After starts, stops and delays, the 2020-2021 Parkland wrestling season began last Wednesday and continued over a four-day period, resulting in a 2-1 early-season record.

Getting wrestlers on the mat has been anything but automatic this season. Staying focused and sharp during an unprecedented delay from mid-December to early January was a priority for Trojan coach Jon Trenge.

“We had a great core of wrestlers who had been training at a club all spring, summer and fall,” Trenge said. “Those kids were not affected whatsoever by the small breaks in action once the season got underway. I had to tell them they cannot attend club once our practices start to keep any extra risk down, but they probably benefited from any break they had.”

The benefit was the chance to recover from bumps and bruises. Some wrestlers, though, were negatively affected by the stop-and-start routine, but Trenge was pragmatic about it.

“That is just the way it is this year,” he said.

Opening night, which also served as senior night, saw Parkland put out the welcome mat for Whitehall and gain a 34-25 win, despite winning just three matches to Whitehall’s six.

Parkland benefited from four Zephyr forfeits. Garrett Fitzgerald, wrestling at 215, earned a 3-1 decision over Michael Hernandez in a good match. Zayd Afif, who is much improved and moving better than last year despite gaining 25 pounds, took care of Nicholas Rudowski 1-0.

The most impressive wrestling on opening night came from 106-pounder Blake Dergham, who earned a 10-1 major decision over Damon Pascoe.

“We need to have more confidence and attack more,” said Trenge when asked about where the Trojans can improve. “Finding and creating opportunities to score is what it is all about.”

Parkland had no problems scoring in a 77-0 blowout two nights later against William Allen. The Trojans won five matches by forfeit. Those that wrestled were in charge. Kaleb Contes pinned Anthony Polanco at 2:57, while teammate Aaron Ciampittiello pinned Jean Rosa in 59 seconds. Edwin Moya looked good in pinning Darryl Daniels 4:52 into their 172-pound match and Adrian Gacek pinned Austin Snyder in just 25 seconds.

Last Saturday night, the Trojans were unable to handle rival Emmaus, falling 39-26. Phoenix DelVecchio earned a 4-1 decision over the Hornets’ Deylain Newton at 120, while Nathan Kresge dumped Aiden Horn in a 51-second fall at 132, Adrian Gacek took care of business at 172 over Jack Brion in 2:45 fall and Afif won a good match against E.J. Boney in a 4:50 fall at 285 pounds.

“Not many of our guys are used to being dominant yet,” said Trenge. “Once they see they can, I believe the confidence will come on strong.”