Freedom’s wrestling season is off to a flying start to the year and the Pates hope their fast start has continued legs.

With a 4-0 record under their belts the Pates added another successful weekend by taking first place at the Battle on the Delaware over the weekend.

Three Pates took home gold medals and 16 medalists all together to give head coach Anthony Marino plenty of confidence for his group early in the season.

“The start of the season has been really good for these guys,” said Marino. “They have all worked very hard in the off season showing up to every workout and even getting some matches in. They really are a great group that are not afraid of hard work. This is one of the best starts I could have asked for this year, but the team, as well as myself, understand the end goal.”

Freedom had six finalists over the weekend at Delaware Valley High School, but three that came away as champions were Keenan Ray (152), Noah MacIlroy (189) and Daniel Schiffert (HWT).

Ovidius Cusu (114), Nicholas Lyden (145) and Ivan Bonilla (160) each took second place.

Third place finishers for the Pates were Aamire Gaskins (133); Anthony Crisafulli (139); Cole Retos (172) and Elliot Black (215. Fourth place finishers included John Bodnar (121) and Samuel Kurtz (127).

Michael Mesa (107), Dominick Aurin (133) and Aaron Pizarro (172) each took fifth place, while Lucas Ellis (107) was sixth.

“Sam “Webb” Kurtz has really surprised me this year with his grit and toughness,” said Marino. “I’m very pleased with how prepared he is for the season and not afraid to bang heads with some of these upperclassmen. I’m also happy with Aamire Gaskins head space and how well he has been competing. He seems to really understand what we need as a team and what his role in that is.”

Freedom hosts Pleasant Valley and Dieruff this Wednesday and Thursday to close out another week that Marino should come out of undefeated.

“I believe they are wrestling up to the expectations that have been set,” he said about the team’s performance so far this season. “It is really coming together for a lot of the guys and them understanding what we can do as a team. Although we have been wrestling well they all know that there is still room for improvement and will continue to work hard and get better everyday.”

Liberty (1-0) takes on Pocono Mountain West this Wednesday before heading to the Penn Manor tournament this weekend.