Wrestling – Mix of key returnees plus good young talent add to higher expectations for Hornets heading into upcoming season. (PREVIEW)

Sophomore Nick Velde (top) finished 21-10 a year ago and is a key returnee heading into this season for Emmaus. Photo: Tim Patterson

Head coach – Thad Smith (2nd season)

Assistants – Jim Best, Lance Thatcher, Jason Jones, Dave Pipa, Marcus Hardiman

Last year – 13-8 overall (5-4 EPC)

Lost to graduation – Jackson Karrat (27-8, District XI 6th place, 145), James Bowie (12-14, 106), Luigi Mannino (15-17, 220), Bryce Ebinger (8-6, 195), Chris Tigar (11-21, 160)

Returnees – Sr. Caden Wright (25-6, District XI runner-up, PIAA state qualifier, 170/182), Jr. Kordell Waiters (22-11, 138), Jr. Conner Carter (15-14, 170/182/195), Sr. James Santichen (10-12/Hwt) Jr. Gio Lainez (11-13/113), Soph. Nick Velde (21-10, 132), Soph. Quinn Scott (8-16/145), Soph.. Jared Groller (21-13/182), Soph. Jack Brion (6-20, 152), Sr. Jose Rodriguez (195), Jr. Jack Ivankovits (145)

Newcomers – Fr. Marco Albanese (106), Fresh. Zach Madigan (120), Fresh. Evan Camire (126), Jr. Ian Roberts (120), Lewis Rodriguez (106), Soph Drew Schmidt (160), Jr. Nick Rogers (170), Soph. Trevor Gitski (195), Jr. Cody Lafever (195), Jr. Nick Carter (195), Soph. John Lozowski (220), Fresh. EJ Boney (285)

Season-opener: Dec. 11 @ Northampton

Tournaments: Case-Flynn Duals @ Pottsville (Dec. 7), Hurricane Invitational (Dec. 28 & 29), Dallastown (Jan. 11), Denver Duals (Jan. 18),

Social media to follow: Twitter: @Emmaussports, @Emmauswrestling; Facebook: Emmaus Wrestling

Coach Smith – “The kids are working hard and are numbers are looking good (35) heading into this season. We have great leadership and depth with this team. Our young kids are very scrappy and they have no fear. They just want to come in and wrestle. Our expectations are higher this year than they were a year ago. We want to move up in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) and be in that top tier. A year ago we qualified for team districts, and now the expectation is to win in districts.”