Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 71

E-7 Numbers up, but wrestling coaches concerned PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1995 Wrestlers on the rise The following table shows the average number of wrestlers competing on WPIAL high school varsity and junior varsity teams this season (divided by section) as well as at the junior high and elementary or midget club levels. The final column shows the figure for varsity teams for the 1 993-94 season. Class AAA Varsity JV Jr. High Midget 1993-94 Section 1 1B.2 4.8 30.9 75.0 18.3 Section 2 19.6 8.0 28.Q 46.8 19.0 Section 3 19.0 6.2 26.5 48.3 16.7' Section4 21.7 7.5 31.5 40.5 19.6 Sections 21.2 8.3 33.0 61.4 20.0 Cldss AA Varsity JV Jr. High Midget 1993-94 Section 1 16.3 4.0 19.5 25.0 14.1 Section 2 16.5 4.6, 19.6 49.0 16.5 Section 3 15.6 3.0 16.9 42.0 WPIAL Class AAA 19.9 7.0 30.0 54.4 18.7 Class AA 16.2 3.9 18.7' 38.7 15.4 Overall 18.5 5.8 25.8 48.5 17.5 By Ken Wunderley Tri-State Sports News Service Is scholastic wrestling experiencing a resurgence in popularity? A survey of the WPIAL's 82 wrestling teams shows that the number or participants have increased since last season, but area coaches are still concerned with the overall future of the sport.

Thirty-nine teams' have more wrestlers competing in their varsi-tyiunior varsity programs than they did last year, and only 24 showed a decline. The number of participants remained the same on the other 19 teams. "It's nice to see that the overall numbers are up, but we can't get too excited about it," said Seneca Valley Coach Ken Lockey, who is president of the WPIAL Coaches Association. "The number of participants has decreased significantly over the last 10 years, so we would need a huge increase over the next few years to offset those losses." Southwestern Pennsylvania is not the only area in the country that has seen an increase in. participation.

A survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations reports that wrestling is the sixth most popular boys' sport nationwide and that participation has increased by more than 11,000 individuals (from 222,025 to 233,433) from last year. That was preceded by a loss of more than 7,000 (229,908) from 1992. Seneca Valley is one of the 22 WPIAL teams that experienced a decrease. The current Raiders squad has 17 wrestlers, a decrease of six from last year. "The biggest problem is that kids are more specialized now," said Lockey.

"Many kids are concentrat- (11), Bethel Park (12), Greensburg Central Catholic (12), Chartiers-Houston (12) and Brownsville (12). "The numbers may be up, but you have to factor in the increased use of freshmen," said Greensburg Salem Coach Bill Alexander. "We had to bring up three freshmen to fill holes in our lower weight classes," Gateway Coach Dick Bane said all freshmen should be a part of the varsityjunior varsity program. "Junior high teams should consist of seventh and eighth graders," said Bane. "Most districts have their freshmen at the high school for classes.

Why should we send them back down to the junior high to wrestle? "There's no reason to have a kid wrestle at the junior high level for a ihird year. Moving them to up to the high school would allow them to wrestle JV." The overall lack of numbers can be seen even more by examining the number of wrestlers who are available for junior varsity matches. "Kids don't want to be a JV," said Peters Township Coach Phil Mary. "Many are not willing to stick it out if they can't be a starter." Only 16 of the 82 teams have 10 or more individuals who are available to wrestler on the junior varsity. Thirty-six have fewer than five.

