'99-00 SCHEDULE

Dec. 11 -- at Jamestown    14 -- at Franklin    16 -- Commodore Perry    21 -- at Sharpsville    23 -- Oil City    29-30 -- at Redbank Valley Jan. 4 -- at Sharon    6 -- at Hickory    7-8 -- at Tool City Tournament    15 -- at Cranberry    20 -- at Reynolds    22 -- Lakeview    25 -- Kennedy Christian    27 -- at Grove City    28-29 -- at Fred Bell Tournament Feb. 3 -- Mercer    5 -- Seneca

By The Herald Sports Staff

While the Trojans of coach Jim Miller, beginning his 14th season at the helm, lost some key matmen to graduation, Greenville is still a favorite to defend its Section 2-AA crown at season's end and could give Reynolds a run for the Mercer County Athletic Conference title.

"It's still early yet, but obviously we have some very fine seniors we're going to count on to lead the team," said Miller. "We have a lot of kids with a lot of experience at the varsity level and we need to try to get them into the lineup. We have some good looking underclassmen, so we need to piece them all together and see what we can do."

The biggest losses to graduation were Kurtis Holzshu and Todd Shimshock, stalwarts in the Trojans lineup for four years. Holzshu was a two-time state qualifier, while Shimshock was a two-time regional qualifier, just missing a trip to state last season. Both had more than 100 wins for their careers.

Top returnees are senior Jim Spiegel, a state qualifier at 152, and regional qualifier Billy Collins, and district qualifiers Scott Cornelius, Brian Kuhn and Brent Beckstein.

This year's Trojans will open with either Jack Ziegler, sophomore letterman, or freshmen Corey Hanna or Dan Burns, at 103. Burns or freshman Chris Peterson will be at 119, followed by sophomore Shaun Hinderliter or freshman Owen Brickell at 119. Hinderliter or Collins, a junior, will be at 125.

Competition is heavy at 130 between junior lettermen Justin Kiser and Jarred Hanna as well as freshman Jimmy Ritenhour and sophomore Darren Marshall. Mike Stull, a junior, is penciled in at 135, with sophomore Brad Barker or freshman Brian Swartzbeck at 140. Junior Dan Eaves is at 145, with competition from sophomore Shaun Endicott. Senior letterman Cornelius is at 152, followed by either Spiegel or Kuhn, a pair of senior letter winners, at 160. Brian Anderle, senior letterman, and Luke Liszka, sophomore letterman, are vying for the 171 post, followed by Michael Stephens, sophomore, at 189. Beckstein, a senior letterman, will be at heavyweight.

"I think we're going to be fine," said Miller. "I'm looking forward to the season to see how we do. We have an excellent schedule to bring the kids along, the competition gets steadily stronger. Then we can peak at sections."

Assisting Miller with the varsity coaching are Gary Vargo, Denny Stephens and Terry Claypool, while the junior high coaches are Brian Holszhu, Dave Cornelius, Dave Eaves, Dave Jones and John Anderle. The elementary program includes Dave Rose, Scott Shipton and others.