“We have a smaller Varsity team this year,” says Bitner, “but I expect our individuals to compete and show a lot of improvement. As we've rebuilt our program, we've had a strong focus on building a team culture and improving individual skills, and I think that will be seen this year.”

The Hornets produced two District qualifiers last season in juniors Ryder Bowen and Silas Mickey. 

Bowen, who’ll start this season wrestling 189, went 20-8 and took 3rd at 160 at the North Sectional to qualify for Districts last season, while Mickey qualified with a 4th-place finish at Sectionals at 145 pounds. 

“Last year was the first District qualifiers Wellsboro has had since approximately 2016-’17,” says Bitner, “and I expect a lot more of our guys to be there this year.”

Junior Jacob Dean went 10-11 at 152 last season and will bump up to 160 this year, while the Hornets also return sophomores Mason Nowak (4-8) at 133, Gavyn Jelliff (1-4) at 121 and Hayden Stevens (7-14) at 215.

Bitner points to sophomore Cole Knapp at 145 pounds as a newcomer who could have an impact this season. 

“We’re down in numbers from a year ago,” says Bitner, “but our experience level is a lot higher. We’re looking at about 18 varsity wrestlers, but most of our starters are returning. Right now we’re looking at three of the lower weight classes that we won’t fill.”

Despite the vacant weight classes, Bitner sees success for the Hornets in ’23-’24, saying, “This year I expect us to be competitive with some of the better teams in the NTL.”

Bitner also sees big things from the Hornets’ new girls’ program.

“I’m really excited and thankful for the opportunity to start a girls program,” says Bitner, “It's going to be such a great thing to see our females compete and excel in this sport and make a name for themselves.”

The Lady Hornets’ have four wrestlers on their roster, including senior Olivia Chilson, junior Megan Robbins and sophomores Alyssa Chilson and Lilah Paredes.

“Alyssa comes back with our most experience and I expect great things from her this season,” says Bitner, “Our newcomers have shown a lot of potential in the room so far and I'm really excited to see them compete. Our goal as a girls program is to advance some of our females to the State Tournament.”

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Wellsboro is scheduled to open their season on Wednesday, December 6th against Wylausing at home, followed by another home match with Troy on Thursday, December 14th.

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