Central’s head coach Jim Delani joked that the Timberlane wrestlers his team faced on Saturday, Jan. 24, went straight from the crib to the wrestling mat.

“These Timberlane kids have been wrestling since they could crawl,” said Delani. “For us, it’s so much about little steps.”

With only five veteran wrestlers, Central has struggled in the early going, but Delani has still been impressed by his team’s progress, and the team’s young core has Delani feeling positive about the future of the program.

“I can’t tell you how optimistic I am. This is going to be the nucleus of the team,” said Delani. “They keep impressing me every week with their progress and their work ethic, and now we’re just waiting for the results. They stay enthusiastic, which is really important.”

The most experienced wrestler on the Little Green has been on the mats just three years, and team captain Joe Saliba has been one of the returning grapplers to help lead the way.

“He has really been setting the example throughout the season,” said Delani. “Ever since the preseason, he has been working with the young wrestlers and helping them get better.”

Austin Reddington has been one of the freshmen performing well early on, and Malcolm Sutton earned a pin at the 171- pound weight class against a tough Concord opponent in a recent match.

Delani said his wrestlers have been getting difficult draws at times, and it can be frustrating to watch those match-ups.

“It feels tough for me to watch and see our freshmen going up against seniors who have been doing it for years,” said Delani, who added this group has shown resiliency. “That’s the toughest challenge, is to push them harder and also keep their confidence going. We’re battling, we’re learning, and most importantly we’re continuing to work hard.”