Central Mountain’s Geo Barzona, right, is headed to college at Bucknell.

Crae McCracken is a returning heavyweight PIAA placewinner for Loyalsock.

CLASS AAA

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN

In each of the last two seasons Geo Barzona’s quest for a state title ended at the hands of the eventual state champion in his weight class. Both times, that loss came at the hands of Nazareth’s Tyson Klump. The good news for Barzona is Klump has since graduated.

Now the senior is looking to find his way into that state finals match he was so close to reaching each of the last two years.

“When you get to the state level, a lot of things have to fall in place,” Central Mountain second-year coach Biff Walizer said. “He realizes he’s right there. It’s a matter of putting it together that weekend.”

As a sophomore, Barzona had Klump on his back in the second period and ran out of time before he could get the fall in the state semifinals. Last year, he lost to Klump, 4-2, in the quarterfinals. Klump went on to beat Seneca Valley’s Louis Newell in the finals, a wrestler Barzona beat twice during the year.

Barzona enters his senior season needing just 14 wins to become Central Mountain’s 14th 100-match winner. After that, the only thing missing on his resume will be the state championship which has eluded him through his first two years. Barzona will open the season at 120 pounds, but Walizer said the Bucknell-bound Barzona has certified at 115 pounds and may make the drop later in the season.

“He’s very disciplined year round. If he wanted to get into the 130s, he could. But he’s very disciplined with his weight,” Walizer said. “The decision will probably be made way into the season as we see how things shake out.”

Barzona is one of two returning state qualifiers on the Wildcats’ roster. Senior Colton Weaver advanced to his first state tournament a year ago with a good postseason run which saw him take third at both districts and regionals. Weaver won 31 matches for the Wildcats a year ago.

“He got a taste. He got there last year and now I think he’s ready to take that next step and get on the podium,” Walizer said. “He’s matured physically and mentally. He knows it’s his last go at it and he’s hungry and trying to get on that podium.”

Head coach: Biff Wallizer (15th season, 2nd at Central Mountain).

Career record: 153-66.

Assistant coaches: Blaze Buckwalter, Doug Buckwalter, Mike Brown, Steve Krouse, Ken Porter, Rob Weaver.

League: Heartland-I.

Last year: 14-1, Big 7 champions; Heartland-I champions.

Returning district qualifiers: Geo Barzona (1st, 106); Cody Coleman (1-2, 113); Seth Andrus (4th, 126); Logan Long (4th, 132); Colton Weaver (3rd, 138); Asher Corl (4th, 145); Tanner Weaver (5th, 152); Brandon Miller (1-2, 160); Caleb Turner (3rd, 170).

Returning regional qualifiers: Geo Barzona (1st, 106); Seth Andrus (1-2, 126); Logan Long (2-2, 132); Colton Weaver (3rd, 138); Asher Corl (0-2, 145); Tanner Weaver (0-2, 152); Caleb Turner (3-2, 170).

Returning state qualifiers: Geo Barzona (6th, 106); Colton Weaver (0-2, 138).

Roster: SENIORS – Geo Barzona, 120; Colton Weaver, 152; Brandon Miller, 160; Trent Rickert, 170; Caleb Turner, 182; Kullen Bechdel, 195; Richard Thompson, 285. JUNIORS – Seth Andrus, 126; Logan Long, 138; Logan Soo, 138; Austyn Carson, 145; Asher Corl, 160; Tanner Weaver, 170; Mahlike Houtz, 220. SOPHOMORES – Johnnt Shreddler, 106; Cody Coleman, 113; Dalton Bechdel, 113; Kayden Busey, 132; Jayden Day, 138; Alonzo Henry, 145; Austin Confer, 182; Tanner Riggle, 195; Jacob Edwards, 285. FRESHMEN – Kaden Powers, 113; Seth Reese, 132.

WILLIAMSPORT

Third-year head coach Brian Nasdeo has no plans on taking it easy on his Millionaires wrestling team. He’s loaded up the team’s schedule with the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament, the King of the Mountain, the Tool City Classic and the Clearfield Duals.

