Loaded Quakertown ready to make another run
Panther Valley and Pennridge have new coaches, but the longestrunning coach among The Morning Call’s coverage area in District 1 and the Schuylkill League has the most talent — even with a rash of injuries. Quakertown’s Kurt Handel saw four wrestlers go down in a week with season-ending injuries. The Panthers, however, will still be a formidable foe in the Suburban One League’s Continental Division and in District 1. Faith Christian should have its strongest varsity team in its threeyear existence under former Northwestern standout Ben Clymer. Jim Thorpe expects to be much improved in Shawn Albert’s ninth season. SCHUYLKILL LEAGUE JIM THORPE
Head coach: Shawn Albert, ninth year.
Last year: 0-6 Schuylkill League, 1-6 overall.
Wrestlers to watch: Jr. William Schwartz (106); Sr. Austin Williams (182; District 4th); Sr. Ethan Mordaunt (195; District runner-up; regional 3rd).
Key loss: John Newell.
Top newcomers: Sr. Derrick Beckham (182; transfer from Panther Valley; District runner-up; regional 5th) So. Derek Hunter (285); Fr. Jared Newhall; Fr. Caleb McDermott; Fr. Gabe Heaney.
Outlook: The Olympians have the best turnout in Albert’s tenure, led by returning state qualifiers Mordaunt and Beckham. They will have a competitive lineup in the dualmeet season. Albert believes the team’s success will hinge on their hard work and determination. LEHIGHTON Head coach: Floyd Brown, third year (10 years overall with program; 109-68). Last year: 3-3, 15-8.
Wrestlers to watch: Sr. Logan Pagotto (152); Sr. Chris Whiteman (145; District 4th); Jr. Lucas Sangiuliano (138); Jr. Brett Gasker (285);
Jr. Cody Engle (160); Jr. Mason Ferguson (113); So. Steven Fritzinger (132); So. Richard Fronheiser (170); Sr. Christian Rodriguez (195); Jr. Alex Zeigenfuss (182).
Key losses: Tyler Schock; Cody Scherer; Nate Kemmerer; Jack Zimmerman; Nathan Lucykanish. Top newcomers: Fr. Collin Wentz; Fr. Lukas Ferguson; So. Darrell Hull; So. Jon Ahner; Jr. David Miller; Jr. J.J. Marrero.
Outlook: Whiteman is a part of a trio of seniors who are leading an Indians team that should be in the hunt again for a District 11 team duals berth. There are a couple of lineup holes, and Brown is looking for a wrestler to end the program’s two-year drought in state qualifiers.
PANTHER VALLEY
Head coach: Zane Bachert, first year.
Last year: 5-1, 8-6.
Wrestlers to watch: Sr. Aaron Eidem (285); Sr. Colby Newton (126).
Key losses: Tanner Kennedy; Hunter Kennedy; Xander Kern; Louden Breiner; Miguel Santiago; Justin Ogozalek; Derrick Beckham (transferred to Jim Thorpe).
Top newcomers: Jr. Eric Moyer (145).
Outlook: Eidem should be a factor after missing last year’s postseason with an injury. Bachert, who spent the previous three years in charge of Lehighton’s junior high program, said this is a rebuilding year after significant graduation losses. However, he expects a few, including Eidem, to make a good run during the individual postseason.
TAMAQUA
Head coach: Jim McCabe, second year (14th year overall with program, 108-137).
Last year: 3-3, 10-9.
Wrestler to watch: Jr. Bronson Strouse (285; District runner-up; regional 6th); Jr. Caleb Sell (145); Jr. Joey Minehan (132); Sr. Kahlid Holland (160); Jr. Alex Zeigler (220); Jr. Tyler George (182); Sr. Brandon Eberts (195); Sr. Zach Fannock (152); So. Randy Steigerwalt (126); So. Nick Wall (106); So. Tyler Hazlett (120); So. Aaron Coccio (132); Sr.
A.J. Jones (132); So. Reese Szabo (138); So. Dax Weller (138); So. Nate Wickersham (170); So. Carson Krell (182).
Key loss: Brandon Mader.
Top newcomers: Fr. Cole Eberts (138); Fr. Michael Steigerwalt (145). Outlook: There are a good number of returnees, led by state qualifier Strouse. They will be tested with nonleague dates against Emmaus and at the Juniata Duals. Ultimately, McCabe is more concerned with technique becoming behavior instead of focusing on wins and losses.
