2002-03 SCHEDULE

Dec. 4 -- Sharon* Dec. 7 -- at Rocky Grove tourney Dec. 10 -- at Commodore Perry* Dec. 17 -- at Slippery Rock* Dec. 20-21 -- at Jamestown (N.Y.) tourney Jan. 4 -- Lakeview Jan. 9 -- at Reynolds* Jan. 11 -- at Quigley Catholic Jan. 14 -- Mercer* Jan. 16 -- Pymatuning Valley Jan. 21 -- Greenville* Jan. 24-25 -- at Fred Bell tourney Jan. 28 -- at Grove City* Feb. 4 -- Hickory* Feb. 7 -- Jamestown Feb. 14-15 -- at Section 3-AA tourney    #=MCAC match

By The Herald Sports Staff

Sharpsville High coach Ron Haywood is working on repairs to his home which was damaged by the recent tornado. How bad was it?

"My house will be rebuilt a lot faster than my team," he said with a laugh.

When you lose nine seniors to graduation, it's tough for any squad. That leaves a lot of holes to fill. In fact Haywood describes this year's squad in three words: "Young ... young ... young!"

How young you ask? There will probably be six freshmen in the starting lineup, a tough scenario, considering the power of the Mercer County Athletic Conference.

"The young kids have some talent," said Haywood. "They come up from our junior program. But you hate to throw in ninth-graders right off the bat. They'll take some lumps this year, but down the road they'll be ready. It all depends on how fast they mature."

The Blue Devils fill 103 and 112 with freshmen, David Schreckenghost and Tim Findley, respectively. Senior Josh Shuttleworth will man 119, followed by freshman Ryan Jones at 125.

Larry Herrmann, senior letterman, will be at 130, followed by junior letter winner Jim Totin at 135. Either Mike Rowe, freshman, or sophomore Shane Matejka will be at 140.

The Blue Devils received a boost at 145 from transfer Nick Hunt, a senior who wrestled in the Reynolds program. Hunt was a Section 3 runner-up and a regional qualifier last season for the Raiders, going 19-6.

Josh Daniels, sophomore, will be at 152, followed by freshman Ian Brown at 160. Senior letterman Tom Findley will be at 171, while freshman Kevin Steen fills the 189 spot. Sophomore letterman Shane Buchanan will close out the lineup at 215, since the Blue Devils currently have no heavyweight.

"It's going to be tough, but the kids will get better as the season goes on," said Haywood. "We're a little lean in numbers this year, but we have a lot of kids on the junior high team."

Lost to graduation were the likes of state qualifier Matt Holsopple (275) and previous two-time District 10 champ and state qualifer Ron Haywood. Others starters included Dustin Ohl, Terry Balensky (section runner-up), Jared Ague, Mike Kulka (section runner-up), Chad Buccarelli and Dave Wallace (district qualifier).

Note: Haywood is assisted on the varsity by John Taylor and Brad Phillips, with Steve Sherman, Shawn Buchanan, Gary Rowe and Kevin Sutley at the junior high level. Heading the elementary program are Dick Weber and Keith Swartz.

The Blue Devils open the season Wednesday at home to Sharon, then travel to the Rocky Grove Tournament this weekend.