Nasdeo wants his wrestlers to be prepared for the postseason when it rolls around. A year after Roshaun Cooley became the school’s first state placewinner since 1995, the Millionaires failed to get either of its four regional qualifiers to the state tournament, and that’s something Nasdeo wants to change.

“I’m not one of these guys to pad my record. I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about building (the wrestlers),” Nasdeo said. “They’re going to be battle-tested. My job is to train them hard to get better and to get them battle-tested. I want state medals. That’s what we fight for every day. This sport is too hard and they work too hard to not put them in the best competition we can put them in.”

Nasdeo has been trying to rebuild a Williamsport program which has struggled in recent years. But the Williamsport graduate who is one of six 100-win wrestlers in school history thinks the program has already turned around. He likes where the Williamsport program is.

The Millionaires have 29 wrestlers on the roster. Richie Lowrie is a senior leader who is establishing the right tone for a program who has bought into Nasdeo’s style and process to return the once-proud program to greatness.

“We have a great group of kids. In my eyes, we’ve already turned it around,” Nasdeo said. “The kids are working their tails off at practice and they’re doing well in school. That’s all we can ever really ask for. Do we want to win district titles and do great things? Yeah. But we’re not done yet and we’re definitely not satisfied.”

Williamsport returns 20-win wrestlers Alan Cortright, Izek Brooks, Lowrie and Torren Potts lead a roster which will be bolstered by freshmen Mason Lilley and Anthony Robinson. Lilley was a PJW state seventh-place finisher, and Robinson was a PJW state qualifier.

And Nasdeo said what the team lacks in pure wrestling ability, it makes up for with athleticism.

“They’re athletes. And they’re strong,” Nasdeo said. “We have a dedicated coaching staff. We’d put on five or six weight-lifting workouts throughout the week so kids could get there. We do a lot of different things, a lot of open mats. The kids are responding.”

Head coach: Brian Nasdeo (3rd season).

Career record: 8-13.

Assistant coaches: Drew Dickey.

League: Heartland-I, Big 7.

Last year: 6-5.

Returning district qualifiers: Alan Cortright (3rd, 106); Izek Brooks (3rd, 113); Cam Dickey (1-2, 132); Rich Lowrie (3rd, 145); Torren Potts (2nd, 170); Quentin Lowrie (1-2, 182).

Returning regional qualifiers: Alan Cortright (0-2, 106); Izek Brooks (2-2, 113); Rich Lowrie (0-2, 145); Torren Potts (3-2, 170).

Returning state qualifiers: None.

Roster: SENIORS – Hunter Good; Jonah Gusbar; Aaron Howey; Jarrett Jones; Raymond Kepner; Richard Lowrie; Cody Miller; Dawson Redman; Wesley Samsel; Donovan Stahl. JUNIORS – Liam Breasette; Jamaire Burget; Alec Dickey; Cameron Dickey; Peter Jagella; Dalton Kriner; Quentin Lowrie; Torren Potts; Nathan Powley. SOPHOMORES – Izek Brooks; Alan Cortright; Skylar Fox; Riley Hilner; Tylil James; Edward Lyon; Kyle Palmer; Anthony Robinson; Kavaughn Williams. FRESHMEN – Owen Mahon.

CLASS AA

CANTON

Canton head coach Lyle Wesneski knows last season was a rough one for the Warriors. His lone returning district qualifier is Ethan Landis, who finished fourth at the North Section tournament.

But there’s still quite a bit of excitement around the Canton program. Wesneski has one of the most exciting freshman prospects in District 4 in Timmy Ward, and he also has 13 wrestlers in the freshman and sophomore classes.

“I tell them day in and day out, it’s a process. We’re probably younger this year than we were last year. I only have three seniors and two of them are very inexperienced,” Wesneski said. “If early things aren’t going our way, keep trusting your training and drilling. As the year goes on you’re going to see huge gains in your performance.”

Ward was rated the 69th-best incoming freshman in the state by papowerwrestling.com earlier this fall. He’ll wrestle in the middle of the lineup for Canton, likely at 152 pounds.

“He doesn’t look like a freshman. He doesn’t wrestle like a freshman,” Wesneski said. “We’ve been preaching since Day 1 to rely on your technique and rely on being in great shape. Respect your opponents, but don’t fear anybody.”

