Graduation has opened the door for new faces across Tamaqua’s fall sports programs, but a strong group of returning leaders ensures the Blue Raiders remain competitive. Coaches see a balance of tradition, teamwork, and fresh energy fueling the new season.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Head coach: Amanda Hascin, first year

Last year’s record: 15-1 (Schuylkill League champions)

League: Schuylkill

Key losses: Anthony Marchetti, Levi Kunkel

Key returnees: Aidan Elston (So.), Parker Steencken (So.), Logan Morgans (Sr.), William Behun (Sr.)

Top newcomers: Hunter Steencken (Fr.), Memphis Kline (Fr.), Kevin Lawfer (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Tamaqua boys’ cross country team is young but has been working extremely hard. With experience gained last season, the Raiders have the potential to make another strong run in 2025.

Quotable: “They (Elston and Parker Steencken) were both top runners last year as freshmen, and I’m hoping they go to states. They have a solid chance to make it far this year. They have a really strong base coming into the season.” — Tamaqua head coach Amanda Hascin

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Head coach: Amanda Hascin, first year

Last year’s record: 14-1 (second in Schuylkill League)

League: Schuylkill

Key losses: Isabella Jones, Samantha Plasha

Key returnees: Ava Jones (Sr.), Mollie Walker (Sr.), Cali Frantz (Sr.), Madelyn Schaefer (Jr.)

Top newcomers: Shaylee Gormley (Fr.), Millie Black (So.)

Season outlook: With an experienced returning core, the Raiders’ biggest goal is to work together to improve on last year’s finish.

Quotable: “That is really one of the things that’s been a transition over the last two years when they lost him (former coach Tom Kanger). I’ve seen it already in the summer workouts — just last night we did a really hard run, and at the six-and-a-half-mile mark, we were running up a very steep hill in Tamaqua. I had some of my older girls and boys go back down the hill for the younger ones to push them and help them up the hill. They’ve really embraced promoting teamwork.” — Tamaqua head coach Amanda Hascin

GIRLS TENNIS

Head coach: Kathy Odorizzi, second year

Assistant coach: Rich Gibson

League: Schuylkill

Last year’s record: 6-8

Key losses: Bradyn Brother (No. 2 singles), Gabby Erorh and Megan Linkhorst (No. 1 doubles)

Key returnees: Emma Ziajka (Sr., co-captain), Alison Arthurton (Sr., co-captain), Chloe Ryan (Sr.), Skora Ndikwiki (Sr.), Destiny Steinmetz (Sr.), Jasmine Eberts (Sr.), Serenity Sanchez (Jr.), Maddy Miller (Jr.), Naeun Choi (Jr.), Skylar Foster (Jr.), Kate Behun (So.), Lily Hess (So.), Tomorrow LoPresti (So.)

Top newcomers: Amanda Thierer (Jr.), Adrien Arthurton (Jr.), Emily Genery (Fr.)

Season outlook: Tamaqua lost three of its top four players to graduation, but returns a wealth of experience, including 10 juniors and seniors. The Blue Raiders have shown a high level of commitment following a strong offseason.

Quotable: “It is our good fortune to have a deep team to pull from. We lost three of our top players to graduation, but everyone else has returned from last year’s team, so experience will be on our side. We have some tough opponents, but I believe if we keep working hard and developing our skills, we will be a very competitive team. This is a dedicated and hard-working group of girls. I look forward to seeing our team have fun, grow, and improve throughout the season.” — Head coach Kathy Odorizzi

GIRLS SOCCER

Head coach: Clem McCarroll, 22nd year

League: Schuylkill

Key losses: Kimmy Rudy, Avery Deitrich, Kolbe Robb, Andrea Betz, Veronica Scott

Key returnees: Kaitlynn Fredericks (Sr., forward), Sienna Stellfox (Jr., forward), Sophia Stellfox (Jr., defense), Evelyn Leinbach (Jr., midfield), Mia Bamford (Jr., defense), Sophia Sitlinger (Jr., defense)

Top newcomers: Ceanna Gormley (Sr., GK), Andrianna Hernandez (Fr., defense), Gabby Chistakoff (Fr., midfield), Shaylee Gormley (Fr., forward), Avery Muffley (Fr., midfield), Madeline Tringone (Fr., defense), Bailey Pliska (Jr., midfield)

Season outlook: Last season, Tamaqua faced significant injuries, with seven starters sidelined at one point. Despite that, three players earned first-team all-league honors (Rudy, Robb, and S. Stellfox), while Sophia Stellfox received honorable mention. With nine seniors graduated, the Raiders will see substantial turnover as 12 freshmen join the program. Several players will be counted on to step into key roles.

Quotable: “We are super young this year with a big turnover of graduating players. We will have some growing pains, but as always, we expect to be competitive in every game, and hopefully we can stay healthy throughout the season. The new players have been great, and they’re hoping to compete and get up to speed quickly.” — Tamaqua head coach Clem McCarroll

BOYS SOCCER

Head coach: Jim McCabe

League: Schuylkill

Last year’s record: 3-14-1

Key losses: Nick Barron, Mason MacMillan, Aiden Schlier, Evan Temarantz

Key returnees: Aidan Elston (So., midfield), Chase Behr (Sr., midfield), Will Behun (Sr., defense), Larson Hudak (Sr., defense), Jakin Tamagini (Jr., GK/midfield), Josh Hadesty (So., defense), Thomas Graham (Sr., midfield)

Top newcomers: Bryce Eltringham (Fr., defense/midfield), Wyatt Devlin (Fr., striker), JJ Kovatch (Fr., GK/defense), Brayden Honey (Fr., GK/defense), Brody Boyle (Fr., striker), Jaedon Vidzicki (Fr., midfield)

Season outlook: Tamaqua returns five upperclassmen and will rely on a youth movement, with six freshmen entering the program.

Quotable: “Improving 1% each day, with intentional focus on the controllables in order to get 1% better every day. We want to be doing the things others don’t want to do because it’s tedious and boring. We will have a set of principles that need to be met twice a day, and if they are met and we intentionally focus on that, then we will get better.” — Head coach Jim McCabe

VOLLEYBALL

Head coach: Marie Schock, first year

Last year’s record: 4-18

League: Schuylkill

Key losses: Nikki Mushock, Leah Crowley, Paige Setcavage, Sam Miller

Key returnees: Leah Black (Sr.), Isidora Neifert (Sr.), Kelsey Lusch (Sr.), Madison Schock (Jr.), Millie Black (So.)

Top newcomers: Skylare McConnon (Fr.), Stephanie Chen (Fr.), Naomi Knitter (So.)

Season outlook: Tamaqua has a solid core returning, and Schock noted that there is new interest in the program.

Quotable: “With an increase in numbers and the great group of leaders returned, they are going to be able to help mold the future program.” — Tamaqua head coach Marie Schock