Bundle up and get your hot chocolate, winter sports season is here.

Among those sports, wrestling has kicked off.

After graduating six last year, the Hawks wrestling squad consists of eight seniors, which gives them some experience on the team.

The Hawks open the season Friday and Saturday at Gateway for the Eastern Area Invitational. Last year, the Hawks placed 14th as a team and return two of the three place winners from a year ago; senior Parker Loera placed third and senior Riley O’Mara placed sixth.

The Hawks wrestling team opens up their section matches against their rival Upper St. Clair on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

“I know that our team(family) has prepared for any challenges we face this season thanks to amazing coaches, unbreakable bonds, and a love for the sport of wrestling,” O’Mara said.

Seniors O’Mara and Luke Montgomery recently signed their Nation Letters of Intent to their respected colleges with O’Mara headed to Seton Hill and Montgomery to Brown University.

“It’s going to be a process. I can see and feel improvement every day in my conditioning and wrestling. Good things happen to those who wait,” Montgomery commented on the upcoming season.

“Good is not enough, always do it better. You have to practice today like there is no tomorrow, ” said Coach Mark Eckley, who is in his second season as assistant mat boss. Eckley was a WPIAL champion at 171 for Thomas Jefferson his senior season.

The Hawks look to start their season on the right track, starting this week at Gateway.