Experience will play a key role in this upcoming season for the Pascack Valley wrestling team. For Valley, seven out of the eight district place winners from last year will be returning to the mat this season.

In addition, this year’s senior class was a part of the 2017-18 team that captured the only wrestling state sectional championship in PV history.

“This senior class won the first [state] sectional title in school history,” coach Tom Gallione said.

The seniors have lots of experience on the mat and no matter who they face, they will be ready to compete.

“The seniors have had tough matches since day one, so because of that, nothing really phases us,” Gallione said.

In a shortened season due to COVID-19, Gallione is looking to put the safety of the players and coaches above all else.

“With everything going on, safety is the biggest priority,” Gallione said. “Keep the kids safe and the coaches safe.”

Leading up to the season, Gallione and his wrestlers are eager to get back on the mat. After the wrestling season was pushed back due to COVID-19, it has been over a year since the last time PV took part in a dual match.

“I’m overall excited,” Gallione said. “I can see the energy in the kids. It’s been a full year since we’ve competed on the mat.”

Gallione has high expectations for the team, and wants his seniors to go out on a high note.

“I’m just happy that a good chunk of these student-athletes, especially the seniors, are able to get back on the mat one more time and compete for Pascack Valley, because they put so much into the program and have really [pushed] this program in the right direction,” Gallione said.