Expectations are high for some magic on the mat this winter at Jim Thorpe.

The Olympian wrestling team begins the new season with solid roster numbers that include a strong mix of experience and promising young talent.

With seven seniors from last year lost to graduation, fifth-year head coach Dan Heaney welcomes back four top returnees and looks forward to having four key newcomers on his 25-man squad.

By class, the team is well balanced with five seniors, seven juniors, four sophomores and with nine freshmen joining the high school team, the program is in great shape and ready to rock and roll this season.

Thorpe’s top performer is senior Stepen Korte. After finishing sixth in the district tournament last year, Korte will wrestle at the 133/139 weight class.

“Stephen had a 32-13 record last season and is a three-time district place winner,” said Heaney, “and with 94 career wins, he looks to be the 10th wrestler to place his name among our school’s elite group of 100-match winners.”

Three others will bring their experience onto the mat. Senior Conner Zurwawa in the 160/172 range, junior Jared Mantilla at 145/152. Sophomore Josh Mantilla (133/139) and senior Jake Chamides (107) add experience to what Heaney hopes will improve upon the team’s overall 11-7 record from a year ago.

To try to increase its win total, Thorpe adds four new underclassmen to the program that are expected to make an immediate impact.

At the 107-pound class, Sahlem Ortiz joins the team after finishing fourth in the Junior High School district tournament last year.

His classmate, Brian Resse — also at 107 — will compete for mat time. Another freshman, Lucas Knopf, at 215, finished in sixth place in the junior high event, and sophomore Michael McGinley took seventh.

The 2025-26 Jim Thorpe schedule includes 12 events, and begins with the Catasauqua Rough Rider Invitational on Nov. 29. The first home match is on Dec. 3 against top ranked Bangor. Following a meet at Salisbury, the Olympians will travel to Croatan, North Carolina to compete in the Beast of the East Tournament on Dec. 13, before they return home and visit Notre Dame- Green Pond in the middle of the month.

On Dec. 29-30, the Olympians will host their annual Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament. In the new year, they will compete at the Lehighton Indian Dual Meet.

Another feature event in late January will be the Coal Cracker Tournament that draws over 60 teams every year.

The team district championships will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Liberty High School.

“We have several wrestlers who saw significant varsity action last year,” said Heaney. “Our team has been working very hard and put a lot of time training in the weight room in the offseason. They are looking forward to competing, and we are excited for the season to begin.”

In their preseason District 11 rankings, Jim Thorpe is at No. 10 out of 25 schools. The Olympians hope to live up to the hype, but believe they have the experience and the talent to crack the Top 10 by the end of the season.