Tri-Valley League Preview

by The Patriot News

Posted on December 26, 2007

EAST JUNIATA Tigers

Coaches: Ray Barrick and Adam Dimm. 2006-07 record: 11-15 (2-4 league). 2007-08 record: 5-3 (0-1 league).

The big picture: The numbers aren't that bad for the Tigers, who have offered their share of forfeits over the years. They even have a fair number of seniors, but still lack the experience to make a breakthrough in the league.

Top wrestlers: Trent Burris (6-1 this season, jr, light), Andrew Graybill (7-1, sr, middle), Brian Petrovic (6-1, fr, light), Wayne Shaffer (5-3, sr, upper)

HALIFAX Wildcats

Coach: Brian Zerby. 2006-07 record: 9-9 (1-5 league). 2007-08 record: 2-4 (0-2 league).

The big picture: OK, now Zerby can take over the team (last year, we prematurely replaced long-time head coach Lahn Masser with Zerby because of a clerical mistake, but he's the real head coach now). He has his work cut out for him with a team thin on numbers and experience.

Top wrestlers: Dwight Hentz (5-2, sr, upper), Damien Palmer (5-2, jr, light), Shane Smith (4-2, soph, light)

JUNIATA Indians

Coach: Bob Hart. 2006-07 record: 32-4 (5-1 league). 2007-08 record: 2-0 (2-0 league).

The big picture: The massive Juniata dual meet schedule has been trimmed a bit; the Indians participated in an individual tournament (the Keystone Classic at Penn State) less than two weeks ago. It was a historic event, in its own Juniata way. The Indians are young this year and not as potent as most seasons, but the future (two years?) seems very, very bright.

Top wrestlers: Zach Bryan (7-1, sr, middle), Travis Berrier (4-2, sr, middle), Seth Beitz (5-3, soph, light), Caleb Shertzer (2-2, jr, upper), Chris Harbert (4-2, sr, upper), Dan Fultz (4-2, soph, upper)

LINE MOUNTAIN Eagles

Coach: Mike Martz. 2006-07 record: 22-9 (6-0 league, 4-AA champions). 2007-08 record: 1-0 (1-0 league).

The big picture: The Eagles might be a bit hard-pressed to win a third straight district championship given their gaping losses (PIAA runner-up Shawn Fausey and a clutch of good seniors). But another league championship is hardly out of the question, especially with junior Jon Fausey patrolling the upper weights. A decent match with Newport looms on Jan. 3, as does a likely Jan. 16 showdown with Juniata.

Top wrestlers: Jon Fausey (10-0, jr, upper), Tyler Erdman (9-1, sr, middle), Travis Erdman (8-4, fr, middle); Justin Erdman (6-4, sr, middle), Mason Hoover (7-4, sr, upper)

MIDD-WEST Mustangs

Coach: Clint Swartz. 2006-07 record: 5-11 (0-6 league). 2007-08 record: 2-6 (0-2 league).

The big picture: Swartz takes over this year with the usual Midd-West turnout battle on his hands, but the Mustangs should generate some here-and-there dual success.

Top wrestlers: Sam Shirey (8-0, jr, middle), Chris Baker (4-4, soph, upper), Jedidiah Heintzelman (4-4, jr, upper), Derrick Spriggle (4-3, sr, middle)

NEWPORT Buffaloes

Coach: Mike Capozzoli. 2006-07 record: 10-8 (3-3 league). 2007-08 record: 4-2 (1-1 league).

The big picture: The Buffaloes have a mix of youth and experience, but the lineup is full and Capozzoli is an old hand, giving opponents a good run when he has the right number of bodies. Good things should happen this year.

Top wrestlers: Eric Kemble (5-1, fr, light), Kyle Parrish (5-1, sr, upper), Jared Seaman (6-0, sr, upper), Justin Willi (6-0, soph, light), Glenn Kemble (5-1, sr, middle), John Deitz (4-0, jr, middle)

UPPER DAUPHIN Trojans

Coach: Dave Barder. 2006-07 record: 15-4 (4-2 league). 2007-08 record: 4-3 (2-0 league).

The big picture: The Trojans have some point-scoring ability, but also have enough flat spots in the lineup to make most duals an adventure. Senior Josh Lesher impressed last weekend with a title at the Las Vegas Invitational, and he has some talent around him. Loss of heavyweight Josh Kephart to injury definitely hurt the Trojans. Barder is back as head coach after Todd Rupp, the head coach the last three seasons, took the athletic director's job and was not permitted to remain as head coach.

Top wrestlers: Josh Lesher (13-1, sr, upper), Dustin Sims (13-3, jr, middle), Ryan Strohecker (11-3, sr, middle), Cody Snyder (9-2, sr, upper)

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