By Staci Rubin, Staff Writer
The air is very steamy, hot, and sweaty. Grunts can be heard echoing off the walls. The mats are intoxicated with wrestlers. This year, the 'Skins are prepared and psyched for their intense season.
The lineup is full of winners each positively contributing to the team. The Redskins have been training very hard during the off-season and have exploded into their matches.
The team is packed with dedicated wrestlers. Led by an incredible coaching staff, these guys are ready to compete for the Suburban One League Championship this year.
The wrestlers say they have great coaches in Vic Stanley, assistant coaches Mike Ortman, Bryan Decembrino, and Steve Herceg. Since the younger coaches wrestled in high school, they can really show the 'Skins how hard work can pay off.
Entering the season ranked twentieth in all-time victories in Pennsylvania schools, the wrestlers are competitive. Practice goes from 2:45 until 5:00 everyday after school and Saturday mornings as well.
The wrestlers are doing a lot of conditioning and drill moves during practice.
Mike O'Neill, a newcomer from Hampton High School says, "We should have a good season. We have strong wrestlers."
The wrestlers always must be conscious of their weight. They must begin every practice with a weigh-in.
So far this season has brought many tournaments with the wrestlers placing well in all of them. The most challenging match of the season will occur against Council Rock on February 6th. This will prepare the team for championships.
The team is aiming high this season. Starting junior, Mike Roytman, for the 130 weight class reveals, "I want to help the team win and I want to go to states in Hershey."
Led by captains Dan Winter, Neal Oberto, and Jeff Rotunno plus motivating seniors, Tim Maggiania, Pat Mason, Chris Sutton, Chris Tichenor, and Peter Wolk, these guys are ready to take on any team coming their way.
The team participated in a tournament last weekend hosted by the William Tennent Panthers, where the 'Skins placed first by an enormous margin.
Sophomore sensation Jack Fleming pinned his opponent in the final match to win the tournament in his weigh