Notre Dame-Green Pond remains the overwhelming favorite to repeat as the Colonial League’s top team in 2025-26.
The Crusaders return a wealth of talent led by senior Division I commits Dom Sumpolec and Connor Smalley. They also have an influx of state-level talent in freshmen Cole Schwartz and Max Quarry.
Saucon Valley will be as young as it has been in at least the last 15 years, but coach Chad Shirk’s team will be in contention again. Northwestern Lehigh still has only one senior starter, but should be even better than last year’s team that reached the District 11 Class 2A team tournament final.
Bangor, Palmerton and Lehighton are among the others who will have competitive dual-meet teams.
Here is a team-by-team look at each of the 14 programs:
Colonial League wrestling preview capsules
(in alphabetical order)
BANGOR
Head coach: Richie Smith, 9th year (65-77)
Last year: 11-16
Top returnees: Sr. Carter Smith (133; District 11 4th, NE Regional 5th); So. Cole Smith; So. Luke Schindler (152); So. Eziah Cartagena (152-160); Jr. Jaxson Kreider (189); Sr. Kody Ward (215)
Key newcomers: Fr. Vinny Ilardi (114)
About the Slaters: Smith is a leader of a group with experience that should make them competitive again in the Colonial League. He is 16 shy of 100 wins for his career. He would be the fourth Slater to reach the milestone, the first since Eddie Hay in 2018. Kreider returns after missing last season because an injury. Ward is capable of making a run to regionals and states.
CATASAUQUA
Head coach: Jon Reed, 3rd year (4-20)
Last year: 3-8
Top returnees: Sr. Gavin Hacker (127; 19-17; District 11 4th); Sr. Evan Reed (145-152; 5-4)
Key newcomers: Jackson Beaton (215); Elijah Vazquez (139)
About the Rough Riders: They are a very young, inexperienced group that will have to adjust quickly to the varsity level. Hacker and Reed have expectations of making their first trips to Hershey. Reed is coming off knee injury that cut short his junior season.
JIM THORPE
Head coach: Dan Heaney, 5th year (36-34)
Last year: 11-7
Top returnees: Sr. Stephen Korte (133-139; 32-13; District 11 6th); Sr. Conner Zurawa (160-172); Jr. Jared Mantilla (145-152); So. Josh Mantilla (133-139
Key newcomers: Fr. Sahlem Ortiz (107; District 11 JH 4th); Fr. Brian Reese (107); Fr. Lucas Knopf (215; District 11 JH 6th); So. Michael McGinley (215; District 11 JH 7th)
About the Olympians: Korte, who has 94 career victories, is among three senior leaders (Zurawa and Jake Chamides) for a group that also has several newcomers who should contribute right away. He would become the program’s 10th wrestler with at least 100 wins. The team is headed to North Carolina in mid-December for a tournament.
LEHIGHTON
Head coach: Floyd Brown, 10th year (180-111 in two stints)
Last year: 13-6
Top returnees: Jr. Mike D’Amico (8-19); Sr. Connor Dugan (21-19); Jr. Lukas Croizier (38-14; District 11 3rd, SE Regional 6th); Sr. Blake Muffley (11-12); Sr. Konnor Nalesnik (29-20; District 11 4th); Sr. Evan Wentz (30-15); Sr. Carter Hontz; Jr. Preston DiGrazia (3-10); So. Jack Lucykanish (24-16; District 11 3rd); Jr. Marc Macias (285; 34-15; District 11 4th, SE Regional 8th); Sr. Danny Edgar (16-21); Jr. Asher Traylor; So. Lucas Voorhees (1-5)
Key newcomers: Jr. Braxton Roetz, So. Ty Nansteel; Jr. Aiden Dugan; So. Nate Sheckler; Fr. Ryder Croizier; Fr. Elijah Guy; Fr. Dayton Moyer; Fr. Jose Agosto; Fr. Kingsley Cruz; Sr. Xavier Elliott; Jr. Joe Handlovic; So. Dustin Mammana; So. Jax Manzella; Fr. Jo’Vanni Salazar; Jr. Xavier Salazar; So. Braydyn Shafer; Jr. Coe Strausberger; Jr. Cody Troutman; Sr. Sebastian Warner; So. Santo Zamora
About the Indians: Numbers are great and there is a lot of experience. If healthy, they will be in contention to make the District 11 Class 2A team tournament final. Croizier and Macias are the best chances to make it to the state individual tournament.
