Perhaps more than any other sport, COVID-19 wreaked havoc on high school wrestling programs last year, and that was certainly true for Jim Thorpe, whose total roster number was 13 last winter.

Head coach Dan Heaney has welcomed over 30 candidates for his first year at the helm.

“We’re really excited about this group and especially those who have returned after opting out for a year due to COVID,” he said, “and for the first time in a while, we should be able to field a junior varsity team.”

A solid core of experienced wrestlers and some promising newcomers will make up the Olympian varsity team led by seniors Gabe Heaney, Caleb McDermott, and Jared Newhall.

In the 152-pound weight class, Gabe Heaney returns with a 25-4 record from last year and a third place district finish.

“They only took the top two district finishers last year to qualify for the regionals due to COVID so you could say that Gabe is extra motivated this year,” said Coach Heaney.

Speaking of extra motivation, both McDermott and Newhall were both injured a year ago and are looking to regain their prowess on the mat during their senior years.

“Caleb sustained a serious leg injury after posting a 9-5 record and Jared is a man on a mission. We’re excited to have both back,” said Heaney.

Junior Ridge Snyder, who Coach Heaney says is “good in any position on the mat,” comes off a sensational season from the JT cross country team and is primed to fill in at the 162 class. Further varsity experience will come from junior Maximus Fitzpatrick at 189 and sophomore Gavin Dechert at 160. Also at 160 is Sal Capria who is currently recovering from a football injury.

Also returning from last year’s 7-15 team is Cameron Tinajero, who will now focus on taking down opponents on the mat instead of knocking over linebackers on the grid iron.

Two dozen newcomers will be vying for match time. Sophomore Max Pfeiffer, at 138, is “as competitive as they come,” according to Heaney.

“Max really showed progress and came on at the end of last season,” he said. “He just wants to win every time he’s on the mat.”

Freshman Nicholas Schwartz is a likely starter in the 145 pound weight class after a solid 14-7 record on the junior high team. Another freshman, Jimmy O’Neill, comes back from missing last year and has looked good and is showing toughness in early season workouts. Newcomer Aiden Sterling carries his 16-1 junior high record into varsity competition. Junior Tanner Yurchak at 120, also comes back to the sport after a hiatus of a few years.

“It’s just great to see a room full of wrestlers,” said Heaney. “Nobody’s been missing practices and they’ve been working really hard on basic skills and techniques.”

Other newcomers looking to prove themselves during team wrestle-offs at various weight classes are Henry Snyder, Jake Geiser and Blake Carroll. Coming from the soccer field are Dawson Meckes and Cael Heaney. Junior Jayden Mantilla is expected to start in the 285 pound class.

Coach Heaney is still sorting his team out and since they have been practicing exclusively on techniques, so he’s not ready to specify individual wrestling talents or make any bold predictions for the upcoming season.

“We’ll figure out a lineup that will start in the Rough Riders Tournament at Catasauqua High School on Dec. 11 and we’ll go from there,” said Heaney.

With so many newcomers to the program, the future for Jim Thorpe wrestling looks to be pointed in the right direction and for now, the Olympians are preparing to prove they belong on the mat against the best of the Schuylkill League