''We have five kids who wrestle JVs," said Shaler Coach Rick La-Ferrierre. "But you have to remember that just because the other team has five JVs, it doesn't mean you'll have five JV bouts. You have to match them up in the same weight classes and that doesn't happen as much as we'd like it to." All coaches agree that the key to building a competitive program is to erect a successful feeder program. Most teams field a junior high team and a midget or elementary program. "Our.

feeder programs have played a big part in this program's C-; success over the years," said Carr on-McMillan Coach Tim Mousetis. "We have two junior high teams that currently have 45 kids and a midget program that has A feeder program can be very beneficial, but can also be a hindrance if not run properly. "A midget program can be a big help, but it's tough finding an experienced coach who knows how to work with kids that young," said Bane, "It can be a double-edged sword if it isn't run properly." Gateway is one of nine teams that does not currently have a midget or elementary program. The others are: Central Catholic, Ellwood City, Greensburg Central Catholic, Se-wickley Academy, Shady Side Acad; emy, Steel Valley and Uniontown; Quigley has had the biggest in-crease with it's jump from five to but that was mainly due to the co-op between Ambridge and "The co-op was the only way to- keep both programs going," said 5 Driscoll. "All but three of our wres- tiers are from Ambridge, but we have a few who chose not to wrestle' under the name Quigley." Six schools have dropped theif'-V wrestling programs in the past- -years South Allegheny, Carlyn'rXV ton, Avonworth, Canevin, Seton-Lfl'j Salle, and Avonworth and "six i others have been involved in ers.

Meanwhile, four schools Lam'-' rel, Montour, Sewickley Academy and Shady Side Academy have" joined the WPIAL during the same period. Ken Wunderley BOYS' BASKETBALL As usual, Indians at top 1 of section PENN HILLS FROM PAGE E-6 Twosome lifting Franklin Regional into contention SCHOLASTIC HIGHLIGHTS Perm Mills girl nets 1,000 points (East scholastic highlights for the week Jan. 5-11.) Catherine Jacob, a senior guard on the Penn Hills girls' basketball team, went over 1,000 points for her career last Thursday during a 53-41 WPIAL Class AAAA Section 4 win over Fox Chapel. On Saturday, Jacob scored 13 points again but the Indians lost to Altoona, 42-39 in overtime, in a non-section contest. On Tuesday, she had 14 points in a 71-44 WPIAL Class AAAA Section 4 win over Woodland Hills.

Jacob's career point total stands at 1,032 points. She is the sixth player in Bill Lind's nine years as coach to top 1,000 points. Said Lind, "Catherine's still getting over an ankle injury but she's playing better than she ever has: I'm happy to see her do this." Central Catholic Senior forward Justin Walther went over 1,000 points for his career this past week. Walther turned the trick last Friday when he scored 27 points in a 63-53 WPIAL Section 4 loss to Woodland Hills. His final basket with five seconds to play gave him 1,001 points.

He also had nine rebounds and connected on four 3-pointers against Woodland Hills. On Tuesday, Walther scored 19 points in an 86-60 non-section loss to New Castle. His career total stands at 1,020 points. Greensburg CC The Greensburg Central Catholic hockey team had little trouble scoring goals this past week. Last Thursday, the Centurions belted Serra in a West Penn League Class A contest, 20-0.

Phil Rock and Ben Komlos each scored four goals. On Monday, Greensburg CC whipped Jeannette in a league contest, 17-1. Chris Houp led the way with four goals and two assists In girls' basketball, Greensburg CC upset Ellwood City in a non-section game on Saturday, 47-44. Ellwood City, ranked No. 2 in WPIAL Class AAA by the Post-Gazette, entered the game with a 13-0 record.

Becky Berrett had a game-high 14 points for the Centurions. Hempfield Angelo Poulich had five goals this past week as the Hempfield hockey team gained a win and a tie. The Spartans whipped Norwin, 8-1, in a West Penn League Class AAA contest last Thursday. They tied Baldwin, 3-3, in a Class AAA inter- league matchup on Monday. Jeannette Senior forward Chas Wolfe had five 3-point field goals and a game-' 27 points last Tuesday as Jeannette topped Southmoreland, 82-57, in a WPIAL Class AAA Section 3 boys' basketball game.

