Red Raider wrestlers preparing

Coach Scott Baker patiently awaits the return of the football players as he prepares the Cameron County High School wrestling team for the upcoming season. The Red Raiders will open up at Warren on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

"We're young, but I'm still expecting a pretty good year," said the third-year head coach. He has almost all underclassmen among his 17 wrestlers.

Just one grappler, District 9 runner-up Chad Schatz, was lost to graduation from last year's 16-12 team.

"We'll be sending out several very good wrestlers," Baker said. "I don't see anybody dominating us. Several of the Allegheny Mountain League teams are strong. Ultimately, I think we'll do very well."

Weight class assignments are tentative, as each wrestler must earn his mat time.

Junior Mike Baker is coming off a 29-7 season in which he placed fourth in D9 at 160 lbs. He'll probably wrestle at 171 this year.

Dom Manginell, a sophomore, should ably fill the 125 slot. He went 26-9 last season.

Continuing the Raiders' strength in the lighter classes are sophomore Tyler Bidwell at 130 (17-17) and Bryce Frey at 135 (15-17), followed by junior Randy Schatz at 140. Schatz has a record of 49-17 over his first two varsity seasons.

Big things are expected from senior Taylor Songer at 152. He went 30-5 last year and is 74- 25 overall.

Hunter Bardo, a sophomore, was 9-5 last year and is penciled in at 160.

Other returning lettermen are senior Marcus Mullens (189; 5- 5 last season) and senior Matt Burke (215; 10-12).

Baker, who's assisted again this season by Ryan Bresslin, also welcomes back senior Connor McCurley (heavyweight) and sophomore Donovan McCurley (171).

Rounding out the roster are Tanner Johnson (160/171), Kevin Smith (145/152) and sophomore Matt Mellot, with some other additions possible.