2004-2005 Pre-Season Chat
Head Coach Brian Hills

Wednesday December 1st  7:30 - 9:00 PM

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How do you like how the District 10 re-alignment has panned out? Will the sections now be called regions as they were in football?

At this point we really do not have an opinion as to the new re-alignment.  We are disappointed that Kennedy Catholic didn't field a team and we had to scramble to get another competitive match. We took advantage of it by going to the WPIAL for a dual meet with Derry Area.  Fortunately we were able to keep our rivalry match with Greenville but at the same time do not wrestle Commodore Perry who we've wrestled every year in our history.  I believe they are continued as Sections at this point.

 

How will the loss of Campbell, Uhrin & Sommerfeld affect the over-all team?

The loss of all three of these individuals hurts the team in certain ways. We definitely lack depth in the upper weights as all three were to be counted on heavily.  The individuals who are working in those spots are gaining more and more experience and we are counting on them to do the job.  The loss of three wrestlers who have varsity experience is always somewhat detrimental but we believe in those that are replacing them.  We want Jonathan Uhrin and Travis Sommerfeld to get healthy and help us in the future as soon as possible.

 

How does this year's freshman class look?

We are very happy with our freshman class. They have shown great maturity and we have confidence in them to carry on the tradition.  We kept nine freshman on the Varsity squad to help with depth and  four of them are starting this weekend.  They also have had success at the Junior level.

 

What's this year's lineup going to look like?

This weekend our lineup is as follows although we had several competitive wrestle-offs which could mean for several changes during the course of the season.

103-Brandon Maun (9)
112-Curtis Reynolds (9)
119-Paul Kulka (11)
125-Corey Brown (9)
130-Matt Dunn (11)
135-Mason Stewart (11)
140-Steve Nestor (10)
145-Aaron Nestor (10)
152-Jason Brown (12)
160-Lawrence Beckman (10)
171-Sam Kulka (11)
189-Mike Miller (9)
215-Ryan Foust (12)
275-Mike Edwards (11)

 

18+ years and counting... you seem to still enjoying coaching. Do you plan to stay at it for a while?

I love the competition factor and enjoy the kids reaching the highest pinnacles. I have been blessed to be surrounded by a great group of people at Reynolds.  I would like to coach until the kids don't seem to respond to my motivation. Another thing that has actually made it easier is that I'm not doing everything. My assistants are great and we all share in the decision process as well as responsibilities. When I first started I had great help but not as much as I do now. My true satisfaction is seeing these kids excel at higher levels than they themselves may have expected. Another is seeing our kids go on to college and wrestle.

 

Do you think that the tough December schedule will help this group mature as it did last year's squad?

Our schedule has always been very strong in December and has always seem to prepare us for the late season duals and post season. Exposing our team, especially the youngsters, to Manheim, the nationally ranked Ironman tournament, etc, really exposes them to the best wrestling. They get to see what it's really like out there and helps them to focus on where they want to be.

 

What's your expectations for this year's squad?

Although we may be young we still like to think we can make a run at the team duals statewide.
Ft LeBouef has a great team back and Grove City will be very strong.  We feel we left a little something on the mat last year and our seasoned veterans are ready to compete.  Burrell and Mt. Pleasant are touted as the other teams to beat this year as they both welcome back a lot of talent from last year.

 

How's the numbers with the elementary progam and is Rick still heading it up? Who are some of the other elementary coaches?

Our elementary group just started last night and I hope the numbers were good. We are extremely happy to have Justin Hollobaugh working with the outstanding volunteer staff that we have.  Rick Stoyer is helping Justin become acclimated and the longtime group of coaches is greatly appreciated. We have a numerous list and I could spend a lot of time on speaking about them alone.

 

Who will be the Jr. High coaches this year?

We have some double duty coaches this year and we feel it's benefiting us even more. Casey Taylor and Michael Hills are doubling up and working with both the varsity and Jr. High Squads. Longtime assistant Keith Dawes is again working with the Jr. High. We hope to incorporate some younger blood in with this staff as well.

 

How do the teams in our section look like this year?
Grove City seems to be on the rise.

Grove City has a solid team back with some very good wrestlers. They did not lose very many individuals from last year's team which finished with very few losses. Marty Ruley has always done a great job and I know he has looked forward to this group.  Mercer will be improved and Lakeview has some outstanding individuals. Slippery Rock also has some very good individuals.

 

Whose the team or teams to beat in the district?

Ft LeBouef  has most of their squad back from last year and also picked another Hiner who moved back from Erie Prep. Grove City, Jamestown and Saegertown also have great teams.

 

What are Travis and Nick doing this year?
Are either of them wrestling?

Nick Sommerfeld is wrestling at Columbia University and has had a great start. He has won 8 or 9 matches already this year and is doing tremendous academically. We are very proud to now have had 2 RHS wrestlers at Columbia University as Steve Popovitch graduated 2 years ago and was the team captain his Senior year.  Travis Battles went to PSU Behrend and is not currently wrestling. Rumor has it he may be getting the bug to get back into sports and we may see him playing football or wrestling in the near future. Jake Habel is also starting at Washington & Jefferson at 125 lbs. and last I heard was 8-3.

 

I hear Don Shaffer has moved out of the area. Will he still be doing the wrestling program? He does a nice job with it plus enjoyed his radio announcing as well.