McKeesport Freshman sensation Swin Cash delivered 29 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocked shots as McKeesport dropped Ringgold. 52-44, in a WPIAL Class AAAA Section 2 girls' basketball game last Thursday In wrestling, Chip Olinsky (11-1) won the 125-pound championship at the Valley Wrestling Tournament on Saturday. Norwin Senior forward Andrea Prusko had a huge game Monday night, scoring a g3me-high 32 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, as Norwin dropped Greensburg Salem, 68-48, in a WPIAL Class AAAA Section 1 girls' basketball game. Prusko pushed her rebounding total to 294, breaking Ihe former single-season record of 282 set by Roz Bernd in 1990. Penn Hills Senior Eric Roberson had a hot shooting touch Friday, connecting on 8 of 10 shots from the floor and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to fin ish with 21 points, as Penn Hills dropped Fox Chapel, 73-72, in a WPIAL Class AAAA Section 4 contest.

Penn Hills hasn't lost to Fox Chapel since the 1988-89 season. Serra Sophomore forward Meredith Konscol was on target last Thursday, connecting on 11 of 12 shots from the floor and scoring 25 points to help Serra drop Brentwood, 64-46, in an important WPIAL Class AA-A Section 6 girls' basketball contest. Konscol scored 12 of her points in the fourth quarter and also grabbed 10 rebounds in the oamo fin MnnHav Sierra rinnprf Compiled by ing on one sport year-round and that's not good. "Football weightlifting programs have killed wrestling. Kids used to drift into another sport when the football season ended, now they lift weights during the off-season.

I haven't had a legitimate heavyweight since 1987. Of the 54 teams in Class AAA, 25 have fewer than 20 wrestlers on their varsityjunior varsity team. In Class AA, only four of the 28 teams have 20 or more wrestlers. Kiski Area has the most with 38, and along with Connellsville (32), Belle Vernon (30) and Laurel Highlands (30) are the only teams with 30 or more. Sixteen squads consist of fewer him become one of the top players in Section 4-AAAA.

"Aaron wears a size 17 shoe," he said. "He's still growing into his body, but he's deceptively strong. Aaron is a gifted player." Lovelace sees plenty of room for improvement: "I think I could take my game higher than it is now. I need to improve my ball-handling and outside shooting." Greenleaf said Corrado has made steady improvement during his four seasons in Franklin Regional's program, turning himself from an average player into an able scorer. "He was a good player as a freshman, but he never stepped it up because we had other players," Greenleaf said.

"If you look at Dave, there's nothing special about him, but he works very hard. He's a regular guy who has turned himself into a very good player." Said Corrado: "I had a feeling I would do good this year, but this has exceeded what I thought I would do. I worked a good deal over the summer. We Tost all five starters from last year. I had a feeling that I had a shot at having an impact on the teaml." Both players have helped turn Franklin Regional into a WPIAL playoff contender.

The Panthers are currently in fourth place in Section 4-AAAA with a 3-3 record. They trail Woodland Hills, Central Catholic and Penn Hills, who are tied for first place at 4-1. The Panther's' three losses came to those three teams, but Greenleaf believes there's not much that separates Franklin Regional from the three teams. "The thing about our three losses is, we were in every game," said Greenleaf, whose squad lost two games by seven points and one by 10. "We didn't get the job done when we had to.

We have young kids who haven't played in close games. "We're very much in the playoff chase. Our section is deep and balanced, so other teams will beat other teams. We're going to have to get a whole lot more consistent. "We could be a good team, but we have to step up mentally.

We're still at a point where when we get in a tight game with good team, we're just happy to be there, instead of stepping up and taking it to them. We have to get over the hump." If Franklin Regional is to do that, it will need Corrado and Lovelace to keep playing well. than 15, including eight that have fewer than 13, which is the number of wrestlers a team must have to field a full lineup. The smallest squad Aliquippa can't even fill half of the weight, classes, its numbers having dropped to five. The Quips have postponed the remainder of their dual meets and are only competing in tournaments.

