Season Almost Here

   Yes, the new high school wrestling season is nearly here, as official practices in Pennsylvania begin on Friday. I had a little bit of time today to start looking at schedules and here are some new additions for my local teams.

Bedford 
@Bishop McCort, December 22
   Obviously, a lot of regional talk has centered around the new program that starts this winter at Bishop McCort. The Crimson Crushers are scheduled for a number of high profile tournaments, including the Beast of the East and Brookville's Ultimate Duals, but a dual meet circled on the calendar is likely an early-season date with Bedford. Bishop McCort will have a handful of very talented wrestlers in its lineup, and that should include Bedford native Kaden Cassidy, an incoming freshman who decided to head to the Johnstown school after a highly impressive youth career, which ended with a PJW state title last March.

Chestnut Ridge
@King of the Mountain Tournament, December 16-17
   Chestnut Ridge will be the third local school to ever compete in the King of the Mountain Tournament at Central Mountain. Claysburg-Kimmel went in the early years of the event, while Bedford attended for several seasons. This is another strong test for the Lions' core of top wrestlers, which will include returning state medalists Morgan Deremer, Jared McGill, and Justin McCoy.

Claysburg-Kimmel
@HOPE for Hyndman, January 10
   I'm not sure if Claysburg and Hyndman have ever wrestled in a dual, but they will this year just after 2017 rings in. Two good fan bases here should make for an entertaining night.

Everett
@Sheetz Holiday Classic, December 16-17
   Last season was a tremendous one for Everett, and the schedule is a little better this year with the addition of the Sheetz Holiday Classic at Mount Aloysius. Remember that the Warriors have three state qualifiers returning and some other talent.
   On another note, it appears that a home dual held at Southern Fulton (where Everett has a co-op) will not take place. I know that Everett athletic director Brian Koontz wanted to make this a reality, and hopefully something can be worked out for the 2017-18 season. Everett has some wrestlers from Southern, notably returning regional champion Liam Flaherty.

HOPE for Hyndman
   Hyndman has a number of new changes, including that dual with Claysburg mentioned above. The Hornets are also slated for the season-opening Conemaugh Township Tournament, as well as a return to the Winner's Choice Tournament in West Virginia, which they regularly attended in the past. Also on the card is a home dual with Ligonier Valley.

No changes appear for Northern Bedford or Tussey Mountain.