Tams eager to build on last season’s momentum

Pump it up!

That could be the theme for the Tamaqua wrestling team this season, a squad that has a strong contingent of veterans returning, an optimistic outlook and momentum that hopefully carries over from a season ago.

Coach Jim McCabe comes from a wrestling family; from his days at Mahanoy Area, right into his collegiate career. Even has his scholastic mentor in the wrestling room, Dave Holmes, has reminded him that success takes a lot of hard work.

“I took some time off to be with my daughters who are now (in high school),” said McCabe, who has a passion for the sport and the time off after a 12-year stint rejuvenated his batteries.

“I couldn’t wait to get back into it. Now that my children (Sarah and Anna) are in high school, and my wife, Angela who used to come to all my matches when I was in high school at Mahanoy Area, can now come and watch us wrestle, it is really great to be a part of this program.”

He calls it a family affair, referencing his wrestlers.

“Today, coaching is more like fathering,” is how McCabe described the leadership role. “These kids know the love we have for them, and when they come back, there is such a warmth for all of them.”

Wrestling is not easy. But the rewards are gratifying, to be sure.

McCabe is eager to get started, especially with five strong starters returning to the fold.

There’s heavyweight Bronson Strouse, Nathan Milkovits (145), Austin Oncay (113/106), Nathan Wickersham (182) and Braydon Hess (195). All were members of the football team, which went deep into the state playoffs, curbing the critical practice time to get into wrestling shape.

There are also junior standouts Aaron Coccio and Randy Steigerwalt.

There were six wrestlers with 20 wins or more, and five return with the lone departure being Khalid Holland off a team that went 11-9 in dual meets. Strouse has surpassed the 100-career wins last season had over 30 wins in 2019.

“We have kids that should excel and drive this team to a lot of success,” said McCabe, who is hoping to have Reese Szabo back from an injury. Two other football standouts that could lose time this season with injuries are Lucas Schickram and Nate Curvey.

The competition is going to be heavy. McCabe noted he has five wrestlers vying for two spots, including two 25-win wrestlers in the aforementioned Steigerwalt and Coccio, who may have to wrestle-off to see where they fit in the lineup.

The numbers are up, with McCabe saying the squad is sitting around 24, which is a strong number for any school. The only light spot is at 113 and 106. If Oncay slides to the lower weight after starting at the higher weight class, which McCabe is expecting, then the 113 becomes vacant.

The challenge ahead in the Schuylkill League features mainstays Blue Mountain and Pottsville, said McCabe. In districts, he calls Notre Dame of Green Pond a killer, along with always solid Saucon Valley, and throw in Wilson and Northwestern Lehigh, the latter two McCabe feels his squad fits right in between the perennial powers

McCabe is pumped up. Not only for the wrestling season, but also from a successful football campaign that’s created momentum he’s hoping will carry right on over to his wrestling squad and created a drive to excel.