Wrestling

A Program on The Rise

The Beaver Wrestling program is on the rise. 2nd year Coach Matt Hundenski believes it, and the results on the mat are certainly proving it. Beginning with the youth program and continuing through the high school level, the participation numbers are up and the talent level continues to increase.

Fresh off qualifying for the WPIAL team playoffs for the first time in program history, this gritty group of wrestlers has loftier goals according to Coach Hundenski, “The outlook this year is to continue to raise our expectations from last year…we expect to take things to the next level by placing in the WPIAL tournament as a team and by sending individuals to the state championships in Hershey.”

In order to take that next step as a program, Hundenski will rely on his 9 returning letter winners to anchor this up and coming squad, “Having this many returning letter winners is huge for the team. This year will be a year full of strong leadership.”

Returning 9 letter winners is exciting, but to achieve their lofty goals, the Bobcats expect large contributions from Seniors Chuck Bates and Justin Dudek, Juniors Tyler King, Colin Schulte and Aiden Webb, Sophomores Thomas Allen, Brooks Miller and Kyle Reeder as well as freshman Mason Lang.

Coach Hundenski has no doubt that they are all ready to step up, “We have a solid number of new additions this year and some might take that as a weakness, but I look at it differently. These guys are dedicated and will do great things for the team and for themselves individually.”

Trying to grow a sports program can be difficult, and the Bobcats wrestling program has certainly dealt with their share of growing pains throughout the years. Those pains seem to be shifting into the rear view mirror as Coach Hundenski, along with a dedicated group of youth coaches, has people believing in this program.  Perhaps more importantly, Coach Hundenski sees intangibles in his athletes at all the levels, “These young men have a lot of talent and they will the get better. The strengths these guys have is heart. Win or lose they are always looking to get better and that is going to take them far in life, on and off the mat.”

A coach that believes. Wrestlers that are willing to work. Is that the recipe for success?

Coach Hundenski says, “I always tell the guys to make a name for themselves, and last year they did that. I look for the Beaver wrestlers at all levels to continue to stay dedicated because great things are in store.”