Two years ago, the Pleasant Valley girls wrestling program was still finding its footing. Now, under head coach James Weiss, the Bears no longer look like newcomers. They look like wrestlers.

With nearly the entire roster returning and a clearer identity taking hold, Weiss enters the new season confident that the group’s growth — both technical and mental — will translate into one of Pleasant Valley’s most competitive years yet.

“In that room right now, they look like wrestlers,” Weiss said. “Last year it took time just to teach positions and introduce what wrestling is. Now they’re wrestling. They actually know how to wrestle.”

The Bears’ improvement is the product of continuity. The majority of the 2025–26 varsity roster features familiar faces, and many have now been with Weiss for two or three seasons. That experience is paired with targeted competition — Weiss increased the girls’ schedule from roughly 15 competition points last season to nearly 20 so far this year, with more possibly being added.

“They’re going to have a season very similar to what the boys have,” Weiss said. “Thirty-six, thirty-eight matches. But they’re ready for it. These girls are probably the toughest girls in the school — mentally and physically.”

Pleasant Valley returns several wrestlers who finished last season strong and now take on veteran leadership roles. Junior Isabella Altemose, coming off a 17-9 campaign with 11 pins, and senior Josie Fetterman (10-9) headline the group. Senior Emily Fox, one of Weiss’s longest-tenured athletes, provides maturity, accountability, and an example of how far the program has come.

“I’ve had a lot of leaders come up in the room — juniors, seniors — and these are girls who finished the season really well,” Weiss said. “Their starts were rocky because they were wrestling their first matches ever. But they found confidence. Girls like Bella Altemose, Josie Fetterman, Emily Fox — they’re stepping up.”

Weiss also highlighted the importance of continuity throughout the lineup, where senior Taylor Hawkins, along with juniors Hailey Marsh and Mikayla Slamiak return after gaining valuable match experience throughout last season. Juniors Marilyn Castaldo, Natalie Spiegel, and Jocelynn Cervenka and Emilynn Stipeck deepen a lineup that is equal parts new and familiar.

The Bears also add freshman Peyton Williams, whom Weiss projects at 100 pounds. She is one of the few new wrestlers in the program — but, like the boys’ team, arrives with real mat time.

“I’ve got freshmen who are actually experienced,” Weiss said. “One of my freshmen comes in with four years already. Things are really starting to click.”

Weiss outlined Pleasant Valley’s projected lineup for the new season:

• 100 — Peyton Williams (Fr.)

• 112 — Taylor Hawkins (Sr.)

• 124 — Natalie Spiegel (Jr,)

• 130 — Emily Fox (Sr.)

• 136 — Marilyn Castaldo (Jr.)

• 142 — Emilynn Stipeck (Jr.)

• 148 — Josie Fetterman (Sr.)

• 155 — Mikayla Slamiak (Jr.)

• 170 — Isabella Altemose (Jr.)

• 190 — Hailey Marsh (Jr.)

And while still early on, a newly recruited heavyweight has also impressed Weiss so far.

The roster doesn’t boast large numbers, but Weiss believes the group’s quality — not its size — will define its ceiling.

“I don’t have a lot of girls, but the ones I have are strong, and they want to be here,” Weiss said. “That’s huge. It’s everything.”

With experience, leadership, deeper competition schedules, and a room full of athletes who “look like wrestlers,” Pleasant Valley enters the season as a program rising — and ready to make its mark in girls wrestling.