Head wrestling coach Darren Johnson is the first to admit that the 2013-14 season was a bit of an enigma.

“Last season was a very average season,” he said of his team which garnered a 13-12 dual meet record one year ago. “It was one of rebuilding.”

On the other hand, a lot of last year’s juniors and sophomores received varsity mat experience and are more prepared coming into the beginning of the season this school year.

Johnson says there are several individuals to keep an eye on this season. Senior heavyweight Chase Cawood was the No. 1 seed going into sectionals last year and was a legitimate contender for a state title until an ankle injury brought his season to an abrupt hault.

Senior Tucker Matsen, who wrestles in the 132-pound weight class, and 182-pound junior Justin Nelson are also in the state title discussion.

Nelson had a dominant sophomore campaign on junior varsity, earning a 25-1 record last season, and is striving to improve from his nearly perfect JV season.

“I want to try to do better than 25-1,” he said.

A true team player, he admitted that he is willing to “do anything to help the team win because wrestling is more than an individual sport, it is also a team sport.”

Attitudes like this are what have Johnson optimistic about his new team.

“We have better leadership [this year], and a better work ethic. This year, we have a lot of guys that will hopefully make it [to state],” Johnson said.