In guiding the new girls wrestling program at Northern Lehigh, Junior Ortiz is enjoying every moment — even though the season hasn’t even started yet.

Ortiz has realized just how much he took for granted during his stops with the Palmerton and Northern Lehigh boys wrestling programs.

“It’s basically the same,” reflected Ortiz. “But girls really want to know how everything is done. Boys just go out with their plan in mind and wrestle, and they figure it out.

“Girls ask many questions, and they are very methodical. It is a different approach, and it is refreshing.

“I never had to talk about things as much as I do, and I believe it has made me a better coach.”

Ortiz has 15 girls on his inaugural roster, and the Bulldogs will have seven dual meets — one at home — along with competing in three tournaments this season.

The energetic head coach is confident the team can continue to build its schedule.

“We’ll keep trying to fill out the schedule,” added Ortiz. “But at the tournaments, we can have multiple girls in some of the weight classes. We think we can add some more matches.

“We have 15 girls and 13 weight classes. Right now, we may have to forfeit a weight class. It will be about the girls making the weight. With it being new to some of them, I’m worried they may not.”

Sophomore Anna Trelease recorded a sixth-place finish at girls districts last year, and was joined by senior Autumn Khuu (2-2) and sophomore Mackenna Mosser (1-2), who all saw time with the boys team.

Trelease finally began wrestling last year after several coaches encouraged her to join the program in previous seasons. She was also coaxed by a current teammate.

She has been impressed by the commitment and chemistry she’s seen so far.

“Right now the temperature in the wrestling room is amazing,” gushed Trelease, who plans to wrestle between the 136- and 142-pound weight classes this winter. “So many girls are picking up things so fast. It’s very exciting to see what great things we are going to do this year as a team.

“We have been doing a lot of team bonding, and everyone gets along really well. It’s awesome to be a part of. In the last few weeks, we have seen major growth, as girls who were still on the edge about coming out completely fell in love with the sport. The amount of girls who have picked up on technique so quickly is inspiring to see for sure.”

Along with the trio, the roster includes eighth-grader Giavanna Landosca; freshmen Addison Banda and Eliana Ray; sophomores Deja Gold, Sophia Papay, Yan Holva, Annais Velazquez and Zaydra Martinez; and juniors Alexis Fick, Giana LaFiura and Alexa Maehrer.

In the opening weeks of practice, Ortiz couldn’t have been happier.

“Over the first couple of weeks, their development was crazy,” beamed Ortiz. “They are making progress every single day, and they really get everything we are trying to show them.

“Wrestling is all about conditioning. Since the first day, they have worked very hard. They really get it.”

Regardless of how the season unfolds, Ortiz appears to have found a new home — and he plans to make the most of it for his wrestlers.

“I felt like I needed a change,” admitted Ortiz. “(Head boys wrestling coach) Ryan Kern and I are good friends, and we coached together the past few years. When there was an opening for the girls program, he told me to go for it.

“It feels great to start a program, and I want to be able to put my stamp on it.”