Jr. high wrestling

Change is in the air as they say.

After spending the past several decades as county rivals, the Youngsville Eagles and the Eisenhower Knights will compete as one this wrestling season.

This goes for the junior high wrestling programs as well.

The team will be led by former Youngsville junior high coach Tim Suydan who guided the junior high Eagles the past three seasons. He’ll be joined by volunteer assistants Mike Sullivan, Collin Clough, Dustin Wilcox, Greg Barnett and Logan McDonald.

The new-look Eisenhower junior high team will feature a healthy mixture of both Eisenhower and Youngsville student-athletes who each bring some experience to the new-look squad.

“We return some key leaders from last year. There’s also a good chunk of kids who are returning youth state qualifiers as well,” said Suydan.

As for expectations for this year’s team, Suydan said, “they are the same as ever: go out and compete.”

He added: “I don’t care if the person standing across from you is ten feet tall and built like King Kong, you go out and compete to the best of your abilities.”

How the team melds together remains to be seen, but the Knights will have plenty of opportunities to build chemistry and cohesion as the season progresses.

“Our schedule is set up to allow for great competition from outside of the area while also helping our less experienced kids to get mat time. Overall, it’s a bit of a mixture events-wise. It consists of events we attended when I was coaching at Youngsville and events Eisenhower has traditionally attended.”

This year’s team returns seven wrestlers. The returning wrestlers are: Johnathan Sullivan, Owen Ash, Brantley Coleson, Eric Woodin, Gabe Walters, Braydan Taylor and Logan Beedle.

“Johnathan really grew into his potential last year,” Suydan said. “He made the state finals and then took the opportunity to wrestle for Team PA this offseason at the 14U National Duals. Owen is a kid I’ve admired from afar the past couple of years. He just gets after it. Braydan and Eric flashed some of their potential last season. I’m looking for them to keep putting in the work to take that next step this year. I didn’t get to watch Logan and Gabe much last year, but I’m eager to work with them. Brantley put in a good amount of work this offseason after finding some success last season.”

The Knights will add three talented seventh-graders this year with former youth state qualifiers Hunter Vanderhoof, Evan Huck and Ronnie Shellhouse joining the team.

“Hunter, Evan, and Ronnie all have untapped potential. They’ve proven they’re good enough to make the state tournament. Now it’s time for us to build on their foundations.”

In addition to the returning wrestlers and the incoming seventh-graders mentioned is a newcomer who is eager to make their mark. That newcomer is Leeland Brown.

“Leeland is an athletic farm boy who comes from a multi-sport background,” Suydan said. “He kind of reminds me of a Dean Morningstar or a Mike Bosko, a farm-strong kid who could develop into a really well-rounded athlete; the kind of kid the Youngsville and Eisenhower communities are known for producing.”

The Knights opened their season last night with a home dual against Union City. The rest of their schedule is as follows:

12/10: @ Titusville

12/13: @ Laurel Duals (Laurel HS)

12/16: vs Conneaut

12/18: vs Cranberry

12/20: @ Bison Brawl (Fort LeBoeuf HS)

1/4: @ Battle on the Bay Open (Bayfront Convention Center)

1/10: @ Port Allegany Junior High Tournament

1/14: @ Corry

1/17: @ Ed Margie Memorial Tournament (Union City HS)

1/21: vs Warren

1/24: @ Corry JV/JH Tournament

1/28: @ St. Mary’s

1/31: @ Tim Edwards Tournament (Corry HS)

2/7: @ Law of the Paw Open (Sheffield EMS)

2/14: Youth Areas (Maplewood HS)

2/15: Junior High Areas (Maplewood HS)

2/27-3/1: Junior High States (Cambria County War Memorial Arena)

3/28-29: PJW Youth States (Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex)

Trap leagues

CELORON, N.Y. — The Penn York Winter Trap League met Sunday at the Celoron Rod & Gun Club with 59 shooters present.

There was not a perfect score shot. The High Sub Junior Male was Hunter Kestler with 45, the High Sub Junior Female was Alainah Ginkel with 39, the High Junior Male was Dominic Pangborn with 44, the High Ladies were Debbie Lineman and Lydia Covert with 46, the High Vet was Kirk Decker with 49, the High Senior Vets were Randy Becker and Guy Anderson with 47 and the High Super Senior Vet was Spear Proukou with 44

Following are the team scores:

326 pts. Celoron: Jeff Gens 49, Randy Becker 47, Guy Anderson 47, Tim Young 46, Kevin Nicklas 46, Matt DeLong 46, Paul Prentice 45

323 pts. Busti: Kirk Decker 49, Jim Kestler Jr. 48, Debbie Lineman 46, Lydia Covert 46, Hunter Kestler 45, James Pangborn 45, Billy Kestler 44

309 pts. Sugar Grove: CJ Jones 49, Chad Johnson 47, Jim Nowacki 45, Spear Proukou 44, Gary Casler 43, Scott Currie 41, John Foster 40

308 pts. Pine Grove: Brian Wingerter 47, Dutch Davies 46, Rick Woodcock 45, Shawn Garris 44, KC Johnson 42, Dean Spiridon 42, Cindy Cable 42

Adult bowling

YOUNGSVILLE — Gary VanGuilder rolled a 203-579 to pace the Daybreakeers League at Valley Bowling Center.

Other scores were Deb Notoro 179-485, Alverna Hellyer 169-471 and Cindy Reasbeck 172-469.

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YOUNGSVILLE — Michelle Enos paced the Tuesday Night Ladies League at Valley Bowling Center with a 226-572.

Other scores were Bev Fox 195-497, Amy Lyon 188-484, Melissa Rich 187-479 and Laura Ahl 178-477.

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Casey Wiedmaier’s 185-525 paced the Silver Sliders League at Valley Bowling Center.

Other scores were John Foster 200-519, Linda Ross 172-414 and Melody Traub 130-337.