Ward finished third in the state at 140 pounds in the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Junior High state tournament last spring, losing only to the eventual champion in the semifinals.

“We know there’s going to be growing pains. We’re going to run in to buzzsaws,” Wesneski said. “But with our schedule, we don’t shy away from competition. We go to the DKI where he’ll probably see (state qualifier Mitch) Milbrand.”

Wesneski knows the Warriors are likely going to struggle as a dual-meet team, so he has formulated his schedule again this year to go to more individual tournaments. He’s looking at Landis to help be a leader for a young team as its lone returning district qualifier.

Landis has worked in the weight room and added some size to his frame, and he could fit in at 132 or 138 pounds.

“He’s grown up and much more mature,” Wesneski said. “He’s the only senior we have with expeirence. And over the summer he really devoted himself to the weight room. It’s a maturity thing.”

Head coach: Lyle Wesneski (6th season).

Career record: 41-47.

Assistant coaches: Chris Landis, Derek Leiby, Tim Ward, Devon Weed, Craig Route, Randy Gilliland.

League: Northern Tier League.

Last year: 4-6.

Returning district qualifiers: Ethan Landis (0-2, 126).

Returning regional qualifiers: None.

Returning state qualifiers: None.

Roster: SENIORS – Dakota Esaias; Ethan Landis; Brett Wesneski. JUNIORS – Emalee Landis; Vanessa Wesneski; Noah Carpenter; Makyah Gleckner. SOPHOMORES – Taylor Acla; Logan Brown; Dyllan Burgess; Christian Ward; Sawyer Wooster. FRESHMEN – Chance Deljanovan; Jaden Fantini-Hulslander; Nicholas May; Carson Stiner; Garrett Storch; Timothy Ward; Owen Wesneski; Trevor Williams.

HUGHESVILLE

Hughesville’s Braden Stahlnecker has wrestled just 19 matches over the last two years. That’s the bad news for the now senior. The good news is he’s won 17 of those bouts.

But Stahlnecker has been plagued by shoulder injuries which have prematurely cut both his sophomore and junior seasons short. It was disappointing coming off a freshman campaign in which he won 23 matches and qualified for the District 4 tournament.

But after spending the offseason strengthening his shoulders, Stahlnecker appears poised for one more good run.

“He’s been strong so far. He looks like a different kid,” Hughesville head coach Steve Budman said. “I just said to Woody Fry that I’m hoping and praying for him to have the type of season he deserves. He’s an incredibly great and hard worker and things have not gone his way over the last two seasons. So I’m hoping for a great year that he’s happy with.”

It’s hard to impress Budman, who is a former Hughesville state champion and Division I wrestler at Pitt. But he doesn’t hide his affection for the type of wrestler Stahlnecker is. He’s coached state finalists and state medalists and when he heaps praise upon a wrestler, it’s very warranted.

“He can absolutely fly on a wrestling mat. It’s downright impressive,” Budman said. “I can’t wait for him to have the opportunity to show everybody what he can do.”

Heavyweight Josh Dauberman had one of the more impressive runs in District 4 last year when he won 24 consecutive matches between Dec. 11 and the District 4 tournament semifinals. The senior posted 28 wins a year ago and finished sixth at the district tournament after winning the Central Sectional. That was a huge jump from his sophomore year when he was 17-14 and placed third at sectionals.

Now both he and Budman are hoping for a similar jump in performance by improving his repertoire for scoring points, both on his feet and in the top position.

“I think it was a disappointment for him at the end of last year, but that improvement in his record, that’s a heck of a jump,” Budman said. “I’ve been letting him know that even though he was the odd man out at districts, he’s got great things coming.”

Head coach: Steve Budman (13th season).

Career record: 170-84.

Assistant coaches: Woody Fry, Greg Sullivan, Troy Hansen, Matt Bittenbender.

League: Heartland-III.

Last year: 9-13.

Returning district qualifiers: Braden Foresman (1-2, 182); Josh Dauberman (6th, 285).

Returning regional qualifiers: None.

Returning state qualifiers: None.

