Emmaus wrestling coach Thad Smith loves the sport for many reasons. Primarily because on the mat there’s no place to hide.

“Wrestling is one-on-one and you can’t make any excuses,” Smith said when asked about the sport. “You win, you get the credit. You lose, you get the blame. Hard work pays off and you get out of wrestling what you put into it.”

Smith’s 2019-20 team is a work in progress, but with great potential.

“We are a young team with veteran leadership,” the coach said. “I see two senior starters and the other weights will be underclassman.”

“Our goal is to be top five in the league, have a strong showing in team districts and have several individuals qualify for the state tournament in March,” Smith said. “It will take continued dedication and hard work. We need to take care of the small details and eliminate mistakes. We added to our schedule to get tougher opponents to help us reach our goals.”

Emmaus has 35 wrestlers this season, with many weights up for grabs during the preseason workouts. Smith expects some returnees from last year’s team to start somewhere this year.

At the top of the list has to be Caden Wright at 170 pounds, who Smith calls a team leader. A 2018 district champ, Wright took second place at regionals and districts last season before competing in the state tournament for the second time in his career.

Kordell Waiters is ready to take a leadership role for Emmaus at 138. Geo Lainez should wrestle at 113 pounds and Nick Velde is expected to contribute at 132 coming off a sterling 2018-2019 season in which he earned the team’s co-rookie of the year honors. Last year’s other co-rookie, Jarred Groller, should compete at 182 pounds this season. Connor Scott, also at 182, should be in the mix. Senior heavyweight James Santichen “brings experience from last year,” according to his coach.

A duo of sophomores, Quinn Scott and Jake Brion, will both wrestle at either 145 or 152 pounds. Two other second-year young men, Trevor Gitski and John Lozowksy, will attempt to break into the upper weights, Smith said. Freshmen Marco Albanese (106) and Evan Camire (126), who were both junior high district champions last year, will also be fighting for spots. Three other freshmen - Jake Gross, E.J. Boney and Zach Madigan - will also be in the mix for spots in the line up.

“Wrestling teaches these young men about life,” Smith said. “You will never achieve success without some failure. What you do about that failure will determine how much success you have. They will all be prepared for life with the lessons they learn in wrestling. I enjoy the fact that the other coaches and I are preparing young men to be successful in whatever life brings their way.”