Gymnastics: Portage’s win over Hobart has a special meaning
January 28, 2013 11:12PM
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Updated: March 2, 2013 6:35AM
Portage win over Hobart has a special meaning
PORTAGE — The final score read: Portage 111.4, Hobart 92.8. But that was far from the whole story at Tuesday night’s “Flip for a Cure,” an event created to help raise funds for cancer research.
Each of the gymnasts wore uniquely colored leotards, all representing a specific form of cancer, and tie-dye T-shirts were sold with proceeds benefiting Relay for Life.
“We sold a lot of shirts and people made a lot of donations, “said Portage head coach Karen Barcelli. “It was a successful, feel-good meet.”
Portage senior Bre Caldwell took special pride in the night’s events, being a survivor of leukemia. Caldwell was part of the group of seniors that approached Barcelli with the idea.
“We saw it at basketball games where they’d have theme nights. Because it was my senior year, I thought it’d be cool to try,” said Caldwell, who had orange on her outfit to represent those affected by leukemia. “It was fun; I was honored.”
P-T Top 3
1. Valparaiso; 2. Portage 3. Crown Point
Gymnast of the Week
Mackeznie Barcelli, Portage
Barcelli helped the Indians to a first-place team score of 109.925 at Saturday’s 15-team Pirate Pride Invitational by winning bars (9.375), floor (9.75) and all-around (37.575).
Swimming
Kaminski ahead of the curve
On Friday, the federal Department of Education nudged schools to offer more athletic options for special needs students, releasing a new national policy on the subject. But at least one local is ahead of the curve. One of the leaders of Hammond’s boys swimming team is junior Mike Kaminski, a special education student.
Kaminski, who started swimming at Eggers Middle School, is in his second year with the Wildcats.
“I love to go swimming and help the team,” Kaminski said. “They’re like my brothers and sisters.”
Kaminski is a regular competitor in the 100-yard freestyle for the Wildcats and also swims on the 200 and 400 free relay teams.
“The kids love him,” Hammond coach Sue Mathewson said.
Boys swimmer
of the week
Stephen Castillo, Highland
The senior set a pair of meet records at Saturday’s Northwest Crossroads meet, taking the 50-yard freestyle in 20.86 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 50.73. He also swam on the winning 200 free and 400 free relay teams.
P-T Top 5
Boys: 1. Chesterton; 2. Munster; 3. Crown Point; 4. Valparaiso; 5. Lake Central
— By correspondents
Mike Clark and Dave Melton