Roster: SENIORS – Braden Stahlnecker, 138; Rylan Hicks, 145; Braden Foresman, 170; Conner Kepner, 195; Josh Dauberman, 285. JUNIORS – Nyger Gibson, 132; Kade Heckel, 152. SOPHOMORES – Ben Heinrich, 113; Carter Marquadt, 120; Justin Whitmoyer, 126; Tyler Liebersohn, 126; Caleb Dixon, 138; Nick Maris, 160; Evan Stutzman, 182; Nick Quava, 220. FRESHMEN – Luke Gorg, 106.

JERSEY SHORE

Looking around the practice room, Crock Herman is excited by what he sees. It’s not nearly the veteran group he had last year when Jersey Shore won the District 4 Class AAA Duals title for the fifth consecutive year. But it’s a group full of positive energy.

That positive energy is going to be crucial for a Bulldogs program which may take a step back this year after losing nine seniors, five of which were 20-match winners a year ago.

“It’s a young team with a lot of potential, but I like what we have to work with,” Herman said. “It’s going to be about getting them to believe in their potential and their abilities and wrestling their style on the mat. But that’s easier said than done. We’re constantly reinforcing that at practice. But there’s no complaining from this group, and no whining. I’m excited to work with that.”

Gone is two-time PIAA Class AAA placewinner Hadyn Swartwood, who has broken into Lycoming’s starting lineup as a freshman. Also gone is two-time state qualifier Hunter Zondory who was wrestling at Messiah before a serious neck injury ended his career.

Also gone are Austin Bouse (21-10 last year), Allen Saar (21-10) and Seth Young (25-6). The Bulldogs have a solid base to build around with returning regional qualifiers Max Mason, Hunter O’Connor and Jeremy Zydallas.

“I do think we have the talent to compete with a lot of people. But we don’t have the depth like we had last year,” Herman said. “A lot of the kids have raw talent. We have to get them to believe and mold them to be ready to wrestle at the varsity level.”

Jersey Shore makes the drop this year to Class AA and is now the second-largest Class AA school in the district behind only Shamokin. But Herman isn’t naive enough to think that’s automatically going to make life easier for the five-time defending Class AAA Duals champs.

“Districts is still really hard in double-A,” Herman said. “We watch it all the time. Most of the kids that place in District 4 end up making states. It’s not like it’s an easy road. And the Northeast Region is so tough. I think everybody think it’s going to be easier, but District 4 AA is still really hard. We still have to stay focused and win every point we can.”

Head coach: Crock Herman (3rd season).

Career record: 29-12.

Assistant coaches: Ty Kanouff, Dan Muthler.

League: Heartland-I, Big 7.

Last year: 15-6, District 4 Class AAA Duals champion.

Returning district qualifiers (In AAA): Jeremy Zydallas (4th, 106); Chavin Krape (0-2, 113); Hunter O’Connor (4th, 170); Blake Neal (1-2, 182); Logan Huling (1-2, 195); Max Mason (2nd, 220); Brandon Barker (0-2, 285).

Returning regional qualifiers (In AAA): Jeremy Zydallas (1-2, 106); Hunter O’Connor (1-2, 170); Max Mason (3-2, 220).

Returning state qualifiers (In AAA): None.

Roster: SENIORS – Blake Neal, 170; Logan Huling, 182; Max Mason, 195. JUNIORS – Jeremy Zydallas, 113; A.J. Feist, 138; Evan Sellinger, 182; Brandon Barker, 285. SOPHOMORES – Zak Kline, 126; Chase Butters, 132; Caleb Leone, 145; Stanton Westlin, 145; Jacob Stewart, 152; Hunter O’Connor, 152; David Tomb, 152; Kyle Tomb, 170; Pedraic Delaney, 182; Hunter Black Murray, 220. FRESHMEN – Lyle Welshans, 106; Tyler Willits, 120; Ryan Kershner, 138; Dalton Hill, 285.

LEWISBURG

The dilemma for Lewisburg coach Jim Snyder is two-fold as he begins 22nd season with the Green Dragons. Not only does he have to try and find a way to replace the points which were earned by graduated state qualifiers Brian Friery and Jordan Gessner, but he has to make sure their losses don’t cause a 24-point swing in Lewisburg’s lineup.

