According to Jim Thorpe wrestling coach, Shawn Albert, there is no secret to attaining victories on the mat.

"We simply must use good technique and outwork the opposition."This year's edition of the Olympian team will be without Ali Capobianco and Justice Batts who transferred to other schools. Star football player, Rob Heller will also not wrestle due to a knee injury sustained on the gridiron. Only one senior is on the roster and he comes with no experience at all."Chalil Smalls is an interesting addition for us," said Albert. "He has never wrestled in his life, but he is extremely athletic and looks very promising."Albert adds that Smalls has very quick moves and reflexes and that he will be difficult to take down at the 145 weight class level.Junior Kevin Gentile, who finished with 36 wins and placed sixth in the regionals overall, returns and Albert expects that his 106 weight class wrestler will be one of the best in the league this year."Kevin is our mat rat who trains all year long." said Albert. "He has been a wrestler since the township knee-hi program and he now he brings three years of varsity experience to our team. He's a top rider and very quick on his feet. Last season Kevin was dominant in take downs."Gentile has extra motivation this season as well."Kevin and I fully expect that he will make states this year," said Albert.Antonio Madera steps off the football field and onto the mat in the 152-160 weight class. Last season, as a freshman, he won 26 matches. Madera was in the top three in team wins and finished with a 2-2 record in the state tournament."Antonio delivers on the mat just like he does in football," said Albert. "He's very physical and tough to take down because he's so strong on his feet. He will be even better this year."Junior Robbie Geisinger, a Jim Thorpe wide receiver in the fall, begins his second year in the program at the 160-170 weight level. Last season, he wrestled against higher weight opponents and still managed to have his hand raised 22 times at the end of matches."Robbie is very technical with his mat moves and above all else, he is a three period wrestler. He finishes as strong as he begins,"With several football players on his roster, Albert tells his team that a pin is like a touchdown so if a teammate gets pinned, and the next Olympian wins by decision, it's like they would then be behind by the score of 7-3 in football terms. If you do the math, numerous decsions will still overcome a pin or two. This analogy builds team unity and motivates one wrestler to pick up another.At 152 pounds, Cameron Condly is what the coach calls the "workhorse" of the team."Cameron is as strong as an ox," said Albert "He's also stepping up to be a team leader. He is the ultimate role model because he leads by example."The Olympians' program philosophy is to outwork, out-compete, and out-technique their opposition. Albert, in his fifth year at the helm, expects strong competition especially from Williams Valley and Upper Dauphin."We will be fine as long as we realize not everyone on the team will win his match, but as long as we pick each other up, we can come out on top."