In his third season leading the Parkland wrestling program, head coach Jon Trenge wants some improvement.

In Trenge’s first year the Trojans did not qualify for the District 11 Class 3A duals, and last year finished second to Emmaus in the EPC’s Lehigh County Division in a year in which there were no league duals due to COVID-19. Overall the Trojans were mediocre in last year’s district individual tournament, claiming 11th out of 21 teams.

When it comes to wrestling, mediocrity is not something you associate with Trenge. He is among the Lehigh Valley’s greatest ever. He is also able to communicate his knowledge about the sport patiently, effectively and consistently to young people.

For Trenge, average won’t do.

“We are looking stronger and more seasoned than last year,” Trenge said when asked to appraise this year’s squad. “We should have a mostly solid lineup consisting of experienced wrestlers.”

That solid lineup should place the Trojans among the better District 11 teams, and produce a few individuals stars.

“We should be in the top five in District 11 as a whole and have more than four wrestlers qualify for regionals and two qualify for states,” he said.

Sophomore Blake Dergham is slated at 106 pounds, while senior Kaleb Contes will start at 113. At the 120-pound class is Aaron Ciampitiello, another senior who should provide stability and leadership, and at 126 is senior Nathan Kresge, who last year wrestled at 132.

Fierce competition surrounds the 132 class as Trenge said four wrestlers - Leo Kern, Phoenix DelVecchio, Evan Sutton and Greg Muniz - are in the mix and some may wrestle at 126. Junior Will Sallit will start at 138. The 145-pound weight is another class up in the air. It’s possible freshman Zach Sallit could see plenty of time here, although Toby Siglin and Xander DeSelm are pushing him.

Junior Juan Moya is the likely candidate at 152, while senior Mikeal Palmieri is at 160. Senior Adrian Gacek has 172 locked up, and expect to see another senior Alex Neely handle 189 matches. The 215-pound class is a work-in-progress, with Mac Moro and Julius Reyes competing, while senior Zayd Afif, a Trojan football player, will wrestle 285.

“We have a comprehensive schedule with plenty of challenges,” Trenge said of his team’s regular season itinerary, adding it was the same for his junior varsity and girls schedule. Overall, the team consists of 50 wrestlers - 35 boys and 15 girls.