By Lynn Saternow
Herald writer

This will be a history-making year in Mercer County wrestling.

The Reynolds High wrestling program, which began in the early '60s, should reach the magical 500-victory mark this season. Ironically, if things fall right, the match to hit No. 500 could come against archrival Greenville, the only other local school to mark 500 wins. Trojan teams have compiled 571 victories.

Individually, the Raiders will also be hoping for senior Justin Nestor to tie the county record of three state championships. Only Farrell's George Lewis (1944-45-46), Lake view's Rodney Wright (1985-86-87) and Reynolds' Casey Taylor (1993-94-95) have pulled the hat trick in local mat history.

Nestor, who is headed for the University of Pittsburgh next season, won state crowns as a freshman and last year after a fourth-place finish as a sophomore. He is rated the top Class AA matmen in Pennsylvania, regardless of weight class, by national Amateur Wrestling magazine.

Two other state place-winners return this season locally for their senior seasons -- Reynolds' Jerry Kendall, third last year at 103 after a fifth place in 1999, and Lakeview's Drew Rose, an eighth-place finisher at 119. The only other area place-winner in 2000, Jamestown's Dustin Harnett, seventh at 189, was a senior.

Returning state qualifiers (last year's weight class in parentheses), hoping for a return to Hershey and a place on the medal stand, are: sophomore Cody Smith (112) of Lakeview; senior Zack Fejes (119) of Hickory; Reynolds junior Justin Hollobaugh (125); senior Greg Slater (125) of Commodore Perry; and junior Ron Haywood (135) of Sharpsville.

The Mercer County Athletic Conference suffered a blow when Kennedy Christian, because of a lack of numbers at the varsity level, was forced to drop the program. At least one Golden Eagle, junior Jim Gibson who qualified for regionals at 145 last season, will compete in some regular-season tournaments and wrestle for KC in the sectional tournament at the season's end.

There is one new head coach on the county scene this season as Jamestown assistant Mike Menold, a former Greenville High standout, moves up to take over the reins from veteran mentor Stan Skakalski.

Meanwhile, the roller-coaster ride for Grove City between Classes AA and AAA continues this season with a return to Class AA to join the remainder of Mercer County teams.

There are no major rule changes this season, although local matmen are reminded to keep their shoelaces tied. Wrestlers are asked to tape their laces, or wear special lace holders. If a wrestler's laces become untied during the match, it counts as an injury timeout. The rule was instituted to stop "stalling" by wrestlers who take a break to tie their laces.

Following is a team-by-team look at the area's teams (Photos are of returning senior letterwinners and coaches who were available when pictures were taken.):