Shorter days and colder temperatures are a sign of a serious season. Wrestling has returned to Boyertown.

Head coach Peter Ventresca is returning this year. There also are a large group of returning wrestlers such as seniors Matt Wilde, Hunter Vogels, Chris Berry, Jakob and David Campbell, and junior Elijah Jones.  Their ultimate goal for this year is to win their 4th consecutive PAC and District 1 team titles and compete at the team state championships.

“Our goals can be accomplished by everyone putting in the work,” Jones said. “We have a lot of talent, but it requires work.”

Last season, the Bears finished first in their division with a perfect 9-0 record. Wilde, David Campbell, JT Cooley, and Jones qualified for the individual state tournament, while Jakob Campbell placed in the individual state tournament.

Another achievement from the previous season was that Jordan Wood finished his high school wrestling career as a 3-time PIAA state finalist and 1-time champion. Wood is continuing his wrestling career at Lehigh University.

This year’s varsity team hopes to be as successful as last year’s. The Bears will have to stay focused and poised throughout the season to reach Hershey in March.

“What can prevent the team from winning is slacking off during practice and not remaining focused throughout the season,” Jones said.

The goals and work ethic of the varsity wrestlers are leaving an impact on the junior varsity wrestlers.

“What motivates me to improve as a wrestler is getting beat everyday and trying to be as good as the starters,” sophomore Trevor McCafferty said.

McCafferty believes that the hardest part of wrestling is that the seniors are really good and they push everyone to improve.

The Bears officially open the season at home at the Brian Bealer Memorial Bear Duals on Saturday, December 10th at 9:00 AM. Although they are the first matches of a long season, coach Ventresca won’t settle for anything less than his wrestler’s best.

“I expect their absolute best effort for the entire year,” he said.