After a rough start to their season against perennial power Saucon Valley, Catasauqua wrestling rebounded.

The Rough Riders downed rival Palisades, 42-25, and they wrestled competitively at the Chuck Springer duals, despite winning one match and losing two.

Against Palisades, Gavin Hacker (133) recorded a fall, while Evan Reed (152) and Jaxon Beaton (215) registered decisions. Elliot Jones (107), Lucas Reed (114) Jayce Perez Rivera (121), Blake Reed (127), and Aydan Frisby (139) all notched forfeits,

Head coach Jon Reed was pleased with his team’s overall performance, and they sit at 3-4 as of this writing.

“That was a big win over Palisades,” beamed Reed last week. “We tied them last year and lost on criteria so to get that win was a huge lift for the team. Everyone wrestled great, and we got the bonus points where we needed them and some others who lost didn’t give up the bonus points. That’s something we have been stressing all year.”

“Jaxon Beaton had a big win against a kid that has been a varsity kid for a couple years, so that was nice to see. Being a freshman, we can’t wait to see him progress through this season and the next few years. Gavin Hacker got an important pin for us and Evan Reed pulled out a tight match where he didn’t wrestle his best. It was a late escape to win.”

Reed also saw positives from the dual tournament.

“We also wrestled well going 1-2 at the duals beating Archbishop Carroll and losing competitive matches to Norristown and Pottsgrove.

“Evan Reed, Gavin Hacker, and newcomer Josiah Martinez all went 3-0 on the day. Josiah is just a great kid and incredibly hard worker who just started wrestling this year and coming off the football season. We are super excited to watch him learn the sport and get better and better. Going 3-0 Saturday will do wonders for his confidence.”

Reed is confident his club can build from the past week and they split matches, recently, losing to Lehighton but beating Northern Lehigh.

“Lehighton has a very experienced team with almost all their starters back from last year,” said Reed. “They are going to make some noise in the Colonial League, and we know we will have our hands full. We will be looking for overall improvement from the team and try to finish off matches and not give up the big bonus points.

“Northern Lehigh will also be another tough one with multiple starters back, but if the kids continue to work hard and mature quickly we could make it into an interesting match.”