"The program has not been discontinued," said Aliquippa Coach Fran Conkle. "We still have 150 kids involved in our junior high and elementary programs, so the interest is still there." The other teams with fewer than 13 wrestlers are: South Park (10), Thomas Jefferson (10), Elderton TALK OF THE scorer Allderdice graduate Erin McQuillan, a senior forward on the Division ill Allegheny College women's basketball team, became the ninth player in Lady Gator history to score 1 ,000 points in a career during a 56-41 win over Earlham last Saturday. McQuillan scored 27 points in the contest to give her 1 ,007. For the season, the Allegheny co-captain is second on the team in scoring at 14.6 points a game. She is also averaging 6.3 rebounds a game.

College basketball news Penn Hills grad Jenine Joyce, a senior guardforward on the Pitt women's basketball team, was averaging a team-high 16.8 points along with 6.8 rebounds a game through the Panthers' first 1 2 games. Joyce had a career-high 17 rebounds in an 83-65 win over St. John's on Jan. 4. Pitt took a 9-3 record into last night's game at Big East foe Seton Hall Penn Hills graduate Jeremy Golden, a 6-6, 235-pound senior forward on the Division II California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team, was averaging 11.1 points and a team-high 7.54 rebounds a game for the Vulcans after 1 3 games.

He was shooting 58.5 percent (62 of 106) from the floor. Cal took a 10-3 record into last night's game at Slippery Rock Woodland Hills graduate Kelvin Brooks, a 6-6, 195-pound freshman center on the Division II Slippery Rock University men's basketball team, was leading the Rockets in blocked shots after 10 games with 18. He was averaging 6.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 20.7 minutes a game for SRU, which took a 3-7 mark into last night's game with California Franklin Regional graduate Barry Nelson, a freshman forward on the Division III Allegheny College men's basketball team, started the first three games of his college career last week and produced 33 points and 26 rebounds, but the Gators lost all three. He had a season-, best 13 points in a 63-58 loss to Wittenberg last Friday and then tallied 12 points and a season-high 10 rebounds in a 74-64 loss to Earlham on Saturday. For the season, Nelson is averaging 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds a game for the Gators (3-9) Woodland Hills graduate Michael Keyes, a 5-1 1 sophomore guard on the Division I Towson State men's basketball team, is averaging 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and a team-high 3.3 assists a game.

Keyes has started four of 10 games for the Tigers (5-5) and is averaging 24.1 minutes of playing time a game Penn-Trafford graduate Joe Bigler, a 5-10 sophomore guard on the Division III John Carroll University men's basket' ball team, was 3 for 5 from 3-point range and had a team-high 13 points in the Blue Streaks' 66-53 win over Marietta on Saturday. For the season, Bigler leads John Carroll in free-throw percentage at 88 percent (29 of 33). He is averaging 8.8 points a game. JCU took a 9-4 record into last night's game at Heidelberg Penn-Trafford graduate Peca Arsic, a 6-8 sophomore forward on the Division I University of Delaware men's basketball team, had a team-high 18 points to go along with nine rebounds Tuesday nightto lead the Blue Hens to a 70-52 win over Hofstra. Arsic, who does not start for Delaware (6-5), leads the squad in scoring at 15.6 points a game.

He is also averaging 6.1 rebounds and 23 minutes of playing time a game. College wrestling Hempfield grad Jim Brasco, a 177-pound senior, owns an 8-3 record for the Duquesne University wrestling team. The Dukes are 0-4-1 in dual-meet matches Woodland Hills graduate Tony Dietrich, a freshman 1 34-pound-er on the Division III Washington Jefferson College wrestling team, was named Tuesday as the Presidents' Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week. Dietrich owns a 6-0 record in dual-meet competition. owns a 5-1 dual-meet record The Division I Lehigh University wrestling team is off to a 6-0 start, its best start since the '1 966-67 season.

Plum High graduates Steve Cassldy, Bill Closson and Brian Clpollone have certainly contributed to the success. Cassidy, a senior 150-pounder, owns an 11-2 record. Cipol-lone, a senior 158-pounder, is 18-4, while Closson, a sophomore heavyweight, is 14-3 with seven pins. Baseball, Softball clinic The annual Pennsylvania Baseball 'and Softball Coaches' Clinic will be held this Friday and Saturday at the Radis- By David Garth Post-Gazette Sports Writer Coaches often claim that it takes time to build a winning team, that winning doesn't happen overnight. Rob Greenleaf has' proven that theory wrong.

