'99-00 SCHEDULE

Dec. 3 -- at Hickory    7 -- Sharpsville    9 -- at Commodore Perry    11 -- Greenville    16 -- at Reynolds    28 -- Grove City    29 -- at Redbank Valley Tournament    30 -- at Redbank Valley Tournament Jan. 7 --Union City    11 -- at Sharon    14 -- at Saegertown Tournament    15 -- at Saegertown Tournament    18 -- Cambridge Springs    21 -- Mercer    27 -- Conneaut Lake    28 -- at Fred Bell Tournament    29 -- at Fred Bell Tournament Feb. 1 -- Maplewood    4 -- Saegertown    8 -- at Lakeview    11 -- at Cochranton

By The Herald Sports Staff

Optimism is running high in Jamestown where the Muskies of coach Stan Skakalski are blessed with an increase in numbers over last year's lean lineup.

"This is probably one of nicest starts I've had so far," said Skakalski, in his eighth season at the reins of the team. "It's a collective group of boys that likes to work. Five or six freshmen are moving up so I'm real excited about this team. We should be able to fill a squad.

"I'm looking for a lot from the juniors and seniors. We have some nice sophomores coming back and some boys who wrestled JV last year got a lot of experience."

The Muskies had two key losses to graduation, the coach's son, Stan, and Brian Pressler. Skakalski was a state qualifier last season, while Pressler was a district qualifier.

Key returnees for the Muskies are regional qualifier Dustin Harnett (171) and district qualifiers Curtis Harnett (103) and Dan Harnett (160). Dustin and Dan are brothers and they are cousins to Curtis and his freshman brother Chris, all of who could be in the starting lineup.

Ryan Renwick, a junior, will probably open for Jamestown at 103, with Curtis Harnett, sophomore, at 112. Freshman Bud Stevens will be at 119, with Chris Harnett or fellow freshman Tyson Thurber at 125. Brad Patton, a freshman, is slated for duty at 130, while freshmen Brandon Zimmer and Mike Brown are battling it out at 135.

Junior Dennis White or freshman Mark McClimans will be at 140, with Cory Brown, junior letterman, at 145. Junior Matt Gill or senior Scott Griffen will fill the 152 slot, followed by juniors Nick Byler or Ryan Gault at 160. Dan Harnett, sophomore, is at 171, with brother Dustin, a senior, at 189. Junior letterman Tim Calvin or junior Eric Hyde will be at 275.

"We're staying together and coming along as a team; that's what we talk about ‹ being a team. I'm blessed with a good coaching staff which makes my job so much easier."

That staff includes Mike Menold, Jeff Calvin and Jonathan Fry with the varsity and Nate Resele with the junior high. Elementary staff includes Fry and several others.

Jamestown again will compete in the French Creek Valley Conference. "Maplewood looks good," said Skakalski, "They'll probably be a real tough team and Saegertown and Cochranton should be good also."