Upper Dauphin Area Boys Wrestling: 2025-26 Season Preview

The Upper Dauphin Area High School boys wrestling team enters the 2025-26 season firmly focused on growth and fundamental improvement, as they navigate what Head Coach Todd Rupp describes as a "rebuilding mode." Competing in the Tri Valley League and District III Class AA, the Trojans will lean on a small but talented core of returning veterans to guide a largely inexperienced 15-man roster.

Rebuilding with a Focus on Fundamentals

Coming off a 5-4 overall record (3-2 in the league), the Trojans return only three wrestlers with winning records. Coach Rupp emphasizes that the team's primary goal this season transcends the win/loss column.

"Our goal will be to focus on improving each and every day in the room," says Rupp. "If we can focus on daily improvement our season will be a success no matter the win/loss record."

The biggest challenge facing the squad is a lack of depth and inexperience at several weight classes. The team anticipates potential openings or difficulties filling the 121 and 127 classes. Consequently, the technical focus this year will be on mastering the basics and ensuring the team is solid from all three areas of a match: neutral, top, and bottom.

Key Trojans and Leadership

Despite the rebuilding year, Upper Dauphin boasts a bona fide State Qualifier to anchor the upper weights.

Wrestler	Grade	Projected Weight	Key Accomplishment (2024-25)
Eoghan Savage	Junior	285 lbs	State Qualifier (32-9 record)
Wyatt Troutman	Senior	189 lbs	15-12 record
Nathan Wright	Junior	145 lbs	12-10 record

The team's leadership will be drawn from this veteran group, with Coach Rupp looking to Wyatt Kassirer (Senior, 127/133), Wyatt Troutman, and Eoghan Savage to be the on-mat leaders. Other key wrestlers on the roster include sophomore Brody Barge and freshman Brayden Morgan at the lighter weights.

Tri Valley Tussles and District Dominators

The Trojans will face tough competition both in their league and within a stacked District III Class AA.

• League Matchups: According to Coach Rupp, all league matches are highly anticipated due to the familiarity between the teams. However, not fielding a full lineup will have a significant impact on their dual meet success.

• Key League Competitors: Line Mountain is cited as the top returning champion, with Halifax considered a potential challenger.

• District III Class AA Powerhouses: The district is loaded with talent, including top contenders such as Bishop McDevitt, Berks Catholic, Trinity, Delone Catholic, and Northern Lebanon.

The team's tournament schedule is robust, featuring challenging competitions like the Carlisle Tournament, Northern Lebanon Tournament, Southern Tier Memorial, and the Coal Cracker Tournament.

The Coaching Philosophy: Effort and Discipline

Coach Rupp's philosophy centers on instilling Discipline & Accountability, developing Mental Toughness, and prioritizing a strong Work Ethic.

"Success on the mat is a direct result of the effort put in during practice," Rupp states. This belief was reinforced during the off-season, where a solid group participated in the weight room and several athletes took advantage of club sessions offered by UDA alumni Bronson Garber and Zach Rupp.

Beyond wins and losses, Coach Rupp hopes his wrestlers internalize a crucial life lesson: that effort and discipline are direct levers for success in all areas of life.

"When they face a difficult academic test or a challenge at work years from now, they will remember how they dug deep in the third period and know they have the mental toughness to handle it," Rupp concludes.

Upper Dauphin fans can look forward to a season where progress, not just pins, will define the team's success.