It hasn't taken Green-leaf very long to make a winner out of the Franklin Regional High School boys' basketball team. Greenleaf, in his first season as the Panthers' head coach, has led Franklin Regional to an 11-3 record, a pace that should easily surpass last season's 13-11 mark. But Greenleaf, Franklin Region-al's former junior varsity coach, has had some help during his debut as a head coach. It has come in the form of Panthers' forward Aaron Lovelace and guard Dave Corrado, who have provided the scoring and leadership for the Panthers this season. The tandem provide 43 percent of Franklin Regional's offense.

Corrado and Lovelace each scored 15 points on Tuesday during Franklin's 68-62 victory over Fox Chapel. Lovelace, a versatile 6-foot-3 sophomore, leads the team in scoring with an 18.4 points per game average. Corrado, a 5-foot-ll senior with a flair for 3-point shooting, is second with a 16.6 ppg scoring average. Neither player was a starter for Franklin Regional last season. Lovelace was the Panthers' sixth man, while Corrado spent most of his team on Franklin Regional's bench.

Much like Franklin Regional's stellar midseason record, both players have been pleasant surprises for Greenleaf. "Lovelace is a very good player for his age," said Greenleaf, who replaced former Franklin Regional Coach Dom Berardinelli. "Usually when you had a kid his size, he's growing into his body, but Aaron has good coordination. He's good with His back to the basket or facing forward. He can do a lot of things.

"Corrado has qualities that set him apart. He has a calming factor when he's on the court. He's able to settle the team down. He's very smart. He not only understands what he should do, but what everyone should do.

He has very good range. He can hit Shots well beyond the 3-point line." Greenleaf believes that Lovelace's body and skills might help TOWNEAST Erin McQuillan Michael Keyes Peca Arsic son Hotel in Monroeville. Among the speakers are: Butler native and current Yale baseball coach John Stuper; Mt. Lebanon High baseball coach Ed Mc-Closkey; Central grad and current minor league coach Mike Berger. Many other college coaches will also be there.

Cost is $55 at the door, $45 by pre-registering and $25 for students. For information, call 372-7861 AAU hoop clinic The Pittsburgh Summer Basketball League in cooperation with the Western Pennsylvania Association of the AAU will conduct a series of AAU boys' and girls' basketball clinics at Reizenstein Middle School, starting on Sunday, Feb. 12 and operation for four weeks. The times for the clinic are as follows: 10-and-under boys and 10-and-under girls (8-9 a.m.); 12-and-under girls a.m.); 14-and-under girls (10:30 a.m. to noon); 18-and-under girls p.m.); 13-and-under boys p.m.); 17-and-under boys p.m.).

All players must be pre-registered to participate. For further information, call Carl Kohlman at 361-4901 after 1 1 a.m. mv jiff j8 v. Li Grandiose expectations are noth-" ing new for Lind and the Penn Hills 8irls' Lind, 47, is in his ninth season as.i -1 head coach. He took over the program in 1985-86, took off 1992-93 season for sons and returned last year.

During his tenure, Lind shaped Penn Hills into the mosr -successful Class AAAA teani' in' WPIAL history. Only Class -power North Catholic has won more games in that period. 7.T'll Lind's accomplishments Posting a 228-29 overall an .887 winning percentage, eight seasons. Reaching the WPIAL onship game every year he has coached. Penn Hills won an unprec: edented seven consecutive WPIAL Class AAAA titles from Last year's team finished as WPIAL runner-up to Upper Clair; Reaching the PIAA semifinals" every year he has coached.

The'v -team also went to the PIAA final in!" -5A Hershey three years in a row be-v tween 1990-92. The 1989-90 team won the state title. Compiling a 105-3 record against section opponents. Lincfs' team won section titles in seven of his previous eight years as coach; Producing more than a dozen players who earned full or partial college basketball scholarships: Those who've gone on to play at Division I programs include line and Cathleen Shantz (Buck- nell), Kris Josefoski (American), Connie Hurt (Pitt), Jenine Joyce (Pitt), Erin Maloy (Pitt), Colleen Joyce (St. Francis), Dayna Smith (Rhode Island) and Kim Calhoun (Penn State).

