'99-00 SCHEDULE

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By The Herald Sports Staff

Coach Carl Wombacker has posted 207 wins in his long career as head coach of the Hornets, but he knows it may be a difficult season to add many to that total.

"This year could be a little rough," said Wombacker. "Last year we had nine seniors and all nine were in the lineup together sometimes. So we have a lot of holes to fill. On paper we look terrible, but we're a lot better than that. I think we're going to be OK, but I'd be happy to have a .500 record."

Several key matmen were lost to graduation, including regional qualifier Keith Covert and district qualifiers Justin Ulan and Adam Mild. Also, expected starter Willie Maskrey has moved to Howland while Matt Vernille, a three-year starter, isn't on the team.

On top of that, the school renovations have hampered practice somewhat. "It's kind of crazy because of construction," said Wombacker. Because the usual Gym C/wrestling room in unavailable, the team is transported daily to the Delahunty Elementary Building to work out. "Hopefully we'll be in our new wrestling room by next year," said the coach, pointing out that it will be a state of the art facility with two full mats and a weight room accessible off the wrestling room.

Key returnees for Hickory are Zack Fejes, a regional qualifier at 112 last season as a sophomore who has more than 50 wins in two seasons, and senior Gary Osborne, whom Wombacker is expecting big things from. "They're our only two returning wrestlers with winning records," said Wombacker, "but I'm real happy the way the young kids look. We'll probably start at least three freshmen."

Sophomores Jeff Hoffman and Matt Battyanyi, a letterman, will fill the 103 and 112 slots, with Fejes expected to be at 119, backed by sophomores Drew Dickman and Ben Hatlen. Freshman David Szabo will be a 125, with junior Edmund Flocco or senior letterman Nick Fox at 130.

Freshman Carmen Russo will be at 135, with junior lettermen Alan Baldarelli and Aaron Clepper battling for the 145 post. Senior letterman Paul Steele will be at 152, backed by sophomore Jesse Shaffer. Osborne, a three-year letterman, will probably be at 160, backed by freshman Nick Smith. Sophomores Chris Ferringer and Josh Covert are competing for the 171 slot, with sophomore letterman Bobby Byerly or junior Robert Jones at 189. Senior letterman Steve Isaac or freshman Ryan DeArment will be at 275.

Wombacker predicts "in our section, Greenville will probably dominate again this year, with the county going to Reynolds again."

Assisting Wombacker at the varsity level are coaches Frank Styduhar and Drew Perman, with Tim Jones, Tom Miles and Ray Olsen at the junior high level. Dave Morris heads of the elementary program with help from many others.