The Parkland wrestling team graduated three good wrestlers from last year’s team.

But with several returning wrestlers and an influx of some others who were either injured or just didn’t participate last season, the Trojans should be able to make up for those losses to graduation and come out even better this eason.

“I feel pretty darn good,” said first-year head coach Mike Ottinger. “We might not have had the success last year that we should have had. We’re coming back with five or six guys that can really make an impact.”

The Trojans went 10-6 overall last year and 6-3 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. They earned the No. 11 seed for team districts before falling to Liberty in the first round.

In last year’s individual postseason, the Trojans had three district place-winners and one state qualifier in Zach Ortman, who returns after a fourth place finish in Hershey last year.

The senior who took third place at districts and regionals last season will look to move up the podium this March in Chocolatetown.

“He’s a workhorse,” said Ottinger. “He’s thinking state gold.”

Ottinger will wrestle at 145 this season and be followed by his brother, freshman Josh Ortman at 152.

Senior Ethan Moscat (182/195) also returns after taking fourth at districts last season.

Parkland could have a senior-heavy line up as Blake Shalbert (132/138), Kevin Vrablik (152), Adam Lizak (170), Nick Dolak (126/132), Jahan Worth (220), Nate Weider (195) and Mike Novak (285) are all part of the Class of 2018.

Shalbert went 23-13 last year and Lizak posted an 18-15 mark. Dolak was a state qualifier two years ago, but did not wrestle in last year’s individual postseason. Worth was in the lineup during his sophomore season but did not wrestle last year.

Juniors Kale Cummings (138/145) and Mason Lansenderfer (132/138) were part of the lineup last season. Junior Brandon Kasis (120/126), a former Escape the Rock Tournament champs, and John Glovas are also part of the junior class.

Sophomores Lucas Kern and Bryan Diaz return after being part of the lineup as freshman. They’ll occupy the 113- and 120-pound weight classes, while classmate David Polanki (170) also returns.

Ottinger likes his team’s chances this season. The numbers are up and his wrestlers will be able to make better use of practice this year with partners they can match up with more evenly.

“We’ve built it up a little more and we’ll have good partners to help us throughout the year,” said Ottinger. “I think we have the potential to win everything. I think we’re maybe the most well-balanced team throughout. You look at the line up there’s really not many guys that we’re going to throw in there that don’t have any experience.”

Ottinger, a former Parkland wrestler, is in his first year of coaching. He won a state title in 2011, his senior year. He also is a two-time district champ and three-time state qualifier.

He went on to Central Michigan, where he won 104 matches, qualified for nationals four times and won a pair of Mid-American Conference individual championships.

He has former Parkland head coach Jim Best on his staff, along with former assistant Andrew Laudenslager and some other Parkland graduates.

“I think I walked into a nice thing,” said Ottinger. “I think this is a good family we have here, lots of talent, but also they’re good kids. They’re respectful. They listen. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”