Almost every grappler on the Palmerton boys wrestling team is back from a year ago.

Meanwhile, the numbers within the Bombers’ girls wrestling program have more than doubled – in what is only its second season as it’s own program.

It’s that increase in numbers that Palmerton girls wrestling coach Josh Rake is ecstatic about, both within the program and the sport of girls’ wrestling itself.

“The program as a whole has seen some real growth in numbers, from about 12 last year across all grades, 7-12, to about 24 this year,” Rake stressed. “I still have girls asking every day if it’s too late to join wrestling. So there really does seem to be a big interest in the sport.”

While numbers continue to be on an upswing for Palmerton, boys head coach Justin Petersen is proud to have 33 wrestlers on his side (18 on varsity) with plenty of experience.

“This is a very experienced group,” said Petersen, who enters his 11th season as the Bombers’ mentor. “These kids have wrestled with each other since they were little. They know how to win, and they are motivated to do so this year.

“The small amount of practice time we’ve had so far indicates this season will be different from years past.”

Back again on the mat for the Bombers are Tommy Pasquariello (107/114 pounds), Kellen Trotter (127/133), Josh Merkel (133/139), Aidan Ortiz (139/145), Matthew Gombert (145/152), Vincent Taglieri (145/152), Jaggar Serfass (152/160), Derek King (152/160), Dillon Anthony (152/160), Bryce Smith (160/172), Dillon Lombardi (172/189), Caleb Gaffney (172/189), Jameson Trainer (172/189) and Anderson Garcia (189/215).

Looking to add their skills are a few newcomers in freshmen Connor Messinger, Jaxs Miller, Domenick Brown, as well as senior transfer student Braden Strohl (Florida).

“The intensity is different; they aren’t here for any participation trophies,” Petersen added. “They are here to beat anyone that steps on the line across from them. Much more business-like then in the past. Some freshmen will make an impact early, and I believe they are ready to do so in a very positive way. We also have a newcomer from out-of-state that is coming back after several years that has turned some heads already.”

A key part in getting a Lady Bombers’ wrestling team sanctioned – Gretchen Schaible – has graduated. Schaible wrestled with the boys for two seasons, and then got the chance in her last season to wrestle with her own girls’ team.

Now, returning to keep things going for the girls are Skyler Benninger and Jade Kuhns, who will look to make the most of their senior seasons.

“They have helped tremendously in getting girls interested in the sport, and we would not have seen as much growth from year one to year two without them,” Rake said. “They have been a huge help during the offseason in getting girls ready for the season.”

Also returning are juniors Cassidy Merkel and Lea Schaible. “They want to get better, and that’s what we need in this sport,” stressed Rake.

Others looking to make a name for themselves are Molly Ries, who joined amid the season last year, as well as sophomores Paige Kibler and Serenity Reyes.

While it’s true within both programs, there’s lots of work to be done to get Palmerton wrestling back to where Petersen and Rake would like to see it.

“These kids aren’t afraid of anything, which will make this a fun year for sure,” Petersen said. “I just want our guys to want to compete. I don’t want them to seek out comfort. I want them to go into every match with the mental edge knowing they can win.

“If we are successful in that, then everything else will fall into place both as a team and individually.”

Rake echoed that sentiment.

“We don’t have any girls that have been wrestling since they were five, at least not yet, so our experience with the higher levels of competition isn’t really there yet,” Rake said. “I’d like to get some of our girls to get there, and I think we have a few girls that really have a chance to do great things. Beyond that, my goal is to help the girls achieve their goals.

“Whether it’s on the mat or not. I think wrestling is a sport that makes you better at everything in life, so some girls are joining because they want to stay in shape for track season; sounds great, I’ll make sure you have the best track season of your life.”