In May of this year, there was a changing of the guard within the Palmerton boys varsity wrestling program.

After Justin Petersen was named the assistant principal/athletic coordinator at Palmerton Area High School, Petersen — the head wrestling coach for the last 13 years — had to hand the reins of his wrestling program over to someone else so he could focus solely on his new role within the district.

Taking over as the Bombers’ new head coach — and looking to continue the tradition Petersen established in the wrestling room over the last decade — is Erick Kresge, who wrestled for the program in the early 2000s.

“I have big shoes to fill coming in after Coach Petersen,” said Kresge, who also served as an assistant coach for 15 years. “He had the program in a great spot, and I am trying to keep that momentum going. I have continued to help with the youth program, so I am familiar with most of the kids on the team.”

The first-year head coach knows the Bombers are coming off an 11-4 overall record last season, including a 3-1 mark in the Colonial League.

Kresge also knows the Bombers will be without several 100 career wins wrestlers — Derek King (152/160) and Dillon Lombardi (172-189) – as well as Josh Merkel (133/139), Aidan Ortiz (139/145) and Braden Strohl (127/133). King and Lombardi both had their names added to the banner in the gymnasium last season, and together the group combined for a 142-60 record a year ago.

Most importantly, Kresge welcomes back several district medalists ready to hit the mat hard this season.

Returning to finish some unfinished business in the postseason are district silver medalists Connor Messinger (127/133, 29-11) and Dillon Anthony (160/172, 28-13), along with Tommy Pasquariello (114/121, 24-18 last season, sixth at districts) and Vincent Taglieri (139/145, 26-16, fifth), who also placed at districts.

Ready to pick up where they left off are returnees Jaxs Miller (139/145, 13-15) and Anderson Garcia (215, 12-14).

Also looking to contribute where needed are Hector Garcia (285), Alexander Keiper (145/152), Colton Becker (121/127), Chris Collier (145/152), Antonio Oller (139/145); Domenick Brown (285), Parker Davis (189/215) and Anthony Pellegrino (139/145).

“We are looking to build off the momentum of last year’s team,” Kresge said. “I will be leaning on Taglieri, Anthony and Messinger to lead the way. All three were regional qualifiers and know what it takes. Our team will feed off how they wrestle on the mat.

“We are a relatively young team with only four seniors, so we will be looking for some underclassmen to really step up and help this team. They have worked hard all summer and through the start of the season. I am ready to see them get out on the mat and compete.”

Representing the incoming freshmen are Landon Eckhart (107/114), Gabe Gaumer (139/145), Jax Gorman (127/133), Franklin Logenbach (133/139), Preston Stepp (189/215), Connor Walterick (133/139), Tanner Wells (139/145) and Steel Zalik (121/127).

While it isn’t his first experience leading a program in the Colonial League, Kresge is setting the bar modestly as he begins.

“My goal this year for my team is to just compete in every match,” Kresge said. “When they step on the mat, I want them to battle all six minutes and show no quit. If I can get that from every wrestler in the lineup, everything else will fall into place.”