 
Benjamin Eby, Gregory Dikos, Scott Becker, Brian Bock, and Eric 
Ferrettie. These young men serve as an example to the community to 
never give up, always do your best, and set high seasonal goals.
  Penn High School has a long and storied history of success on the 
athletic field and in the classroom. I applaud Coach Dikos for 
combining his fine athletic program with a strong emphasis on 
academics. In addition to playing on the State Champion baseball team, 
several members of this team were honor roll students this year.
  The Kingsmen are known throughout Northern Indiana for their 
tradition of sportsmanship and quality athletic teams. The football 
team, under the leadership of Coach Chris Geesman, brought home the 
State championship in 1983. Now, this current State championship 
demonstrates to us once again what a strong mind and body can achieve.
  The following was said by Jacques Barzun in the beginning of this 
century:

       Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had 
     better learn baseball and the rules and realities of the 
     game--and do it by watching first some high school or small 
     town teams.

  Certainly by watching this high school team from a small Indiana 
town, we can learn many realities about baseball and America. We can 
learn the importance of a hard work ethic, perfecting the fundamentals, 
and never giving up. We can also learn what is magical about America--
anything is possible if you work hard enough and have the spirit to 
achieve it.

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