Juan Garcia’s first season as the Salisbury wrestling head coach wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. But with a very limited number of wrestlers, it’s hard to compete with the opponents on your schedule.

The result in 2017 was a winless record for the Falcons. Despite once again having a low turnout, Garcia is hoping this group takes a step forward.

“Although we have low numbers, the wrestlers are starting to work together as a family,” Garcia said. “They are starting to buy into the program.

“We have a good number of new kids at the middle school level, but not at the varsity level.”

The two varsity wrestlers that are returning certainly have talent. Leading the duo is Jonah Neisenbaum, who is ready to embark on his second season on the mat.

After impressing coaches in his first year, Garcia has even higher expectations for the Falcons’ leader.

Devon Alder is also a returning wrestler for Garcia. Four wrestlers last year placed in the first round of the MAWAs (Mid Atlantic Wrestling Association) and Neisenbaum won the Keystone Games.

“The two returning wrestlers have worked hard during the offseason,” Garcia said. “We expect to see their hard work translate into some big success on the mat this season.

“Jonah Neisenbaum joined the team last year as a first-year wrestler. He fell in love with the sport and has put in countless hours on the mat, in the gym, at camp and wrestling in tournaments. He is one of the hardest working kids on and off the mat I have ever worked with. As a junior he is a great leader for the other wrestlers on the team.”

Still, the lineup that Salisbury will produce on a match-by-match basis will make it tough to win matches mathematically. That won’t deter Garcia’s group from giving its best effort every single night.

“We have had a number of kids come out for the team, but the amount of work it takes to succeed at this sport was too much for them,” Garcia said. “We hope to retain all of our wrestlers from the middle school team for years to come.

“As a coaching staff we want all of our wrestlers to have a winning season.”

Salisbury opens the season at Catasauqua on December 13 at 7 p.m.