High School Wrestling: Grapplers gear up for season at media day
Athletes and coaches gather Tuesday evening for the first Schuylkill League Wrestling Media Day at the Fountain Springs Country Inn. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
ASHLAND — Inspired by the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Media Day, North Schuylkill wrestling coach Corey Fetterolf had an idea.
Why not have a similar preseason event for his sport?
So the first Schuylkill League Wrestling Media Day was born. More than 50 athletes (boys and girls) and coaches from every Schuylkill League team came together Tuesday evening for the initial meeting at the Fountain Springs Country Inn. Camaraderie between coaches and wrestlers from various teams was apparent as the group enjoyed a buffet meal — before the wrestlers need to start watching their weight in earnest.
The coaches arrived with rosters and schedules for their respective teams in hand to promote their programs and the sport. Many interviews were held and every attendee had their photo taken to be used throughout the upcoming season.
T102sportsnow.com was the only media outlet in attendance.
“I’ve seen it for years about the football teams … saw the get-togethers, and I saw the individual interviews and kids talking,” Fetterolf said. “And I think it’s really cool to give the kids that recognition they deserve, especially in our sport, wrestling. These kids, they work hard.”
Fetterolf has been the driving force in turning the idea for a wrestling media day into a reality. It’s an event he hopes continues every season.
The Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association has been holding a well-attended high school football media day annually since 2004.
The first Schuylkill League Basketball Media Day for boys and girls will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at Schuylkill Haven’s Sports Performance Center.
“I think it’s awesome to get everybody in the league here to meet up before the season, hang out with everybody,” said Blue Mountain junior Owen Woll, a District 11 runner-up and a state qualifier last season.
Tri-Valley sophomore Noah Hanlon, a district third-place finisher and regional qualifier a year ago, agreed.
“I think it’s awesome,” Hanlon said. “I look at the football teams having it every year, and I think it really helps publicize the sport and bring more attention to it. It gets you ready for it. It gets you in the mindset.”
The first official day of winter practice is Friday, with the first day of legal competition set for Nov. 29. Williams Valley is scheduled to compete at Catasauqua’s Rough Rider Tournament on Nov. 30, with the rest of the area teams opening their respective seasons during the first week of December. The Schuylkill League Wrestling Championships are scheduled for Jan. 18 at Blue Mountain High School.
The league has two new head coaches: Brad Leonard takes over at Pottsville, while former coach Curt Woodford returns to the bench for Williams Valley.