NORTHERN LEHIGH
Head coach: Ryan Kern, 1st year
Last year: 8-11
Top returnees: Sr. Grady Newhard (189; 18-21); Sr. Noah Gosart (121; 18-15); Jr. Mason Rothrock (160; 22-18; District 11 6th); So. Dawson Newhard (215; 12-19); So. Jayden Weaver (139; 12-15)
Key newcomers: Sr. Nathaniel Kuhns (285); Jr. Kyle O’Connell (145); So. Bryan DeBias (127)
About the Bulldogs: They again will be close to a full lineup, which will help them remain competitive in the dual-meet season. There are 13 wrestlers returning with varsity experience, so that will help Kern in his first year in charge.
NORTHWESTERN LEHIGH
Head coach: Joe Killar, 4th year (22-30)
Last year: 15-8, District 11 Class 2A runner-up
Top returnees: Sr. Luke Fugazzotto (189; 50-5 last year, District 11 champion, SE Regional 2nd, PIAA 7th); Jr. Trent Croll (145; 10-7); Jr. Braydon Uricchio (145; 27-16); So. Vinnie Fugazzotto (172; 33-18; District 11 3rd, SE Regional 7th); So. Weston Killar (127; 36-13; District 11 champion, SE Regional 6th); So. Nolan Koehler (160; 30-19, District 11 2nd, SE Regional 5th); So. Chase Sukanick (152; 24-18; District 11 4th)
Key newcomers: So. Mason Heeps; Fr. Adam Griffith
About the Tigers: They have a slew of experience returning, led by Luke Fugazzotto. The George Mason commit has 127 career victories and is four pins shy of 100. Croll is returning from broken ankle suffered at Parkland Winter Duals. They again should contend for a District 11 Class 2A team title, something it has not won since claiming back-to-back crowns in 2006-07.
NOTRE DAME-GP
Head coach: Matt Veres, 8th year (90-21)
Last year: 11-2
Top returnees: So. Tanner Shear (6-5); So. Cael Muller (114; 28-13; District 11 and NE Regional 3rd); Jr. Jacob Volpe (132; 13-12; District 11 6th); So. Aiden Vanicky (138; 12-8; District 11 5th); Sr. Gavyn Kelton (145-152; 27-14; District 11 and NE Regional 2nd); Sr. Jared Gonzalez (152-160; 21-16; District 11 2nd, NE Regional 4th); Sr. Dom Sumpolec (189; 26-13; District 11 and NE Regional 2nd, PIAA 5th); Sr. Connor Smalley (215; 34-12; District 11 champion, NE Regional 2nd); Jr. John Hull (215; 3-2); Jr. Noah Knorp (285; 17-14; District 11 6th)
Key newcomers: Fr. Max Quarry (107); Fr. Cole Schwartz (121); Fr. Kayden Weidman (121-127); Fr. Trey Neith (127-132); Fr. Mason Kanuck (133-139); Fr. Mason Roncolato (139-145); Fr. Tyler Coad (145-152); So. Cole Retos (172-189); Fr. Dominic Tocci (172-189); Fr. Nathan Horton (215-285)
About the Crusaders: They again will be among the state’s best Class 3A teams in contention for only two District 11 berths into the PIAA tournament. They have experience and a solid group of newcomers who will be major factors, led by Quarry and Schwartz. Plus, Retos transferred from Freedom where he started last season as a freshman.
PALISADES
Head coach: Chris Gretzinger, 1st year
Last year: 4-7
Top returnees: Sr. Silas Day (215; 24-12; District 11 3rd); Sr. Brock Schneiderwind (145; 7-4); So. Trent Snyder (133; 15-17)
Key newcomers: So. Oliver Mutterperl (152); Jr. Solomon Riddle (172)
About the Pirates: Gretzinger was a three-time District 11 Class 2A medalist who graduated in 2015. He was on Nick LeFevre’s staff prior to taking over for him. Schneiderwind missed most of last season with an injury. He and Day have state medal aspirations. “We have a young, hungry team this year with very good leadership in Brock and Silas. I expect big things from our leaders, and some of our young guys will be very competitive.”
PALMERTON
Head coach: Erick Kresge, 1st year
Last year: 11-4
Top returnees: Jr. Tommy Pasquariello (114-121; 24-18; District 11 6th); So. Connor Messinger (127-133; 29-11; District 11 2nd); Sr. Vincent Taglieri (139-145; 26-16; District 11 5th); So. Jaxs Miller (139-145; 13-15); Jr. Dillon Anthony (160-172; 28-13; District 11 2nd); Sr. Anderson Garcia (215; 12-14)
Key newcomers: Fr. Landon Eckhart (107-114); Fr. Gabe Gaumer (139-145); Fr. Jax Gorman (127-133); Fr. Franklin Logenbach (133-139); Fr. Preston Stepp (189-215); Fr. Connor Walterick (133-139); Fr. Tanner Wells (139-145); Fr. Steel Zalik (121-127)
About the Blue Bombers: They are looking to build on last year’s breakthrough season. Taglieri, Anthony and Messinger, the three returning regional qualifiers, will be leading a roster than includes eight freshmen.
