The whispers started about a year ago, but the folks at Faith Christian knew long before then what was coming.

"We knew we had a really strong eighth-grade class about to come into the high school," Faith Christian head coach Ben Clymer said. "The guys on the high school team probably got tired about hearing about them. But they turned out to be even better than we probably thought."

That would be an understatement.

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An example: When a freshman from any school wins a PIAA medal in Hershey, it's a big deal, a great accomplishment, and a harbinger of things to come.

Faith Christian's freshman class this season? They combined to bring home six medals from states.

And one of those freshmen, the dominating Adam Waters, won PIAA gold and did it at the unheard of weight class (for a freshman) of 172 pounds while classmate Cael Weidemoyer was third at 152.

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Oh, and let's not forget, three Lions sophomores also won state medals with Gauge Botero claiming a PIAA championship at 121. Botero's classmate, Chase Hontz, was third at 139.

That's nine medalists out of the 11 wrestlers the Lions sent to Hershey.

All told, Faith Christian won the PIAA District One Class 2A dual-meet team title, the PIAA dual meet title and the team title at the PIAA championships.

That's why the Lions are the runaway winner as our Courier Times/Intelligencer Team of the Year.

"These kids did everything we asked of them," Clymer said. "They showed up, worked hard every day and were in the weight room getting stronger.

"They just wanted to get better and that's what they did. It's a credit to them, their parents, our coaching staff and so many others that have helped, and continue to help, along the way."

And one more thing. The whispers from about a year ago at what was coming? There were more of them in Hershey about the next Faith Christian eighth-grade class and how strong it could end up being.

For subscribers:Where do Bucks/Montco wrestlers rank after the PIAA championships?

Drew Markol: dmarkol@theintell.com; @dmarkol

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Dominant Faith Christian named Wrestling Team of the Year