Penns Valley Wrestling Preview

by Guy Cipriano

Posted on December 8, 2008

Penns Valley Rams

PENNS VALLEY WRESTLING PREVIEW

Coach:Joel Brinker, third season

Penns Valley's returning wrestling letterwinners include, front row, from left, Orry Corman, Fred Dawson, Patrick Whitehill. Back row, Alec Winkelblech, Drew Zettle, Kody Bjalme, Mark Solt.
Assistants:Tim Beckenbaugh, Ty Corl, Jared Homan, John Myers, Brian Royer, Preston Shawver, Brian Wood,

Last year:7-11, 2-4 CWC Key losses:TyCorl, 152, 21-9, Ethan Covalt, Hwt, 25-10, District 6 champion, PIAA qualifier, Eric Herrold, 189, 31-10, PIAA qualifier.

Returning letter winners: Kody Bjalme, Jr., 145, 17-13; Orry Corman, Jr., 112, 13-13; Fred Dawson, Sr., 6-6; Mark Solt, Sr., 135, 7-5; Patrick Whitehill, Jr., 125, 17-13; Alec Winkelblech, Jr., 135-140, 1-4; Drew Zettle, Jr., 16-13.

Newcomers:Scott Baylets, So., 125-130; Nick Bressler, Sr., 140; Eli Covalt, Jr., Hwt; Jeff Cunrod, Jr., 152-160; Elliott Dillon, So, 189; Neil Hosterman, Fr., 130; Caleb Luse, Fr., 103; Corey Sweeley, Jr., 160-171; Adam Yarger, Fr., 152.

The skinny:The records look similar.

Kody Bjalme, 17-13. Orry Corman, 13-13. Patrick Whitehill, 17-13. Drew Zettle, 16-13.

The grades are also similar.

All four wrestlers start their junior seasons tonight at Glendale.

Now, Penns Valley coach Joel Brinker hopes the group takes similar career steps.

"I have high expectations," Brinker said. "Are they going to answer the call? If they do, the next couple of years we can have a really nice team. It all depends how committed the kids are and whether they put the time in."

The juniors will lead a young team.

Bjalme is the only Ram who has wrestled more than 50 varsity bouts. Bjalme's sophomore season ended in a fourth-round consolation bout at the District 6 Class AA Championships. Whitehill and Zettle also won multiple postseason bouts last season.

Bjalme, Whitehill and Zettle have plenty of classmates in the room because eight juniors comprise half of the Rams' roster. The class also includes Alec Winkelblech, Corey Sweeley, Eli Covalt and Jeff Cunrod.

The Rams only have three seniors — Fred Dawson, Mark Solt and Nick Bressler — and none wrestled more than 14 bouts last season.

"The juniors had large roles as sophomores last year and now they are juniors who have seen the varsity level," Brinker said. "We also have a solid group of freshmen who expect to contribute right away." Yes, freshmen.

Penns Valley's trio includes Caleb Luse (103), Neil Hosterman (130) and Adam Yarger (152). All three wrestlers join the varsity team after successful junior high careers.

"I think they can compete," Brinker said. "They were all 20-plus winners in junior high and Neil and Adam have been wrestling for a long time."

The Rams biggest holes exist at the top of their lineup where they must replace 189-pounder Eric Herrold and heavyweight Ethan Covalt, a pair of PIAA qualifiers, and gritty 160- pounder Ty Corl.

"Losing those guys really hurts us," Brinker said "Not only were they solid wrestlers, but they were leaders. We're waiting to see who are next group of leaders will be."

Brinker said another challenge involves finding a 215-pounder.

Once again, Penns Valley wrestles one of toughest schedules in District 6 Class AA.

The Rams will see bigger schools in consecutive weeks at the Mountain League and King of the Mountain Tournaments. They also face Class AAA Hollidaysburg and Lewis-town and District 4 Mifflinburg during the regular season.

Penns Valley wrestles only two home duals — Tyrone on Dec. 9 and Bell-wood- Antis on Jan. 8 — during the season's first seven weeks.

— By Guy Cipriano

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