CURWENSVILLE – After an inaugural 4-12 season, Curwensville Area High School head wrestling coach Dean Swatsworth looks for a much improved Golden Tide mat team in his second year.
With 13 letter winners returning, things are looking up for the Golden Tide squad and Swatsworth talked about that, saying, “This year we have a nice blend of kids. We have a bunch (nine) of seniors, that I am looking forward to seeing lead our team this year. But we also have a bunch of underclassmen that I am hoping will step up this season and fill the spots where we need them.”
Of the returning lettermen, two seniors advanced past Districts last season.
Shae Bloom won a District 9 Title, was a regional runner-up and finished fifth in the PIAA State Championships.
Also, Ben Junod qualified for the regional tournament.
Coach Swatsworth then spoke about goals for this year’s Tide squad, commenting, “We have big goals already as a team and we are excited to get the season going. I know we also have individuals with some big goals too. We are working hard so far in the room and are getting ready for our first match up, which is the Mountaineer Tournament.”
The Golden Tide, as Swatsworth mentioned, opens its season at the Mountaineer Tournament at Philipsburg-Oscecola High School this Saturday.
ROSTER: Includes certified weights and (*) denoting letterwinner:
SENIORS: *Shae Bloom 145-152, *Logan Charles 132-138, *Jeremy Gardner 126-132, Jeff Harvey 170, *Ben Junod 170-182, *Hunter Lancaster 195, *James Lee 285, Jordan Peters 138-145 *Seth Woolcock 113-126
JUNIORS: *Tristen Bressler 160-170, *Ethan Collins 126-132, *Eli Jacobs 152-170, *Mason Lancaster 145-152, *Kaleb Witherite 182
SOPHOMORES: Paige Bryan 120, Alan Collins 132, Nick Hecie 138, Noah Holt 126-132, Steven McClure 220, Dylan Meyers 126-132, *Anthony Winebold 113-126
FRESHMEN: Blake Passarelli 106-113
SCHEDULE, with varsity matches to begin at approximately 7 pm unless noted, or immediately following junior high meets that will start at 6 pm.
DECEMBER: 5 at Mountaineer Tournament at Philipsburg-Osceola, 17 RIDGWAY, 19 at Redbank Valley Tournament, 22 WEST BRANCH
JANUARY: 5 PUNXSUTAWNEY, 7 REDBANK VALLEY, 12 at Clarion, 22 at Glendale, 23 at Clearfield Duals,
26 at Brookville, 28 at Moshannon Valley, 29-30 at Fred Bell Tournament at Grove City,
FEBRUARY: 4 at Cameron County, 9 at Johnsonburg, 11 at Brockway, 19-20 District IX Tournament at Clearfield High School, 26-27 Regional Tournament at Sharon High School
MARCH: 3-5 PIAA State Wrestling Championships at Hershey