With the possibility of delays and postponements due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Palmerton wrestling team is looking forward to the opportunity to charge ahead with optimism.

Justin Petersen, who begins his ninth season with the Palmerton club (seventh as head coach), plans to have this year’s squad improve upon its mark of 4-9 from a year ago, and has plenty of reason to believe they are capable.

Gone from the roster due to graduation are Shawn Gardner, Matt Lalik, Chris Lucykanich and Aidan Melber, meaning the holes are there to be filled by upcoming talent who have been waiting for their chance to shine.

“We have some good individuals that are willing to give everything they have on the mat for us,” Petersen said. “However, our numbers throughout the lineup will be our weakness.”

With the number of coronavirus cases rising, the Colonial League recently voted to delay the start of its winter sports season until Jan. 15.

“I’m excited for the kids to have the opportunity to compete,” the veteran coach said. “They work very hard, and just to have the opportunity is special.”

Competing for spots in the starting rotation are several key contributors from a season ago, including juniors Dennis Lombardi (138/145), Jeremy Mooney (189), Aaron Gardner (126/132), along with senior Colton Stroup (138/145) and sophomore Daniel Lucykanich (152).

Lombardi was a top seed at last year’s District 11 Class 2A Tournament and finished sixth at 132 pounds.

While the numbers for the outset of the Palmerton wrestling season aren’t too promising, and forfeits could once again dictate team match outcomes, the outlook for those competing is reasonably positive.

Petersen and his troop of grapplers continue on with their sights set on maintaining a sense of pride in their program.

“It is important for them to realize that any one match could be their last, realistically, because there are no guarantees,” Petersen said. “That, I believe, is an important life lesson for them to learn at this stage of their development.”