King’s Fork High School wrestling team is looking forward to a successful season this year.

Wrestling season has gotten under way, and the Bulldogs are looking to make some noise in the Hampton Roads area and at the state level as well. Bulldogs coach Jason Dunaway has some talented wrestlers returning, including state runner-up Dennis Whitehead and state qualifier Myles Copeland.

“We have a really good group of young kids,” Dunaway said. “We have some road bumps, but we are improving. We have some young kids and some talented returners. Everybody is working hard and is getting mat time to prepare for the postseason.”

With the senior leadership King’s Fork has, Dunaway is hoping that can help bring some of the younger wrestlers along. The main goal for King’s Fork this season is to win and get as many state qualifiers as possible.

“The young kids are really taking to the sport,” Dunaway said. “They are not just out there to be out there. They are really taking to the sport, which I believe will help them in the long run. They are young and in some of the tougher weight classes, but they are not discouraged. They understand that it is a process.”

Whitehead is the top wrestler in the program, and Dunaway believes he can be the Class 4 state champion. Last week, Whitehead won the 99th match of his career. Along with Whitehead, Dunaway believes King’s Fork can qualify a total of six or seven wrestlers in the state tournament this season and place four or five of them.

With the holiday break here, Dunaway just wants his wrestlers to reflect on the way they have wrestled so far and how to get better. It is essential to stay in shape and eat right, and he knows his guys know that as well. The Bulldogs want to come back into 2018 refreshed and ready to make a push for the state tournament.