The Herald, Sharon, PA



WRESTLING
SEASON PREVIEW: JAMESTOWN

2002-03 SCHEDULE
Nov. 29 -- Lakeview*
Dec. 7 -- Reynolds
Dec. 10 -- at Maplewood*
Dec. 12 -- Commodore Perry
Dec. 14 -- at McDowell Tournament
Dec. 17 -- Cochranton*
Dec. 20 -- Conneaut Lake*
Dec. 27-28 -- at Redbank Valley Tournament
Jan. 3 -- Keystone
Jan. 7 -- at Union City*
Jan. 10-11 -- at Saegertown Tournament
Jan. 14 -- Saegertown*
Jan. 16 -- at Cambridge Springs*
Jan. 24-25 -- at Fred Bell Tournament
Jan. 30 -- at Mercer
Feb. 7 -- at Sharpsville
   #=FCVC contest
By The Herald Sports Staff

The Muskies of coach Michael Menold dropped a tough 40-31 decision to Lakeview in their season opener last Friday, but for the young Muskies there are better things ahead in the well-balanced French Creek Valley Conference.

"The league is tough," said Menold. "There are any number of teams that can win it."

Although he's only in his third season as head coach, he's no stranger to adversity. Last season his best wrestler was suspended from the team, while talented senior 189-pounder Dan Harnett went down with an injury. Harnett and 160-pound section champ Brian Millison were lost to graduation.

While the team is young this season -- only two seniors in the starting lineup -- Menold feels like the squad will improve and even flex some muscles before the year is over.

"We've had a couple of good weeks of practice," said Menold, a former Greenville High and Thiel College star. "A lot of our guys have experience and the intensity is good."

Leading the way for the Muskies are regional qualifiers Chris Harnett, a senior, and sophomore Alex Byler. "They hope to take the next step," said Menold. "We'd like to think we have some guys who can do pretty well."

The Muskies will go with freshman Matt Randall at 103, with sophomore letterman Kevin McElhaney, a district qualifer, at 112. Freshman Chris Burford will fill the 119 slot, with junior letterman Kevin Brown at 125. Byler will be at 130, pushed by junior letterman Doug Cox, sophomore Travis Taylor and freshman Mike Shollenberger.

Harnett will be at 135, backed by sophomore letterman Dustin Shollenberger. Sophomore lettermen Colin Brown and Ben Tate are battling for the 140 position. Sophomore letterman Brian Liszka is at 145, pushed by junior Kurt Rogan. Sophomore Russell Wells and senior letterman Bud Stephens are vying for the 152 starting post.

Junior letterman Jacob Demmler is at 160, backed by sophomores Dennis Green and Dan Barber. Senior Mark McClimans, a district qualifier, will be at 171, although he could move up to fill the 189-pound weight during dual meets, with Green or Barber at 171.

Junior Adam Miller will be at 215, with sophomore Jason Engstrom at 275.

Note: Assisting Menold with coaching the varsity are Jon Fry and Ed Pears, with Jeff Calvin and Jim McElhaney coaching junior high. Elementary head coach is Kirk Shimshock with assistant Adam Smith and several volunteers.



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