Catasauqua first-year head wrestling coach Jonathan Reed knows that in every transition there is bound to be change.

The Roughies did lose some seniors to graduation after last season, most notably state qualifier 145-pounder Gavin Fehr, who accumulated a 112-38 career after a 40-9 season last year.

Reed will rely on returning senior state qualifiers Chad Beller (38-1 last season) and Mikhail Hartranft (33-16) to help set the pace for his squad.

“We’re looking to Beller and Hartranft to lead the team,” said Reed, a longtime assist coach who replaced Joe Russo who resigned in the spring. “We have some younger wrestlers who we like. We’re a small school, and we’re trying to rebuild and retool every year.

“We also have some freshman who will think can make an impact. The guys have responded well so far, and we do have some other people who are back in place.”

Sophomore Evan Reed, who went 24-12 last season, fellow sophomore Gavin Hacker (14-12), and junior John-Cordon Pinto (8-6) will be at the top of the lineup with Hartranft, but Reed is looking for a 107-pounder.

Hartranft has a return to states on his radar and has worked on his technique.

“The end game goal is to place at states,” said Hartranft. “During the offseason, I did private sessions and worked on top and bottom mostly. I think I need to work on scoring more points in those positions.”

“We like these guys, and Cordon-Pinto was hurt last year,” said Reed. “We have a hole at 107 right now, but we should be able to fill it once we get to the two-pound allowance.”

Senior Miles Melendez (10-6) will buoy between 150 and 160. Newcomer sophomore Chris Wellington is expected to bounce between 160 and 175.

Junior Braden Bartholomew (5-9) is back and will likely be at 189. Fellow junior Jacob Ramos is a first timer from the football team, and he should be at 285.

Beller will be a stabilizing force in the upper part of the lineup, as he will open at 215 and can move up to 285.

“We like our guys in the upper weights,” added Reed. “We’re looking for Beller to have a big year, and Bartholomew and Ramos should be able to help us.”

Reed isn’t putting a lot of stock in the opening weeks, but he wants to meld the team in midseason, hoping to begin to peak in mid-January. Catty will open their season at home Saturday, hosting the annual Rough Riders Classic.

“We should have everything we want in place by then,” said Reed. “We have been moving people around the last several years, and you never know about injuries. We know we won’t have everyone where we want them by this weekend.

Reed believes his team can defend its Colonial League West title and also be a participant in the district duals.

“We’re just going to keep plugging along,” note Reed. “We like what we have seen so far, and we’re hoping to have someone bring back a medal from states this season.”