With 10 seconds left, Zach Villarreal ’17 was just two points down in a match that gave him the opportunity to individually advance to the state tournament. Villarreal went on to tie his opponent as the buzzer rang, going on to win in overtime. This victory would ultimately lead him to earn sixth place in state in the 120-pound weight class for the 2014-2015 boys wrestling season.

“I don’t just want to place again,” Villarreal said “Winning state is all that matters at this point.”

With veteran varsity wrestlers like Villarreal and Johnny Mologousis ’17 returning for the 2015-2016 season, the team has the benefit of experience this year, Head Coach Griff Powell said.

“We were a very young team in the past, and now we are all very experienced and ready to make a lot of noise,” Mologousis said. “We all have our own unique style of wrestling and our own way to help [to] bring the team wins; if everybody wrestles their own style, then we will have a lot of success this year.”

Despite closely losing to Marmion at the Sectional meet and not receiving a team bid to the state tournament, the team has high hopes for the 2015-2016 season. In order to prepare for the coming months, some wrestlers choose to compete at private clubs in the off-season, while all team members have the opportunity to lift in the weight room or attend open mat sessions to stay in shape, Powell said.

“[A goal] this year is to take state as a team,” Dominic Pavone ’17 said. “I believe that we have a team that can accomplish it.”

Finishing the previous season as Regional champions ranked eighth in the state with a 14-6 dual meet record, the upcoming season allows the opportunity for both individual and team success.

“We’ve got a good group, an experienced group,” Powell said. “If they can put in the work in and stay focused and committed to what their goals are, we’re going to have a lot of success [this season].”

The team takes on York tonight, Dec. 4,  at 6 PM in the NC Vaughan Gym.