1999-2000 Season Preview

Wilson enters its 44th year of wrestling since then head coach Al Zarbatany started the program in the fall of 1956.  That team ended their season with a record of 2-3.  A modest beginning, perhaps, but it was the birth of a tradition that has grown and earned respect for Wilson throughout the wrestling community.  Zarbatany went on to coach for 15 more seasons.  With 126 wins on his record, he remains the all-time winningest coach in Wilson wrestling history.  However, this was only the beginning.  In fact, the Warriors cracked the 400 win barrier just last season with their total wins standing at 407 as we are poised ready to start a new campaign.

The 1999-2000 season will not be your average year to be sure.  There are only 12 dual meets on your schedule.  With 11 league meets, we had room for only one independent meet---Nazareth.  But if you like tournaments---you'll love this season!  The Blue and Gold are scheduled to compete in FOUR tournaments before we enter the year 2000.  The season opens with the Warriors hosting their own Wilson Invitational Tournament for the sixth straight year.  Once again this should prove to be a very competitive tourney with the return of two powerful District III teams in Gettysburg and Dallastown...not to mention District I's Council Rock and District XI's Liberty.  The Warriors are looking to improve on their 5th place finish in 1998.

Our next tournament is only a week later with the "tournament bus" travels to southern Lancaster County to attempt to defend the championship we won in last year's inaugural Mule Classic at Solanco High School.  Our margin of victory was by 2 1/2 points and this left a bad taste in the mouths of the District I and District III AAA teams we edged.  This year's field will be much stronger as it expands to 16 teams including: Norristown, Octorara, St. Marks (DE), Governor Mifflin, Downingtown, and host Solanco.  A week later we travel to the University of Delaware to see how we fare on the national level as we compete in the Beast of the East Tournament.  This is considered one of the toughest tournaments in the nation.  Some of the teams competing here include a virtual "who's who" of high school wrestling powers: PA's Bald Eagle Area, Northampton, Parkland, Wyalusing and Shikellamy; NJ's Blair Academy; OH's St. Edwards and Walsh Jesuit; OK's El Reno...and this is to name only a few of the 49 schools entered in this wrestling showcase.  And if that isn't enough, a week and a half later we travel to Bethlehem for perhaps the toughest holiday tournament in the nation---the Bethlehem Wrestling Classic at Liberty.  WHEW!!!

And that doesn't even take into account a league that is no doubt the toughest in years.  Northern Lehigh should be the ones to beat with most of their squad back from last year's team which was ranked one of the state's best.  But Pen Argyl will offer very stiff opposition for everyone as they have almost everyone returning.  Bangor, who beat the Warriors last year brings a veteran squad back as well.

Facing this challenge dressed in blue & gold will be eleven letter winners off last years 10-5 squad.  Graduated are state champion Lucas Wolfe, state medalist Jim Moll and four year starter Dave Gonzalez.  However, this new millennium version of the Warriors is led by state qualifier Soph. Jeremy Hartrum (30-11), 1998 regional champ Jr. Justin Hartrum (12-5), regional qualifiers Soph. Cory Garis (17-9), Jr. Heath Lohrman (23-12), Jr. Ed Johnson (18-16), and Jr. Andrew Marsteller (22-15), district place winner Soph. Bryan Eckhart (23-9), and letter winners Sr. Ryan Iobst (6-14), Jr. Mike Bertolino (6-3), Soph. Nick Krecker (6-9), and Soph. Derrek Whisenant (6-15).

There should also be a number of outstanding newcomers to our team up from the Junior High.  This group is led by Soph. Bob Frey(23-3, Jr. High district champ), Fr. Ed Labatch (23-3, Jr. High district champ), Fr. Eric Donaldson (22-3, Jr. High district 2nd), Fr. David Iobst (15-2, Jr. High district 2nd), and Fr. Tony Curto (22-4, Jr. High district 3rd).

There is a method behind this scheduling madness, however.  Our schedule was designed so that a veteran team will be "battle hardened" and ready to challenge the best once we reach post season competition.  While we must travel a bit, the coaching staff wants each man on our team to know that he has been tested by the best...TRIAL BY FIRE if you will.  The maturity gained from this schedule should be invaluable once we face our post-season competition.  With this objective in mind we train and compete.