The Emmaus wrestling program enters the new season with a new head coach and a roster comprised of new talent.

“We are relatively inexperienced,” Emmaus coach Jim Best said. “We project to have seven wrestlers in the lineup that will be wrestling varsity for the first time. It will take time for those wrestlers to gain experience.”

Best, who has served as an assistant coach at Emmaus since 2017, says he’ll lean on six experienced wrestlers as his club enters the mat wars off a 15-10 season last year.

“We will rely heavily on the other six wrestlers, with varsity experience, to provide leadership and guidance. We will be a team that shows growth and improvement as the season progresses.”

While the younger wrestlers cut their teeth the Green Hornets will have to navigate a challenging schedule.

“When you compete in the sport of wrestling in District 11 you will face a tough schedule week in and week out,” Best said. “Conference duals against Northampton, Easton, Nazareth, Freedom and Whitehall will test our skills, toughness and resiliency. Add Parkland and some other challenging nonconference duals into the mix, and we are looking at constant test of our abilities throughout the season.”

Best’s troops include Jackson Max at 107. Max is a hard worker with an aggressive wrestling style to loves to compete. The 114-pound class will feature Bryce Kleinle or Aiden Bayard.

Alex Issa or Logan Armstrong will earn the 127 nod, while Chance Henry will patrol 133. The 139-pound class will feature Noe Bridges or Zayden Sallit. Both young men are experienced wrestlers who aren’t afraid to work hard. Each has found success in years past and will be impact wrestlers from the season’s start.

Marco Albanese has 145 locked down. The senior is the Hornets’ only returning District 11 place winner. He won 28 bouts in 2021-22 and took sixth-place at districts.

“Marco is a very experienced and hardworking wrestler,” Best said. “He has set lofty goals for himself and is super motivated to achieve them.”

Jesse Scott or Billy Tiger will hold down 152. Scott and Tiger want to improve on previous season’s results. Taliesen Frantz or Sam Rainford are both relatively inexperienced but are eager to learn at 160. The 172-pound weight class will feature three young men this winter - Lord Henry, Reilly Bechtel or Massimo Tranguch.

The 189-pound class is Jake Gross’ domain. He’s determined to improve on last season’s postseason results. Ohm Patel will patrol 215 and E.J. Boney will hold down 285 with the same determination he brought to the Hornets’ football team.

“Our goal is to consistently improve throughout the season, consistently show good sportsmanship and be grateful for the opportunity to improve and compete,” said Best.