After last season’s impressive performance, with wrestlers Caleb Gerl and Jose Lopez both capturing a state title, this year’s team is looking to repeat it’s success and maybe even surpass it’s 5th place finish at state finals.

Head coach Don Garriot said he has the strongest group he’s had in a long time at the beginning of the season and that everyone starting has a chance to win state honors if they stay on track.

“We have the strongest group we’ve had in a long time as long as they stay on track,” he said, “I think our whole line up has a chance for a state title.”

Jose Lopez will be returning this season as a sophomore and will defend his state title after winning last year.

Recruited and returning wrestlers also look to lead the team forward to a successful season including All-Americans, one of which is Eric Savageau.

“Eric Savageau red shirted last year, he’s a returning All-American,” Garriott said referring to the strong national hopeful.

Savageau seems to lack little confidence and looks to dominate after “red shirting” and not competing last season.

High school champions round out the line up for this year’s team.

“Steven Cubanis is in his first year of competition as high school national champion he should do well,” said Garriott, “I think we have a lot of talent this year, we just have to let them prove themselves a little bit.”

Aside from the known strength the program has identified during the summer practice sessions, incoming wrestlers can expect being pressured by limited space and cuts from the team this season.

Wrestling practice is being hosted at Excelsior High School for now, limiting the practice mat area to two thirds what it was before leading coaches prepared to cut from the over 70 athletes looking to participate.

“The gym shut down for the whole year due to construction,” Gariot said.

With so many athletes enrolled in this year’s wrestling program, cuts will be made to decrease the number to 50 wrestlers.

Garriott and his assistant coaches aren’t too keen on cutting athletes just to get as many different bodies in the room to strengthen their team, but that is the hand the team was dealt this season and the coaches are looking to adapt.