Don is a great contributer to Reynolds wrestling and wrestling throughout our area.  Don is still taking care of our program and will be featuring a column on our web-site.  I'm sure he will be working his way into the broadcast booth as the year progresses. I spoke with Mars coach Don Cooley at our first scrimmage this year and he spoke highly of MR. SHAFFER as I volunteered him to assist with the Mars team as well. I hear Lindsey is helping with the team also. We miss Don and family but will not let them get to far away from the Blue and Gray.

 

Coach Hills,
How much of a loss was senior letterman Eric Campbell's leadership to your young line-up.

Unfortunately we have not had Eric's services for the last two years as he injured his knee last season and injured his other knee this past fall.  Eric has always worked hard a being an RHS wrestler but never had the chance to provide the leadership he wanted.

 

Coach, this is Stephen Nestor, I just got home from practice and I'm going out to eat a dozen wings right now. I just wanted your opinion on that!

Whoa! Steve you must have been in pretty good shape after practice weight wise. I'll pick up Matt Dunn and lets get'er done!

 

Coach-
I beleive you have one of the best surrounding staffs in the state and beyond. How does this help the team as a whole or individually, such as lower, middle, and upper weights etc.

YES! A great staff. We pretty much have all the weights surrounded. Coaches Tofani, Taylor, Reichard, Hills 2 and Beckman all bring certain gifts to the table and can adapt to any group. I have the great job of managing the lot.

 

It seemed this spring at freestyle tournaments that you had more of your wrestlers participating than in past years. Is this something your starting to emphasis more and do you think it really makes a difference?

I do believe that spring and summer wrestling can only make you better and we have stressed the importance of participating. We don't make it mandatory though as we have kids that enjoy and participate in numerous activities. We have several parents and coaches that remain active throughout the off season which helped our kids. Coach Beckman is constantly taking kids wrestling throughout the year and there is noticable improvement in those kids. Casey also worked with kids during his stint at Born to Run. The kids will improve if they put forth the effort.

 

With last year being your first time at the Ironman you had to be thrilled with a seventh place finish. Looking at this years team can we match or improve on that this year?

We were very pleased with a seventh place finish at IRONMAN last season.  Of course we lost 2 high placers from last year and the tournament didn't get any weaker as several more nationally ranked teams are participting this year. El Reno, OK and Unitah, Utah are just a couple to name a few. Add them to Blair Academy, St Edward and Walsh Jesuit and this is truly great exposure. Erie Prep is also an addition this year. We want to finish as high as possible with as many placers as possible. To participate alone is tremendous but our goal last year was to finish in the top half of the 32 team tournament.

 

Any idea what Sections will be called this year since you are all in anew "regions"?
For example, you will wrestle Region 1, will it be called Section 1. You were formally Section 3.

Again I think they are still Sections just with different teams participating in them.

 

Coach Hills - I heard through the grapevine that you have had a couple of early season injuries. Have you adjusted your goals in any way? - Your Friend From Another Planet

Although we have some younger kids in the lineup we still feel we can compete with the better teams and NO we have not adjusted our goals.  The veteran team members must provide leadership and desire to accomplish them.

 

Brian - I see lots of other coaches at your matches (Hick, GC, Grvl) but I've never seen anyone from your team out checking out the other squads. Do you scout other teams? Does anyone from your staff scout other teams.

We don't scout as much as other schools and never have. We try to prepare our kids for all types of opponents and not to worry about certain styles alone. We do scout our opponents as we move through the post season. We also scout our opponents that we may be wrestling on a statewide basis but not so much locally.

 

The way I see it Brian, your record speaks for itself. I would like to know how do you handle the adversity when you hear or read about others bad-mouthing your team. I'm speaking, in part, of some of the crap I've read on the D-10 website. Does it bother you? Do you get angry about it?

I guess the way to look at it is if they are talking about Reynolds they must think we're pretty good.  I enjoy reading the comments and don't let it bother me to much because those that speak negatively don't know anything at all.  I am not pleased with the comments that attack our individuals and family personally.  Sometimes I would like to jump through the screen and find out who the individuals are that hide behind a forum. The only time I responded was when my family was being called names etc. I have also monetarily supported the D-10 site but let it be known this would cease if that kind of crap continued.

 

Once and for all Brian end the debate. I'll ask you straight out, who is the greatest wrestler in school history? Chuck? Casey? Justin? Matt? Forget the politically correct stuff, please, just give your honest opinion.

Great question. All of them including many more not mentioned above have blessed our gym.

 

How does it make you feel knowing that several of your former wrestlers are now coaches?

I am thoroughly happy that so many have continued their wrestling careers through coaching. We have some great fellowship and it is enjoyable to coach with them on our staff and against them at the other schools. Although I always tell them if Reynolds has to lose I want it to be to them but I caveat it by stressing WE don't want to lose.

 

I know it's late, I know your weary. But just one more question please. I know many of your assistants Casey, Michael, Ron and Keith all won section championships and were GREAT Reynolds wrestlers. I don't remember Coach Stoyer ever winning one. Is this true? Why not?

YES. Mental.

 

Brian- Just wanted to say, it's tough being away from the program. It's been such a big part of my life for such a long time. As you know, Reynolds wrestling runs deep in my family's blood. I'll keep an eye on Burrell and Mt. Pleasant for you, okay? Watch out for those Fighting Planets, they are an up and coming group!

Thanks for everything Don (Juan). You are the true scout at RHS wrestling and by the way thanks for keeping me going. I always like to win in OT.

 

I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity to discuss Reynolds wrestling and it's time for me to sign off. Brian.