Freedom’s new coach demands accountability
Luis Vargas surprised a lot of wrestling people last year with his rise from anonymity to regional qualifier.
The junior was joined by all of his Freedom teammates in being caught off guard after last season when school district administration decided to go in another direction with its coaching staff.
There may have been a shocked look or two during the first practice under first-year coach Dante Terenzio, who spent the previous decade turning his alma mater, Western Wayne, into a perennial District 2 Class 2A contender.
Terenzio preaches only a few things, but those aspects are not up for negotiation.
“I expect them to be organized and on time every single day and to work 100 percent every day,” the 33-year-old said. “I don’t know how it was in the past, but that’s what we preach — to be in great shape, to work hard and the success takes care of itself.”
Despite only 20 members on the team, including several just getting in the room after a stellar football season, Terenzio isn’t talking about a rebuild.
In fact, he believes the team can be better than maybe some believe.
“It’s going to take time, obviously, to compete with the top-tier teams in [the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference],” Terenzio said. “I understand that, but there is no reason we can’t be in top half of the EPC.”
The Patriots’ strength lies in their junior class, led by Vargas, a District 11 Class 3A fourthplace finisher last year, and Connor Huber.
Both have been diligent in the offseason and in the room during practice. Both have the makings of being solid captains for the program.
“Luis Vargas is a fantastic leader,” Terenzio said. “He works hard every day, leads by example, and he’s also a vocal leader. He has all the qualities of a solid upperclassman captain.
“Same with Connor Huber. He’s a seasoned veteran. Those two beat each other up every day. Others will look to them.”
The lineup
Two freshmen — Connor Bevan and Reinaldo Lebron — could fill the first two weights. Bevan was fourth at last year’s District 11 junior high tournament at 97 pounds. Lebron was fifth at 102.
Vargas and Huber should follow at 120 and 126, respectively.
Juniors Jared Jenkins and Max Marrero are returning sixth-place finishers at districts and will be contributors at the upper weights.
So, too, should senior Darryl Shands and freshman Josh Hoffert, who was a fifth-place finisher at 212 at last year’s District 11 junior high tournament.
Freshman Chris Jurado, who sixth last year at junior high districts, should be at 152.
“[Terenzio] has been more intense,” Vargas said. “He’s been really pushing us to do the main things in wrestling, to be able to do it better, ... and conditioning.”
“He’s more focused on conditioning,” Huber added. “The last few years, Freedom struggled with conditioning.”
The schedule
Freedom opens up by hosting the Battle for Bethlehem Duals with Bangor, Southern Lehigh, North Penn, St. Joseph’s Prep, Faith Christian Academy, Neshaminy and Cedar Cliff.
Terenzio’s EPC debut is Dec. 22 against visiting Parkland.
Freedom closes out 2018 by participating in Liberty’s Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic, then is at the Line Mountain Duals and the War at the Shore hosting by Stephen Decatur (Md.) in January.
“Winning is contagious,” Terenzio said. “When you win, it attracts kids to the program.
“My goal is to do exactly that. When we have success on the mat, in the long run we’ll get more kids out for the team. That’s any team’s goal, to get bodies two or three deep per weight class.”
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