JACKSON TWP— When it came to taking over the Seneca Valley High wrestling program, Tom Tomeo did so on short notice.

But he's certainly not short on experience.

Tomeo is succeeding Lee Mullett as the Raiders coach, though he didn't accept the position until Nov. 10 — six days before the first official practice date.

"I do consulting work with a few high school wrestling programs and Seneca Valley was one of those,"Tomeo said. "I was familiar with the program and I know a lot of people there.

"When the position came open, even as late as it was, I knew it was a great opportunity for me."

Tomeo is a 1993 Grove City High graduate who went on to become an all-American and a four-year starter at Clarion University.

A two-year captain with the Golden Eagles, Tomeo was part of a Clarion team that was ranked as high as third in the nation.

Since graduating from college, he went on to serve as an assistant coach at Slippery Rock University, Cumberland, Buffalo and Clarion.

From 2003-05, Tomeo coached at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and coached the U.S. women's wrestling team in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

"I've enjoyed my travels and meeting different people," he said. "I've tried to suck in as much information as I could from each and every experience."

This will mark Tomeo's first year as a high school wrestling coach.

"There's always a transition when you move from one level of a sport to another,"Tomeo said. "Yeah, these kids are younger in age, and building a foundation of technique will be a little more critical.

"But wrestling is wrestling. I'll just be dealing with some different variables."

The Raiders graduated one senior from last season — heavyweight Zach Eckstrom, who was a section champion — but return three WPIALqualifiers.

Seneca Valley's top returnees include 125-pound senior Grant Evans (22-5) and 145-pound junior Nathan Cully (23-5).

"It's going to take a while for me to get to know these kids and for them to know me, but I sense a good attitude here,"Tomeo said. "The kids are excited about some of the changes we're making and they're buying into the system."

Seniors fighting for starting positions on the Raiders roster are Evans at 125 pounds, Shon Schettler and Bart Lalonde at 152, Eric Stanley at 171 and Jordan Williams at 215.

"The ultimate goal is to go undefeated as a team in conference play,"Tomeo said. "My view is that if we create a positive atmosphere based on positive attitude, everything else will take care of itself."

Seneca Valley opens its season today and Saturday at the Gateway Tournament.