Many of the names are the same and the faces are familiar.

They’ve helped set a standard of success for the Lehighton wrestling program, one that included a Schuylkill League tournament team title and berth in the semifinals at the District 11 Class 2A Team Tournament.

With a solid core of talent and experience returning, along with tremendous depth, the Indians are in position to be a major force once again this winter.

“We’re looking forward to this year,” said Lehighton head coach Floyd Brown, who was the Class 2A Coach of the Year a season ago. “We have a lot of returning starters back, a couple guys coming up that have experience from our middle school team, and a whole lot of newcomers.”

At the league tournament, the Indians saw Aidan Gruber and Reese Balk capture individual titles, while fellow returnees Connor Dugan and Evan Wentz both reached the championship round. The Tribe’s depth helped them secure the title, with 12 wrestlers placing in the top six to top Pottsville, 217.5-211. “Winning the league tournament was big for our program, because it’s really the first championship we’ve won in a long time,” said Brown. “Our goal is to hopefully repeat that. And we had a really good offseason, probably the best offseason I can remember. I think it brought a little bit more excitement to it.

“We had 30 kids attend camp this summer. We had a really good turnout for our open workouts. We have 43 kids on our team right now, which is great. So it’s been really good.”

Gruber, who is closing in on 100 career victories, will be eying a big senior season after qualifying for states as a sophomore and reaching regionals each of the last two years.

Balk enjoyed a breakout campaign a year ago as a junior, winning over 30 matches and qualifying for regionals, though he was unable to compete due to an injury.

Jacob Ferguson doubled his win total as a sophomore and punched his ticket to regionals a season ago, and will be looking to make another big jump this season.

“Most of our guys are going to be two-year starters for the most part, some three-, some four-year starters,” said Brown.

Senior Ethan Nothstein will return at 107 pounds and be joined at the weight by freshman Michael D’Amico, while Gruber will likely be at 113 pounds. Dugan, senior Jacob Hall, and senior Reese Scaturro will all likely slot in at 120 pounds.

Freshman Lukas Crozier, a runner-up at middle school districts the past two years, figures to make an impact at 127 pounds for the Indians. Senior Anthony Amari will also compete for time at 127.

Sophomore Blake Muffley will likely be at 133 pounds.

Wentz, a sophomore, figures to be at 139 pounds, along with sophomore Danny Edgar, and freshmen Braxton Roetz and Cody Snyder, a group that might also see time at 133.

At 145 and 152 pounds, sophomore Konner Nalesnik should make an impact after placing at junior high districts a year ago. Sophomore Carter Hontz also returns after seeing time in the lineup a year ago. Freshman Cody Troutman will also be in the mix. Also, sophomore Sebastian Warner will likely see time at 152 pounds, along with sophomores Carter McCown and Kale Schultz.

Ferguson figures to be a key contributor at 160 pounds, along with Zoltan Bedocs and junior Wyatt Smith, freshman Aiden Dugan and senior Deacon Kimmins.

Junior Brok Solt returns at 172 pounds, with Kimmins also in the mix.

Deven Armbruster, a junior, returns at 189 pounds, along with senior Camryn Dimmitt, freshmen Preston DiGrazia and Asher Traylor.

Senior Wyatt Sherer is a staple in the lineup at 215 pounds, while Balk returns at heavyweight. Freshman Marc Macias, senior Breydon Hand, Riley Williams, sophomore Brian Sebring, and juniors Connor Roetz and Caleb Schrepple are also in the mix at 285.

Lehighton will also have a girls team this season. Senior Maggie Pagotto advanced to states after a third-place finish at regionals a year ago. Freshman Cassidy Litts, sophomore Caeley Hinkson and Addison Chavanic will also help to continue to grow the girls program for the Tribe.