Raider wrestlers home Tues
Depleted Raiders find it tough going at dual meet

Above veteran referee Jim Maiuro gets up close as Raider Randy Schatz, already stressed by a back injury, is about to yield to his foe from the state-ranked Wyalusing team in last weekend's Dual meet at Coudersport. In the photo at left, coaches Ryan Bresslin (left) and Scott Baker confer with Schatz who insisted on continuing despite an ailing back. After two bouts, Schatz could not continue.

Cameron County's varsity wrestling team returns from a mid-season break with its first home match in nearly a month Tuesday when the Johnsonburg Rams come to Emporium.

Coach Scott Baker's troops, already depleted by various factors, faced some tough going in their trip to the Coudersport Duals last Saturday and went 2-3 in five matches.

Wins came against Oswayo Valley, 39-15, and Mansfield, 31-28. Cameron County lost its opener to Johnsonburg, 42-32, and fell to powerful Wyalusing, 63-13, and Philipsburg- Osceola 60-12.

Senior Taylor Songer (152) lost by injury default - a broken nose - just seconds into his first match at Coudersport, but showed gritty determination in returning after an emergency room visit to score wins in the final three with a pin, technical fall and decision.

Junior Mike Baker rolled through Coudersport with a 5- 0 sweep of his opponents, including an impressive 2-0 whitewash of Johnsonburg's highly regarded Dylan Nelson at 171.

Another junior, Randy Schatz (140/145), started out with a quick pin against his Johnsonburg foe but suffered a back injury his second time out. He fought through the pain and dropped a 10-4 decision before calling it quits for the day.

Dom Manginell (125), Tyler Bidwell and Hunter Bardo (171/189) each went 3-2. Bryce Frey (140/145) and Matt Bailey were each 2-3.

Matt Burke scored an important 2-0 decision at 285 to pull out the win over Mansfield and finished the day at 2-2.

The Raiders are scheduled to follow Tuesday's match against Johnsonburg with a trip to the Girard Tournament on Saturday.