Archive - Jan 2011

Tecumseh Police Department chief Troy Stern released the following press release concerning a three-car accident involving a TPD cruiser on Thursday:

On January 27, at 2:56 p.m., a Tecumseh Police Officer, while on patrol, was involved in a three-car crash in the city of Tecumseh. The crash resulted in one person being transported to Herrick Medical Center in Tecumseh. The officer involved in the crash also went to Herrick to be checked out as a precautionary measure.

The crash occurred on M-50 near Democratic Street in Tecumseh. Officer Tom Gilbert was westbound on M-50 and had come to a stop at Democratic Street because a vehicle in front of him was making a left hand turn. A van driven by Jennifer Farinha, 43, of Tecumseh, also came to a stop behind Officer Gilbert. A third vehicle driven by 18-year-old Kayla Carter, of Tecumseh, was unable to stop due to snow covered/slippery road conditions and ran into the rear of the Farinah’s van, causing Farinah’s van to be pushed into the rear of the patrol car.

Farinah was transported to Herrick Medical Center where she was treated and released. Carter and a 17-year-old passenger were checked at the scene, but refused any medical treatment. Officer Gilbert later went to Herrick as a precautionary measure.

Due to Tecumseh Police Department policy, the crash investigation was turned over to the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office because an injury was reported in a crash involving a Tecumseh Police vehicle. That department will be handling any questions regarding the investigation.

By MICKEY ALVARADO

“Welcome to the Jungle” vibrated off the walls of Tecumseh High School’s gymnasium on Thursday as family and friends took their seats to watch the Indians take on visiting Saline during a Senior Night Southeastern Conference dual meet.

Tecumseh’s senior’s didn’t disappoint and helped deliver a sound 71-2 victory to improve to 34-2 overall. Every victory logged by the Indians adds to their new season win record after breaking the old record of 31 last week.

All six of Tecumseh’s seniors recorded victories during the evening beginning with Collin Lesko. The 119-pounder recorded a tech fall victory for the Indians.

Senior Jeff Jenkins also recorded a tech fall win at 130-pounds while senior C. J. Tripp pinned his 145-pound opponent.

Tom Carney also represented the seniors well with a pin at 171-pounds as did senior Gavin Burstall with a pin at 189-pounds.

Senior Cody Ross received a void as a heavyweight.

The rest of the team turned in solid performances as well. Tecumseh freshman Ricky Azelton recorded a pin at 103-pounds and junior Chase Lewis recorded another pin at 112-pounds.

The Indians gave up a three-point decision at 125-pounds with Anthony Lesko falling 2-0. One of the points was shaved off later in the match as Saline’s coach, Scott Marvin, was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Junior Ronnie Bechtol dominated his 135-pound bout and recorded a tech fall victory for the Indians.

Tecumseh junior Christian Shelby picked up a win by pin at 140-pounds while sophomore Ryan Harrison won by decision at 152-pounds.

Sophomore Cole Amstutz came from behind to record a pin for Tecumseh at 160-pounds while sophomore Joe Rebottaro received a void at 215-pounds.

Tecumseh has a long string of wrestlers heading to the County All-Star tournament at Adrian College’s Merillat Sports and Fitness Center tonight. Preliminary matches begin at 5:30 p.m.

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Clinton’s only varsity boys basketball loss this season came from a tough Summerfield squad but that didn’t seem to intimidate a scrappy Britton Deerfield (BD) team on Thursday, Jan. 20, as the Patriots went into overtime against the Bulldogs.

The contest came down to the wire and foul shots determined the final outcome with Summerfield taking advantage of each and every one to come out on top 67-62.

“I was proud of how they played,” said BD coach Shiels. “It stinks losing, there’s no doubt about that but we played hard. I thought we left everything we had on the floor.”

The Patriots took a 22-19 lead to end the opening quarter and finished the first half with a five-point (31-26) advantage by the end of the first half.

BD was limited to 19 points in the second half as Summerfield tied the contest in the waning minutes and forced overtime.

Patriot coach Darren Shiels plotted out a plan that gave his team a four-point lead with just over a minute to play in the four-minute overtime. However, foul troubles ensued and the Bulldogs took over the lead.

BD had good contributions off the bench to stay a step ahead of Summerfield during the contest as well as consistency from its starters.

Jordan Osbun led the Patriots with a double-double, scoring 19 points, 10 boards and three assists. Andrew Prielipp added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists while teammate Brady Southward chipped in 12 points.

“We need to finish down the stretch,” said Shiels. “That’s the biggest thing we talked about is learning from it. It’s fun to play in games like that but it’s disappointing when you lose but you’ve got to take something from it. We’ve just got to learn to close down the stretch.”

BD’s record fell to 3-5 overall with the loss.

