Heading into the individual district wrestling Class 2A wrestling championships at Freedom High School this weekend, Catasauqua head wrestling coach Joe Russo likes his team’s chances.

Russo also got a good glance at the future of the program.

The Roughies will return three district place winners from last season, all of whom have a legitimate chance at advancing to the regional championships the following weekend.

“We like our lineup and we will have some holes,” said Russo. “Our guys have wrestled hard all season and they have improved.

“We believe we can do well this weekend.”

Senior 170-pound Brad Panto (11-14 record), junior LaVonte Bouie (14-7) and sophomore Austin Brett (18-6) all placed in districts last year. Panto and Bouie each placed sixth in their respective weight, and Brett was fourth overall.

Completing the lineup for the Roughies will be freshman 106-pounder Jaryn Hartranft (21-6), freshman 113-pounder Cole Brown (17-9), senior 126-pounder Bradshaw Henning (10-16), senior 145-pounder Dylan Gino (9-15) junior 182-pounder Adam Reinhart (17-8), and junior 220-pounder Zach Scheirer (6-15).

“Freshmen Hartranft and Brown have had strong years at the top of our lineup,” added Russo. “Seniors Gino, Panto, and Henning headed for one last ride, and my staff has had the pleasure of coaching these guys since youth league.

“Reinhart has come on strong and beating some tough guys down the stretch. Scheirer will see his first district action and has fought hard at the back of the lineup with Bouie. Brett came up two wins short of states last year.”

The Roughies also made an impact at the inaugural Colonial League Junior Varsity/Junior High Tournament that was held Feb. 11 (see photos).

Catty finished first out of the 12-team field with 179.5 overall points, head of second-place Saucon Valley, which recorded 154.5 points.

Jacob Nye finished sixth in the junior high tournament, and Gavin Fehr was fourth in the junior high level along with Connor Mickelson (fifth) Mickael Hartranft (seventh), and Miles Hernandez (eighth).

“Both tournaments were AA and AAA combined,” said Russo. “It was extremely competitive. Our guys battled through it and did a great job.”