'99-00 SCHEDULE

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New coach has big shoes to fill at Hubbard
By Matt Deutsch
Herald writer

Stepping into the shoes of a coaching mainstay is a difficult task, but one that Brian Vaupel will tackle this winter.

Vaupel takes over the reigns of the Hubbard High wrestling program from long-time mentor Don Newell, and inherits a squad which, on paper anyway, appears to be quite young.

A total of 10 letterwinners fill the Eaglesí roster, but six of those are sophomores. In fact, six sophomores will be a part of Hubbardís starting lineup, as well as three freshmen. Vaupel does have the benefit of some senior leadership, however.

Senior returning letterwinners for Vaupel include Pat Jones (160 pounds), Darryl Swartz (189) and Bobby Thompson (215). The lone junior returning letterwinner is Brian Melvin (119), while Brian Logan (160), Tom McFarland (152), Will Rauber (130), Matt Clark (171), Chris Sikora (160) and Scott Watkins (145) return as sophomores.

According to Vaupel, the Eagles will have to forfeit their match at 103 pounds. After that, though, their lineup is as follows: freshman Billy Kehler (112), Melvin, freshman Jeremy May (125), Rauber, sophomore Chris Horton (135), freshman Sean Kendall (140), Watkins, McFarland, Chris Sikora (160), Clark, Leigh Ryser (189), Thompson and Handon Franko (heavyweight).

Contributing off the bench will be senior Jimmy Zapka (171), junior Jim Marucci and sophomore Brian Logan (160), junior Paul Ottum (152), junior Jeff Landis (171) and freshmen Tony Frazzini and Joe Yaksich (189).

Waiting in the wings are freshmen Jason Grosseibel (152), Billy Pitoscia (125) and Mike Atwood (119). Injured at the present time, but likely to return, are senior Phil Zoky (145) and sophomore Rusty Pratt.

"One of our strengths is our depth at the upper weights," said Vaupel, who was Newellís assistant coach last season. "We have had some excellent wrestle-offs this week. These kids are really push-ing each other and the starting lineups for some of these classes could change from week to week. On the other hand, we are very shallow in the lower weights. We are looking forward to the years to come, because we believe we should have some depth throughout the entire lineup."

The Eagles finished 7-7 overall during the 1998-99 campaign and 2-2 in Division II of the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League (EOWL). According to Vaupel, he and his team want to build upon that .500 slate of a year ago and excel in the postseason, as well.

"Our team has set goals of completing a winning season and finishing in the top five at the EOWL tournament on Feb. 4 and 5," he said. "Many of our kids have individual goals, as well, such as qualifying for the regional competition and the state meet."

Newell isnít the only one to leave the coaching fraternity within the EOWL. In fact, the prolifera-tion of first-year mentors means that the league will be as competitive as ever.

"It should be an interesting season, especially with four veteran head coaches retiring last year," said Vaupel. "Don Newell retired from Hubbard, Barry Reinhardt at Howland, Stacy Madison at Canfield and Jerry Pasquale at Boardman.

"All three divisions in our league are well-coached and many teams are returning placewinners from last yearís tournament. Division II, which is our division, will be very competitive. Salem re-turns a talented team. This yearís EOWL tournament will be very exciting."

Vaupelís assistant coach this season is former Hubbard High wrestler Bob Kelley.

Other volunteers include Tom McFarland, former Hubbard High wrestler Chris Saccomen and NCAA Division III national champion Bruce Hinkle.