First Posted: 3/13/2015
“Ummm Ummm Ummmm!” pondered Shelby Timmerman, the lone senior from The Wapak Lady Redskins when she was first asked to represent your OHSAA DI State Champion Wapak Redskins.
Her response was very quick and on point, “I could not have done it without my team. I am so glad to be a part of the team, we are very much like family.”
There were several tough moments during the day, perhaps most notably in their match with Huber Heights Wayne, when they fell behind 2-1 and seemed on the verge of elimination and not winning the first varsity girls state team title in school history.
“I just told them that I was not ready to go home, that we had to start making spares!” she smiled.
There was another inspiration at that time, the program as well as boys head coach Jim Kaeck inserted himself into the competition and provided some ‘inspiration.’
There were some that were curious of the move including this writer, but Jim clearly felt that it was a move that had to be made.
“We had lost two games and I just felt that I might be able to help. We were not going to lose another game and go home!”
Britni (got it right that time) Hosterman was surprised to see Jim come in to the match. “Coach Ruck (who had to leave the pod) has helped me a lot but we love Coach Kaeck and he brought happiness! We relaxed and were able to win that match and move on.”
Hosterman seemed to roll every needed strike throughout the baker game finals – much as she did in the critical matches in the Northwood district last weekend.
“I just tried to strike on every shot. There were times when I was nervous but we were able to get things done and win the matches.”
The collective tone of Timmerman and Hosterman spread throughout the team. This was clearly a team effort — everybody contributed and although Hosterman through the big shots in the critical tenth frame moments, the title would not have been one without the effort of everyone.
Juniors Kylie Timmerman and Kelsey Pothast took turns early and late throwing critical shots that started rallies. Sophomore Josee Kaeck rolled shot after shot into the pocket in the latter stages of the match play and Katie Manger and Carlee Hosterman just seemed to strike when the others were not and even when they were, leading to some great strings of strikes.
That would include the coaching staff and whoever tailored the black and white striped pants of coach Steve Rostorfer and Kaeck and Daniel Fuzz Ruck.
Athletic Director Brad Rex was on hand to present the gold medals to his bowlers and coaches Steve Rostorfer and Kaeck and Daniel “Fuzz” Ruck.
