A strong desire to keep winning and a solid feeder program have put the Penobscot Valley High School Howlers on top of the Eastern Maine Class C wrestling ranks and in position to vie for their third straight state title.

The Howlers graduated 17 from last year’s team and feature 11 freshmen and 11 sophomores with only two seniors this season.

Given those numbers, eighth-year coach Gerald Hutchinson told his team in preseason that realistic goals would be to finish in the state’s top five with a strong showing in the Penquis-Penobscot League meet.

Instead, the Howlers have rolled to a 23-2 dual-meet record after Wednesday night’s win over Mount View of Thorndike and could be very competitive in the Feb. 6 state meet in which Western Maine power Dirigo of Dixfield will be difficult to defeat.

Hutchinson said his team has exceeded all his expectations, but still feels a lack of consistency has put the Howlers a year away from capturing their third state crown.

“It’s still been a learning year. One night my kids will beat someone real good, but the next time they’ll make mistakes and lose to someone they should have beaten,” he said.

Despite the inconsistency, the Howlers are fundamentally strong because of the junior high program Hutchinson started seven years ago and because of the two straight state titles.

“Winning means everything to a program,” said Hutchinson, explaining that he had more than 30 wrestlers begin the season and will finish with more than 20 for the first time in his eight seasons.

“The kids wanted to keep the winning going. Their big goal at the beginning of the year was to get me my 100th career win and we got that at a home meet,” he said.

Hutchinson has started five freshmen to help the Howlers win this season, which shows off the PVHS feeder system. When a wrestler reaches the high school level, he has already learned the sport and is ready to contribute.

“Only two of the 28 wrestlers I have didn’t come through the junior high program,” said Hutchinson, adding that his summer program also routinely features wrestlers in grades second through eighth.

“If anyone wants to learn how to wrestle in this town, I’ll take them,” he said.

Seniors Matt Langley and T.J. Langerak benefited from Hutchinson’s program and have shots at individual state titles.

Langley, who competes in the 145-pound class, is 25-0 in dual meets with every win coming by pin. He finished third in the state last year in 135 and Hutchinson feels Langley’s sound technique and strength give him a shot at a state title.

“If anyone could ever win something, I hope it would be this guy,” Hutchinson said, explaining that Langley has returned to school to get his diploma even though he is married and has a family to support.

Langerak, who owns the school record for most wins (87), is seeking a title in 152, perhaps the most talented division in Class C this season.

Langerak captured the state title in 145 last year and is now 22-2.

Two other standouts have been juniors Corey Harper and Adam Tash. Harper is a two-time state champ (103, 112), who has a 23-1 mark in 119.

“He’s strong, very quick and intelligent on the mat,” Hutchinson said.

Tash is 21-0 in 130 and was the state runnerup last year in 119.

“He’s one of the top two in that class (130) and has only gone the distance once all year,” Hutchinson said.

The other starting wrestlers who have contributed to the PVHS success include:

103: freshman Chris Sirois, 22-3, an 89-pounder who meets the minimum requirement for the class by one pound, very quick, could vie for state crown.

112: sophomore Joel Harvey, 23-1, fast on the mat, could finish in top four at state meet.

125: freshman Darren Thibodeau, 13-2, strong and learning.

135: freshman Corey Flemming, 8-2, coming back from shoulder injury.

140: freshman Dakin Magoon, has gone 12-1 in first year.

160: junior Ken Mitchell, 16-2, strong and good on takedowns.

171: freshman Wes Dube, 6-5, learning ropes in a tough weight class.

189: sophomore Chip Priest, 15-4, first-year starter who has done a credible job.

Heavyweight: sophomore Aaron Gilman, 15-3, 258-pounder has shown steady improvement.