Justin Micklos has measured success by more than just wins and losses during his tenure as Pleasant Valley’s wrestling coach.

Growth and development from his team - both on and off the mat - is something Micklos strives for.

The Bears have made it part of the program’s foundation, and something their coach is eager to build on this season.

“I can’t wait until matches start. I have a group of great seniors this year, and then I have a group of great underclassmen,” said Micklos. “We’re moving forward as a program. Our kids are great, our parents are great.

This is definitely one of those years where you’re looking forward to seeing what some of these kids can do, especially the seniors; hopefully they’ll have a chance to get into the postseason and make it to regionals and states.”

As the only area school to compete in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, Pleasant Valley recently had the start of its winter sports seasons delayed until Jan. 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the delay hasn’t diminished any of the enthusiasm for the season to begin.

“My numbers are pretty good this year, despite all of the challenges that we’ve had with the coronavirus pandemic,” Micklos said. “There are a few kids that didn’t come out of the team because of it, which hurts us, but I think that’s almost the case everywhere.

“The group of kids I have is absolutely great. They haven’t been giving us a hard time with wearing the masks. It makes practice a little more difficult, but they’re powering through it so I can’t complain at all.”

Wearing masks while competing is something that has been a challenge, though Micklos has modified how he handles practices, and the wrestlers have been learning to adapt.

On the mat, Micklos will also have to adjust to the drop in weight classes from 14 to 13, which was approved over the summer. The upper weights will now consist of 172 pounds, 189, 215 and 285, a change from 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285 as it had been in the past.

“I’m going to have to do a lot of bumping this year, moving kids around to try and get some wins,” he said. “But there’s nothing wrong with that. I have the kids that have the ability to be able to bump up and move around to get better competition.”

Senior Chris Frable (189) returns after almost advancing to the medal round at districts in the Class 3A, losing in the consolation quarters at 195 pounds. He posted a 22-6 record last season, and was a First Team Times News All Star a year ago.

Junior James Syracuse (170) was a Second Team Times News All Star last season.

Meanwhile, juniors Josh Griffith (132/138) and Everett Lata (145/152) will also be key components of this year’s team. Juniors RJ Dominick and Aaron Nonnemaker, seniors Freya Lauritsen, Bryce Kibler, Jonathan Feldman, Gentry Knapp, Dillon Anderson and Logan Segeda, sophomores Eddie Lauritsen, Matti Hyland, James Barruza and freshmen Blake Walters and Gage Kutzler are also going to be fixtures in the lineup.

“I don’t think the change in weight classes really alters what we have,” Micklos said. “We have a smaller team, so it kind of actually benefits us to have less weight classes. The bigger teams, like the Nazareth’s and Easton’s, they have the depth, and coming down to 13 weight classes for them it might hurt them, but for teams like us it helps.”

The Bears will have to replace Alex Womack, who placed sixth at districts in Class 3A wrestling at 160 pounds, just missing the final regional qualifying spot. He finished with a record of 25-5.

Womack is one of many who have come through the program and helped set the example for what Pleasant Valley is all about - and what it could still become.

“The guys that graduated, they always leave a good impression on the wrestlers we have,” said Micklos. “They’re usually positive role models, and just great kids that are younger wrestlers respect and look up to. They strive to be better, and accomplish what they accomplished and hopefully more.”