After graduating eight of their 14 starters from last year, the wrestling team is hoping to remain dominant with talented wrestlers competing in several different weight classes.

Most of the departed seniors of last season were starters for all four years on the team, leaving many holes in the roster. Current seniors Nick Panlibuton and Chris Boinis are also out for the season after sustaining injuries during the football season. Both were expected to fill varsity spots.

However, there is lots of up-and-coming talent with JV county champions Ezra Alexander and Zach Salem-Mackall, both looking to find their niche on the varsity squad. The Vikes also return starter Mitch Fenton, who was regional champion last year and competed in the state tournament in the 145 lbs. weight class.

Captain Evan Smith who has been a starter since his freshman year adds to the dynamic roster. Other seniors including Cyrus Sobhani and Kevin Cullinane are expected to be big-time contributors this season.

Heavyweight Jacob Winch says that the holes in the varsity lineup can be advantageous, since the competition for spots raises the intensity in practice.

“It makes us try harder and do better if you’re not just given a spot,” he said.

Winch will be joining an experienced heavyweight group led by seniors Mathew McClanahan and Jonah Brain.

Head Coach Derek Manon said that although there are a lot of new faces on the team, they still have a chance to be a major contender in the county.

“It’s a very exciting team. Not a lot of people from around the county or region are expecting a whole lot from Whitman,” he said. “It will be a very new lineup, but I think there are a lot of guys who are hungry to get in the varsity lineup, and make a name for themselves.”

Part of the new lineup includes an exciting freshman class led by Clark Boinis and Andrew Shiman, who will be bolstering the roster for the lower weight classes.

Manon says it is important to approach the season one game at a time, starting with a tough home opener against Paint Branch, who Whitman has split wins with in the last two years.

“[Paint Branch] has a good core group coming back and we certainly cannot look past them,” he said. “That’s the first real big test for us.”