Progress for the second season of Upper Perkiomen's girls wrestling program will likely be visible in the individual performances. The team's six returners hit the ground running on the first day of practice, according to head coach Omar Porrata.

Alexandra Cannon, right, looks to take down Charlotte Pierson at practice last week.

            "I could tell the girls understand the expectations," he said. "They were all business of the first day of practice."

            Adria Page and Alexandra Cannon each have their eyes on a PIAA Championship appearance. A third who transferred from Boyertown has similar aspirations.

            The Indians will start the season Dec. 14 at the North Penn 4th Annual Girls Invitational Tournament with eight wrestlers, none of whom are seniors. They all work hard in practice, according to Porrata.

            "That's all I can ask," he said. "We should be competitive in every match."

            Page, Cannon and Keyra Seville should be the Tribe's top performers. Page, a sophomore, went 20-12 with 15 pins at 148 pounds last season. She finished third in the District One Tournament before failing to reach the medal stand at regionals.

            "Adria seems more comfortable in the practice room," the coach said. "I was a little surprised she got as far as she did last year. It was her first experience with the sport."

            Cannon, a junior, went 10-10 with nine pins at 112 pounds last season. She finished fourth at the districts but did not advance.

            According to Porrata, Cannon is learning to be a leader. He said she is more vocal during practice.

            Keyra Seville finished third at districts at 100 pounds for the Bears last season. At regionals, she failed to advance while finishing with 10 victories, including eight falls.

            Upper Perkiomen's lineup should include Charlotte Pierson, a junior, and sophomores Avery Holly, Emily Mays and Nadia Ventrella, along with ninth grader Alyssa Christ. According to the coach, Ventrella could be a surprise on the mat if she continues to mature.

            The Indians open their season with three consecutive tournaments. They will open their Pioneer Athletic Conference schedule at home on Jan. 8 against Pottstown. They will host Owen J. Roberts one week later.

            The following weekend, the Tribe hits the road for a pair of events. It will face Camp Hill on Saturday, Jan. 18 and compete in the Lebanon Tournament the following day.

            The team will host Upper Merion on Wednesday, Jan. 22, before ending its dual meet season the following two weeks. They will take on Boyertown on Jan. 29 and Perkiomen Valley one week later.

            While Porrata's expectations for team success this season is tempered, he expressed excitement regarding the future. He said the middle school has scheduled a full season.

            The team currently consists of 19 girls, including eight eighth graders, according to the coach. It is slated to compete in six tournaments between Dec. 14 and Feb. 1. Two dual meets have also been scheduled.

            "It's very exciting," Porrata said. "I thought we'd have the same numbers as last season.