The 2012-13 season was a good run for the Falcons, ending with three local grapplers qualifying for state and Andrew Capirchio going on to take second place overall.

With hard work and dedication on the part of his athletes, head coach Luke Salzman said the local squad aims to do even better this year, as a large team and quite a few returners are helping build a strong foundation for the 2013-14 season.

“We have a lot of experience in the junior and senior class that should make for a solid lineup,” Salzman said.

“There are 30 athletes on the team right now, including five seniors, nine juniors, 11 sophomores and five freshmen. We have returners coming back like senior Peter Carillo, junior Josh Vaught ad junior Jack Reilly to lead the Falcons.”

The Falcons’ new season began yesterday afternoon with a meet at Cactus Shadows. Competition continues this Saturday, Nov. 30, with an 8 a.m. showing at the Perry Junior Varsity Meet.

The full team will be back on the mat next Tuesday, Dec. 3, for a 4 p.m. start at the Maricopa Multi.

According to Salzman, he’s expecting to see some good things out of the newcomers this season, too, something he’ll be able to gauge better after this weekend’s JV match-ups.

“The new wrestlers are picking up the technique really well,” he added.

“And the veterans are working hard and setting a good example.”

Venture up to the second floor of the high school gym just about any afternoon of the week and you’ll find these 30 Falcons hard at work.

Their practice room is a bit cramped for all of those bodies, but the local squad makes it work, accompanied by the requisite rock and roll tracks booming from the wall-mounted stereo as they go through drills and work on their technique, constantly swapping tasks and partners to keep things nice and varied.

While the team has not yet selected captains, Salzman said that all five of his seniors are showing good leadership skills.

“It’s good to have them around and setting a good example for the younger, inexperienced wrestlers,” Salzman added.

With a flock of seniors leading the charge and an eager group of underclassman following close behind, Salzman said that the 2013-14 wrestling squad’s goals for the new season are simple.

“Our goal is to be competitive with every team we wrestle,” he said.

“If everything goes well and the kids stay healthy, we should have a solid lineup.”

In order to do that, Salzman said that the key to success will be hitting the fundamentals hard and becoming the best conditioned team on the mat.

“The team this year is a great group of guys that are fun to coach and be around,” Salzman said.

“They are always willing to work hard and put in the time to get better.”

It’ll be a packed season for those willing to hit the road for away matches between now and late February. For those looking to catch a home meet, though, the Falcons will only be hosting a single event this season.

The first home multi will be held on Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. in the high school gym.

Salzman and his team would love to see fans out at every meet this season, but especially at that single home match.

“Wrestling is a great, unique sport,” he said.

“We have a lot of talent on our team. Come out and cheer us on.”