James Weiss laid the foundation for Pleasant Valley’s wrestling program a year ago.

Weiss is ready to build on that base in his second season leading the Bears this winter.

Both the boys and girls programs at Pleasant Valley have flourished under Weiss. Now he’s ready to see both teams take another step forward this season.

“So this year’s a lot different than last year,” said Weiss. “I had the same group of kids as I did last year. I only lost five seniors. So it’s pretty much the same exact group. I don’t have kids dropping off this year. The kids are ready to wrestle, ready to learn. We’re blowing through fundamentals and getting more to that high level technique. A huge percentage of these kids wrestled between 30 and 60 matches in the offseason.

“Some of the kids were pinning state place-winners from out of state, having some really tight matches with really good kids from our state. So I’m optimistic. And then I don’t know if you saw it, but I’ve got a ton of girls in the room, too.”

The Bears return two talented girls wrestlers in senior Lily Decker and sophomore Juliette Trout.

Trout advanced to both district and regional finals at 112 pounds last season, and also won a match at states in what was a sensational freshman season,

Decker was third at districts at 235 pounds to punch her ticket to regionals, where she placed fifth.

“I’m going to fill almost the whole team,” said Weiss. “I might have one, maybe two, forfeits. And for a first-year girls’ squad, that’s pretty good.”

In addition to Trout and Decker, look for Francesca Albanese, Isabella Altemose, Ava Bond, Marilyn Castaldo, Josie Fetterman, Emily Fox, Taylor Hawkins, Tessa Hawkins, Vanessa Keys, Hailey Marsh, Mikayla Slamiak and Emily Stipeck to all be in the mix this season.

“I have two veterans in there that can really help the girls figure out where they need to go,” Weiss said of Trout and Decker. “But they’re all athletes.”

Weiss credited a growing youth program for helping to create - and maintain - interest in the girls program.

Something Weiss is personally invested in.

“One of our youth teams in town yeah, they’ve had a girls-only program for this is I believe the third year,” said Weiss. “They get about 30 girls K-through-8. So I have a feeder program established, and I’m already starting to see them.

“And I have a five-year-old who’s wrestling, and then I have a sixth-grader who’s on that team. And I have a junior high kid. So this (varsity room) is the only room I don’t have a kid in. But it’s awesome.”

Weiss holds the same level of optimism and excitement for the boys team with those returning this winter.

“I don’t really like to set expectations, but I just know there’s some kids in there ... wrestling’s become their life,” said Weiss. “Evan Gillespie has not stopped wrestling since last season. He hasn’t stopped competing. He wrestled over 60 matches over the offseason. We have a new guy. I think he’s going to make the squad for 114, his name’s Shawn Radcliff. He wrestled 50 matches, tight matches, all the way high level in big tournaments. And then there’s a lot of familiar faces. Now they’re veterans, now they’re seniors, and I’m feeling good about those spots. I got Andrew (Mihalichko) in there. He’s been lifting, he’s stronger than he’s ever been. I can’t even wrestle them anymore. He’s so strong now.”

Gillespie and Mihalichko were both Time News Honorable Mention All-Stars last season.

The team lost Times News First Team All-Star Jason Schubert to graduation. Schubert advanced to the 3A Northeast Regional Tournament at 215 pounds a year ago. He dropped his opening bout of the district tournament, before ripping off four straight wins in the consolation round before eventually placing fourth to secure a spot at regionals.

Brandon Arvizu, Joshua Careccia, James Cordle, Victor Custodio, Lorenzo DeMaio, John Hargrave, Benjamin Jochen, Jason Kays, Sean Kratzer, Michael Langan, Frank Lucarello, Jaden McDaniel, Frederick Merklin, Noah Reese, Blake Regina, Alexander Sandt, Preston Snyder, Nathan Tyner, Cole Vanderah, Adis Vukel and Aldin Vukel all will also be vital on and off the mat for the year’s team.

And they will continue to build on the culture that Weiss is creating within the Bears’ wrestling program.

“I’m just excited. These kids are dedicated,” said Weiss. “We live by a few pillars in this wrestling room, it’s honor, courage and commitment. I think every single kid in there has it. They’re all committed. I know they’re all courageous. They’ll go out and wrestle anybody. And they’re all good kids. I don’t have any problems off the mat with them. If they have those three things, I know they can have success either in wrestling, or in the future as adults.”