Freedom wrestling seeking breakthrough year – lehighvalleylive.com

Freedom

Coach: Dante Terenzio (2nd year at Freedom, 15-6; 12th overall, 177-89 at Western Wayne and Freedom)

Last years record: 15-6, 6-3 EPC

Classification: 3A

Division: EPC B

Catch them on Twitter? @FHSWrestlingPA

Key wrestlers and approximate weight: So. Connor Bevan (113); Jr. Matt Bogardo (220); Jr. Patrick Carrillo (160); Sr. Ian Connell (182); Jr. Ryan Frantz (285); So. Zamir Hill (285); Sr. Mikey Gomes (145); Fr. CJ Horvath (106); Jr. Thaddeus Howland (138); Sr. Connor Huber (126); So. Chris Jurado (170); So. Reinaldo Lebron (132); Sr. Max Marrero (195); Fr. Rayshawn Nicholas (170-182); So. Chris Nieves (132); Sr. Julious Rios (220); Sr. Shane Storm (152); Sr. Luis Vargas (120).

Top records from 2018-19: Vargas 32-11, Marrero 29-11 Huber 23-18, Bevan 20-12

Wrestler you dont know now, but will by February: Fr. CJ Horvath (106)

Outlook: Year One of the Terenzio era went pretty well, with an improvement in dual-meet wins but, perhaps even more importantly, a different aura around the Pates.The culture has steadily changed since last year at this time, and we will look to continue and upward trend, Terenzio said. With the work ethic weve gotten out of our guys in the offseason and now in season, I believe we can be a top five team in District 11. The kids did the right things in the offseason and will be rewarded soon. Will soon be this season? It could be, even if Freedom has a lot of less experienced or still-improving youngsters who will be counted on in key spots. It doesnt help that senior Jared Jenkins isnt out -- he won 24 matches at 182 as a junior -- so he can concentrate on his future career as a college quarterback, but the Pates may have enough depth up top so hes not dearly missed. Terenzio is excited about his underclassmen and his youth program, and he has good reasons to be, even if the latter wont help 2019-20, of course. In state qualifier Marrero, 77-win veteran Vargas and 20-win talents Bevan and Huber, Freedom has a solid core. With continued improvement from the promising if less proven part of the ladder, the Pates can reach Terenzios goals. We want a better record and better postseason finish than last year, he said. Individually, I feel we can send more wrestlers to regionals than we did last year (3). We should also push multiple wrestlers through to the state tournament, with hopes of finishing on the podium.

Wilsons Wild-Guess Prediction: Freedom always seems just one step away from a massive breakthrough season, and this year seems to fit that pattern. The Pates certainly could be the best of the EPC outside of its perennial ruling class, and could win 17-18 duals if things break right. Marrero and Vargas have state-medal quality, Horvath is one of the better freshmen around and the overall athleticism is very impressive. Terenzio has boosted turnout and convinced athletes to come back out for the sport or try it for the first time, especially up top where Freedom seems very solid. But to achieve Terenzios lofty goals, the middle of the Patriot lineup will have to get a lot stronger, and against the always-rugged EPC slate -- Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, Liberty and Parkland are all in Freedoms division -- there might not be time for patient maturing. The Pates most obvious need is for a state medalist or two. Freedom has not had one since 2016 , and ending that streak is critical to the team realizing both Terenzios goals and reaching the level overall as a program it needs to be at in such a challenging environment. Improving on 15 dual-meet wins may be a stretch, but we do see at least one Patriot on the podium in Hershey, which would make for a nice step towards that breakthrough. With enough hardware-earning Pates it would be the breakthrough.

Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

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Freedom wrestling seeking breakthrough year - lehighvalleylive.com