DISTRICT 1
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Head coach: Ben Clymer, fourth year (12-15)
Last year: 5-12, Districts 1-12 Class 2A champion
Wrestler to watch: Jr. Max Schultz (152)
Top newcomers: Fr. Eric Alderfer (106); Fr. Cody Witzer (113); Fr. Leo Muzika (220).
Outlook: The Lions are in their third year as a varsity program under the former Northwestern standout. They will field a full lineup for a third year in a row, which is impressive. They also will be more talented than in previous years, and thus expect to be more competitive in the dual-meet season. They also have upgraded their schedule with visits to tournaments at Bethlehem Catholic and Wyoming Seminary. PENNRIDGE
Head coach: T.J. Lewis, first year. Last year: 3-3 SOL Continental, 5-5 overall.
Wrestlers to watch: Sr. Evan Widing (District 1 East 3rd); Jr. Logan Green (District 1 East runnerup); Sr. Jadin Bass (District 1 East 4th); Sr. Christian Perrine.
Key losses: Josh Stillings; David Blanchard; Stephen Dadio.
Top newcomer: Fr. Stephen Gagliardi (106); Fr. Andrew Minko (113); So. Paul Usaraga (120); So. Nathaniel Gangi (132); So. Marquez Brockington (138); Fr. Eddie Oprindick (145); So. Kevin Nicholson (220).
Outlook: Lewis spent the previous five years as R.P. Norley’s assistant at Pennridge. He believes the Rams will be a scrappy bunch capable of success during the dual-meet campaign and the individual postseason.
QUAKERTOWN
Head coach: Kurt Handel, 19th year (240-112).
Last year: 7-0 repeat SOL American champion, 13-7.
Wrestlers to watch: Sr. Corey
Cope (113; District 1 East 3rd); Sr. Trent Nielson (132); Sr. Jake
Wheeler (152); Sr. Stone Snyder (126); Sr. Max Russell (195); Jr. Vinny DeSpirito (120-126; District 1 East 4th); Jr. Zach Lewis (126-132); Jr. Ralph Martin (220); Jr. Kyle Miller (113; District 1 East 3rd); Jr. Mitchell Stover; Jr. Kyle Goodwin (160); Jr. Jeremy McGuigan (285; injured last year); So. Dom DeFalco (138; District 1 East 4th; regional 5th); So. Micah Kunkle (182); So. Patrick McCoy (132); So. Hans Muse (195). Top newcomers: Fr. Justin Adamson; Fr. Patrick Conner; Fr. Freddie Retter; Fr. Kaden Roesener.
Key losses: Sr. Josh Stahl (seasonending injury); Sr. Michael Terra (season-ending injury); Fr. Todd McGann (season-ending injury). Outlook: Handel lost four wrestlers in the first week of practice to season-ending injuries, including Stahl, a two-time state qualifier. Cope and DeFalco will be the leaders of what remains of a veteran group that didn’t graduate a starter. Despite McGann’s loss at 106, the Panthers, who shift from SOL American to the SOL Continental, will be strong through 132 pounds. McGuigan’s return from an injury last year could bolster the upper weights.
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Head coach: Steve Adam, second year (5-10)
Last year: 4-1 PAC Frontier Division champion, 5-10.
Wrestlers to watch: Jr. Matt Martin (113; District 6th); Jr. Gavin Marks (126; District 5th); Jr. Zach Rozanski (145; District 5th); So. Jacob Ankele (120); So. Joey Carpenter (120); Jr. Mike Milkowich (126); So. Keaton Durning (132); So. Daniel Hawkins (152); So. Soren Svanson (170); Jr. Austin DiDomenico (182).
Key losses: Jared Kuhns; Jarek Svanson; D.J. McIlvaine; Ryan Rossiter.
Top newcomers: So. Robbie Carpenter (106); Fr. Matt Milkowich (106); Fr. Asher Hailey (113); Fr. Johnathan Hanson (120); Fr. Nathan Reinart (120); Jr. Connor Harpel (160); Jr. Daulton Dunlap (182); Fr. Damon Faraco (195); Jr. Nick Petilicio (285); Fr. Ryan Cleary (285).
Outlook: Rozanski and Martin will captain a roster without a senior on it. The Indians did well last year despite forfeiting most of the upper weights during the dual season. Dunlap, Faraco, Petilicio and Cleary will help Adam fill some of those voids and give Upper Perk a fighting chance to make the District 1 team duals.