There are two distinct seasons in high school wrestling: the team dual season and the individual postseason.

How Butler County wrestling coaches handle both differs.

At Butler, which has enjoyed success in the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament in recent years, there is a heavy emphasis on the dual season.

“We have a nucleus and a core of outstanding kids,” said Butler coach Scott Stoner. “We have a lot of returning starters.”

Some of those kids have a chance to make some major noise come late February into March.

Junior Connor Foust (120 or 126 pounds), senior Cody Houston (138) and senior Ryan Hannon (170) are just three of at least eight Golden Tornado matmen who could be wrestling for a spot in the PIAA tournament late in the season.

Foust was 27-11 last year, Houston 32-10 with 25 pins and Hannon 33-5.

At Knoch, which has some holes at some weight classes, the emphasis is a little different.

“Dual-wise, we're going to be hard-pressed in some match-ups,” said Knoch coach Mark McLaughlin. “The PIAA didn't do us any favors (with the weight class shake-up).”

Senior Ben Nowicki (170) has the best chance to fare well at the WPIAL tournament for the Knights.

“Ben is in the same weight class and I think he'll do well,” McLaughlin said. “We're still looking for that state qualifier and I'm hoping we'll get one this year. It's a long season and they have to stay healthy.”

At Seneca Valley, the dual and individual season is a fine balance.

“Dual season is important,” said Seneca Valley coach Kevin Wildrick. “We move guys around, but you also have to look at the big picture.”

The big picture looks pretty good for the Raiders, who have several wrestlers who have the potential to make their mark in the individual postseason led by sophomores Alex Lynch (106) and Ben Lynch (113).

“The Lynch twins are as tough as they come,” Wildrick said. “All of our guys are all about at the same level, potential-wise.”

Mars has a new coach, 22-year-old former Seneca Valley wrestler Bart LaLonde. Despite his youth, he has accumulated a lot of coaching experience.

He was a volunteer assistant at Seneca Valley, the junior high coach at Slippery Rock and the assistant varsity coach at Mars previously.

LaLonde thinks his young Planets' team can surprise some people, but he is also aware that when it comes down to it, individual success in the postseason is just as important.

“I do have some high expectations as a team this season. I think we're a little underrated and I think we can make some noise,” LaLonde said. “We are stronger than a lot of people think.

“In all honesty, though, I would love to win dual matches, but I really focus on the individual in the practice room. It's their season.”

A trio of seniors, Nathan Bair (182), Alex Grosso (195) and Trey Turnblacher (220 or heavyweight) could excel this postseason, LaLonde said.

Slippery Rock also has a new coach, but he's a familiar name in Rockets' wrestling.

Bob Becker, who was an assistant coach under Fred Powell several years ago, has returned to the program. He's focusing on rebuilding it from the ground up.

That means far more emphasis on individual success this season.

“We're trying to build a team atmosphere and getting our basics down,” Becker said. “That's why we're starting with the little kids so by the time they get to us, they have the basics.”

Grove City coach Marty Ruley, who is the dean of wrestling in this area with nearly four decades of experience, focuses on individual success during the season to help the team.

It's a blending of philosophies that has worked well for the long-time coach.

“If you can get takedowns and get escapes off the bottom, you can beat anyone,” Ruley said. “We work on top moves, tilts and pins. Those are the things that help you as a team to score points. It also helps you as an individual.

“Once the tournament season starts, it's a new season,” Ruley added. “When you go into that, no matter what your record is, you have a chance. They have to beat you to knock you out.”

Ruley has several wrestlers who may be tough to knock out later in the year, led by seniors Jared Sample (145), Chet Simoni (152) and Kenny Bable (160) and junior Luke Walter (138).

Butler

Coach: Scott Stoner

Top wrestlers: 113-Max Stalnaker (sophomore), 120/126-Connor Foust (junior), 138-Cody Houston (senior), 152-Jeremiah Bortmas (junior), 160-Zach Raible (senior), 170-Ryan Hannan (senior), 195-Alex White (senior), 220-Will Bortmas (senior)

Seneca Valley

Coach: Kevin Wildrick

Top wrestlers: 106-Alex Lynch (sophomore), 113-Ben Lynch (sophomore), 126-Nick Zoria (senior), 138-Zane Skalos (senior), 160-Stephen Rudolph (senior), 170-Brad Hensler (junior)

Mars

Coach: Bart Lalonde

Top wrestlers: 126-Noah Wright (freshman), 132-Silas Bender (junior), 182-Nathan Bair (senior), 195-Alex Grosso (senior), 220/Hwt-Trey Turnblacher (senior)

Knoch

Coach: Mark McLaughlin

Top wrestlers: 132-Max Freymermuth (freshman), 138-Brandon Yobst (sophomore), 152-Austin Warman (freshman), 160-Matt Steinmiller (junior), 170-Ben Nowicki (senior)

Slippery Rock

Coach: Bob Becker

Top wrestlers: 106-Joey Scanlon (freshman), 120-Dave Huselton (senior), 126-Christopher Lorch (junior), 132/138-Matt Andracik (senior), 160-Dalton Hilliard (sophomore), 182/195-Zane Wolf (junior)

Grove City

Coach: Marty Ruley

Top wrestlers: 138-Luke Walter (junior), 145-Jared Sample (senior), 152-Chet Simoni (senior), 160-Kenny Bable (senior)