Wrestlers open season with strong tournaments

      The 1999 wrestling season, led by head coach Vic Stanley and assistant coaches Steve Herceg and Rick Ireland, is off to a great start.

      Everyone on the team has a positive outlook for the season. The wrestlers finished their 1998-99 season with a record of 7-3 (9-3 overall). The returning starters include seniors Tom Frazer, Joe Mitskas, Mike O'Neill, Michael Pirozzola, and Dan Stewart.

      "We have a lot of shoes to fill, but I'm confident we'll fill them pretty good. I think we have a real good opener and a real good closer and some real tough kids in between. I see us as a pretty good team from top to bottom," commented Stanley.

      They may have a lot of shoes to fill, but the 'Skins boast a packed squad from top to bottom. Pirozzola earned his first State Championship last year, while sophomore Jonathan Denny placed fourth at the Southeast Regional as a freshman, just missing a trip to states.

      The 'Skins opened their season with a strong showing at the Philipsburg-Osceola tournament two weeks ago. There Pirozzola won the 152-pound championship, along with Jonathan Denny (103), O'Neill (125), and Jack Fleming (189).

      One week later Neshaminy captured the Panther Invitational Wrestling Tournament Championship defeating CB East and Haverford, among others. Denny, Bob Ireland, and Pirozzola each won their championship matches.