Two out of three isn't bad, especially when you consider the size of Cato-Meridian High School.

Even though the Blue Devils have two nationally-ranked wrestlers this season - out of the trio that advanced to the NYSPHSAA tournament last season - it's probably not enough recognition. Especially considering how successful the Blue Devils have been.

When the preseason national wrestling rankings came out, few might have been surprised when heavyweight Austin Lee (275) and middleweight Nick Lalone (152) were on the list. Not that the nod puts them back in the state tournament just yet.

“Early rankings don't mean a whole lot right now,” Blue Devils coach Dan Butler said. “It's what you do during the season that counts. But it's big for a school as small as ours to be recognized.”

National rankings are compiled by taking last season's finishes, particularly how a wrestler finished in the state.

So even though lightweight Dominick Giacolone won a Section III title, the junior didn't finish high enough in the state in his 96-pound weight class despite going 46-3 on the season. Lalone and Lee, however, both ended up sixth in New York.

“Dom just keeps getting better,” Butler said. “He's got the mental toughness and is very coachable. He's not so much like coaching a wrestler, but kind of like an associate. We can discuss what he sees and what he needs to do to get better.”

While Giacolone, at 2-0 so far, is on track for another successful season, Lalone, a sophomore and Lee, a senior, already have a lot to live up to.

“They both have the leadership it takes to be successful, that's for sure,” Butler said. “They both have a good work ethic and they are able to mentally prepare themselves for the task at hand. Nick is just real talented at a young age, and Austin has one goal in mind - to make the state tournament and be a state champion.”

As the defending OHSL Patriot League champion for the last six seasons, every new Blue Devils wrestler knows he has something big to live up to. Cato-Meridian is quickly climbing the ranks as one of the most storied Section III programs and despite having just 17 grapplers this season, it figures to continue on its successful track.

“We'd like to have about 30 kids - right now, we're just keeping our head above water in terms of numbers,” Butler said. “We have quite a few young guys that we're hoping will adapt and progress this year. We always expect to win, and that's not always going to be the case because winning isn't going to just present itself. But I have some good individual leadership here and they're doing a good job at bringing the younger guys along.”

What could be more impressive this season is that the Blue Devils could send more than three wrestlers to states.

Even with a small roster, the team is stacked with talent in nearly every weight class - especially in the middleweights with Ethan Holt, Brandon Bosco, Joe Giuffrida and RC Gratton holding down the 152/160 group with Lalone.

That versatility will be on full display when the Blue Devils host a dual meet tournament on Saturday. One that will likely be daunting to the other five teams coming to visit - Auburn, Union Springs, West Genesee, Hilton and Webster Thomas.