"I've been blessed," said Lind. "I've not only had good I've some very intelligent onces, too. I've very proud of the program. However, you're never totally fied because there were 33 times figured out a way to lose." Lind said opponents such as Up-. per St.

Clair, North Catholic and 1 Altoona have led to new friendships: -over the years. "I don't have a grudge any of them because they've beaten us. If anything, the coaches and't have a 'mutual respect club' witl; each other." His adversaries agree. Said North Catholic Coach Don Barth, "Penn Hills has one of the best programs around and Bill is good coach. However, it's nice to-.

beat them. If you do, you've accom-i plished something." Agreed Upper St. Clair Coach Ernie Koontz, "In the nine years I've been coaching, Penn Hills is one of the best. They're always around at the finish line." Altoona's Art Taneyhill said he won't be surprised if his team encounters Penn Hills in the PIAA playoffs later this season. "It's almost a foregone sion we'll probably meet again, Penn Hills is tough.

along the way, we'll get to meet them once again. I'm sure they'd like that, too," said Taneyhill. EAST BASKETBALL STAT LEADERS Reggie Cox, Central Cath 13 Josh Salsi, Norwin 5 GIRLS Nam, School Gms Andrea Prusko, Norwin 1 5 Allison Sims, Yough 11 Korie Morton, Woodland Hills 13 Jaimee Sweney, Derry 1 1 Colleen Fallon, Serra 12 Jill Cupples, Hempfield 12 Keli Caldwell, McKeesport 13 Swin Cash, McKeesport 13 April Padezan, E. 1 1 Kim Vay, Yough 13 B. Berrett, Greensburg CC 1 1 Lvnndee Howell, Penn Hills 13 Raechel Pricener, Serra 12 J.

Greene, Green Salem 10 Geneva Cash, McKeesport 13 Catherine Jacob, Penn 1 1 Jamie Porter, Plum 12 Jamie Shanter, Plum 12 A. Hellman, Penn-Trafford 14 BOYS Name, School Gms Adam Moyer, WPSD 4 Justin Wallhet, Central Cath. 13 Dan Alcorn. Penn-Trafford 13 Josh Geletko. Serra 12 Dan Schall, Deny 12 J.

Ramsey, G. Salem 13 Delino White. East Allegheny. 6 Alvin Maloy, 13 A. Lovelace, Franklin Reg 13 Jeremy Dudczak, 14 Dave Corrado, Franklin Reg.

13 Ryan Sturgess, McKeesport 12 Eric Roberson, Penn Hilis 1 1 Chas Wolfe, Jeannette 13 Bob Boord, McKeesport 12 Ramawn Burke, 13 Todd Markowski, Plum 13 Ben Erdeljac, Rlverview 14 Pat Kearns, Greensburg CC. 13 Doug Phillips, Jeannette 10 Jamie Frischolz, Norwin 13 -I- 181 13.9 66 13.2 PU Avg 357 23.8 243 22.1 254 19.5 209 19.0 216 18.0 212 17.7 224 17.2 213 16.4 172 15.6 198 152 165 15.0 187 14 4 171 14.3 143 14.3 183 14.1 153 13.9 163 13.6 160 13.3 186 133 Pts Avg 111 27 8 338 26.0 320 24 6 278 23.2 273 22,8 275 21.2 124 20.7 265 20.4 243 18.7 243 17.4 218 16.8 201 16 8 183 16.6 213 164 197 16.4 210 162 202 15 5 208 149 184 14.2 142 14.2 182 14.0 Clairton, 78-44, in a section contest. Senior Colleen Fallon had six 3-pointers and 24 points. Senior forward Raechel Pricener added 14 points, 19 rebounds and seven steals. Compiled by Joe Greiner I.