Sportsbeat

Julia Lewandowski, Miss Posen 2009 and senior captain of the Posen girls? basketball team, grimaced in pain at center court in a tough loss to Mio a couple of Fridays ago. Obviously, the left ankle injury she?s been battling since summer, the one that kept her from playing in the entire volleyball season, hasn?t healed, and may not heal until she rests it more.

When might that be? Let?s just say, time is precious for a senior with less than six months of high school left as she continues to fight through the pain of torn tendons to get the most out of the time she has left. Lewandowski is a key defender in head coach Karl Momrik?s scheme, but make no mistake about it, she?s a talented athlete away from the athletic arena as well. I attended Sunday?s performance of ?The Nutcracker? at Alpena High School to support my son Aaron?s friend/classmate, Izaiah Hincka, who had the role of the mischievous Fritz in the opening act.

Lewandowski had the prominent role of the Sugarplum fairy and was center stage when she performed a solo dance. I don?t know a lick about ballet to render any opinions, but it seemed like a flawless performance, yet incredible, because of the injury. I was watching closely to see if she had any difficulties. Going in, I couldn?t remember what ankle has been giving her so many problems — and I left not knowing.

She made it through some difficult leaps and pointes. If I extend my toes out from my office chair, most of the muscle tension is in the ankle area. So, it had to be tough on her. So, hats off to Julia for playing through the pain. I also salute all the local performers from Rogers City and Posen. I found many familiar names in the program, and I probably would miss someone if I tried to mention them all, but Megan Hopp of Rogers City had another prominent dance as Dew Drop and did extremely well. She brightened up the stage with her smile and poise. Tayler Bannasch of Roger City also had a key role as one of the Chinese Tea dancers and was flawless.

I?m not ready to run out and see another ?Nutcracker,? for a while. I could be ready in four years when the Dance Centre does it again. I?ll leave my boys home next time, or drop them off at the movies. My wife Lisa had some problems with Aaron, 11, during the 90-minute show. He complained about it being ?la

me? until we got him to put a sock in it at intermission. That was going on in Lisa?s left ear. In her right, a young man, probably in his 20s, talked quite a bit. His girlfriend kept telling him to ?be quiet.? Eventually, he fell asleep after intermission.

Another highlight for me was seeing a 6-foot snowflake. That would be Korynn Hincka of Posen. After Friday night?s dress rehearsal, she was brought back to Posen for the Viking girls? basketball game and got in for the fourth quarter and scored six points. Interestingly enough, she could have had more. ?Here are some quick sports wishes for 2009.

I hope the Tigers find a few outfielders under the Christmas tree before spring training; the Lions find some respect in their stocking; Santa helps the Red Wings heal sooner; and Michigan State can win its bowl game to deflect some of the problems they?re having off the field.