Catasauqua’s wrestling program is still working to field a full lineup, but the Roughies will return as developed a core as they have had over the past few seasons. With a strong returning unit in place, Catty expects to make some noise on both the individual and team fronts this winter.

The Roughies will have the benefit of opening the season at home, as they will host their own tournament this weekend.

“We’re looking pretty good,” said head coach Kyle Rusnock. “We feel we can go into the season now with what we have, and these kids are ready to go.

“We have some of the football players working to get into shape and that can be tough. They do have some time and things really aren’t too bad. Everyone’s spirits are way up right now.”

The Roughies lost only two seniors from last year’s squad, middleweight Devin Greene and heavyweight Armani Rivera.

Senior Ryan Greene, a regional qualifier who barely missed states last year, heads the returning core that has gained experience over the past two campaigns. He won 28 matches last season.

Others back in the fold are seniors Ben Nosal, Tyler Youseff, Dan Dailey, and Alec Hartranft along with juniors Tyler Melendez, Oscar Cordone, Shane Brader, Jacob Latsch, and Derrick Rodriguez, and sophomores Bradshaw Henning and Malik Sharif.

Rusnock sees Greene returning to an usual 145-52 spot along Hartranft, while Derrick Rodriguez, Oscar Cordone and Tyler Melendez figure to drop anywhere from 120-38. Nosal, Youseff, Dailey, Brader and Latsch should be in contention for the heavier weight classes. Henning and Sharif will battle at the top.

Freshman Levonte Bouie has been impressive in the early going and looks to be penciled in at heavyweight.

“We will have three or four guys around the same weights at 120 to 140,” said Rusnock. “Greene can be anywhere from 145 to 152. We’ll have to see where he is comfortable. Youseff and Nosal are back at the upper weights, and both of them have looked really good. Levonte Bouie has been a pleasant surprise and that is a good sign for us.”

After hosting their own tournament, the Roughies will begin the dual season with Salisbury and Bangor. They will also compete in the Berwick Duals, the Coal-Cracker Tournament, and the Whitehall Duals down the road.

With experience and excitement also registered, the Roughies are ready to make a statement.

“The attitude and commitment from them is phenomenal right now,” stressed Rusnock. “They want to be able to qualify for districts and regionals and want to move on to states. We’ll see how our lineup fills out, but we are very confident things will work out well.”