Preseason news and notes

Although Friday was the official fist day of the season, most local squads have yet to hit the mats. Before they do, I wanted to share some of the things I've learned in the past week or so.
A quick disclaimer: While I'm trying to include all of the teams in districts 5 and 6, my contacts in the eastern portion of the districts aren't nearly as strong, so most of this info will skew toward the west.

New coaches
A look at some of the new coaches in the area

• Dave Aungst, Claysburg-Kimmel
• Steve Makin, Portage
• Shaun Gregory, Shade

New faces
Some first-time varsity wrestlers that could make an impact this season

• Nolan Link, Penn Cambria - The surname certainly isn't new, but the junior 106-pounder will be making his varsity debut. He was small for 106 last year and opted to simply go to club workouts and not have a spot with the Panthers. He definitely has the genes to be one of the top wrestlers in the area, as all three of his older brothers had very successful careers at Penn Cambria and Pitt-Johnstown. A talented junior at 106 pounds, he could go far this season.
• Jacob Oliver, Huntingdon - Breaking into the Bearcats lineup as a freshman is no easy task, but Oliver, a PJW champion at 147 pounds, has the talent to do it and possibly to make a strong postseason run. Oliver isn't the only freshman that could make some noise for Huntingdon this season. Tyler Scott and Seth Baney also were PJW qualifiers last season and will be on the varsity roster this year.
• Toby Cahill, Berlin Brothersvalley - Like Link, Cahill comes from a talented family. Tanner was a standout at Conemaugh Township and is currently freshman at Bloomsburg while Taylor was a state qualifier for the Indians last season. Toby could end up being the best of the bunch if he can build on his successful junior career. He finished second in PJWs at 212 pounds in March and should be an immediate contributor to a stacked Mountaineers team.
• Nathan Trottier, Ligonier Valley - After losing one very talented wrestler to graduation and another to transfer (see below), the Rams get one advancing through their feeder system. That's not to say that Trottier will find the success that the Patrick brothers did, but after placing second in PJWs last season at 167 pounds, he's primed for a strong run.
• Austin Hemminger, Somerset - After placing fifth in PJWs at 124 pounds last season, the freshman could fit nicely into the Golden Eagles lineup. Jack Hause, a qualifier at 187 pounds, gives Somerset another impressive youngster at the other end of the lineup. 
• Max Murin, Central Cambria - The 106-pounder gives the Red Devils some impressive young lightweights with Ian Ostrowski and Tommy Opdenhoff. Murin was a PJW qualifier last season and could make some noise at the varsity level as a freshman.

New places
This offseason saw more transfers of impact wrestlers in our area than I've ever noticed before. Here's a quick look at some of the bigger ones.

• Justin Patrick, from Ligonier Valley to Kiski Prep - Patrick had an outstanding career for the Rams, going 107-11 with two state medals, including fourth at 113 last season. But with his older brother, Josh, having moved on to Rutgers, Justin opted to go to the same prep school that former United standouts Evan and Robert Henderson chose a few years ago.
• Taylor Cahill/Toby Cahill, from Conemaugh Township to Berlin Brothersvalley - This one gathered more attention (at least in my neck of the woods) than the Patrick transfer, likely for a few reasons. It was contested to District 5, which ruled that the Cahills should be eligible this season. It was from one public school to another. And it might have swung the balance of power, from Chestnut Ridge to Berlin, in District 5. Taylor is 62-23 in two varsity seasons and was one victory short of a PIAA medal last season at 152. Toby is a freshman this season, but should make an impact (see above) after winning at PJW title at 212 pounds.
• Mike Rogers, Penns Valley to Wyoming Seminary - Another public to prep school move, Rogers was 36-5 last year. He was a District 6 runner-up and state qualifier. His move was a huge blow for Penns Valley, which had blossomed into one of the top teams in the district last season.
• Seth McLendon, Penn Cambria to United - McLendon went 29-11 as a sophomore but missed the opening portion of last season with leg injuries. He returned to go 17-7 and finish third in District 6. His move gives the Lions what is, arguably, the best back end of the lineup in the area with Tyler Oliver and Andrew Deitman. It also leaves a big hole for Penn Cambria, which is struggling to fill a lineup this season.
• Austin Lawson, Westmont Hilltop to Shade - This one certainly didn't cause the ripples that the others did, but it's good news for a program that has been sorely in need of some. Lawson was just 2-0 last season, but he impressed in those two matches, recording a pin and a major decision. The sophomore had a full season in Matt Beaujon's wrestling room and he'll immediately become one of the top wrestlers on Shade's small squad.

Missing in action
There are a number of local coaches that will be without wrestlers that they hoped would play key roles this season but likely will not.

• Joe Davis, Cambria Heights - This one is a real shame. Davis, a senior who has been a District 6 runner-up the past two years and was closing in on the 100-win mark, could miss the entire season after breaking his leg in football season. He was 29-9 last season and placed sixth in the Southwest Regional. I've heard that he'll miss the entire season, but also heard there is a chance he could return, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for him.
• Levi Albright, North Star - He had a breakout year as a junior, going 25-10 at 220 pounds, but he opted not to come out for the team this season. It marks the second straight season that a successful 220-pounder chose not to return to the mat for the Cougars. A year earlier, Shane Supanick did the same after a 24-win season as a sophomore. Coach Tim Rosa said that Supanick planned to return for the season, but had to undergo surgery and will not be able to take to the mat as a senior.
• Trevor Thomas, Meyersdale - Another 25-match winner, Thomas opted not to wrestle this season for the Red Raiders. He went 25-15 as a freshman last season at 106 pounds. The news initially appeared to be even worse for coach Chadd Sines, as 23-match winner Brady McKenzie wasn't on his original roster. But the junior, who will be up 25 pounds at 145 this season, ultimately decided to return to the team.
• Nolan Paronish, Northern Cambria - Paronish was just 9-4 last season, but he won 21 matches as a sophomore and 20 as a freshman. I haven't spoken with anyone from Northern Cambria, so I don't know any more about the situation.
• Caleb Kephart, Portage - This is another one that I don't have any insight on. I just know that Kephart, who was 18-14 last season, isn't on the roster for new coach Steve Makin.

Note: Since I don't have full lineups for all teams, I can't be sure which freshman are on varsity rosters. There were a few other PJW placewinners that I found from teams in the eastern part of District 6, but I couldn't confirm if they are on the varsity squad.

Wait, what weight?
Glancing at rosters and projected weights, there were some interesting things. Keep in mind that some coaches are very cagey about what weights they will release to me, but these are still eye-opening.

• Chance Williams, Bedford 220 to 160 -He emerged as a junior last season, going 17-13 and anchoring the bottom of the Bisons' lineup. He might be more toward the middle this season. No longer chubby, Williams might not be down to 160 right away, but he's barely recognizable from last season.
• Trent Crouse, Chestnut Ridge 126 to 160 - Crouse has been cutting weight pretty hard each of the past two years, so it wasn't a surprise that he'd be bumping up, but 34 pounds is a huge jump.  He has a 60-21 career record and was a District 5 runner-up each of the past two seasons, so it will be interesting to see how the move affects him. Given his history, it wouldn't be surprising to drop later in the season, but I don't know for sure where he is certified.
• Derrick Claar, Chestnut Ridge 120 to 145 - The Lions must have been living in the weight room during the offseason. Like Crouse, Claar has been a successful lightweight, with 66-21 record, a district title (2012) and two trips to regionals on his resume.