ADAMS TWP — Seneca Valley's wrestling team has aspirations that extend deep into the winter concerning the WPIAL and PIAA tournaments.

But first things first and for the Raiders that means defending their Section 3 championship from a year ago. SV took another dominant step toward that end Wednesday night.

The Raiders (5-1, 4-0) remained unbeaten in section matches with a 65-9 victory at Mars.

SV placed third in the WPIAL and reached the state semifinals last year, but the Raiders want more in 2019.

“The kids are not satisfied with what happened last year,” said SV coach Kevin Wildrick. “They're proving it in the (practice) room and on the mat.”

With an eye on taking the next step, the Raiders have found a good balance in practice.

“Our practices can be intense, but we're there to get work in and our coaches understand that,” said Drew Vlasnik, a 138-pounder who tallied one of SV's three pins against the Planets. “We don't beat each other up.

“Everyone wants to improve on what we did last year.”

Also earning a pin for the Raiders were Alejandro Herrera (second period at 120 pounds) and Nick Montalbano (first period at 152).

“We have to be ready to wrestle, no matter who we are facing,” said Wildrick. “We take nobody lightly and we don't let up.”

Mars (1-3) won the first and last bouts of the evening. Sean McElhinny won at 170 pounds and Jake Richardson at 160.

Richardson's victory came via pin early in the second period against Liam Volk-Klos.

“Jake is hands down our best wrestler and is also the hardest-working wrestler we have,” said Jox.

McElhinny scored an escape in the second period and held off Conor Hayes for a 1-0 victory.

“When I started wrestling, I wasn't very good,” said McElhinny. “I just tried to keep matches close. That was basically the strategy I had tonight. I'm only 5-8 and he (Hayes) is 6-2. Against someone that much longer than me, I had to focus on defense.

“My goal is to win the section this year, go as far as I can and hopefully make states,” added McElhinny. “I'm a junior, so this year is all about improving.”

“Sean has a knack for winning close bouts,” said Jox.

Last year, Mars barely missed reaching the section final, but the Planets are in a transition year. Injuries have not helped the cause.

“Max Lamm is out for the season for us at 145 and Eli Wright (126) is also out right now,” said Jox. “Tonight, we told our kids to go as hard as they can as long as they can.”

“With a more stacked lineup, it builds the team up,” said McElhinny. “Scores like tonight definitely kills the momentum.”

The Raiders will compete at the Reynolds Tournament this weekend before hosting Pine-Richland on Wednesday, the same day Mars welcomes Butler.

Seneca Valley 65, Mars 9

(Match started at 170 pounds)

106-Hunter Swedish (SV) won by forfeit; 113-Dylan Chappell (SV) major dec. Noah Hunkele, 9-0; 120-Alejandro Herrera (SV) pinned Anthony Maiure, 3:49; 126-Chanz Shearer (SV) tech. fall Davis Luedtke, 22-7; 132-Jason Geyer (SV) tech. fall Christian Scheller, 15-0; 138-Drew Vlasnik (SV) pinned Colin Vanderberghe, 2:38; 145-Antonio Amelio (SV) won by forfeit; 152-Nick Montalbano (SV) pinned Gerard Zottola, 1:14; 160-Jake Richardson (M) pinned Liam Volk-Klos, 2:23; 170-Sean McElhinny (M) dec. Conor Hayes, 1-0; 182-Patrick Johnson (SV) dec. Jordan Marshall, 3-0; 195-Davin Beahm (SV) won by forfeit; 220-Nick Funovits (SV) won by forfeit; Hwt.-Tyler Proctor (SV) won by forfeit