PEN ARGYL
Head coach: Tom Mertz, 5th year (36-20)
Last year: 9-5
Top returnees: Sr. Isaiah Adams (121; 30-13; District 11 3rd); Sr. Blayke Lacey (133; 24-21; District 11 5th); So. Carolyne Katz (121; 7-8 vs. boys); Sr. Collin Ramsay (139; 41-7; District 11 champion, SE Regional 7th); Sr. Luca Albanese (152; 30-12, District 11 champion); Sr. Cole Lobb (160; 8-14)
Key newcomers: Fr. Mason Ramsay (114); Fr. Jacob Policelli (127)
About the Green Knights: They do not have as much depth as they have in the recent past but there is a solid group of senior leaders and a couple talented freshmen who will keep them competitive in the dual-meet season.
SALISBURY
Head coach: Bob Fiedler, 2nd year (4-9)
Last year: 4-9
Top returnees: So. Jacob Spinner (127; 23-14); Sr. Jordan Tocci (152; 25-14); Jr. Michael Segata (160; 17-15); Jr. Colton Tone (172; 12-17); Sr. Jacob Watson (189; 12-16); Sr. Sam Krauss (285; 16-13); So. Jarrod Blunt (133; 31-12; District 11 2nd)
Key newcomers: Jr. Jimmy Cadesca (114-121); So. Camdyn Womer (114-121); Jr. Jefferson Loor Vasquez (215)
About the Falcons: They return the majority of their lineup from a year ago. The few new wrestlers should make them even more competitive in dual meets. Tocci, Watson and Krauss are the veteran leaders who could lead this group of success it hasn’t had in many years.
SAUCON VALLEY
Head coach: Chad Shirk, 22nd year (423-76)
Last year: 18-2, District 11 Class 2A champion
Top returnees: So. Gavin Chunko (114; 30-15; District 11 2nd); Jr. Carter Chunko (127; 39-6; District 11 champion, SE Regional and PIAA 2nd); Jr. Gabe Baer (127-133; 23-17); So. Mack Santoro (145; 43-11; District 1 champion, SE Regional 2nd, PIAA 8th); Jr. Braden Rohn (160; 22-20; District 11 6th); Jr. Liam Stonebeck (215; 10-14); Jr. Brit Ash (189; 6-22); Jr. Ezekiel Deily (285; 25-13)
Key newcomers: So. Eli Szlachtianshyn; Jr. Zach Rygiel; So. Angeletta Romano; Fr. Taylor Rohn; Jr. Ashton Beckowski; Fr. Dominick D’Ambola; Sr. Jerik Lesser; Jr. Mason Wenhold; So. Nick Werkheiser
About the Panthers: They lost five seniors who totaled more than 600 career wins, including 188 last season. But they are young and enthusiastic this season with new leadership led by Carter Chunko and Santoro. The expectations remain the same. The development of the many first-year contributors will go a long way in determining the team’s success.
SOUTHERN LEHIGH
Head coach: Brenton Ditchcreek, 8th year (53-61)
Last year: 6-13
Top returnees: Jr. Keith Barker (160; 22-15); Jr. Brock Frable (172; 28-8); Sr. Griffin King (145; 32-12); Sr. Sean Steckert (189; 29-13)
Key newcomers: Jack Lyons (District 11 junior high 2nd)
About the Spartans: The four returnees are solid and expect to make it to regionals and beyond. Frable and Steckert were stopped only by injuries last postseason. King (91 wins) and Steckert (80) could be the first 100-match winners in the program since Matt Mirth, who in 2014 became the first Spartan to reach the mark.
WILSON
Head coach: Jeremy Hartrum, 4th year (13-31)
Last year: 2-9
Top returnees: Jr. Wes Slingland (27-7); So. Justin Hetrick (11-19); Jr. Connor Millen (7-17); So. Jonathan Joseph (3-9); Sr. Lance Thatcher (14-16); So. Ryan Bonham (7-16)
Key newcomers: Louchrist M’Balla
About the Warriors: Another year of growth for a young bunch, but Hartrum likes the work ethic and the quality character of the wrestlers.
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
