After a hiatus of several years, the Youngsville junior high wrestling program reemerged with great success a season ago.

The Eagles hope to build on that solid foundation when they take to the mat for the upcoming 2023-24 wrestling season.

“I’m really looking forward to working with these kids this year,” said junior high coach Tim Suydan. “I’m inheriting a good group of seventh graders who have been tremendously coached by coach (Dan) Sullivan and his staff in our Little Eagles wrestling program for the past year or more.”

This season, Youngsville returns a pair of eighth-graders from last year’s team in Ayden Dean and Mason Fleming. Suydan expects big things from each in their final seasons at the junior high level.

“Mason comes into his second season after turning a lot of heads last year,” said Suydan. “He was able to handily win a pair of matches at states and two of his losses were by a combined three points. His best days of wrestling are certainly ahead of him.”

As for Dean, Suydan said “Ayden saw a ton of growth last season. He went from being a kid with untapped potential to an area finalist and medaling at most of the tournaments we went to. I’m looking for him to continue his upward trajectory.”

Joining the program in seventh grade this season are Jacob Battko, Brayden Patch, Tucker Sanford, Collin Havers, Brenton Myers and Ryker Chase.

“Tucker qualified for the Keystone State Tournament last year as a first-year wrestler. That’s no easy feat. I expect him to take another step forward this year and chase a state medal,” said Suydan. “Collin has a Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling state medal on the wall at home. He probably would’ve vied for another last year too if not for an unfortunate injury. I anticipate him bouncing back in a big way this year.”

Suydan continued, “Jacob is in a similar boat in that he was bit by the injury bug last year. He’s still raw but has a high ceiling and shows a lot of willingness to learn. Ryker came close to qualifying for states last year when he placed at areas. He’s a tough and coachable kid with the potential for a big year.

“Brenton is coming back to the sport after taking last year off,” he said. “I believe he has more potential than he gives himself credit for and could surprise some people this year. Brayden is a newcomer to the sport. He’s an athletic kid with a plethora of natural gifts who should benefit from the other kids in the room as we look to get him up to speed this season.”

Heading into the season, the Eagles will be looking to build on last season’s foundation.

“Last year, I inherited a very young and mostly inexperienced team,” said Suydan. “This year, we have more kids with a knowledge foundation which should serve to benefit our kids who are newer to the sport. A season ago, Ayden and Carsyn Branstrom were my only wrestlers with real experience. They helped make sure their teammates were doing things right while also making sure they were honing their own skills. Health provided, we shouldn’t run into that as much this year. Our more experienced wrestlers will be able to help mentor our newer wrestlers which will, ideally, make them more competitive sooner.”

Youngsville opens its junior high season Saturday, competing at the Commodore Perry Junior High Duals.