C-M McG notes

After watching Friday night's match between Canon-McMillan and McGuffey, I came away with a few thoughts on the two teams.

Even though Colin Johnston, the defending state champion from C-M, won a tight decision, 3-1, over Josh Daniels, he wrestled one of his better matches of the season. Daniels is taller, has more leverage and is very talented. Johnston rode Daniels for the entire third period, no easy task. Daniels' chance to win the bout was lost early one when he was too tentative. He admitted as much to his coach after the bout.

Matt Ryan had a similar match to Jonston's, beating McGuffey's Ben Dunaway 2-0. Again, Dunaway is a good wrestler, 23-7 last season, and Ryan, a state runner-up last year, rode him well. A good sign.

Here is how you know Chris Mary is a good coach. The improvement made by the Big Macs from a season-opening loss to Connellsville and a win over McGuffey was dramatic. His teams are always better at the end than at the beginning, or even at midseason.

I have high hopes for Matt Scherich, a 30-match winner for McGuffey last season who went 0-2 at the state tournament. He looks stronger this season. A medal in Hershey is within reach if he remains healthy.