Dec 9, 2016 By Bill Hughes for The 2 min read

The Elizabeth Forward wrestling team returns three WPIAL qualifiers from last year’s team, and 24th-year coach Rich Scheuermann did not hesitate when asked what he expects out of them.

“I am looking at them as leaders,” he said of juniors Nick Wardropper (170-pounds), Jordan Devine (120), and Freddie Howard (106).

“There are a couple others but they know what is expected.”

Elizabeth Forward is young this season as they do not have a senior on the roster.

The Warriors have 10 juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen.

“We are still trying to fill out a couple of weights and have a couple of kids in different weight classes,” Scheuermann said. “Right now, we have to forfeit a couple of weights and that will hurt us, but we will keep working.”

He pointed out the two freshmen, Noah Hunnell (145) and Ethan Cain (195), and is excited to get them going.

“They will come in and help us right away,” Scheuermann said. “We have a smorgasbord of inexperience but have mid-level experience as well.

“I hope the team can improve production as the season goes.”

The Warriors are in the Chartiers-Houston Invitational this weekend and will compete in Section 2-AA Subsection 2 along with Derry, Frazier, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland and Yough.

When asked about expectations for his young team for the 2016-17 season, Scheuermann did not hesitate.

“I would like to see progress as the season goes along and improve,” he said. “And I would like to get into the playoffs.

“We have to go through the process of getting better.”