The conference champion Pinecrest Patriot wrestling team starts its 2010-11 season this month with four returning conference champs — senior Nathan Frederique, senior Michael Lippincott, junior Zac Lupien and junior Garrett Bateman.

Also returning is junior Dustin Roemer who placed sixth at the state tournament and ended his sophomore season with the team’s highest number of wins at 41.

Head Coach Travis Flinchum returns, with assistant coach Sam Naryan and two new assistant coaches Andy Socha and Nick Johnson, to continue to rebuild and strengthen the Patriot wrestling program.

With the help of the Southern Middle and West Pine Middle Schools wrestling programs, Flinchum has many incoming freshman and sophomores with more experience than ever before, including Dallas Roemer and Rider Excell, who both ended their middle school seasons among the top wrestlers in the state.

“Rebuilding the team is only part of the work”, according to the coaches, “the rest comes from the support of the parents, volunteers and the community.”

There has been growing support from parents and volunteers through the Patriot Wrestling Boosters Club and corporate sponsors like the Village Fillin Station in Pinehurst, but Flinchum hopes to see more people from the community in the bleachers cheering on these hard working athletes.

You can get your chance to cheer them on when the Patriot wrestlers host Fayetteville’s Seventy-First High School for their first home dual meet at 6 p.m., Nov. 24 at the Pinecrest High School main gym. Other home meets are scheduled for Jan. 5, Jan. 12, and Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.

Another way the community can help grow the program is by supporting the Annual Christmas Tree Sale. The fresh-cut Watauga County 6-7 foot or 7-8 foot trees sell for $55 and 9-10 foot trees for $85, with home delivery available for $8.

This fundraiser has allowed the team to purchase a new competition mat and new uniforms for meets and tournaments, both which have helped rekindle that “Patriot Pride.”

For more information about the Christmas Tree Sale or Sponsorship opportunities, please contact Doug Roemer at (910) 916-8313.