Getting players to buy into a sports program can be the biggest challenge for a head coach.

For fourth year Tamaqua wrestling coach Jonathan Mashack, that has been the exact issue over the past few seasons.However, this offseason something changed. Mashack looks to have found a group of guys who are dedicated and want to turn the Raiders program around.The Raiders had their best offseason numbers up to this point under Mashack with 16-20 wrestlers attending offseason workouts.It's not an easy offseason either for those who want to compete on the mat in the blue and white. Mashack's offseason regiment consists of freestyle Greco-Roman training in the summer months and then in September the Raiders kick into a full preseason regiment in order to get geared up for the season."All of our kids want to be here and they're realizing what it takes to be a good wrestler," said Mashack. "We've had a good turnout this season and our kids have worked incredibly hard. Everyone is buying in and that's what's truly needed in order to have a successful program."Tamaqua junior and co-captain Tanner McHugh is coming into this season expected to do big things for the Raiders. McHugh finished last season with a 38-6 record, was a regional qualifier and a state tournament alternate. McHugh will wrestle at 132 pounds."Tanner wrestled great last season and he's drastically improved, so we're all expecting him to have some success," said Mashack. "He was a state alternate last season and I think that left a little bit of a taste of that success in his mouth. Hopefully he can take the next step this season."Besides McHugh, the Raiders return four other wrestlers that saw significant mat time a season ago.They include co-captain senior Ty Hinkle (152, 15-23), Brandon Mader (113, 19-6), Jordan Smith (138, 2-20), and Chance Szabo (182, 5-15).Mashack is expecting all his wrestlers to improve this season and help lead the younger wrestlers throughout the season."All of our returning guys have worked really hard and they've all gotten better," said Mashack. "I can count on all my returning guys to give us a chance for a win in their weight class every time out."The rest of the Raiders lineup will be filled mostly with freshmen, but what's key for Tamaqua this season is that they will have a full lineup. Last season, the Raiders forfeited 5-6 bouts on a given night, putting themselves at a 36-point disadvantage. This season, the Raiders will be able to control their own destiny."Being 36 points down was not an easy thing for our guys to deal with, especially the kids that were really competitive. It was really dejecting," said Mashack. "This season, I'm really excited about going out there with a full team and an energetic bunch of guys who want to get better and win."