Trust the process.

Sure, it was a catchy tagline for Sam Hinkie’s Philadelphia 76ers.

But its premise is still a prominent theme across the sports world, and one Tamaqua wrestling coach Jim McCabe has taken to heart.

More than anything, McCabe focuses on steady progression for the Blue Raiders, something that helps them wrestle their best when it matters most.

“They’re working hard, they want to get better and that’s our goal,” said McCabe.”Our thought process is to trust the process, and I could guarantee them that we’ll be better wrestlers at the end of the year than we are today, and that’s where we want to be and that’s our thought process.

“We just have to be focused on what we need to do to get better, and it will happen. They can’t expect things to fall in their lap and happen on their own; they have to work hard, they have to listen and do what needs to be done, and we’ll be competitive.”

Tamaqua has done that and more under McCabe. The Blue Raiders were third in the team standings at the District 11 Class 2A tournament last season, when McCabe was also named 2A Coach of the Year.

The program has also produced the last two Times News Wrestler of the Year award winners in Nate Wickersham (2020-21) and Bronson Strouse (2019-20).

Wickersham and Strouse also capped their careers with state medals. Wickersham placed third at 215 pounds a season ago after finishing eighth at 182 as a junior while Strouse was sixth at 285 in 2020.

A year ago, Wickersham’s season nearly ended in a win-or-go-home true second place match at districts, where only two wrestlers moved on. He advanced to regionals with a 7-5 decision in sudden victory overtime against Notre Dame Green Pond’s Jason Sine in the true second place bout, and followed that with a regional title.

More than just their physical ability, McCabe and his staff have helped their wrestlers win the tough matches above the shoulders.

“You have to train your mind more than your body more than anything to be successful in those situation,” said McCabe, in his 16th season. “It took time for Bronson, it took time for Nate to understand that, to get to that point. But the patience level has to be where it needs to be in order for it to happen because if it gets frustrating to the athlete to the point where they continue to lose the close one point matches and the don’t do anything to make it different, then they won’t be successful. I think Bronson and Nate were able to understand that.

“Close matches happen, and sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. But if you learn from the mistakes that was the ultimate reason why you lost and you make the corrections to get the win, then those one point matches happen in your favor more than the other person.”

Gabe Erbe gained that valuable experience as a freshman last season for Tamaqua. Erbe advance to regionals by winning his true second place match at 106 pounds to qualify for regionals.

Erbe will slot into the113-120-pound slot this year. Freshman Chase Zeigenfuss will also be in the mix at 113-120.

A pair of freshmen, Levi Kunkel and Aiden Schlier, are vying for the spot at 106 pounds. Kunkel was also a state qualifier in cross country this season.

Returning letterwinners include juniors Zaidyn Walker (132) and John Buday (189), and seniors Devin Schlier (145), Mike Steigerwalt (152), Nate Milkovits (160) and Cole Eberts (172).

Freshmen Brody Boyce (126) and Jacob Hehn (160), sophomores Jason Walker (220) and Anthony DeBellis (285), juniors Tim Edmonds (138), Love Ortiz (145), Matt Hedrick (145), Jacob Schlier (152) and Donavin Albert (220), seniors Mike Leary (160) and Arnold Fernandez (172) will also be in the mix and help the Blue Raiders field close to a full lineup. The team posted a 7-6 overall record and a 2-3 mark in Division I of the Schuylkill League last season.

In addition to Wickersham, Tamaqua will also have to replace Aaron Coccio, Randy Steigerwalt, Reese Szabo, Mike Shlanta and Nick Wall.

“We lost some good wrestlers and we’re going to have to fill in a lot of those individuals that left,” said McCabe. “But at the same time, they’re gone. They served their time for Tamaqua and now we focus on the kids that are here, ready to wrestle for us. And I feel like when the whistle blows, we’re going to have some kids that want to scrap. They’re no afraid to wrestle any level of higher quality competition. They’re willing to go out and give their best against the best opponent.”