With five returning regional qualifiers and a full lineup, expectations are heightened for the Upper Perkiomen wrestling team. After losing just one wrestler to graduation, head coach Steve Adam expects his team to contend for the Pioneer

Five returning regional qualifiers should allow Upper Perkiomen's wrestling team to contend for the Pioneer Athletic Conference title. Bottom row: Matt Milkowich and Joey Carpenter. Top row: Matt Martin, Mike Milkowich and Zach Rozanski.

Athletic Conference's Frontier Division title as well as a berth in the District One team duals.

            "It's going to take the seniors to lead the team," the coach said. "We need to make sure they are all supporting and pushing everyone in the right direction."

            Adam added that he thinks seniors Matt Martin (113 pounds), Mike Milkowich (132) and Zach Rozanski (145), junior Joey Carpenter (126) and sophomore Matt Milkowich (106) all have the potential to qualify for the PIAA Championship Tournament. Rozanski, Martin, Carpenter and Matt Milkowich each won more than 20 matches last season.

            "The opportunity for all five of them is there," Adam said.

            In January, the Indians won't have to forfeit any matches for the first time in Adam's three-year tenure. The coach said he has already determined a conference lineup.

            "The fact that we have a full lineup automatically means that we can compete at a higher level," Adam said. "Returning five regional qualifiers makes us dangerous."

            The Tribe, which lost only one wrestler to graduation, will include multiple returning letter winners. They include seniors Gavin Marks (15-11) at 138 and Austin DiDomenico (10-10) at 195; juniors Keaton Durning (7-15) at 145, Daniel Hawkins (10-18) at 170 and Soren Svanson (8-20) at 160.

            Junior Robbie Carpenter (113), sophomores Damon Faraco (220), Asher Hailey (132) and Tommy Fehnel (126), and ninth graders Shane Freeh, Tyler Hoffer, Tommy Flud (182) and Mason Smith could compete for varsity time. Faraco, who didn't go out of the team as a ninth grader, should start the season in the lineup.

            According to Adam, Dominic Giovanni, a junior transfer from New Providence, N.J., will fill the heavyweight class. Freeh will slide in at 120 pounds after the holidays.

            "Shane did well in junior high," the coach said. "He'll take his lumps like any other freshman, but he's got a ton of talent and upside. He's pretty tough on his feet."

            Adam said his goal of creating a culture that identifies wrestling as a team sport, regardless of its opposition to conventional wisdom, is taking root.

             "This is a team sport," said Adam, whose team opens its season Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Franny Lutz Duals at Upper Merion High School. "Your teammates prepare you to compete. And it's each wrestler's responsibility to get bonus points and not give up bonus points whenever possible."

            The Tribe's toughest Frontier Division competition should come from Pottsgrove in a Jan. 15. 2020 match at home. According to the coach, they've developed something of a rivalry over the last two seasons.

            Rozanski, a middleweight who 21 victories short of 100, will likely start the season at 145 pounds and drop a weight class for the post season, according to Adam. The coach said the senior has gotten better at finishing his shots and improved at escaping from the bottom position.

            "Zach is dedicated to getting on the podium at states," Adam said

            According to the coach, Mike Milkowich is poised to build on a solid 2019 post-season performance after a sub-par regular season. The senior's expectations have increased significantly, according to Adam.

            "Mike has come a long way," the coach said. "He's looking solid at practice."