Northern Lehigh High School, a public institution in Slatington, Pennsylvania, has a wrestling program steeped in tradition and success. Established in 1890, the school's athletic programs have been a source of pride for the community for decades. Northern Lehigh joined the Centennial League in 1975 and transitioned to the Colonial League in 1994, marking eras of competition and growth.
Since 2007, Northern Lehigh High School has honored individuals who have significantly impacted athletics at either Northern Lehigh High School or Slatington High School.
Coaching Legacy: Todd Herzog
A cornerstone of Northern Lehigh's wrestling program is Todd Herzog, who retired from coaching in 2013. Currently, he is an 8th grade History teacher at Northern Lehigh Middle School.
Todd was a 4-year letterman at Northern Lehigh High School for coach Bob Kern. He attended East Stroudsburg University and graduated in 1990 where he was a two-year member of the wrestling team. Todd started coaching in 1991 as an assistant for Bob Kern, then in 1996 he became the Varsity Head Coach. During his tenure, Herzog achieved remarkable success, earning accolades such as:
- 4X Colonial Coach of the year (1998, 1999, 2005 and 2006)
- 5X District XI Coach of the year (1998, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2006)
- 2000 NE Regional Coach of the Year
- 2005 PIAA AA Coach of the Year
Todd was a 2X Morning Call coach of the year in 1998 and 2000 and has been inducted in the District XI Hall of Fame in 2011.
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Herzog's coaching record speaks for itself: 49 League Champions, 35 District Champions, 20 Regional Champions, 4 PIAA State Champions, 65 PIAA State Qualifiers and 43 State Medalists. He has won many awards through the years: 2X District XI Officials Sportsman Award, 4X Morning Call Team of the Year, 5X Colonial League Champion, 5X District XI Tournament Champions, 5X District XI Dual Meet Champions and 2X Southeast Regional Champions.
Northern Lehigh coach Todd Herzog submitted his letter of resignation after coaching the Bulldogs for 23 years, five of which he was an assistant to Bob Kern.
Since Herzog began coaching in 1996, he was a four-time Colonial League Coach of the Year, five-time District 11 Coach of the Year, Northeast Regional Coach of the Year, PIAA State Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the District 11 Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010.
He coached 49 league champions, 35 district champions, 20 regional champions, four state champions, 63 state qualifiers, 43 state medalists, five NCAA All-Americans and 18 wrestlers in the 100 wins club.
Todd Herzog Northern Lehigh coach
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Beyond wrestling, Todd initiated and instructed the 8th grade Sons of Liberty Club, which increases awareness of Veteran issues and raises money for various Veteran causes. This past year the club passed the $10,000 mark for funds raised for US Veterans! Additionally, Todd serves as the Head Coach for the Northern Lehigh High School Girls Power Puff Football Game.
Another interesting part of Todd’s life is that he is focused on setting an example of a healthy life style.
Standout Wrestlers
Several wrestlers have left an indelible mark on Northern Lehigh's wrestling history. Here are a few notable examples:
Andrew Arnold
Andrew Arnold attended Northern Lehigh High School 2003-2007 where he was a member of the Varsity Wrestling Team. Andrew has a stellar career in wrestling during his high school years where he was a District XI Champion, PIAA State Champion at 125 pounds, NHSCA Junior National 8th place All-American and was a State Medalist two times. Andrew won the 2A PIAA State Championship with an overall record of 40-3. In 2007, Andrew defeated Albright of Tyrone 9-3 in Round 1. In the quarterfinals, Andrew pinned Erdman from Line Mountain in 1 minute 31 seconds. Andrew pinned Miller of Reynolds in 2 minutes 28 seconds in the semifinals and then claimed PIAA gold by beating Hain of Warrior Run 5-4 in the finals.
Andrew earned a 6th place PIAA medal in 2006. Andrew is a three time District XI finalist, two time champion, three time PIAA AA Southeast Regional finalist and 1 time Champion, Bethlehem Holiday Classic Champion, 70 career pins, 2006-07 Times News Wrestler of the Year, 2006-07 Morning Call All-area wrestling team (1st team), member of 2004-2005 State Championship team and 2005-2006 State Championship runner-up team.
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Darrin Evans
Darrin Evans attended Northern Lehigh High School and graduated in 1983. As a football player, Darrin was a three-year letter winner in 1980, 1981, and 1982; was a starting linebacker in the 1981 Centennial League championship team, was a team captain and the Centennial League all team running back in 1982; and was selected to represent Northern Lehigh in the 1983 LARC all-star game. As a member of the wrestling team, Darrin had a career record of 94 wins and 236 career points and was a four-year letter winner. In the Centennial League Darrin was the League Champion in 1983, a member of the 1982 and 1983 League Champion Team and a League Runner up in 1981 and 1982. He was a two-time District XI Champion in 1982 and 1983, a PIAA South Region Champion in 1982, was a PIAA State Qualifier in 1982 and 1983 and finished in third place in the PIAA in 1983.
Darrin was also a member of the track and field team where he was a three-year letter winner and set the school record of 14 feet 3 inches in pole Vault in 1983. This record still holds today. He was the Centennial League and District XI Champion in Pole Vault Champion in 1983 and was the PIAA State 2nd place finisher in pole vault.
Darrin wrestled for Bloomsburg University where he had a career record of 86 wins. During his college years he was a two-time PSAC Wrestling Champion in 1985 and 1986, was the EIWA Wrestling Champion in 1985 and a two-time D-I NCAA qualifier in 1985 and 1986. He missed All-American status by one match in 1986.
Darrin is currently employed as a Technology Teacher for the Parkland School District at Orefield Middle School.
Adam J. Adam
Adam attended Northern Lehigh High School from 2003 to 2007 participating for four years in both wrestling and football. As a wrestler Adam received many awards and accolades as well as holding many school records including: being the only four time Wrestling State Place Winner in the school’s history placing 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 8th; most wins in a career in the school’s history with 160 wins; most wins in a season with 46 in 2006; four time Regional place winner placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th; and two time District XI Champion in 2006 and 2007. He was also an NHSCA National Wrestling All American in 2007, was voted District XI Outstanding Wrestler twice by Lehigh Valley Referees, was a three-time Colonial League 1st Team All Star, was nominated twice to the Morning Call’s 1st Team and four times to the Times News 1st Team.
As a football player, Adam was voted team captain numerous times during the 2006 season and was given the Captain’s Award in 2007. He continued his outstanding wrestling career with 83 career wins, ranking him 9th all-time at East Stroudsburg University where he attended from 2007-2011. In college he was a two-time Super Regional medalist, a one-time National Qualifier, was the PSAC Athlete of the week twice, the Team MVP twice, and received the ESU Coach’s Award three times.
Adam is currently employed by Gulph Creek Hotels as Director of Operations at the Renaissance Hotel in Allentown.
Adam has two lovely children with his significant other, Sigrid.
The Northern Lehigh wrestling program has a rich history of dedicated coaches and talented athletes. Their contributions have solidified the program's legacy.