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Multiple records were broken as Tecumseh’s varsity wrestling team went 5-0 to win its own Jaimes Memorial Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 22.

During the day Tecumseh’s squad surpassed the high school win record (31) by two and set the bar at 33 victories as the most in a single season.

Tecumseh defeated Monroe 51-21 to pick up the tournament title. To get to the championship bout the Indians defeated Marshall 81-0, Jackson Parma Western, 62-12, Hastings, 57-15, Monroe St. Mary’s Catholic Central, 49-9. The win against Hastings tied the school wins record.

Tecumseh junior Ronnie Bechtol (135 pounds) recorded his 100th career win in a match against Hastings as he finished 5-0 during the day.
The Indians also had nine other wrestlers go undefeated at 5-0 including Chase Lewis, Collin Lesko, Anthony Lesko, Luke Liuzzi, Jeff Jenkins, Nick Stoddard, C.J. Tripp, Tom Carney and Gavin Burstall. Jenkins’ undefeated day pushed him past 160-career wins mark. Collin Lesko recorded his 100th career win last weekend.

“What a phenomenal day to have that many kids go undefeated,” said Randolph.

Another highlight of the tournament for Tecumseh was having junior Chase Lewis record the fastest pin in the school’s history. It took him just five seconds to record the pin at 112 pounds.

“It was a really special day,” said Tecumseh coach Casey Randolph.

It was the 20th annual Phillip Jaimes Memorial Tournament and to highlight the afternoon former teammates and family of the fallen wrestler attended and were honored.

Jenkins opened the championship bout with a win by decision at 130-pounds while Bechtol followed with a win by void for Tecumseh at 135 pounds.

Monroe won with a pin at 140 pounds but Tripp won by pin for the Indians at 145 pounds to give Tecumseh a 16-6 lead.

By MICKEY ALVARADO

The Indians made lemonade out of lemons after losing 121.175-110.925 against visiting Coldwater on Monday evening.

Despite falling to the Cardinals, Tecumseh coach Jenni Posten and her girls were pleased at surpassing the team’s goal of 110 points as it advances through the season.

The Indians hit their goal despite also having three injured girls and one out for a musical.

“We’re out a few girls and still managed to get our high score,” said Posten. “I thought we did really well and I was especially happy with how our beam went today. I think our vault scores were the highest so far too.”

The Indians were led by freshman Sarah Kelly with a second place finish in the all-around. Coach Posten recently began having Kelly compete in the all-around as her scores have been improving all season.

“This is only her second meet doing all-around and she’s stepped right up to it,” said Posten. “I was definitely impressed with her tonight.”

Kelly and Tory Thacker tied for third place on vault with regional qualifying scores of 8.1. Also qualifying for regionals in the event was Erin Landstrom (8.05).

Kelly placed second on bars with a score of 6.6.

Coldwater swept the top three places on beam. Kelly turned in a regional qualifying score of 7.65.

Thacker was third on floor with a score of 7.7 while Kelley scored 7.525.

At Sturgis on Friday, Jan. 21, the Indians lost 140.85-109.975.

Regional qualifying scores were turned in from Tecumseh’s Thacker (8.15), Travis (7.9) and Kyia Salts (7.9) on vault.

Kelly turned in a qualifying score of 7.275 on bars while Travis had a qualifying score of 8.05 on floor.

“Lots of girls are going to be competing individually at regionals this year,” said Posten. “We’d really like to qualify as a team but are about eight points away from that. We’re creeping up there. There’s still a chance.”

By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT

This Saturday, the Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company will take the stage at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) for its annual concert. This year’s theme, “DanceR Reveal Thyself,” does exactly that as dancers from the company get their first opportunity to perform longer collaborative pieces, including a full-length ballet.
“This is new for them,” said Annamia Anderson Rumley, ballet mistress of Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company.

The show will open with a ballet choreographed by Rumley to music by Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. The middle of the performance will be a mix of jazz and modern dance and the final portion of the show will consist of modern dance pieces. Included in the latter portions of the show will be a collaboration of Michael Jackson pieces choreographed by Tecumseh Dance Workshop Executive Director Deena Bryan as well as collaborations of different versions of the B.o.B. tune “Airplanes” and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”

“We tried to take different pieces of music and blend them into compositions,” said Rumley. “We wanted to get the dancers’ stamina up, to get them used to dancing through a piece. It’s been a challenge for the dancers and the choreographers because it’s new for us.”
In addition, the company has, for the second year, brought in a guest artist. Love Miller, founding member of the Michigan Dance Project, has set a piece that is a blues interpretation of Brittany Spears’ song “Toxic.”

“It’s good for the kids to have the opportunity to work with another professional. We’ve been trying for the past couple years to bring in outside choreographers for them to experience something totally different and new,” Rumley said.