A few years ago, Southern Columbia's wrestling program was on the rocks, with small turnouts and all of the things that generates - forfeit defeats, lack of in-house competition and little interest.
But the Tigers and head coach Jerry Marks persevered through the lean seasons, waiting on an upcoming group of elementary and junior high wrestlers who they thought would lead them back on the winning trail.
Last year, that patience paid off.
Led by sophomore Kent Lane, the Tigers sent three wrestlers to the state AA tournament. Lane, who was 37-0 after the Northeast Regional, placed sixth at 126 with a 40-3 overall record, and freshman Blake Marks was 36-8 with 26 pins and placed eighth at 145.
The Tigers should roar even more this season, with the return of some injured wrestlers and an influx of successful junior high wrestlers and transfers.
Although state qualifier Jake Becker graduated, the Tigers will also welcome back Brett Shepard, who was 29-10 and a regional qualifier at 113; and Trent Donlan, who was 20-9 as a freshman two years ago at 285 but missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.
Southern fans are already talking about Lane's younger brother, freshman Todd Lane, who is already high up in District Four rankings, and the Tigers will also be aided by brother Zach and Chase Tillet, who wrestled at Shamokin before transferring.
On the down side, sophomore Nick Becker, who also missed most of last season with shoulder injuries, is not expected to wrestle this season.
"The division (Heartland Conference Division III) is always tough with Benton and Muncy," Coach Marks said.
Line Mountain, the area's other perenially strong team, is coming off a 9-9 dual meet season and graduated last season's News-Item Wrestler of the Year in 138-pound state runnerup Seth Lansberry, who is now starting at Lycoming College. Britton Heim and Erik Smeltz were also key contributors but the Eagles do have another state placewinner, Cam Newman, back. Newman was eighth at 106 as a sophmore with a 36-10 record and is 64-27 for his career and a two-time state qualifier. He bulked up in the offseason to play football and will move up some classes.
Rayce Boyer and Blake Carl are returning two-year starters and sophomore Brendan Renn was a district qualifier at 190 despite wrestling up some weights. Head coach Mike Martz is also excited about a good freshman class.
Blake Panko was 28-11 and a regional qualifier as a sophomore for Mount Carmel aat 138, and freshman Allen Yancoskie was 20-11 at 182 and should be in the thick of postseason qualifying.
Shane Gudonis, Gabe Bogutskie, Troy Tafner and Zeke Zsido also gained lots of experience last season.
Shamokin head coach Todd Hockenbroch and his staff are gradually rebuilding the Indians after heavy losses from a talented group several years ago. Senior Zach Biddiscombe was 27-12 and just missed a trip to the state meet with a fourth-place regional finish at 195, and Bill Leon, Brett Long, Josiah Miller and Michael Britton are all returning starters from an 8-15 team.
"This year's team is coming along nicely," Hockenbroch said. "We have some attendance issues we are clearing up but when the team is together they are making progress. The staff is excited to see how much this young team can improve."
North Schuylkill is another team on the rebound. Senior Auston Hummel was a state qualifier at 160 with a 37-6 record and sophomore Nate Gadinsky posted a 28-6 mark splitting time between 220 and 285.
The Spartans have nine returning lettermen. Also back are regional qualifier C.J. Steinhilber and Shane McGrath, who was fifth in District 11.
Following are capsule looks at each team:
Line Mountain
Head coach: Mike Martz
Assistant coaches: Chuck Johnson, Troy Laudenslager, Josh Phillips, John Ciotti, Darin Keim, Bob Renn, Fred Martz, Wolf Downs
Classification: District 4 AA
Last year's record: 9-9
Key losses: Seth Lansberry (state runnerup, 138, 38-5, 137-37 career); Britton Heim, Erik Smeltz (170, sectional runnerup, 26-10)
Roster: Seniors - Rayce Boyer (two-year starter, 17-15). Juniors - Cameron Newman (two-time state qualifier, 8th place (36-10 season, 64-27 career); Blake Carl (two-time district qualifier, 12-19); Logan Snyder, J.P. Lenker, Chad Mace. Sophomores - Riley Shaffer, Brendan Renn (district qualifier, 16-17); Austin Baumert. Freshmen - Cole Hauck, Collin Klinger, Brian Earlston, Gary Laudenslager, Ashton Dauberman, Brandon Ivan, Garrett Kieffer.
Mount Carmel
Head coach: Randy Reidler, 10th season
Assistant coaches: Bucky McCollum, Matt Narcavage
Classification: District Four AA
Key losses: Tom Stief, Tyler Wariki, Danny Fletcher, Christian Howerter, Jordan Haq, Seth Stablewski
Roster: Not available.
North Schuylkill
Head coach: Chris Edwards, 2nd season
Classification: District 11 AA
Roster: Seniors - Austin Hummel, 160-170 (37-6, state qualifier); Garet Grove, 160-170; Tyrel Trautman, 182-195. Juniors - Jess Wetzel, 120-126; Zach Griffin, 120-126; Christian Zamudio, 126-132; Tyler Budnavage, 138-145; Nick Price, 152-160; Alek Hummel, 182-195; Nate Gadinski, 220-285 (28-6). Sophomores - Shane McGrath, 126-132; Corey Reinoehl, 138-145; C.J. Steinhilber, 182-195 (regional qualifier); Michael Damiter, 182-195; Dane Tarantelli, 195-220. Freshmen - Mason Madden-Edwards, 106-113; Owen Boyer, 106-113; Matthew Cole, 113-120; Ricky Elliott, 126-132; Joe Alexander, 138-145; Ethan Rooney, 182-195.
Shamokin
Head coach: Todd Hockenbroch
Classification: District 4 AA
Last year's record: 8-15
Key losses: Jordan Glosek, Anthony Anonia (sectional champ), Mike Yucha, Theo Deptula, Luis Martinez
Roster: Seniors - Zach Biddiscombe, 220 (regional qualifier, 27-12); Ty Fisher, 170; Billy Leon, 126-132, (17-9). Juniors - Darris Herrold, 195-220; Tyler Allmond, 145; Brett Long, 132-138 (district qualifier, 13-17); Josiah Miller, 152 (10-14). Sophomores - Adam Miller, 295; Michael Britton, 113 (7-11); Cory Houser, 145; Brett Rebuck, 160; Justin Aponte, 182-195; Braysojn Pawelczyk, 182; Dustin Erdman, 132; Kyle Diorio, 152; Keith Elliott, 120. Freshmen - Chris Kindle, 106.
Southern Columbia
Head coach: Jerry Marks
Assistant Coaches: Kent Lane, Evan Gajkowski, Nate Shirk, Marc Longenhagen
Classification: District 4 AA
Last year's record: 16-13, PHAC III 3-3
Key losses: Jake Becker (state qualifier), Diego Otero
Roster: Seniors - Brett Shepard, 120 (regional qualifier); Alex Schull, 138; Zach Tillet, 170; Ben Clark, 195; Robert Delbo, 220; Adam Feudale, 220. Juniors - Noah Carl, 113; Kent Lane, 132 (sixth place state 126); Ryan Matukaitis, 145; Conner Houseknecht, 160; Trent Donlan, 285. Sophomores - Blake Marks, 152 (state placewinner); Steve Toczlousky, 170; Chase Tillet, 195; Josh Yoder, 285. Freshmen - Cameron Bauman, 106; Shane Casey, 106; Todd Lane, 120; Jake Santor, 126; Bryce Hager, 126; Carter Houseknecht, 145.