'99-00 SCHEDULE

Dec. 6 -- Cochranton    9 -- Saegertown    11 -- at Oil City    16 -- Sharpsville    18 -- at McDowell Tournament    21 -- at Commodore Perry Jan. 6 -- Kennedy Christian    11 -- Hickory    13 -- at Reynolds    14-15 -- at Saegertown    20 -- at Grove City    21 -- at Jamestown    25 -- Cathedral Prep    27 -- Sharon    28-29 -- at Fred Bell Tournament Feb. 3 -- at Greenville    8 -- at Franklin    12 -- at Greenville    14 -- at Cranberry

By The Herald Sports Staff

Coach Keith DeGraaf begins his 13th season as head coach with a solid group of veterans to make the outlook bright for the upcoming campaign.

"We have a good nucleus of returning lettermen and an outstanding group of freshmen," said DeGraaf, whose squad posted a 10-4 mark last year. "Our weakness appears to be inexperience and lack of depth in some of the upper weight classes.

"I believe we can have a decent season recordwise if our young kids come along. It should be an enjoyable season because this is a hard-working group and a bunch of kids that are just fun to be around."

Leading returnee is senior Eric McCurdy, a state qualifier last season. He'll probably be at 140. Other top returnees are regional qualifier Chris White, a 189 junior, and district qualifiers: junior Chris Dunn, 160, and sophomores Rick Trowbridge, 130, and Micah Kelly, 103 or 112.

Other letter winners coming back to bolster the squad are: juniors ‹ Matt Hedglin, 152; Adam Pesek, 125; and Matt Bish, 275; and sophomore Walt Schwanbeck, 135.

Others vying for slots in the lineup are: juniors ‹ Pete Erdos 160, Nick Macri 152, and Matt Branca 135; freshmen ‹ Josh Bobanick 103, Brad Cameron 103, Devin Kelly 112, Charlie Burk 125, Mike Kennell 119, Richard Grant 130, Aaron Reinhart 119, and Shawn Mihordin 160.

DeGraaf is looking forward to the post-season tournaments and is hoping for big things: "We expect anyone that starts in the lineup to get to districts and those that work hard to contend for places at regionals and states."

DeGraaf will be assisted in coaching by Kevin Kubalaic, Rick Whenry and Gary Bacon at the varsity and junior high levels, with Jerry Gawne, Rob Swartz, Scott Garner and Ed Kelly working with the elementary wrestlers.