Friery and Gessner combined for 78 wins and a state medal a year ago. Over the course of their careers, the two four-year starters racked up 257 wins and six state tournament appearances.

“You just try to survive down there,” Snyder said. “What actually happens is we are basically going with freshmen down there. Those two guys have been staples for so long and we don’t have other kids who have wrestled there because the other kids know those two spots are taken.”

Now Snyder is talking to the wrestlers in those spots about wrestling for the team and doing what they can to avoid giving up bonus points. The Green Dragons still have other places they can look to for wins and bonus points to try and make up for the loss of Gessner and Friery.

Trey Delbaugh is a senior who was a win away from the state tournament a year ago and posted 38 wins. Andrew Shedleski is coming off a breakout season which saw him reach the state tournament and come within one win of earning a medal. The junior has posted 63 wins in his first two years and has reached some of the expectations set for him when he was a varsity starter as a freshman.

“He’s a kid where just getting to Hershey isn’t enough,” Snyder said. “People try to compare him all the time to Nathaniel Brown. But Nathaniel was kind of a freak. Last year you could see Shed take that step. And I think he’s taken another huge step this year from where he was last year. Seeing what I see in the room, he’s going to be fun to watch.”

Head coach: Jim Snyder (22nd season).

Career record: 276-183.

Assistant coaches: Mike Brown, Greg Hummel, Justin Michaels, Andrew Wagner.

League: Heartland-II.

Last year: 24-4, District 4 Duals 4th place.

Returning district qualifiers: Justin Gessner (2-2, 106); Skyler Anderson (6th, 145); Trey Delbaugh (4th, 160); Andrew Shedleski (2nd, 182).

Returning regional qualifiers: Trey Delbaugh (5th, 160); Andrew Shedleski (2nd, 182).

Returning state qualifiers: Andrew Shedleski (1-2, 182).

Roster: SENIORS – Rusty Schwartz, 126; Skyler Anderson, 152; Zane Yoder, 160; Trey Delbaugh, 170; Zach Herman, 170; Hunter Murphy, 220. JUNIORS – Chase Prutzman, 145; Andrew Shedleski, 182; Lance Klinefelter, 285. SOPHOMORES – Ethan Daniels, 106; Justin Gessner, 113; Austin Ruhl, 132; Ronnie Lentz, 138; Connor McCollum, 138; Aaron Strosser, 145; Ricky Ahir, 182; Dakotah Snyder, 195; Roman Aksenov, 285; Grant Adams, 285. FRESHMEN – Cole Temple, 106; Gavin Sherrif, 120; Broghan Persun, 132; Zach Beddal, 138.

LOYALSOCK

The postseason was a fun time for Loyalsock head coach Ben Hepburn and his staff last year. The Lancers had just a 6-15 dual-meet season, but the return of Crae McCracken from a football injury injected a little life into a program which hadn’t had a state placewinner since Alec Eggerton in 2010.

McCracken skated by through the entire postseason, grabbing the final qualifying spot at 285 pounds at sectionals, districts and regionals before putting it all together and taking fifth in the state tournament. McCracken wrestled 23 matches last year, 20 of them came in the postseason. Hepburn is hoping a full season of competition will make the senior even more dangerous by the time February rolls around.

“The biggest thing we needed to work on was being in shape,” Hepburn said. “It’s hard getting into real wrestling shape in 4 or 5 weeks like we did last year. It’s a big difference for Crae now. If he can be in shape in the fifth and sixth minute and be able to really wrestle at heavyweight, he’s going to have a big year.”

Hepburn said the key to getting McCracken to wrestle well despite little mat time during the season was keeping things simple for him. The coaches worked on the things McCracken was comfortable doing, and got him doing them as well as he could.

From there, the goal was to keep moving on week-to-week and finding a way to win matches. McCracken won 16 of the 23 matches he wrestled, including beating Wyalusing’s Dawson Otis in the fifth-place match at states, a wrestler he had previously lost to twice.

