With the postseason around the corner, Whitehall’s wrestling team has been working toward a strong season finish and a productive postseason ahead.

The Zephyrs recently finished seventh in the prestigious War at the Shore tournament in Maryland, which featured 40 of the better teams in the state and throughout the county.

Earlier this season, Whitehall was fourth at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and 14th at the Beast of the East in Delaware.

In Maryland, Willmont Kai won the 132-pound weight class with a decision, and Kade Pascoe was third at 120 with a decision. Layony Sanchez was fifth at 165, and Mason Hopkins was sixth at 157.

Kai, a senior and a defending state champion, is 20-1 this season, and fellow senior Pascoe is 15-5. Sanchez, a junior, is 10-7, and Hopkins, a freshman, is 13-9.

Head coach Tim Cunningham is watching his team steadily improve.

“Willmont continues to work hard on all the little things to make the improvements needed to beat the best kids in the state,” said Cunningham. “Sanchez is improving every day and is working hard to improve on a daily basis.

“Mason also is improving every day working on fundamentals and the little things to win close matches.”

Senior 175-pounder James Hopkins recently notched his 100th career victory. Hopkins, who is 100-38 for his career, has a 15-7 record this season. He was 26-9 last season and sixth at districts after a 34-10 record and sixth at regionals as a sophomore.

For Hopkins, it proved to be a big and relieved moment. He also sees his team starting to jell.

“It was pretty big,” beamed Hopkins about the moment. “It felt good to cross that goal off my list.

“I think the team is coming together more as the season progresses. I am wrestling pretty well, but I am definitely seeing more improvements as the season is going on.”

Cunningham is confident his team is in an upward spiral.

“We had a great week defeating Parkland (32-28) and then we had a great performance at The War on The Shore,” stressed Cunningham. “We just have to keep working.”

The Zephs will compete in the District 11 Championships this weekend at Freedom.