2002-03 SCHEDULE

Nov. 29 -- at Laurel Dec. 4 -- at Conneaut Lake Dec. 10 -- Mercer* Dec. 17 -- Hubbard Dec. 20-21 -- at Jamestown (N.Y.) tourney Dec. 27-28 -- at Southmoreland tourney Jan. 3-4 -- at Gorman tourney Jan. 7 -- Grove City Jan. 9 -- at Commodore Perry* Jan. 14 -- at Slippery Rock* Jan. 16 -- at Greenville* Jan. 18 -- at Howland tourney Jan. 21 -- Reynolds* Jan. 29 -- Sharon* Feb. 1 -- at District 10 Duals Feb. 4 -- at Sharpsville* Feb. 6 -- at Northwestern Feb. 8 -- at PIAA Duals Feb. 14-15 -- at Section 2-AA tourney    #=MCAC match

By The Herald Sports Staff

Hickory High wrestling team got a taste of the District 10 Class AA Dual Meet Championships in 2002 and although the Hornets were eliminated in the semifinals, they know one thing: They want to go back!

And with the power the Hornets wield this season, they are hoping for even bigger and better things.

"We're pretty optimistic about going back to the duals," said veteran coach Carl Wombacker, who has led the squad for 22 seasons. "But Reynolds and Commodore Perry are strong and Sharon has a nice team.

"We have nine district qualifiers returning, the most we've had since 1988 or '89. Since making the duals last year, they seem really focused. The guys who are juniors and seniors have been starters since they were freshmen. They've been around. They expect more this year."

The Hornets will open with junior letterman Brad Tabis filling the 103 slot, although junior letterman Jeremy Battyanyi may drop down from 112 after a few matches. Todd Titus, a freshman, is also battling for the 112 post.

A pair of talented freshmen, Justin Gregg and Sean Marshall, will be at 119 and 125, respectively, while senior letterman David Szabo, a state qualifier last season, will be at 130. He's backed by junior letter-winner Noah Cathcart.

Junior Nick Clepper, a district qualifer, is at 140, with senior district qualifer D.J. Keller at 140. Two-time regional qualifier, senior Carmen Russo will be at 145, being pushed by freshman Jimmy Blair. Tyler Allen, junior district qualifier, is at 152, backed by Elias Nassar, a sophomore, while Mark DeArment and Levio Baldarelli, a pair of junior district qualifiers, are at 160 and 171, respectively.

Micah Bender, senior district qualifier, and senior letterman Aaron Gill are vying for the 189-pound position, while junior letterman Scott Byerly is being pushed at 215 by sophomore Andy Osborne and junior Case Clark.

Senior big man Ryan DeArment, a state qualifier last season, is in the heavyweight post, pushed by Devin Williams, a junior, and Spencer Rohr, a sophomore.

"I'm excited about the season," said Wombacker. "These guys are easy to coach. They have their goals set. We had two guys at state last year and we could take four or five others if they step it up down the road. We've toughened up the schedule. We dropped some duals and have scheduled some tough tournaments."

Besides the traditional Jamestown (N.Y.) tournament, the Hornets have added the Southmoreland tourney, which has some of the tougher squads in the Pittsburgh area, and the the Gormon tournamament in Mansfield, Ohio, which includes some of the better teams from the Columbus area.

"Physically, we are a lot stronger," said Wombacker. "We have our new facility and new weight room. That really makes a difference.

"I'm still enjoying coaching. Some people golf, others bowl Š I love wrestling. This is a great group to coach."

Note: Assisting Wombacker with the varsity are Drew Perman, Lou Bornes and Eric Mount, along with some other volunteers. The junior high coaches are Tom Miles, Tim Jones, Ray Olsen and Brian Burdett. A large group of elementary coaches is headed by Dave Morris.