JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley wrestling coach Kevin Wildrick knew he had some pieces in place before the season began, but even he is a bit surprised at where the Raiders are nearly two months into the campaign.

SV went undefeated in its five Section 3-A matches, besting North Allegheny (37-36), Mars (66-9), Knoch (61-18), Pine-Richland (50-18) and Butler (42-32).

By placing first in the sub-section, the Raiders (7-3 overall) have earned a spot in the Section 3 team tournament. They will face North Hills at Shaler High School Wednesday night. At the same time and venue, North Allegheny will wrestle against Shaler, with the two winners matching up for the section title later the same night.

“I never put anything out of the realm of possibility,” said Wildrick. “I knew we had talent, but I didn't think we'd be 5-0 at this point.”

The Raiders' success has been fueled mostly by its wrestlers at the lighter weights. Sophomore Louis Newell has the team's best individual record of 18-4 at 113 pounds, followed by Alex Lynch's 15-8 mark at 126.

Ben Lynch (14-8, 120), Jason Geyer (14-10, 106) and Nick Montalbano (11-8, 132) round out the team's best personal efforts.

Wildrick is hopeful wrestlers in the heavier weights still have their best bouts ahead of them.

“We are seeing improvement with them and there is the chance that someone can break out, even this late in the season,” he said.

The team's first section victory came Dec. 8 against North Allegheny. It was the Raiders' first win over the Tigers since 1982.

Wildrick is pleased that his wrestlers saw the victory as just another step in the program's progression.

“We took one night to enjoy it and the very next day, we were looking at bigger goals,” said Wildrick. “It was a big focus to put that match in the rearview mirror.”

Wildrick said the bigger picture includes winning a section title and making a deep run at WPIALs as a team. By reaching the final four in Section 3, the Raiders have already punched their ticket to the WPIAL tournament.

“We have goals and are putting in the work to get there,” said senior Alex Lynch.

SV won an 8-team tournament at Central Catholic at the start of the season, with six of its wrestlers reaching the finals. Since then, the Raiders have honed their skills at several other competitions, most notably the King of the Mountain event at Central Mountain High School in mid-December. Newell and Geyer placed sixth and eighth, respectively.

“We wanted to get the team into competitions that could push the kids,” said Wildrick. “The crowd is loud there (King of the Mountain). It's a big stage and it helps teach them to not get rattled.”

At the Tool City Tournament in Meadville Jan. 8-9, Alex Lynch reached 100 career wins.

“Getting to 100 wins has been a goal of mine,” Lynch said. “On the wall in our wrestling room, there's a list of all the guys from Seneca Valley who have done it and I wanted to be on that wall. I want people to remember my name.

“Obviously, my success this season is a lot more enjoyable since it's coming on a team that is successful.”

The emergence of two freshmen, Geyer and Montalbano, has added crucial punch to the lineup.

“Their dedication is what jumps out,” Wildrick said of the duo. “Both of them are year-round wrestlers. If they aren't in our room, they're in a club room getting work in.”

Success in WPIAL wrestling must be earned and SV's older wrestlers have noticed the desire that Geyer and Montalbano practice and compete with.

“I've never seen anyone put in as much mat time as those two,” said Alex Lynch. “It's going to pay off for them.”

Geyer, who either wrestles or is in the weight room five days each week during the season, has been wrestling competitively for six years. He was confident he would have a regular spot in the lineup this season as long as he could overcome one hurdle.

“My biggest concern was making sure I weighed enough to wrestle at 106,” he said. “Before the season, I was at 90 pounds, so I had to gain weight.

“It's the only sport I'm involved in. I love how much wrestling challenges your body, how in shape you have to be to be competitive.”