Panther Valley wrestling coach Tim Robb has high expectations.

Robb is looking for the Panthers to make huge strides this season — both from a team and individual perspective.

Panther Valley’s returning talent and experience are the reason for Robb’s optimism.

But the veteran coach knows that alone won’t be enough to insure improvement from a year ago. Robb wants to make sure his wrestlers are ready when the postseason rolls around.

Robb is banking on the philosophy that to be the best you have to beat the best — and he is certainly giving his team the chance to do exactly that.

“We plan on challenging our kids to the hilt,” Robb said about a tournament schedule that includes trips to Athens, Penn Manor and Windsor, NY, in addition to a 32-team event the Panthers will be hosting in late January. “Our tournament schedule is a real grinder.

“I expect that we will take a lot of really tough losses, (but) we think (that) will translate to district wins.”

The Panthers top returnees are twin brothers Hunter and Tanner Kennedy.

Hunter is a returning state qualifier, who finished second in both the district and regional tournaments. He will start the year at 170 pounds.

Tanner made it to the regional tournament a year ago before being eliminated. He will wrestle at 160 pounds.

Robb said the sky is the limit for the Kennedys.

“Tanner is looking to get to states again, and get on the podium,” Robb said. “Tanner had a great offseason, and is not planning on just qualifying (for states), but wants to go out with a bang.”

Other returning wrestlers include Miguel Santiago (113 or 120), Louden Briener (113 or 120), Colby Newton (126), Kyle Rusnak (138), Justin Ogozalek (145), Xander Skoutelas-Kern (152), Derrick Beckham (182), Chris Walkinshaw (220), Aaron Eidem (285).

The only weight classes where the Panthers won’t have varsity experience are 106, 132 and 195. Freshman Gage Breiner will start at 106, Alex Candelario will be the 132-pounder, and Braxton Whitaker will be at 195.

Rounding out the roster are Bryan Krapf, Noah Berk and Zachary Nikodem.

“We can fill our lineup with experienced kids at most weights,” Robb said. “We are strongest from 152 to 182, but we have guys at 113, 138, 220 and 285 that could all have really nice seasons.”

A year ago, Panther Valley qualified for the Class 2A team tournament as the 10th seed and was eliminated in the opening round by Lehighton. Individually, the Panthers sent two wrestlers (Hunter Kennedy and Tanner Kennedy) to regionals and one (Hunter Kennedy) to states. They failed to crown any district, regional or state champions.

Robb expects improvement in all those areas this season.

“Qualifying for District Duals is always a goal,” Robb said. “But (this year) we want to get to the top four.

“I also feel like we can qualify up to seven kids for regionals, and think we can get two or three to states.”