JEFFERSON TWP — None is going on to wrestle in college.

Yet the sport means plenty to Knoch seniors Nathaniel Becker, Nicholas Golab, Aaron Butler, Gavin McGowan, Chris Michaux and Logan Klemm.

They’ve combined to earn 13 varsity letters on the mat. Butler and Klemm are three-sport athletes. McGowan was a running back-linebacker in football. Michaux earned the school’s Most Improved Wrestler award in 2020.

When it comes to Knoch wrestling, none of them consider themselves individuals — merely team members.

“This is a budding program,” Michaux said.

“When Knoch wrestling turns the corner and starts to dominate — and it will — we will be remembered as the senior class that was on the ground floor of the whole thing,” Klemm said. “I feel like we’ve gotten it started.”

Knoch wrestling has been around for 15 years. This year’s team won seven dual matches, believed to be a school record. The Knights qualified for the WPIAL team tournament for the first time ever.

There are 16 wrestlers in the middle school program, another 35 in the youth program.

McGowan, 18-10 at 160 pounds, has been in the district’s wrestling program since second grade.

“I love to compete,” he said. “Wrestling just keeps bringing me back that way. I’ve seen the numbers in the program increase through the years. It’s exciting to think about what the future holds here.”

Becker is 4-6 as the Knights’ 189-pounder. Golab is 8-12 at 126, Butler 16-15 at 152, Michaux 9-10 at 138 and Klemm 10-6 at heavyweight.

“It’s not about wins and losses with that group,” second-year Knoch wrestling coach Bob Waldron said. “It’s what these guys have done for the program. They’ve unified it. They’ve helped make it a team, not a bunch of individual wrestlers.

“Having a full lineup, something that hasn’t been here, makes a big difference that way. These kids can compete favorably in dual matches for the first time in a long time. These seniors have embraced that.

“Clearly, they’ve jump-started the program,” Waldron added.

Golab said this season has had a different feel to it.

“When you’re facing a team with a full lineup and you don’t have one, you know there’s no chance (of a team win) ... it’s not much fun,” he said. “Now that we’ve proven we can compete as a team, you stay involved with everybody’s match, not just your own.”

Butler described qualifying for the WPIAL team tourney as “a big deal for all of us, a sense of accomplishment.”

Becker has been in Knoch’s wrestling program since seventh grade and has been in the lineup since his sophomore year.

“It used to be a bunch of individuals,” Becker said. “Everyone is supporting each other now. We’re a true team this year. That’s brought a lot more energy and excitement to the gym.”

The Knights were 5-1 in section matches this season, losing only to WPIAL powerhouse Burrell.

“What this team has done this year is create reasons for enthusiasm at the junior high and youth levels,” Waldron said. “Hopefully, our numbers will continue to build and our junior high team will serve as a great feeder system for the high school program.”

Butler plays soccer and lacrosse in addition to wrestling. Klemm played football and is a thrower on the track and field team.

“It’s fun being able to slam guys to the ground,” Klemm said of wrestling, smiling as he spoke.

“Spoken like a true heavyweight,” Michaux said.

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