Lake coach recovering from heart attack

10/21/2005
BY MARK MONROE
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Jim Kubuske
Jim Kubuske

Lake football coach Jim Kubuske suffered a heart attack on Oct. 13 and underwent successful quintuple bypass surgery.

Kubuske was complaining of chest problems when he arrived at St. Charles Mercy Hospital, where he suffered the heart attack. The bypass operation was performed at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Kubuske, 51, was released from the hospital Tuesday and was strong enough to address his players yesterday.

"It was very emotional in the locker room," said assistant coach Greg Wilker, who is serving as interim head coach. "They know how much he cares about them. It's just great that he is on his way to a full recovery. He's up and around, but he will be off work for six weeks."

While Kubuske won't be on the sidelines for Lake's game against Eastwood tonight, the Flyers (4-3 overall, 2-2 SLL) will have the league's top rusher back in uniform. Running back Dan Tarver, who missed the last two games with a knee injury, has rushed for 1,188 yards this season.

"He should be ready to go," Wilker said. "That will make a big difference, no doubt."

Eastwood (6-2, 4-1) remains one game back in the chase for the SLL title and is led by running back Jeremy Foster.

"We had a tough week," Wilker said. "But we'll be ready. Eastwood has great team speed. They run the ball well and they are very well-coached.."

Eastwood golfer Gary Michel completed a great senior season with a third-place finish at the state tournament.

Michel shot a 74-80-154 at the Division II state meet at Ohio State University's Scarlet Golf Course last weekend.

"That was my first time down there and it was a wonderful experience," Michel said.

Michel said he had about 15 supporters and did not feel nervous throughout the two-day tournament.

"I just played each hole and each shot, one by one," he said.

Michel was tied for fifth after the first day. But on the second day, 30-mph gusts of wind raised all the scores.

Michel finished three strokes behind winner Jarryd Lentz of Middletown Bishop Fenwick.

Michel plans to attend Division III Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., and major in pro golf management.

Monroe and Adrian will play in the oldest continuous rivalry in Michigan high school football history tonight.

The Trojans and Maples have been battling since 1896 and will meet again tonight at Adrian.

Adrian blasted Ypsilanti Lincoln 57-7 last Friday to move up to No. 5 in Michigan's Division 3 state poll. The Maples (7-1) were ranked No. 1 early in the season until a one-point setback to Ann Arbor Pioneer.

"We've just been fortunate. We've caught a lot of breaks along the way," said Adrian coach Phil Jacobs. "Our defense has been playing great all year. We've only given up 76 points. Our offense has not been lighting up the board, but we've played well."

Adrian running back Markqone Russell needs a little more than 50 yards tonight to go over 1,000 this season. Russell also has scored 12 touchdowns. Maple quarterback Steve Threet has thrown for more than 1,200 yards and 12 TDs.

Monroe is 5-3 and needs a win tonight to qualify for the playoffs.

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6110.