SLIPPERY ROCK — History will be made Thursday night at Slippery Rock High School.

The Rockets' varsity wrestling team will compete in the District 10 team tournament for the first time in the program's 21-year history. Slippery Rock hosts Greenville at 7 p.m.

“Our side of the bracket is stacked,” first-year Slippery Rock coach Shamus Carr said. “But we're not satisfied with just being there. We want to make some noise.”

The Rockets are 8-8 in dual matches overall, but 5-1 in District 10. Their lone loss is a 39-27 decision to Mercer.

Victories are 63-6 over Lakeview, 48-30 over Sharon, 54-12 over West Middlesex, 42-36 over Hickory and 49-21 over Grove City.

“We had three wrestlers out when we wrestled Mercer,” Carr said. “We took a forfeit at 220 with Vito Pilosi out. If he's not hurt, we get a pin there and may have won that match.

“We have enough wrestlers to fill most of the weight classes. That's been a big key to the success of this group.”

Carr was originally hired by Slippery Rock as an assistant coach last off-season. He had been an assistant at South Fayette for a number of years.

Two of Carr's cousins won state championships in wrestling at South Fayette.

When the Rockets' head coach resigned shortly before this season started. Carr became a varsity head coach for the first time.

“It's been fun,” he said. “The kids have bought into the system I'm trying to implement with this program.

“I believe in chain wrestling, not just thinking about your next move, but your next two or three moves that are going to follow. It's an aggressive style and the kids love it.”

They've done well at it, too. Senior Michael Antal is 11-3 at 160 pounds. Seniors Elijah Hilliard and Kaleb Kamerer are 16-2 at 170 and 182 pounds, respectively. Tony Pilosi, a freshman, is 11-5 at 195.

Vito Pilosi returned recently from a knee injury to place fourth in the Grove City Tournament at 195 pounds. He is 7-2 on the year.

“I can bump one of those guys up to 220 when I have to,” Carr said about getting the Pilosi brothers in the lineup.

Sean Northcott, a senior heavyweight, is 6-0 while balancing wrestling with indoor track and field. He recently broke the Rockets' indoor shot put record.

Sophomore Nick Ayres is 13-6 at 113 pounds, freshman Zane Lynch 7-6 at 120 and freshman Justine Zuchowzski, a female wrestler, 7-6 at 106.

“We've got the numbers to compete in duals this year,” Kamerer said. “We've had a lot of wrestlers before, but we'd have five guys at the same weight class.

“This year, we're spread out enough at the weight classes to win as a team.”

Slippery Rock usually forfeits a pair of weight classes per dual match.

“I use a lot of strategy in constructing my lineup,” Carr said. “When other coaches play checkers, I like to play chess.”

Carr has no official assistant coaches on staff. A couple of wrestlers' fathers have been helping on a volunteer basis.

“We have a good balance of senior leadership and younger talent with this group,” Carr said.

Kamerer agreed.

“I'm part of a senior class that's looking to create a culture in this program that will last for years to come,” Kamerer said.

“The attitude in the room, the work ethic, it's all good. We're a pretty confident group right now.”