“Crae has a good foundation of wrestling. The biggest thing was not to overcoach him,” Hepburn said. “We focused on the positive every week and we got him to a place where he could place in the state.”

Hepburn was excited about the veteran team he had returning, mostly because he was going to be very close to filling out the lineup. But district qualifier Braden Miles decided not to come out for the team and Ryan Ritter was injured this week leaving the Lancers with 10 wrestlers on the roster and no freshmen.

“I think the bottom line is this is an individual sport. Instead of really worrying about the team, we’re worried about the individuals,” Hepburn said. “We’re trying to get each one just a little better and working with their strengths.”

Head coach: Ben Hepburn (33rd season).

Assistant coaches: Kevin Werner, Derrick Hicks.

League: Heartland-III.

Last year: 6-15.

Returning district qualifiers: Crae McCracken (5th, 285).

Returning regional qualifiers: Crae McCracken (4th, 285).

Returning state qualifiers: Crae McCracken (5th, 285).

Roster: SENIORS – Trevor Eubanks, 152; Sam Griffith, 160; Brendan Downs, 170; Ares Henriquez, 195; Crae McCracken, 285; JUNIORS – Troy Eubanks, 126; Dakota Mosser, 132; Jacob Waltz, 138; Brad Conroy, 285. SOPHOMORES – Brandon Shearer, 120. FRESHMEN – None.

MILTON

Noah Stamm didn’t try to hide his disappointment at last year’s regional tournament when an elbow injury ended his season prematurely. The sophomore was on his way to his first berth into the state tournament before the injury forced him to injury default out of the match he needed to win to get to Hershey.

As he sat in a chair being tended to by a trainer, the disappointment overwhelmed his face. But that disappointment has led to a more motivated Stamm as he returns for his junior year, according to head coach Collin Nagy.

“Since the day he injured his elbow, he’s been waiting to get on the mat. I actually had to tell him to relax a bit and take some time,” Nagy said. “Noah is an extremely motivated individual. You watch him wrestle and you see how much he loves the sport and how much he has within himself. He’s extremely mentally tough. He fully believes in himself and what he has and he’s more than capable of beating anyone.”

Stamm looks to join teammate Logan Bennett at the state tournament this year. Bennett qualified last year by finishing fourth at regionals at 138 pounds, beating a pair of District 2 wrestlers with a combined 65 wins to earn his spot in Hershey. There his two losses came to eventual state runner-up Cole Wetzel, of Boiling Springs, and eventual fifth-place finisher Creighton Edsell, of Wyalusing.

“Those two challenge each other and put each other in situations that are pretty interesting, to say the least,” Nagy said. “They’re fun to watch and they’re physical and they go at each other. They call themselves a power couple, and they certainly feed off one another.”

Brent Engleman and (12-11) and Bryan Smith (19-13) are a pair of returning district qualifiers who return to help fill in the lineup. Nevin Aeppli, a 2015 district qualifier, also returns to the Black Panthers’ lineup. Colton Aikey also returns after a 15-win campaign.

“Obviously we have some big shoes to fill losing Brandon (Stokes) and Gage (Heller). Fortunately, I think with some of the guys we have up there, we’ve kind of been prepping to fill those spots,” Nagy said. “Those guys have been in the lineup for a long time and I think they’re ready to fill the shoes of those guys. Gage and Brandon were a huge part of this team, but I think Engleman and Aikey and Aeppli up top can be, too.”

Head coach: Colin Nagy (2nd season).

Career record: 7-9.

Assistant coaches: Josh Anspach, Brock Waughen, Jerry Derr.

League: Heartland-II.

Last year: 7-9.

Returning district qualifiers: Noah Stamm (4th, 132); Logan Bennett (3rd, 138); Bryan Smith (0-2, 152); Brent Engleman (0-2, 195).

Returning regional qualifiers: Noah Stamm (6th, 132); Logan Bennett (4th, 138).

Returning state qualifiers: Logan Bennett (2-2, 138).

