As the wrestling team starts with strength and determination, they are hopeful that they can remain formidable opponents. This requires wrestlers to build strength, stamina and most importantly strategy.

To build these skills, players are put through vigorous training during after-school practices, allowing them to bond with teammates, as well as build their skills and confidence further. Even though this training can be exhausting for players, it’s important to develop discipline and technique.

“We’re ranked really low in the WPIAL, and there’s just not a lot of respect to the team yet from the WPIAL,” Charles Brenckle (11) said.

On Dec. 6 and 7, the wrestling team attended the Chartiers-Houston Invitational tournament. The team honed in their skills and performed with precision. On the first day of the tournament, the team performed well, placing 3rd out of the 30 teams that were in attendance. The team was also the highest scoring 2A team at the tournament. On the second day, the team dropped slightly to 4th overall, but still remained at the top of the 2A division.

“I’m super proud of their start and so excited to see where this team goes. We have full buy in right now in the team and the potential to go very far this year,” Head Coach Ezekiel Stroupe said. “We brought 15 wrestlers to the event and 14 tasted their first wins. Everyone contributed to the 4th place finish out of 30 schools.”

Although hope of having a great season is high, and the outlook is likely, it may be tough to beat their record from last season. The team ended the season with an overall record of 10-3, and a sectional record of 6-0.

With a quick turnaround, the team was set to have a match at Mount Pleasant on Wed. Dec. 11. With their prior experience from the invitational tournament during the previous weekend, the team revised their abilities in order to end the match with the best possible outcome. Plenty of practice and experience allowed the team to end the match with a score of 61-9. This score was achieved through the team’s skill and ability, setting their season record to 1-0.

Despite the loss of graduating players James Couch and Ryan Kredel, the team has adapted by bettering returning players and making sure new players gain the abilities they need. They did this through extensive practice that occurred after nearly every school day, which allowed the team to compensate for what they were now lacking.

Focused on defending their reputation from last season, the team continues to train hard. They prepare to face off at Beth-Center on Dec. 16, looking to improve their record further.

“We just have to keep working and trying to prove more and more people wrong,” Brenckle said.