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By JOE PETRUCCI jpetrucci@leader.net
Wednesday, March 05, 2003 Page: 1B
Welcome, Matt Dragon, we’ve been waiting for you.
While no one from the PIAA will roll out a flattering welcome mat for the
Lake-Lehman sophomore, it feels as if Dragon was meant to be wrestling at the
PIAA Wrestling Championships at Hershey.
Dragon is without question the most promising young wrestler from the
Wyoming Valley Conference and appears to have the best chance at a high medal
in Class 2A competition at this week’s tournament – the first at the new Giant
Center, just a few thousand feet down Hersheypark Drive from Hersheypark
Arena, where the tournament was held the previous 24 years.
Is the undefeated Dragon nervous about his first appearance in
Chocolatetown?
“I wrestled all summer and at Fargo, N.D. (at the national greco
roman/freestyle tournament) there were 26 mats and a lot of people there,”
said Dragon (39-0). “I think I’m going to be nervous, but at least I’ll be
used to it.”
Dragon won by technical fall over his preliminary round opponent, Juniata
junior Greg Jensen (49-5), the Southeast Region fifth-place finisher, at the
Brookville Duals in January. Dragon thinks he’ll be just fine if he continues
to wrestle in the manner that has produced two victories over top-five-ranked
wrestlers – Blue Mountain’s Chris Renninger and Bloomsburg’s Zach Schnee.
“I’m looking to place at states. I want to wrestle like I have all year,”
Dragon said.
Here’s a look at the other seven WVC wrestlers competing in 2A at states:
103 – Wally Geiger (31-3), sr., Meyers
The District 2 and Northeast Regional champ will make his second appearance
at states. Last year, Geiger lost his first two bouts. This weekend, he’s in a
favorable position – on top of the 103-pound bracket – and could get to the
semis. His first bout is against Avella’s Jeff Kusich (31-10), the fifth-place
finisher in the Southwest Region. Geiger is the lone senior in his bracket,
which could work in his favor.
125 – Andy Josuweit (21-4), so., Lake-Lehman
The unofficial WVC rookie of the year, Josuweit, the district champ and
Northeast runner-up, has a most intriguing preliminary-round bout against
Juniata senior Tyler Gilson (42-7), the bronze medalist from the Southeast.
Josuweit defeated Gilson, who took sixth at states a year ago, at the
Brookville Duals in January. If Josuweit can get past Gilson again, he has a
good chance of getting to the semifinals and assuring himself of a medal.
152 – Joe Rovelli (23-1), jr., Meyers
Rovelli has done the next-to-impossible since suddenly dropping about 12
pounds to get to 152 three weeks ago – he beat Lackawanna Trail’s Keith Gavin,
a fellow seventh-place finisher at states last year, in the D2 and Northeast
finals in successive weeks. Rovelli, making his third appearance at states,
should have no trouble getting to the semifinals and placing again. How high
depends on how he handles unfamiliar competition.
160 – Carlo Mercadante (32-0), sr., Meyers
Visibly beaten up after victorious brawls against Lehman’s Willie Weber in
the D2 and Northeast finals, Mercadante appears to be wrestling better than
ever. The three-time district champ is also happier than ever after advancing
to states for the first time in his career.
“I can’t stop smiling. I’m in such a good mood,” said Mercadante, whose
only appearance in Hershey came two years ago when the Mohawks advanced to the
quarterfinals of the PIAA Team Wrestling Championships.
Mercadante doesn’t appear to be intimidated by the often overwhelming
atmosphere of the state meet. He said he feels like he can hang with anyone.
“I like a big crowd,” said Mercadante. “I maybe even wrestle better.”
160 – Willie Weber (33-5), sr., Lake-Lehman
Weber advanced to states for the second consecutive year. Although he’s
lost some tough bouts against the cream of the local crop, Weber is always
dangerous because of his strength and quickness. However, West Branch’s Jared
Ricotta (33-0), the top-ranked 160-pounder in the state, and sixth-ranked
Chris Hogue are on Weber’s side of the bracket. Weber would likely get Hogue
in the quarters.
189 – Jason Mitkowski (33-1), sr., Nanticoke Area
It’s hard to project Mitkowski’s fortunes for this weekend because,
although he’s a ferociously strong wrestler who cruised to district and
regional titles, he hasn’t wrestled the past three years and will be competing
against opponents who have been on the mat consistently. However, Mitkowski
continues to surprise and he’s on the easier half of the bracket. The top
three ranked 189-pounders in the state – Saegertown senior Jason Mancross
(34-0), Southmoreland junior Shane Datz (34-1) and Wilson senior David Iobst
(33-5) – are on the other half. Amazingly, Mitkowski is not even ranked among
the top 20 189-pounders in the state.
189 – Ted Yelland (31-7), jr., GAR
For the same reason Mitkowski has a good chance, Yelland’s chances aren’t
as good – he opens with Datz, the Southwest runner-up. But Yelland is just
happy to be at states after losing to Mitkowski in the district final and
avenging a loss earlier in the regional tournament against Line Mountain’s
Kenny Wert in the third-place final.
“I’ve been working on bottom and on my shots a little bit,” said Yelland.
In his first trip to states, Yelland will likely use the experience from
this year for a run at a medal next year. However, he is very well-conditioned
and if a bout goes six minutes, he’ll have a chance.
PIAA Wrestling Championships
Schedule of events
Today
7:30-8:30 a.m. – 2A Weigh-ins and skin condition check
9 a.m. – 2A preliminaries
12:30 p.m. – 2A first-round consolations
2:30-3:30 p.m. – 3A weigh-ins and skin condition check
4 p.m. – 3A preliminaries
7:30 p.m. – 3A first-round consolations
Tomorrow
8-8:45 a.m. – 2A weigh-ins
9 a.m. – 2A quarterfinals
10:30 a.m. – 2A second-round consolations
12:30-1:15 p.m. – 3A weigh-ins
1:30 p.m. – 3A quarterfinals
3 p.m. – 3A second-round consolations
7 p.m. – 2A semifinals, third-round consolations
8:30 p.m. – 2A fourth-round consolations
Saturday
8-8:45 a.m. – 3A weigh-ins
9 a.m. – 3A semifinals, third-round consolations
10:30 a.m. – 3A fourth-round consolations
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – 2A weigh-ins
12:30 p.m. – Third-, fifth- and seventh-place finals
2 p.m. – PWCA 2A Coach of the Year presentation
2:05 p.m. – PWCA Hall of Fame induction
2:15 p.m. – 2A Parade of Champions
2:30 p.m. – 2A finals
6 p.m. – Third-, fifth- and seventh-place finals
7:30 p.m. – PWCA 3A Coach of the Year presentation
7:35 p.m. – PWCA Hall of Fame induction
7:45 p.m. – 3A Parade of Champions
8 p.m. – 3A finals