Northampton’s wrestling team is gearing up for one of their best potential individual postseason runs in recent memory when the District 11 tournament kicks off this Friday and Saturday at Liberty’s Memorial Gymnasium. The Kids return six wrestlers with previous district medals and are one of the top teams that can battle with Bethlehem Catholic in the team standings heading into the tournament.

After losing to Becahi in the state championship two weeks ago, Northampton will be on a collision course with the Hawks for the team race this weekend.

“These guys have high expectations for themselves,” said Northampton head coach Seth Lisa. “They have worked hard and dedicated a lot of time this offseason and regular season and its exciting to see them fight for their goals.”

Northampton should have a full compliment of wrestlers this weekend, as their lineup will feature Ryan Stilgenbauer (106), Alex Hanley (113), Sam Hanley (120), Ethan Szerencsits (126), Julian Chlebove (132), Devon Britton (138), Jagger Condomitti (145), Michael Kistler (152), Erik Schreck (160), Trasaich Roland (170), Riley Gallagher (182), Jayden Bortz (195), Blake Lambert (220) and Hunter Werkheiser (HWT).

Hanley (third), Condomitti (third), Britton (fourth), Kistler (third), Bortz (third) all placed last year at their respective weights, while Chlebove returns as a two-time district champion after sitting out his junior season.

With all the talent and experience in the fold for the Kids this weekend, Northampton should enjoy itself a fruitful tournament.

“Individually, we know the goal is to qualify all of our guys,” said Lisa. “The district has been incredibly competitive this year and it’s going to take some good wresting and our best effort to compete for a team title.

“We have a lot of guys we think that can compete for a title or make the finals. The usual suspects would be Chlebove, Britton, Condomitti, and Kistler but we know we have the potential for more. It comes down to which teams and wrestlers show up.”