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Take a look at the Wyoming Valley Conference wrestling schedule for the first full day of conference action, and it’s a light night with nine of the 14 teams not participating. Call it the calm before the storm with the WVC Tournament this weekend followed by the rest of the schedule being jammed into the three weeks that follow.

With most of the top teams either off or expected to not have much difficulty in a dual Wednesday night, it seems fitting to focus on two teams that will likely be vying for fifth-place in the six-team, WVC Division 2 when GAR travels to Nanticoke.

It’s no secret the Trojans and Grenadiers are struggling this season and are in need of a boost.

The Trojans boast the longest current losing streak in the division having lost six straight divisional duals since upsetting Wyoming Area almost two years ago.

GAR meanwhile, is a season removed from advancing a pair of wrestlers to the PIAA Championships but hasn’t lost to Nanticoke in the last four seasons and is in a bit of a rebuilding campaign.

The Grenadiers already have a divisional dual under their belt this season falling to Meyers two weeks ago, while Nanticoke begins its divisional slate on Wednesday.

Both squads took part in last week’s Tunkhannock Kiwanis Tournament with GAR placing 23rd and the Trojans finishing in 25th. GAR had nine wrestlers at the event, while Nanticoke entered eight grapplers highlighted by 106-pounder Dave Jones taking seventh.

Something has to give.

The two teams are trying to get out of ruts so this is a dual that will go a long way for program pride, and give the winner a much-needed upswing heading into the conference tourney.

Division 1 battles

Two of the three Division 1 teams that were co-champions last season are on the road Wednesday night making long trips. Tunkhannock travels to Crestwood, while Hazleton Area makes the trip down to Plymouth to face Wyoming Valley West.

Meanwhile, Coughlin went to Yatesville to take on Pittston Area on Tuesday night and won 37-36 in a tight match that came down to the second criteria.

The Patriots proved they can give contending teams fits which will make the divisional race even more interesting. Watch out for PA over the weekend at the conference tournament.

Hungry Hawkeyes

Hanover Area might not be ready to compete with the bigger teams this weekend at the WVC Tournament, but don’t be surprised if the up-and-coming Hawkeyes are hanging around near the top of the team standings after Day 1, or even after the semifinal round.

The team was the highest-placing WVC squad, which wasn’t the champ Tunkhannock, at last week’s Tunkhannock Kiwanis Tournament taking sixth overall with seven of its 11 wrestlers walking away a medalist.

Jeff Bennett won the 120-pound bracket, while heavyweight John Sheridan took third besting Scranton Prep’s Thor Balavage, who was a state qualifier last season, for third place. Sheridan and Balavage are now currently ranked 11th and 12th, respectively in the state according to PA Power Wrestling.

Circle the calendar

The biggest matches of the dual season won’t begin until next week, but that’s when it’s going to be an all-out sprint to the finish starting Jan. 13 when Hazleton Area travels to Tunkhannock in what could ultimately decide the D1 title.

Here’s the dates, weather permitting of course, for other big duals in the next three weeks: Saturday, Jan. 16, Tunkhannock at Pittston Area; Wednesday, Jan 20, Coughlin at Tunkhannock, Lake-Lehman at Hanover Area; Friday, Jan 22, Meyers at Lake-Lehman; Wednesday, Jan 27, Pittston Area at Hazleton Area; Jan. 30, Coughlin at Hazleton Area, Meyers at Hanover Area.

Lackawanna League rivalry renewed

It’s been more than seven years since Delaware Valley lost a Lackawanna League Division 1 dual.

That streak could be in serious jeopardy on Wednesday night when the Warriors travel to Scranton to face the defending District 2 Class 3A Duals Champion. The Knights defeated DelVal to claim last year’s duals title.

The Warriors then went on to hold off Scranton by two points to claim the D2 team championship. Scranton’s only loss in the 2014-15 regular season was to DelVal in mid-December.

The Knights have a plethora of wrestlers back from last season’s run, while the Warriors are expected to be in a reloading season.

If you can’t make it to Scranton on Wednesday night, the dual can be seen live on MyNetwork TV (WQMY) at 7 p.m.

By Dave Rosengrant

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Reach Dave Rosengrant at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @tldrosengrant