Some Experience, Mostly Youth to Lead Tribe Wrestling in 2009-10

by Jake Hallman

Posted on December 9, 2009

Tom Hontz will be the first one to say the 2009-10 edition of Upper Perk's wrestling program will be an interesting one.

With a smattering of upper-class talent, the Indians will rely heavily on a resurgent youth movement as well as a handful of wrestlers who were new to varsity last year.

In its makeup, the team is similar to last year's squad that went 19-9 overall, 8-1 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. That squad's highlights included a 25th place in the Reno Tournament of Champions, four regional qualifiers and one state qualifier.

What the Indians return from last season include a regional qualifier in junior lightweight Dan Rodenberger, who is currently sidelined with a hand injury. Senior middleweight Marty McStravick, a district qualifier last season as a junior, is also expected to have a big year - all the while providing upperclass leadership.

"Thankfully we have a slew of freshmen to help with the numbers, and there's some talent there," Hontz said, in his 20th year with the Indians and closing in on the 300-win mark with a 269-135-1 career record. "This should be an interesting year, we don't have as many as experienced wrestlers that we've had in the past but we have athletes that will compete and keep working."

Freshmen expected to mature in a hurry include middleweight Avery Scripture, and lightweights Wolfgang McStravick and Kyle Fellman. All three have worked with Hontz and the team throughout the summer and have learned quickly the hard work that goes along with a varsity schedule.

The junior class is expected to get a boost from Rodenberger, Cody Ambrose (160), Nate Pompei (171) and Chris Rementer.

"Marty has done a great job stepping in and providing the senior leadership and he will be one of our go-to guys," Hontz said. "And we've seen some good things from Pompei and Ambrose – he has made some of the biggest strides of all the guys and he's becoming a complete wrestler.

"But our success will depend on the guys last year who had .500 records – this year we will need them to be .700 wrestlers."

Another of Hontz's go-to guys will be senior Nick Hale. The 189-pounder qualified for regionals as a sophomore but found himself out of the postseason chase as a junior. Other key contributors include the likes of senior David Cannon (130), sophomore Devyn Kerr (145), senior Dan Wolfrom (215), Dante Steffenino and Dalton Fleming.

As is customary of any Hontz wrestling schedule, the Indians will square off against the best competition around. Tournaments include the King of the Mat Tournament in North Carolina later in the month, and the Battlefield Duals in Virginia in early January.

In looking at the PAC-10, the Indians will open the league at home against Methacton Jan. 6, travel to defending champion Boyertown on Jan. 20 and close out at home against Spring-Ford Feb. 10.

After wrestle-offs this past Tuesday night, the season will officially get under way this weekend. The Tribe will take the short drive up 663 Saturday to take part in the Quakertown Duals against Central Bucks West, Palmerton and the defending District 1 AAA North champion and host Panthers.

"Boyertown should be the favorite team in the league, but I will be shocked if we are not competitive and battle," Hontz said. "After Boyertown, there should be a furious battle of everyone else, but you never know how things will fall."

http://www.upvnews.com/sports/some-experience-mostly-youth-to-lead-tribe-wrestling-in-2009-10.html

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