North East
Coach (season/record): Dana Gorton (1st/0-0)
2011-12 overall record: 7-7
2011-12 region record: 1-7
Top wrestlers lost: Alex Svetz, Austin Phelps
Top wrestlers returning: Jordan Bryan, Andrew Phelps, Tyler Stapp, Corey Voorhis
Assistant coaches: Mark Hughes, Alex Svetz
Outlook: Gorton takes over a program that will miss Phelps and Svetz, a regional runner-up who was fourth at Hershey. But a solid core group returns led by Bryan, a 2011-12 District 10 runner up who went 27-11 at 160 pounds and is expected to be back at that weight this season. Voorhis, also a returning regional qualifier who was fourth in the district at 152 last season, posted a 17-12 mark and also should remain at the same weight class. Newcomers Adam Ballew (projected at 120), Andrew Benden (106) and Logan Gray (113) could contribute right away. Gorton said turnout has been strong and he believes the Grapepickers could be headed for a high-water mark season.
Schedule
December
11 Youngsville 7
18 Union City 7:30
20 at Harbor Creek 7
28 at Region Duals (Lakeview)
January
9 at Iroquois 7
16 Saegertown 7:30
18-19 North East Tournament
23 Corry 7
Conneaut
Coach (season/record): Tom Courtney (17th overall, 1st at Conneaut/0-0)
2011-12 overall record: New school
2011-12 region record: New school
Top wrestlers lost: New school
Top wrestlers returning: Nick Moss, Brandon Moss, Kyle Lukewich, Taylor Ellis, Brandon Sherman
Assistant coaches: Matt Horne, Cash Horne, Robert Courtney, Adam Green
Outlook: Courtney, who spent 16 seasons coaching at Conneaut Lake, takes over the new program, although Conneaut Lake has been the only one of the three former district schools (Conneaut Valley, Linesville) that has fielded a wrestling team for several years. Courtney brings with him an experienced staff and a solid nucleus of former Conneaut Lake wrestlers led by Lukewich, a returning regional qualifier who finished 34-10 last season at 120. Nick Moss (23-12 last season at 106), Brandon Moss (13-10 at 113) and Taylor Ellis (20-8 at 138) all were district qualifiers last season. Conneaut Lake went 8-6 overall last season and 8-1 in the region, and the new-look Eagles should be solid.
Schedule
December
8 at Greenville Duals
11 Cambridge Springs 6
13 at Jamestown 6
18 Northwestern 6
20 at Fairview 6
21 at Greenville 6
January
4-5 at Tool City Tournament (Meadville)
8 Cochranton 6
15 at Saegertown 6
16 Maplewood 6
18-19 at North East Tournament
23 at Girard 6
25-26 at Fred Bell Tournament (Grove City)
February
6 Commodore Perry 6
Saturday: Iroquois and Franklin
– John Dudley
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