SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — Abington Heights head wrestling coach Steve Peters expects the team to show improvement on the mat due to the close-knit relationship the group has formed.

After some growing pains during his first year, the squad took a step forward last season and Peters is hopeful the progress will continue.

“Last year, we definitely had kids buying into the program, and we absolutely had more of a team and family environment,” Peters said. “We’re coming off a winning season and our number (of wrestlers) is the highest its been. The program is absolutely developing into something solid.”

Peters feels the team’s increased camaraderie helped the group improve its record from 9-11 during the 2014-15 to 11-9 in 2015-16.

“We’re a team now, not just a bunch of individuals,” he said. “We work together and the guys spend some of their downtime together. It’s a very family-oriented program and the guys really lean on each other when they need to, which is great.”

While the team has become more competitive, overall, the group is still looking for its first Lackawanna League Division 1 win during Peters’ tenure. The squad has also been unable to completely fill its lineup for many years, although the Comets currently have wrestlers to compete in 13 of the 14 weight classes heading into this season.

“We have a big group of sophomores,” Peters said. “A lot of what we’re able to do is going to depend on how hard they work and how well they acclimate themselves going from junior high to varsity. We had a ton of guys put in time during the offseason trying to get better and, if everybody does their part, we can make some noise in the league this year.”

The team must fill the voids left by Nick Carr, who claimed the bronze medal in the 160-pound weight class at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 3A Championships, Noah Sirianni, a regional qualifier at 106, Jack Hildebrand, who started at 182, and Anthony Kimble, who started at 220.

Despite those losses to graduation, the team has many wrestlers with good potential, Peters believes.

Senior Adam Wellard returns in the 195-pound weight class after winning 23 matches and advancing to the North East Regional Tournament last season.

“I really want to make it back to regionals,” Wellard said. “It was a great experience, and I want to win some matches and place this time. It’s going to take a lot of hard work with my practice partner and all my teammates.”

Junior Owen Hivner is expected to move up to 170 after winning 28 matches at 160 last year.

Senior Eric Jacoby returns at 145 and senior Joe Makowski is back at 285.

Senior Logan Hivner and sophomore RJ Knott are expected to compete at 220 while senior Tom Hildebrand should see action at 182.

Junior Christopher Langan, who won 18 matches last season, is expected to move from 152 to 160. Junior Dom Angelicola may also see time at 160.

Senior Sean Myers and junior Arrick Howells will compete at 132.

Sophomore Jacob Rosenstein will wrestle at 195, sophomores Seth Drake and Tony Frietto are working at 170, sophomore Sam Northup will compete at 152, and sophomores Noah Johnson and Ethan Mattox will compete at 126.

Sophomore Scott Jacoby, who won 21 matches competing at 106 last season, is expected to compete at 120.

Sophomore Billy Peters is expected to compete at 113 and sophomore Aidan Price may see time at 160 or 170.

Abington Heights will open its season Saturday, Dec. 10 with the Gary Woodruff Ram Duals at Wyalusing High School.

The Abington Heights High School wrestling captains are, from left, Adam Wellard, Sean Myers and Eric Jacoby.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_ABJ-AH-Wrestling.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Abington Heights High School wrestling captains are, from left, Adam Wellard, Sean Myers and Eric Jacoby. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.