Northern Lehigh’s wrestling program made the most of a season altered by the COVID pandemic a year ago.

The Bulldogs have been maximizing their time together this season, despite low numbers caused by the football team’s deep run in the state playoffs.

“I wish the football players best of luck and hope to see them playing at Hershey,” said Snyder, who was a part of the last Bulldogs’ football team in the State playoffs back in 2003. “I also hope upon their return though they can translate their success on the football field to success on the wrestling mat.

“But the few wrestlers we do have in our room right now have been doing well practicing with limited numbers.”

While Snyder patiently awaits those still involved with the Bulldogs’ football team, the sixth-year coach definitely will be without the presence of a district runner-up from last season and a PIAA state qualifier from two years ago in his lineup. And that’s because Brendan Smay and Josh Schaffer both graduated last June.

“It would have been nice to have these two around for one more season,” Snyder stated. “We have a fairly large incoming sophomore class who would have benefited from their leadership.”

The Bulldogs will welcome back one true leader on the mat that had one fine season a year ago. Trevor Amorim will return to face the competition on the mat at either 160 or 172 pounds.

“Trevor has been right on the bubble qualifying for regionals in 2020 and then falling short in 2021 after a tough district semifinal loss to Mason Smeland of Palisades,” Snyder said. “If Trevor can get hungry and focus on the things he can control he should have a fine senior year.”

Snyder welcomes back another upperclassman who missed out completely on his junior season due to an injury.

“Matt Frame is returning to the mat at 215 after missing the 2020-2021 season,” Snyder said. “He will certainly be one to keep your eye on as he’s physically come a long way from where he was two seasons ago.”

After his two lone upperclassmen, Snyder will have to turn to a youth movement within the program.

Taking to the mat for Bulldogs will be more than a handful of sophomores, which includes Trey Dieter (106), Donovan Bonilla (138/145), Bailey Smith (160/172), Chase Moffit (172), Jack Tosh (189), Lawson Hoffman (215) and Sam Frame Jr. (285).

“I think going through sophomore season growing pains together as a group will help them later in the season and in the future,” said Snyder, when asked about a potential strength. “They will be a group who builds each other up and pushes each other to be better daily in the practice room.

“I think this class will bring a well needed boost of enthusiasm to our wrestling room.”

The class has plenty of Bulldogs there to push them in addition to the coaching staff, as the junior class consists of Austin Rex (120/126), Jonathan Zemlanksy (152) and Aidan Bowman (172).

While the Bulldogs currently work with the numbers they have in the room, and continue to cheer on the NL football team, Snyder has some time to talk about kind of expectations lay on the line for the regular season.

“I know our lineup will be full of underclassmen, but with numbers boosted a bit this season I expect to win a few more dual meets this year,” Snyder stressed. “If we can come close to filling a lineup our goal will always be qualifying for district duals.”