Wilkes-barre

Excellence Seminar Set

By DAVE KONOPKI backmt@leader.net
 Thursday, December 21, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 17<br><br>





LEHMAN TWP. - Phil Lipski can't remember the last time the Lake-Lehman
wrestling team entered the season with such a young team. He can't recall the
last time a Black Knight squad begins a season with such a young team. And he
can't recollect the last time Lake-Lehman entered the season without a gold,
silver or bronze medalist from the District 2 Class 2A championships.  That
all ends this season.  The six-time defending Wyoming Valley Conference West
Division champions enter the 2000-01 season with the youngest - and most
inexperienced - team since Lipski became the coach in 1989.  "We're such a
young team," said the 12-year coach. "We don't have any individual standouts,
but we're a solid team. If we can get the right people into the right places,
we should be competitive."  Lipski has reason for his guarded optimism. Last
year, the Black Knights began the season as the division underdog for the
first time in several seasons. The result: another Lake-Lehman championship.
"I looked at last year's team and I really didn't think there was any way
possible for us to win the West division," said Lipski, who is assisted by
former Lake-Lehman standouts Mike Tereska and Rick Hislop. "This year, I look
at our team and I don't see how we can physically match up with teams like
Valley West.  "But I've learned never to count our kids out of anything.
They're good, solid, dependable kids. Our goals remain the same. We want to be
competitive and mature as the season progresses. We'll be tested early."
Lake-Lehman faces a tough road test in early January. The Black Knights travel
to GAR on Jan. 3 and will wrestle at Meyers on Jan. 6. Aaron Kubasik returns
to the Black Knight starting lineup for the third consecutive season. The
119-pounder, who finished fourth in last year's district tournament, should be
one of the favorites to win a district gold medal in February.  The Black
Knights return four fifth-place finishers from last year's district
tournament, including Kelby Morgan (112 pounds), Jeff Taylor (130), Bob Morris
(160), Ed Becker (171). Heavyweight Matt Carey, a transfer from Dallas, also
finished fifth at districts. Lake-Lehman will start several wrestlers who were
outstanding on the junior high school level last year, including John Houssock
(103), Jon Schutz (125) and Willie Weber (152). All three won junior high
district titles a year ago.  Other wrestlers expected to have an impact on the
team include Jerry Mikielski (103), Matt Ford (119), T.J. Dougherty (125),
Scott McBride (125), Dan Pentka (135), Aaron Moyer (140), Mark Kapitula (145),
Andy Harrison (145), Rich Maciejczak (152), Eric Rogowski (160), Brett Slakoff
(171), B.J. Lewis (189) and Mike Hillman (275).  "We have some good young
kids. Our future certainly looks solid," said Lipski.  Several attempts to
contact Dallas coach Steve Kashenbach were unsuccessful. The Mountaineers host
Crestwood on Jan. 3 and Coughlin on Jan. 6. FOR TIMES LEADER/JOHN KASKO
Lake-Lehman wrestling coach Phil Lipski talks to his team before the start of
Monday's practice. Lake-Lehman heavyweights Mike Hillman, left, and Matt Carey
practice takedowns Monday afternoon. Mark Kapitula takes down Dan Pentka
during wrestling practice at Lake-Lehman.

Young Black Knights Wrestle With Inexperience