The Parkland High School boys wrestling team is excited and ready to compete for another season with the 2024-25 regular season coming up.

Last season, the Trojans finished in fifth place in the District 11 3A team duals and then 10th place in the Regional Tournament, qualifying for state championships.

Head coach Eddie Keichel and the program graduated Blake Dergham, one of the top wrestlers on the team last year and a runner-up at districts at 121 pounds

Parkland returns a number of talented and experienced members of the lineup. Michael Gavrilesku was another top senior that graduated as he placed third overall at districts at 285 pounds.

“We have a good group of kids coming back that are talented and hungry to compete,” said Keichel. “The kids are working hard every day and keep pushing themselves and each other to get better. I am very excited to watch them compete this year.”

Some of the top returning wrestlers from last year include senior Leo Kern at 133 pounds and sophomore Matt Velez at 107. Kern was a third-place finisher at districts last year and Velez placed fourth at districts and fifth at regionals. Some key newcomers that are expected to contribute include freshmen Donato Ciampittiello and Braden Todora. Other wrestlers that will be competing for spots in the lineup include senior Eli Russ at 114, junior Max Pugach and sophomores Luis Moya at 160, CJ Toth at 172 and Jared Santilli.

Parkland is looking to better themselves this season and reach higher goals.

“Our goals this year are to keep getting better every day,” Keichel said. “We would like to qualify for District Duals and finish top five in the district.”

Parkland opens the 2024-25 campaign this week. The Trojans opened up at Blue Mountain this past Tuesday and then opened up competition in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference at Northampton on Wednesday.