The Bethel Park High School wrestling team enters the season with the difficult task of defending its WPIAL Class AAA title.

"It was an incredible ride last year to win the first WPIAL title in school history," Bethel Park coach Bob Stewart said. "Our goal is to win another title this year, but it will not be easy."

Eight starters from last season's Black Hawks squad have graduated, including six who combined for a 203-72 record.

"We lost quite a bit to graduation," Stewart said. "But we have six starters back who have significant varsity experience. Three of the six were PIAA qualifiers."

Stewart is referring to Dylan Mogan (40-7 at 112 pounds), Nick Bonaccorsi (41-9 at 160) and Adam Lazenga (35-7 at 215). Mogan and Lazenga were WPIAL runners-up, while Bonaccorsi placed third. Lazenga was also a seventh-place finisher in the PIAA tournament.

"All six returning starters are capable of picking up bonus points for us in every match," Stewart said. "How far we go this season will depend on how well our other eight starters perform."

Mogan, Bonaccorsi and Lazenga are three of six returning starters. The others are Rob Heuler (33-12 at 103), Phil Kail (21-15 at 119) and Martin Sams (29-21 at 130).

"Our first goal is to win a third consecutive Section 4-AAA title," Stewart said. "Our stiffest competition in the section will most likely come from Waynesburg and Central Catholic. Both had young teams last year."

Upper St. Clair and Peters Township are teams to watch in Section 4-AAA. Both have veteran squads returning.

Upper St. Clair had only one senior on its roster last year. The Panthers have three returnees who recorded 20 or more wins -- Mackenzie McGuire (26-2 at 103), Mike McGuire (22-6 at 125) and Connor Buker (22-10 at 152). Mackenzie McGuire was one win short of a PIAA berth as a freshman.

Peters Township had just two starters graduate. Four returnees recorded 20 or more wins last year -- Derrick Evanovich (25-10 at 103), Luke Palamides (22-7 at 112), Matt Mauer (26-6 at 135) and Zane Kail (20-13 at 140).

Canon-McMillan has won eight consecutive Section 5-AAA titles and is once again among the favorites to win the section title. The Big Macs had a 14-2 record last season and advanced to the WPIAL team semifinals before losing to eventual WPIAL runner-up Connellsville.

"Our goal every season is to win the section title," Canon-McMillan coach Chris Mary said. "We have to reload and continue to improve throughout the season."

Canon-McMillan had five starters graduate, including WPIAL heavyweight champion Sam Brownlee. The Big Macs have also been slowed by injuries.

"Nick Catalano had a shoulder issue to deal with during the offseason," Mary said. "He's recovered from the shoulder injury, but was recently sidelined to have his tonsils pulled. Sam Lombardo is also hurt. He has a hand injury and will not be back until January."

Catalano (39-8 at 130) was fourth in the PIAA tournament last year. Lombardo (33-9 at 140) was one win short of a berth in the PIAA tournament.

Also back is Mike Hull, a senior who sat out last season with a back injury. Hull, a Penn State football recruit, was second in the WPIAL and sixth in the PIAA tournament as a sophomore.

"Michael has committed to wrestling during the regular season and in the WPIAL team tournament to help his teammates," Mary said. "But he has no plans to compete in the postseason individual tournaments."

Other Canon-McMillan returnees with 20 or more wins are Dario Dobbin (29-9 at 103) and Cody Klempay (25-15 at 215).

Trinity and first-year coach Mike Marino enter the season with hopes of ending a two-year playoff drought.

"We haven't been to the team tournament or the PIAA individual tournament the last two years," Marino said. "Our main focus is to work hard and improve."

Trinity had two starters graduate and two seniors who have decided not to wrestle this season.

"Mike Standish is a very accomplished track and field runner," Marino said. "He has decided to compete during the indoor track season. Trevor Moffa missed most of last season with a knee injury and decided not to wrestle this year."

Trinity has three returnees who had 20 or more wins last season -- Mike Ardeno (30-14 at 125), Chance Spiker (21-15 at 140) and Kyle McWreath (30-9 at 171).

Mt. Lebanon is another team to watch in Section 5-AAA. The Blue Devils have all but three starters returning from last season's WPIAL playoff team. Three Blue Devils -- Adam Kemerer (20-16 at 119), Jack Hnath (23-13 at 145) and Scott Allen (20-16 at 160) -- had 20 or more wins last season.

Elizabeth Forward is a team to watch in Section 2-AAA. The Warriors had just four starters graduate from last year's playoff team. Returnees with 20 or more wins are Jake Diana (29-10 at 119 and a WPIAL runner-up last year), Adam Marks (23-8 at 125), Josh Etzel (27-12 at 135), Cameron Fine (30-10 at 145) and Ben Hoover (22-11 at 285).

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