Making progress.

That’s what the Panther Valley wrestling team is doing this season in year two of its rebuild after the program shutdown back in 2020.

The Panthers continued to take steps in the right direction on Wednesday night as they were able to come away with their first dual meet victory of the season, defeating Schuylkill Haven 39-24.

“I really liked our effort tonight. There were a lot of guys that just keep the effort going,” said Panther Valley head coach Kris Nalesnik. “I just want us to come out in every match and give 100% effort. That’s really what I want to see, and we were able to come out and do that tonight.”

The Panthers first win of the evening came from Marian freshman Rory Dixon. who pinned Seth Goines in the 160-pound match at the 1:28 mark. Dixon is one of the Colts competing with the Panthers as part of the co-op that they have in place this season.

The Panthers (1-2) also received a fall from heavyweight Brian Welser. who was able to take down Haven’s Aiden Javorka and come away with the pin in the second period of his match (2:49).

“Rory is one of the guys that really sets the tone in our wrestling room,” said Nalesnik. “He’s got a lot of talent, and he has a really strong work ethic. He’s also one of those guys that makes everyone around him better because of how hard he works. We talked about moving Welser down to 215 this season, or keeping him at heavyweight, and we thought his best spot this season was to stay at heavyweight, and he has had some nice success there for us. Brian is a really gifted athlete who is continuing to get better.”

Another win for the Panthers came from Matt Spino, who got back in action after some injury issues. and defeated Javen Lopez at 133 on points, 8-1.

The Hurricanes - who have had some holes in their lineup and had to forfeit numerous weights - were able to dominate the upper weight classes in the match, rattling off three straight falls.

Xavier Dierolf (172), Augustus Warke (189) and Aiden Myers (215) all came away with decisive pins. Daeson Hasenauer was also able to come away with a fall for the Hurricanes at 121.

“Those guys you saw come away with pins tonight, that’s what I expect from those guys in every match,” said Schuylkill Haven head coach Dave Osatchuck. “That is a talented and hardworking group. For us, as a whole, it’s just about gaining more experience. Our upper weights are pretty tough, but our middle weights need to have more mat time and experience. You only do that by wrestling matches.”

The match also featured three double forfeits and six total forfeits by Haven, which helped lead to the victory for the Panthers.

WITH THE WIN... Dixon and Welser have put together solid seasons so far for the Panthers. Dixon improved to 10-2, and Welser to 11-3.

NEXT UP... Panther Valley takes on Mahanoy Area at home on Jan. 10.

Panther Vy. 39, Sch. Haven 24

145 - Bracero (PV) won by forfeit; 152 - J. Bushati (PV) won by forfeit; 160 - Dixon (PV) pinned Goines, 1:28; 172 - Dierolf (SH) pinned I. Terry, 2:28; 189 - Warke (SH) pinned Weaver, 1:26; 215 - Myers (SH) pinned Rodriguez, 2:49; 285 - Welser (PV) pinned Javorka, 2:41; 107 - No bout; 114 - No bout; 121 - Hasenauer (SH) pinned F. Terry, 1:23; 127 - Cobb (PV) won by forfeit; 133 - Roman (PV) won by forfeit; 139 - Spino (PV) dec. Lopez, 8-1.