Adam Langlois’ demeanor was not what you’d expect from a coach whose wrestling team just suffered a 60-18 lost.

The former West grappler, who now mentors at his alma mater, oozed optimism when discussing the program’s future.

“We’ve got about 30 kids on the team, and only five are seniors; the rest are all juniors, sophomores and freshmen,” he said following the 42-point beating at the hands of Nashua South on Saturday, Jan. 19. “This is a true rebuilding year. Within three or four years, I definitely look to be competing at a higher level in the state.”

Still, Langlois admitted if his squad is to challenge the likes of Salem, Timberlane and other state powers, a feeder program is a necessity.

“We’re in the middle of trying to figure something out at the middle school level, so we can get the guys to come in as freshmen and already know the basics. Then we can start building on success and eventually become a state champion and a top competitor in the state,” he said.

In the meantime, the junior varsity program has Langlois excited. In fact, the B squad matched up evenly with South prior to the varsity meeting, and, in some cases, looked almost dominant against the Purple Panthers.

Nashua South head coach Nick Audley said this season’s Blue Knights look strangely familiar.

“They’re building a young program, and that’s where we were two years ago,” said Audley. “It pays off after awhile because these kids, when they’re young, get a lot of varsity experience. They’ll be in the same boat we are two or three years down the road.”

West, now 2-6 in dual meets, fell behind early against South, losing its first six matches, not including forfeits, via pin.

Kevin LaBelle, who wrestles in the 103-pound weight class, took his team’s lone victory in the first nine contests, picking up six points by forfeit.

But when 135-pounder Jared Crain stepped on the mat, the Blue Knights’ fortunes turned. Crain pinned Marcus Figueroa, and West took three of the last five matches.

Casey Bradford defeated South 145-pounder Casey Gabriel by a 4-1 decision, and 160-pound Blue Knight Adam Young closed the meet with an 8-4 victory against Brandon Belanger.

Langlois said he plans to take four or five wrestlers to the Meet of Champions, which requires a top-four individual placement at states.

He added a top-eight Class L finish, if his squad is healthy and wrestling hard, is within reach.

Following a scheduled contest on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Spaulding, the Blue Devils square off in the Capital City Classic in Concord on Saturday, Jan. 26.