MT. MARKHAM-Richfield Springs' 12th annual Len Calkins Memorial wrestling tournament will be held this Saturday, featuring 16 teams, including host Richfield and Cooperstown. Wrestling begins at 10 a.m., and finals are scheduled to begin around 7 p.m.

But for the first time, the tournament will not be held in Richfield Springs, as the gymnasium there has been redone as the part of the school's building project. Instead, the tournament will be held at Mt. Markham.

The Indians are coming off a 4-12 season a year ago, but return three wrestlers who had outstanding seasons: 160-pounder Matt Nelson (18-8); 125-pounder Derik Robinson (24-9); and 171-pounder Matt Dropchinski (16-8).

"With the athletes we have, we should be way over .500 this season," said Richfield wrestling coach Marty Seamon, entering his 18th year as head coach. "We only have two seniors, so we're young but have a lot of quickness."

Senior Tony McNair will wrestle at 215-pounds, and Seamon said Todd Prime will also be a key wrestler at 189-pounds.

Teams expected to compete in the Calkins Tournament Saturday include Waterville, Copenhagen, Sherburne-Earlville, Unadilla Valley, APW, Dolgeville, Camden, Mohawk, Morrisville, Frankfort, Mt. Markham, Sauquoit and Guilderland.

Richfield Springs athletic director Terry Havens said the first home game for the basketball teams on the new floor has been scheduled for Jan. 5, but that the floor is scheduled to be done in time for a December concert Dec. 21.

"The gym has been painted and waxed, and new lights were put in, all in an effort to make the gym brighter," Havens said.

CCS has increased numbers

Increased numbers, including a host of freshman, should help Cooperstown wrestling coach Jim Jordan get the program back on its feet again as the 2000-01 eason gets underway.

With just 13 wrestlers on last year's team, the Redskins struggled to fill many weight classes, and most of their matches were filled with forfeits.

But with 20 wrestler's on this year's team, Jordan is hoping for better results this year.

"We're still very young, but I'm just hoping for steady improvement this year," Jordan said. "I've got one senior, four returning sophomores, one junior and all the rest are freshmen."

Cooperstown began the season last night at Frankfort, losing 67-6, and will host Mt. Markham tonight.

The only senior on this year's team is Pat West, who will wrestle at 152-pounds and also captain this year's squad. Andy Rickard, a 145-pound sophomore, returns at 145-pounds, and Dana Nash returns at 125 pounds. Junior Brett Ferrando is the lone junior, also wrestling at 152-pounds and Jesse Tourella will man the 171-pound slot.

"I think they're all anxious to start another season and see how much they can improve," Jordan said. "It was tough to practice last year with so few kids, but now we are getting quality practices."

The Redskins should also be buoyed by the addition of twin brothers Chris and Brett Zoeller, who will wrestle at 103 and 112-pounds, respectively.

Chris Zoeller was Cooperstown's lone winner in Tuesday mathc, winning by technical fall.

"I'm expecting good things from both of them," Jordan said. "I'm hoping they inspire each other to have successful seasons."

Cooperstown will participate in Richfield Springs' annual Len Calkins Tournament this Saturday. The tournament will be held at Mt. Markham Central School, since Richfield's gymnasium is still under construction.

Cooperstown wrestling schedule: Dec. 7: MT. MARKHAM; Dec. 9: at Richfield Springs tournament; Dec. 13: SHERBURNE; Dec. 15: at Delhi; Dec. 19: at Mohawk; Dec. 21: at Dolgeville; Jan. 4: at Canastota; Jan. 9: MORRISVILLE; Jan. 16: at Waterville; Jan. 30: at Sauquoit; Feb. 6: RICHFIELD; Feb. 21: Center State Conference Tournament; Feb. 17: Section Three Class C Tournament.