On the plains of the American West, two animals react very differently when storms roll in. Cattle turn and run from the approaching weather, extending their time in the elements. Buffaloes charge directly into the storm — getting through it faster by facing it head-on.

That distinction forms the foundation of Tamaqua’s wrestling philosophy this season.

“The storm in our life is adversity,” head coach Jim McCabe said. “Anytime a kid starts to peter out in practice, that’s my opportunity to say, ‘You’ve got to be a buffalo right now. Don’t be a cow.’”

The “We’re Buffaloes” motto is more than a slogan for McCabe, who enters his 20th season leading the Raiders. It reflects a process-driven approach he has refined over 29 years in coaching — one that prioritizes daily growth, effort and intention over win-loss records.

“I don’t believe in goals anymore,” McCabe said. “Goals are outcomes. I’m mission-driven. Our mission at Tamaqua is that at the end of the year, we walk out of the wrestling room a better individual all around — physically, mentally, and spiritually.”

The Raiders enter the season after graduating a strong senior class, but were able to add a few late newcomers to bring the roster to around 13 or 14 athletes.

“We knew numbers were going to be low, but we were able to add a couple of kids,” McCabe said. “We thought maybe we’d have seven or eight.”

To build early chemistry, Tamaqua held a preseason lock-in — a spaghetti dinner, team movie, a night sleeping at the school, and a Saturday morning practice.

“We wanted to do something different,” McCabe said. “This week of practice has gone well.”

Experience remains in several key spots. Junior Evan Temarantz returns after a 19-8 season that included a trip to regionals before a midseason hand injury shortened his sophomore campaign. He will wrestle at 139 or 145 pounds. Junior Brody Schlier, a two-time regional qualifier, anchors the lineup at 132 or 139 after posting a 25-18 mark last season. Freshman Rylan Reitz arrives after finishing as District 11 runner-up in junior high.

Senior heavyweight William Behun — a multi-sport athlete, senior class president, National Honor Society member and band leader — gives the Raiders one of the most experienced and well-rounded wrestlers in the area.

“The things he’s able to manage on his plate as an individual and still work hard at every avenue that he participates in is ridiculous,” McCabe said. “By example, just being on the wrestling team, Will’s a leader.”

Senior Jonathan Knepper also returns at 145–152. McCabe praised his consistency, discipline and willingness to push himself during practice.

“Jon wants to get better, so he comes in and gives 100% of his ability,” McCabe said. “He’s willing to sacrifice the comfortable life and push himself out of his comfort level to make himself better.”

Freshmen TJ Hartman and senior Angelo Cerimele will both compete for time at 161 and 172, helping stabilize the middle weights.

McCabe’s expectations go beyond the mat. Wrestlers are encouraged to attend optional 6 a.m. lifting sessions, take care of their bodies, eat properly, sleep well and approach the sport with purpose.

“If you want to be a better wrestler, you have to live and breathe wrestling,” McCabe said. “That means get to bed early. No video games until one or two o’clock in the morning. Eat breakfast. No overeating just because you’re three pounds over.”

It’s a far cry from McCabe’s early coaching approach.

“Twenty-nine years ago, when I started coaching and teaching, I was outcome-driven, and I used the word win and lose in every aspect of my life,” he said. “When I took five years off, I found the love of reading. I changed 180 degrees over all these years.”

He doesn’t use “win” or “lose” anymore. When asked about match results, he turns the conversation back to effort and potential.

“As long as I’m getting these kids to their full potential, that’s all I care about,” McCabe said. “I want them to learn how to work intentionally so that we’re successful regardless of the outcome.”

The Raiders open the season with a lineup that blends returning talent, new faces and a philosophy built on confronting challenges head-on — just like the buffaloes McCabe references so often.

They won’t be running from storms this year.

They’ll be charging straight into them.