"Our team is sophomore-dominated," said coach Mark Fong. "It's going to be a learning year for our younger kids and for our older kids, we're going to see how far they can go in the state tournament. We're going to struggle a bit in dual meets."

MHS was 12-8 last year and won the City Championship over Xavier for the third year in a row. But Fong lost to graduation key wrestlers such as Damien Mierny, Matt Sugrue and Adam Warzecha. Important returnees include juniors Jamie Martin, Richard Meyst and senior Chris Scibelli.

Fong pointed to sophomores Tom Bishop, Brandon Souto and Shane Hardy as wrestlers who will be expected to make contributions. Fong also said he hopes senior Mike Feldhouse can shake the injury bug which has limited his participation.

"If he can stay healthy, he can make a big contribution," said Fong of his heavyweight wrestler.

Fong also expressed concern that with only 19 wrestlers on the team, he will have meets in which he will have to forfeit matches. Fong said he was impressed with frosh Andy Au, a kid he described as one who "works hard and has the right attitude."

"But we have 60 kids out at Wilson Middle and Keigwin," said Fong. Middletown opens up Thursday hosting Glastonbury at the Prof Gallitto gym at 6:30.