[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NORTHWEST INDIANA ALLIANCE BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2003

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
congratulate and recognize the Northwest Indiana Alliance Basketball 
Team on winning the national title for the 9th grade category at the 
United States Specialty Sports Association Nationals in Fort Wayne, 
Indiana on August 3, 2003. The tournament began on July 30, 2003 and 
ended with the Alliance's outstanding victory against the Illinois 
Wildcats on August 3rd.
  The Northwest Indiana Alliance is made up of seven high school 
sophomores and two freshmen from across Northwest Indiana, along with 
their coach Mr. Jim Van Weelden. With their collaborated efforts, they 
achieved victories over other teams from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio. and 
other states across the nation. With an outstanding record throughout 
multiple tournaments, the Alliance completed their highly successful 
season with 34 victories and 17 losses, 16 of those by ten points or 
less.
  Mr. Aric Van Weelden, a sophomore at Munster High School, has been a 
member of the Junior Varsity team for Munster since his freshman year. 
Two other Alliance members, Mr. Scott Rutkowski and Mr. Jeff Marinier, 
were also members of the Munster High School Junior Varsity Basketball 
Team as freshmen. Mr. Andrew Helmer, from Highland High School, plays 
three different sports for his high school including football, 
basketball, and baseball. All four of these great athletes from 
Northwest Indiana became leaders for the Alliance team by averaging 12 
to 15 points each per game.
  Mr. Nate Triezenberg, a resident of Highland, is a freshman at 
Illiana Christian High School, and is recognized by his teammates for 
his positive attitude and strong will. Mr. Nick Ullman just completed 
his freshman year at Andrean High School in Merrillville last spring, 
and is now a sophomore at Crown Point High School. Another Alliance 
member that plays many different sports at his high school is Mr. Derek 
Moser, who plays football, basketball, and baseball for Highland High 
School.
  The remaining two members of the Northwest Indiana Alliance are Mr. 
Mike Bizoukas and Mr. Nick Stolarz from Munster High School. Mike 
recently completed his 8th grade year at Wilbur Wright Middle School, 
and is now a freshman at Munster High School. Nick, as a freshman, 
played on the Junior Varsity team, and is now a sophomore at Munster 
High School.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in congratulating the Northwest Indiana Alliance Basketball 
Team for their outstanding championship victory at the United States 
Specialty Sports Association Nationals. Their hard work and dedication 
is worthy of the highest commendation.

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