Fourth-year head coach Mike Cunningham is planning to strengthen the team's mental approach for his veteran grapplers even while an outstanding wrestler like Andy Nguyen, who lost in a qualifier in the State Open, is lost.

"We have a lot more upperclassmen than we've ever had," Cunningham said. He said the senior class has wrestled with him for four years, and the junior class is strong. "Sophomores bring up the rear," he said jokingly. "They're going to basically wrestle j.v...it will be a learning year."

"There are a couple (of) sophomores that will crack the line-up, but few of them," Cunningham said. This is a radical departure from past years when Terriers youth often came to fore only to fail in the clutch.

"You can be in the best shape in the world, but if you're not mentally prepared to compete than you won't reach your goals."

This year's team is tough, and Cunningham hopes deep, and versatile. Cunningham used as an example 145/152 pounder senior Rob Labonte who is showing great strength in his work ethic, and love for the sport while needing a bit more work on technique and his mental game, .

Cunningham has 6 seniors, 9 juniors, 11 sophomores, and 4 freshman which compose his 2001-02 squad.

Seniors Steve Bongiovanni (140/145) and Carl DeStefanis (103) have extra incentive to have a good season. Bongiovanni, a very aggressive tactical wrestler, was 6th last year in Class M at 135 after losing most of the season due to academic reasons. "So he's really determined to get something done," Cunningham said.

The coach said Bongiovanni needed to work on technique and mental preparation including nutrition and strategizing on the mat. "When to score a takedown," Cunningham said.

DeStefanis broke his arm last year. Cunningham's prescription for his lead-off man is a lot of matwork.

Another notable, at 135, is Loxley Walters, who played football and baseball last sports cycle.

"Good athlete," Cunningham said. "I love the kid...he's a good kid."

"He's going to be tough, 135 is one of the toughest weight classes in the state, so he's going to have his work cut out for him."

At over 6 feet, Walters, a junior, is an imposing opponent.

Imposing, also, is the Terriers schedule. With the likes of Morgan, #2 in Class S last year, Derby, #1, among the small schools, and Plainville and Berlin in-conference, Cunningham couldn't be faulted for calling the Volunteer Fire Department for the bucket brigade to cool things off.

In addition, "we're wrestling a lot bigger school this year, LL, L, M, just the best of the S."

"It's tougher top to bottom, Cunningham said about the NWC. "They're a lot more difficult than the COC."

"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think they were up to the challenge, they're definitely up to the challenge, wrestling (mediocre) teams really doesn't get you prepared."

Cunningham also cited strong parental support that he indicated made wrestling at Rocky High High School easier and more enjoyable.

"We've got great parents, great parent support," he said. "It's a great thing to build a program."

But what about the athletes? What do they value about wrestling?

Walters and Labonte were asked the question before the team's first scrimmage at Newington High School vs. Bridgeport Central and Newington on Saturday.

"Wrestling, I appreciate it more, I think it gives me more confidence in some things I do," Walters said.

"It takes a lot of mental stability," Labonte said. "You got to be really mentally tough, physically tough, it takes a lot to be a wrestler."

"I've come a long way since I've been a freshman, you see a lot when you (go) from a freshman to a senior," Labonte said.