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Show Vikes Best Year, Knock On Wood By DAVE WIGHAM Clipper Sports VIEWMONT -- No one will actually come right out and say it but this could very well be the Viking's year in spring sports this time around. Coaches from baseball, soccer and track are optimistic about their teams this year and even opposing coaches point fingers at the Vikings when talking about tough squads in their regions. BY THIS time everyone knows about the great athletes in this Viking's senior class but in several of the sports it's become a fine blend of those seniors along with some underclassmen underclass-men that make the Vikes tough in the various sports. Many of these seniors have been starters at Viewmont for three years and their coaches are hoping that their valuable experience will pay off for them this spring. BASEBALL.. .Things really look bright for the Vikings in this sport as they have five seniors who have played on the varsity level since their sophomore years. Doug Lee was their leading hitter a year ago and he's back for his final campaign on the diamond. Steve Caputo returns for a third year and his bat and speed are a big asset. Danny Hansen was used as a designated hitter as a sophomore and then an outfielder last year and his glove and bat will be counted on heavily. THEN TO the Vikes have two of their top pitchers returning this year in Kevin Smith and Kurt Mathews, both of whom will probably play another position when not throwing. With these five as his nucleus Viking coach John Edwards has something to smile about. As of now the Vikes lost a close battle to the always tough Hillcrest and then they knocked off a good Brighton Club. Helping out with the coaching duties this spring, now that assistant Mark Pierce has moved on, is Ross Caputo who was a star player in high school and in college. SOCCER.. .It's a new look for the Vikes this season. They have new men coaching them and they have some good seniors coupled with some talented sophomores and juniors. Rodger Rod-ger Cushing is taking the club this spring with help from John Hansen and Bryan Gines and they like what they see. People like Carey Madgean, Joey Smith, Dennis De-nnis Smith, VerNon Gines and Eddie Snow are back from a year ago to go along with about five or six sophomores that have won starting positions. THUS FAR the new look Vikings have knocked off Roy 12-0, West 5-0 and Weber 3-2 in that order. The Vikings are shooting for a state tourna- -. ment berth, which means a high finish in the tough region play, something that they haven't been able to accomplish in recent years. TRACK. ..Although opposing coaches feel the Vikes have a solid shot at winning some team titles coach Lynn DuBois of the Vikes has his doubts concerning the depth of his club. "If we can get the baseball people to the meets I think we'll be alright," he smiled, "if not we just don't have the depth of a team like Hillcrest or Clearfield." NO MATTER what happens Coach DuBois i does have some stallions in his barn. Jon War- i ner the junior sprinter has been eating every- " one up during the indoor sprint season, while : senior Dave Chowen has been tough indoors in '; the hurdles. z Then the Vikes have Dave Titensor in the ri shot along with distance runners Brian Fuller, R.J. Lunt, Rees Kidman and Mike Allen all from the state championship cross country team. AGAIN THE big thing with the Vikes is to get the likes of Steve Caputo, Kurt Mathews and Doug Scovel to the meets. "With those three and Warner we could win the spring relay event at state and probably in a record time" he smiled. |