Wrestling 2023-34: 5 teams to watch in Bucks County

The wrestling season is upon us and, while a ton of emphasis is placed on the end-of-season tournaments, there are still plenty of fun dual meets to watch leading up to the postseason.

Here, we take a look at the top five teams to watch entering the season.

Will these rankings look the same in a few weeks? Probably not, but we’ll take a shot, to use a wrestling term, at ranking them now (with last year’s record in parentheses):

1. Faith Christian (15-2)

The Lions have quickly built one of the top programs in Pennsylvania, regardless of classification, and they’re loaded again this season. How loaded? Well, they have two returning PIAA Class 2A champions back in junior Gauge Botero and sophomore Adam Waters along with seven returning PIAA medalists. Oh, and watch out for freshman stud Joey Bachmann.

Quakertown head wrestling coach Kurt Handel will again have one of the top teams in the Bucks County area.

2. Pennridge (15-3)

The Rams won their first PIAA District One Class 3A dual-meet title last year, defeating Spring-Ford in the championship match with a roster that had just one senior. Individually, the Rams sent five wrestlers to Hershey for the PIAA championships with sophomores Colby Martinelli and Talan Hogan placing third and sixth, respectively. Senior Sam Kuhns, a two-time PIAA qualifier, also returns.

3. Quakertown (15-8)

The Panthers won the Suburban One League Liberty Division title last year and reached the quarterfinals of the PIAA District One Class 3A dual-meet tournament. They also boast returning PIAA Class 3A champ junior Collin Gaj and returning PIAA runner-up senior Mason Ziegler.

More: Wrestling 2023-24: Who are Bucks County’s 30 best wrestlers

Kuhns named top coach: Pennridge’s Brian Kuhns is our Wrestling Coach of the Year

4. Council Rock South (14-5)

The Golden Hawks, who won the Suburban One League Patriot Division title last year, will have a new face running the team as 2013 grad Trey Balasco has taken over for Brad Silimperi, who stepped down in May after 21 seasons. Seniors Bek Sadriddinov and Luke Reitter, both two-time PIAA qualifiers and medalists, return to lead the way.

5. Conwell-Egan (15-1)

The Eagles won the Philadelphia Catholic League team championship and PIAA District 12 Class 2A team crown a year ago. Two seniors, Charlie Robson and Dante Burns, who both won PIAA medals last season, return again for their final campaigns.

Others to watch: Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East, Pennsbury.

Faith Christian named top team: Faith Christian is our Wrestling Team of the Year

Drew Markol: dmarkol@theintell.com; @dmarkol

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: 5 top Bucks County wrestling teams for 2023-24 season