Eve Kurtz, Pine Grove

When you start talking about Schuylkill County girls’ wrestling, you have to begin with Brenda Banks.

The Panther Valley junior went 29-0 last season and captured her second straight 235-pound state championship. She won her first as a freshman before girls’ wrestling was sanctioned by the PIAA; the second came in March alongside the boys at the Giant Center.

She wasn’t the only girl to bring home hardware from Hershey last season. Pine Grove’s Eve Kurtz (30-11) returns after placing eighth last season at states, and the 148-155-pound senior will look to climb higher on the podium this time around.

“Eve Kurtz … should definitely be on everyone’s radar,’’ Pine Grove coach Jacob Herring said.

Banks and Kurtz will have lots of company in their respective practice rooms this winter. Both the Panthers and Cardinals have increased their rosters to 16 wrestlers apiece, enabling them to fill most, if not all, of the weight classes.

Panther Valley returns six starters. In addition to Banks, seniors Mayrin Vaszquez-Frias (118), Kadence Wentz (130) and Kyla McQuillen (142) and juniors Anelia Bennick (155) and Alisa Williams (170) are back. McQuillen placed fifth at districts last season.

“There’s nothing like the bonding and team aspect of wrestling, and I love having — it’s nice with the boys’ team, too — because we’re going through the same training, same struggle,’’ Banks said. “We do what we’re supposed to do.

“So specifically having a team of girls, and being a girl on the team, is a different kind of connection.’’

The Panthers lost just two girls to graduation and two sophomores and five freshmen arrive to fill some of the lighter weights. The Panthers have five dual meets scheduled, plus the Parkland Winter Duals on Jan. 5, and five tournaments.

“Naturally, when you return a state champion, as we are with Brenda Banks, this is where people tend to focus their attention,’’ Panther Valley coach Kris Nalesnik said. “While that certainly is a point that must be discussed, as what she has done already only entering her junior season is so impactful, it should not overshadow the rest of the girls that are returning from last season.

“All five of the other returning starters have the potential to push deep into the postseason,’’ Nalesnik said. “On top of that, the new wrestlers joining this team also have the natural ability to be great. I am incredibly excited for the girls’ varsity season and can’t wait to see what this team can do with more dual meets than we had last season.’’

At Pine Grove, Kurtz is one of five returning starters. The others are senior Ayla Budd (100), junior Samantha Eisenhauer (118-124), junior Taylor Bast (130-136) and sophomore Rieleigh Purcell (170-190). Eisenhauer (24-14) placed fourth at districts last season, just missing a trip to regionals.

“I am excited to see how the wrestlers do this coming season,’’ Pine Grove coach Jacob Herring said. “Our returning starters all made extraordinary improvements last season, and I think they are all wrestlers to watch.’’

Freshmen Peyton Dockey (130-136) and Gianna Lemke (136-142) lead a group of six girls who wrestled in junior high and are now with the varsity. The Cardinals have four individual duals and the York Suburban Duals on Dec. 21. They will also compete in five tournaments.

“We have a number of freshman athletes that have wrestling experience from junior high and/or younger, which is great for us,’’ Herring said. “… With the experience in the room and the excellent assistant coaches, the newcomers should be coming up to speed quickly, and I am looking forward to a great year.’’

Tamaqua is in a building phase with six wrestlers on its roster. Sophomores Rylin Arroyo (100-106) and Addision Trunk (112-118) return for the Blue Raiders.

Girls’ Wrestling Capsules

Panther Valley

Head coach: Kris Nalesnik (2^nd season)

Last season: 1-2

Returnees: Mayrin Vaszquez-Frias, sr., 118; Kadance Wentz, sr., 130; Kyla McQuillen, sr., 142; Anelia Bennick, jr., 155; Alisa Williams, jr., 170; Brenda Banks (29-0), jr., 235

Newcomers: Millanny Gonzalez, sr., 112; Madison Whildin, sr., 136; Peyton Staehle, sr., 190-235; Adrianna Cabrera, soph., 148; Winter Dzienis, soph., 112; Angelina Fiore, fr., 106; Adrianna Fiore, fr., 112-118; Ella Vega-Santiago, fr., 124; Bailey Snyder, fr., 142; Ava Achey, fr., 100

Outlook: Excellent turnout of 16 girls, including six returning starters, has optimism high. So does return of state champion Banks to lead the way. Panthers have a chance to fill every weight and become competitive in dual meets.

Pine Grove

Head coach: Jacob Herring (2^nd season)

Last season: 0-1

Returnees: Ayla Budd, sr., 100; Eve Kurtz (30-11), sr., 148-155; Samantha Eisenhauer (24-14), jr., 118-124; Taylor Bast, jr., 130-136; Rieleigh Purcell, soph., 170-190; Khloe Wolfe, soph., 170-190

Newcomers: Zofia Fegley, jr., 155-170; Ariana Wolff, jr., 235; Audrey Graeff, soph., 155-170; Kyleigh Fichthorn, fr., 106-112; Kendra Umbenhauer, fr., 112-118; Eliza Kurtz, fr., 130-136; Peyton Dockey, fr., 130-136; Renee Eisenhauer, fr., 136-142; Gianna Lemke, fr., 136-142; Jasmine Witmer, fr., 235

Outlook: Led by state placewinner Eve Kurtz, Cardinals’ roster has grown to 16 this season. Young team with just two seniors, Pine Grove will look to fill all of the weights and improve as the season goes along.

Tamaqua

Head coach: Dave Holmes (1^st season)

Last season: 0-4

Returnees: Rylin Arroyo, soph., 106; Addison Trunk, soph., 112

Newcomers: Shala Clay, sr., 170; Jalissa Correa, soph., 124; Kaitlyn Rivera, soph., 124-130; Kiely Kunkel, fr., 106-112

Outlook: Blue Raiders continue to build their program. Low numbers will make dual-meet success difficult.