2002-03 SCHEDULE

Dec. 3 -- Franklin Dec. 6 -- at Maplewood* Dec. 10 -- Fairview Dec. 12 -- at Cochranton* Dec. 19 -- Greenville Dec. 20-21 -- at Jamestown (N.Y.) tourney Dec. 27-28 -- at Redbank Valley tourney Jan. 4 -- at Sharpsville Jan. 7 -- Saegertown* Jan. 9 -- at Sharon Jan. 15 -- Conneaut Lake* Jan. 17 -- Rocky Grove Jan. 21 -- at Cambridge Springs* Jan. 24-25 -- at Fred Bell tourney Jan. 29 -- at Union City* Feb. 5 -- at Jamestown* Feb. 7 -- at Commodore Perry Feb. 14-15 -- at Section 3-AA tourney    #=FCVC match

By The Herald Sports Staff

When Rusty Wright took over the reins of the Lakeview program last season, he was feeling his way. Now he enters his "sophomore season" with high expectations.

"Last year, my first year as coach, we had a lot of young kids," said Wright, a former Sailors heavyweight star. "Now with my 'freshmen ' year under my belt, I'm expected to produce.

"We have good team and should could out pretty well. We have some studs, but everybody else has studs, too."

No. 1 stud, of course, is senior Tim Gadsby who comes into the season with a pair of state medals (fifth in 2001, seventh in 2000) hanging on his wall. After going 38-6 last season, he surpassed the 100-win career mark already.

"I'd like to see Tim go all the way this year," said Wright. "He has worked so hard. But he needs to just wrestle it one match at a time; just beat the match in front of you. You can't get caught looking ahead."

Wright also sees big things ahead for his sophomore lightweight John Fleming, who won the District 10 title at 103 last season. He posted a 33-6 record.

"Timmy and Fleming will do well, and I expect big things out of Smith boys (Cody and Chad)," said Wright, who still credits former coaches Eric Mount and Joe Fiorenza for developing the seniors.

"This is the year, we'll be graduating five or six wrestlers. Overall, there is a lot of talent. Wade Alexander should be a solid leader, too,"

Wright related.

Lakeview is one of the schools hurt this season by the addition of a 215-pound class. "That will be hard to fill," said Wright.

The Sailors will open at 103 with sophomore letterman Cody Hovis or junior David Blake. Fleming and Gadsby will fill the next two weights. Senior Cody Smith, who was a state qualifier as a freshman, would like to return at 125. The 2001 D-10 qualifier is being pushed by Jonathan Hogue.

Senior Chad Smith, a district qualifier last season, is at 130, followed by senior letterman Wade Alexander at 135. Alexander is seeing competition from junior letterman Leo Pivirotto.

Sophomore letter-winner John Drew will be at 140, followed by senior Jay Brownlee at 145. Sophomore letterman Dan VanDyke will be at 152, followed by freshman Tommy Lewis or sophomore Dion Forrester at 160.

The 171 slot will be occupied by Tyler Shearer, a sophomore letterman and D-10 qualifier, with senior Justin Neal at 189. After a forfeit at 189, the Sailors will close with senior letterman Terry Shearer at heavyweight. He's being pushed by sophomore John Rhodes.

While Wright welcomed back almost his whole squad from last season, one key missing element will be graduated heavyweight Brad Watson who was a force in the finale every match.

Wright said he expects his team to be aggressive. " 'Attack ... attack,' that's the message I've been sending to the kids. With all these seniors, we need to maximize what we have now. And some others need to step up and do the job.

"Chances are we aren't going to have a full lineup. So we need to work to come up with extra points when we can get them and save points in others when we can."

Wright said the battle for the French Creek Valley Conference title will be a tough one, with his team expected to be in the hunt with Jamestown, Cochranton and Maplewood for league laurels. A good look at league power will come early when the Sailors wrestle Friday at Jamestown. The Sailors compete in the Jamestown (N.Y.), Redbank Valley and Fred Bell Memorial (Grove City) tournaments this year.

Assisting Wright with coaching are John Hogue, Mike Tuttle, Adam Lewis and several volunteers. Tuttle will head the junior high, while Steve Armour is head elementary coach.