Roster:SENIORS – Mailon Reyes-Santana, 126; Cameron Aunkst, 132; Logan Bennett, 145; Bryan Smith, 160; Brent Engleman, 195/220; Nevin Aeppli, 285. JUNIORS – Nick Deresky, 120; Noah Stamm, 138; Hailie Roup, 160; Colton Aikey, 170. SOPHOMORES – Haiden Deberry, 152. FRESHMEN – Colton Taylor, 106; Tanner Walter, 106; Brent Mitch, 182.

MONTGOMERY

Kyle Mowrey likes the trend he’s seeing at Montgomery. The 15 kids he has on his roster are more than he’s had in recent years, and that’s step one to getting the program back to where he and his kids want it, which is finishing above .500 and qualifying for the District 4 Duals tournament.

“I think in this day and age, if you have a full roster, you have a .500 team,” Mowrey said. “We want to be .500 and get back into district duals. And in order to do that we need to have a full roster and we need to have guys stay healthy.”

Mowrey said the Red Raiders are staring at maybe a forfeit or two as the season gets started. But more so than in recent years, the team has balance throughout the lineup. There aren’t a cluster of kids at one weight or another.

Staying healthy will be the key for Montgomery. With just 15 kids on the roster, the Red Raiders can’t afford to lose anybody for an extended period of time if it wants to reach the .500 mark.

“That changes the results of matches when someone goes down injured or you’re giving up forfeits,” Mowrey said. “But we have to keep it all in perspective. You have to go through what your goals are and try to reach them throughout the year.”

The Red Raiders are led by returning regional qualifiers Lucas Drick and Brandon Daldo. Drick has come up one win short of the state tournament in each of the past two seasons, losing to Southern Columbia’s Shane Casey in 2015 in the consolation semifinals at regionals, and losing last year to Lewisburg’s Brian Friery.

Daldo was a little bit more of a surprise for Montgomery a year ago, reaching the consolation semifinals at regionals after entering the postseason with an 18-9 record. But he finished fourth at sectionals and districts before finishing sixth at regionals.

“We try to get them into a good place going into the postseason. The more training you do and the more you put into practice, the more you get out of it,” Mowrey said. “In practice you have to envision that what you’re doing is a match, and how you perform at practice is how you’re going to perform in the postseason.”

Head coach: Kyle Mowrey (4th season).

Career record: 21-45.

Assistant coaches: Kevin Mowrey, Tim Reitz, Corey Mowrey, Kasey Lyon, Garrett Shnyder, Dave Deem.

League: Mid-Penn.

Last year: 6-11.

Returning district qualifiers: Brandon Daldo (4th, 106); Lucas Drick (5th, 113); Chris Mangle (1-2, 152); Eithan Marino (0-2, 220).

Returning regional qualifiers: Brandon Daldo (6th, 106); Lucas Drick (6th, 113).

Returning state qualifiers: None.

Roster: SENIORS – Giosia Wenner, 106; Lucas Drick, 126; Tayllor Budman, 182. JUNIORS – Brandon Daldo, 120; Oscar Garcia, 132; Jensen Drick, 138; Trevor Kennedy, 145; Judson Werner, 160; Nick Pryor, 170; Jacob Thomas, 195; Eithan Marino, 220; Zechariah Beachel, 285. SOPHOMORES – Colton Bower, 113. FRESHMEN – Kai Felix, 106; Kade Showers, 132.

MONTOURSVILLE

Jamie Yonkin said his Montoursville team isn’t being honest with itself if it doesn’t think its taking a step back from last year’s performance. It’s inevitable because of what the Warriors lost from a team which finished in the top six in the state at the PIAA Team Wrestling Championships.

Gone is state runner-up and career wins leader Garrett Hoffman. Gone is two-time state placewinner and 154-match winner Keith Batkowski. And gone is former state qualifier and 123-match winner Ben Cerney. But also gone are key role players like Michael Forney and Jake Strassner. It’s just all too much for Yonkin to ignore.

“Teams having those caliber of kids at one time, it just doesn’t happen every day, at least not at Montoursville,” Yonkin said. “We were looking before our banquet and Ben, Garrett and Keith were three of the top six winners of all time at our school. To lose those three kids, the other guys have to be ready to step up. We’re hoping we’ve built a program where kids can step right in and be an asset in the lineup.”

