2002-03 SCHEDULE

Dec. 6-7 -- at Nordonio (Ohio) tourney Dec. 10 -- at Reynolds* Dec. 17 -- at Mercer* Dec. 20-2 -- at Jamestown (N.Y.) tourney Dec. 27-28 -- at Redbank Valley tourney Jan. 4 -- at Franklin Jan. 7 -- at Hickory* Jan. 9 -- at Greenville* Jan. 14 -- Commodore Perry* Jan. 18 -- at Titusville Jan. 21 -- Sharon* Jan. 24-25 -- at Fred Bell tourney Jan. 28 -- Sharpsville* Feb. 1 -- at District 10 Duals Feb. 4 -- Slippery Rock* Feb. 6 -- Oil City Feb. 8 -- at PIAA Duals Feb. 10 -- at Cranberry Feb. 14-15 -- at Section 3-AA tourney    #=MCAC match

By The Herald Sports Staff

After 27 years as a head coach, Marty Ruley has pretty much seen it all. He's coached state champions and he's coached wrestlers who have tried hard, but with little individual success. His teams have won well over 200 matches -- some great seasons, some not-so-great seasons.

But for Ruley, one thing has always remained a constant -- he has fun!

"I'm still enjoying it; these kids are a lot of fun," said Ruley, who has 25 years as head coach at Grove City and two at Sharon under his belt.

"We're still a young team with no seniors," he said. "We're going to be pretty scrappy with this group. As they progress, if they can stay healthy, I think they can be OK. I really see improvement already in some of them. I think we can win more than we did last year.

"We're looking forward to having some fun."

Health already is a concern. The team suffered a blow when sophomore ace Jack Vallely, who had a solid freshman campaign at 160 last year, suffered severe leg burns in a fire during the fall, which curtailed the running back's football season. Ruley said it is doubtful that Vallely will be able to wrestle this season. Then Adam Rudolph, 119 pounder, recently suffered a broken wrist and will be out for about eight weeks.

"Rudolph was really wrestling well, too," said Ruley, who greeted 27 boys out for the varsity. "But we go with who we have."

The Eagles will open with a freshman at 103, either Brandon Jones, Ray Orr or Mike Holmes. The 112 slot will be held by either freshman Paul Johnson or Brady Jones, twin brother of Brandon.

Sophomore letterman Alec Miller will fill the 119 spot. Miller was a Section 3 runner-up last season at 103, notched 26 victories for the season.

Junior letterman Ryan Johnson is back at 125, while freshman Beau Fisher is at 130. Tom Reed, a junior letter-winner, will be at 135, a big jump from 112 where he competed last season. Sophomore letterman Derek DeGraaf is at 140, with competition from freshman Mike Holes, who could compete as well for the 145 spot along with freshmen Jerry Giebner and Kevin Campbell.

Sophomore letterman Danny Wise, who was a District 10 qualifier at 140 after a third-place finish in Section 3, moves in at 152. Junior letterman Ryan Alger will be at 160. Sophomores Matt Turek and David Wolfe are competing for 171, or Wolfe could move up to 189 and vie with Tim Swanson, a junior.

Josh Bowser, a junior letterman, will be at 215, pushed by sophomore Ben DuPont. Bowser was a Section 3 runner-up last season at 189, placing sixth at districts. Sophomore letterman Kent Uber, 6-foot-3, 250-pounder, returns at heavyweight.

"I'm looking forward to watching some of these kids improve," Ruley said, pointing to Reynolds once again as the team to beat for the Mercer County Athletic Conference title. "Hickory will push a little too," he said.

Ruley will be assisted by Curtis Conner and Deven Dittrich at the varsity level, with D.J. Johnson and Ross Johnson handling the junior high. Ank Errera heads up the elementary program with numerous assistants.