Don’t worry, Montoursville fans, the cupboard is far from bare. Returning state champion Gavin Hoffman is only a junior and is ranked fifth in the country at 195 pounds. He’s also ranked as the 13th-best prospect in the Class of 2018 by FloWrestling. State qualifier Wyatt Lutz is back for his junior year. District qualifiers Morgan Comini and Kyle Bennett also return.

“We’re trying to get other kids to understand that yes, Gavin is back and Lutzy is going to try to step up to be a guy we can count on more consistently, but we need the other guys to step up and win 60 to 70 percent of their matches and give a good, hard-fought match,” Yonkin said. “I think they get it. And in the grand scheme of things, we’re going to be competitive when we go wrestle. I don’t think we’ll get blown away by any means. The kids have been around and they know what the expectations are and they know the work ethic we’re looking for.”

The Warriors will be bolstered by the return of Nolan Ott, a two-time district qualifier who missed the entirety of the 2015-16 season with a football injury. Ott won 56 matches over the course of his freshman and sophomore seasons.

But Yonkin is still cautious about Ott and his return. He knows what the senior is capable of when healthy, but there is some rust to knock off his game.

“It’s nice to have him in the room. He’s good kid and a hard worker. It’s a matter of seeing where he’s going to be,” Yonkin said. “He’s a God-gifted athlete, but there’s a lot of work to do to get him back to where he was.”

Head coach: Jamie Yonkin (11th season).

Assistant coaches: Matt Yonkin, Paul Finicle, Vic Gorini, Chris Molino, Aaron Fry.

League: Hearrtland-II.

Last year: 25-3, Heartland-II champion, District 4 Duals runner-up, PIAA Duals top six.

Returning district qualifiers: Wyatt Lutz (3rd, 106); Morgan Comini (0-2, 120); Kyle Bennett (6th, 138); Gavin Hoffman (1st, 195).

Returning regional qualifiers: Wyatt Lutz (3rd, 106); Gavin Hoffman (1st, 195).

Returning state qualifiers: Wyatt Lutz (2-2, 106); Gavin Hoffman (1st, 195).

Roster: SENIORS – Kyle Bennett, 170; Morgan Comini, 126; Mikey Martin, 220; Brandon Steinbacher, 220. JUNIORS – Isiah Gingerich, 113; Gavin Hoffman, 195; Wyatt Lutz, 120; Jakob Reidy, 182; Charlie Steinbacher, 145; Dalton Tubbs, 220. SOPHOMORES – Gable Crebs, 160; Wyatt Dewald, 138; Collin Dincher, 126; Ben Page, 160; Isiah Schriner, 182. FRESHMEN – Jacob Reeder, 132; Cameron Wood, 182.

MUNCY

Denny Harer is likely going to start five freshmen in his lineup when the Indians begin the dual-meet season. But don’t worry, it’s a pretty strong freshman class.

The Indians are coming off a 16-win season in which Angelo Barberio earned his first state medal. Barberio has since graduated and is wrestling at American University. But Muncy is in a good place, Harer said.

“We really have a great core of kids,” Harer said. “We have a lot of good talent coming back with Coleman (Good), (Noah) Gush and (Hunter) Poust. But we’re really young.”

Poust put together one of the more underrated years last year as a sophomore, winning 31 matches and finishing as the Central Sectional runner-up at 195 pounds to eventual state champion Gavin Hoffman. Now Poust is coming off an all-state caliber football season and is looking to be prepared for an even better breakout season.

“I’m a big believed in getting that first year under your belt and knowing how grueling it is to go through a postseason,” Harer said. “Last year was his first year of varsity and he lacked the confidence and didn’t believe in himself. But he’s had a lot of success. He was an Eastern National runner-up and placed at PJW states, and now he has a varsity season under his belt and his goal is to place in Hershey this year.”

The Indians are currently tied with Benton for the longest active streak of consecutive years with a state placewinner. Both programs have had a state placewinner every year since 2008. It’s a pretty remarkable number for the program considering the state of Muncy wrestling when Harer took over. But it’s not a number he and his team worry about. They know if they put in the time, that will take care of itself.

“My concern is winning championships,” Harer said. “The kids understan