Head coach: Mark Ward

Team seniors: Parker McBride (C), Cameron Rose (C), Jimmy Yepez, Billy Hinzman, and Jonathan Castle.

Strengths: After losing only one senior from last year’s team, Coach Mark Ward is looking forward to a big season.

“We have everyone back this year,” he said, “so we’re building, we’re not just starting.”

Also, after three years as the team coach, he says, “This is the first group that I can call my own.”

On the team are Parker McBride who placed eighth at state last year, Cameron Rose who also qualified for state but couldn’t compete due to illness. “I look for both of them to be on the podium at state this year,” Ward said.

There’s also Jonathan Castle, new to the sport as of last season but already ahead of what Ward considers a three-year learning curve to becoming competitive in wrestling, plus a strong core of underclassmen who have been working hard in the off-season.

“They’re going to be a force,” said Ward.

Another asset for the team, Ward said, is the creation of a Little-League style wrestling club, Chain Wrestling in Carnation. This feeder program is preparing youngsters for the sport well ahead of the school program, and Ward says that experience will pay off at the high school level.

Challenges: The team is small in numbers, which can make practices, and improving as an athlete, difficult.

“It’s really important to have multiple workout partners,” Ward said, and in different weight classes. If a wrestler in a particular weight class is really good, he explains, the wrestlers on his team in the classes above and below his are likely also pretty good, because they practice together and help each other improve.

“Plus, the more bodies we have in the room, the more styles they’re able to see.”

There’s an increasing sense of modesty among young athletes, too, Ward said, which might be affecting the turnout each season.

The sport is getting some help from the WIAA this year, though, which approved a new alternative uniform for wrestlers. Now, athletes can choose from the traditional singlet or a shorts and shirt combination. The wrestling team was already budgeted for new uniforms this year, Ward said, so his athletes will have a choice of what to wear when competing.

Goals: Ward is hoping to send all five seniors to state, plus a few underclassmen.

Cedarcrest Wrestling Schedule

Thu, Dec 8, 6;45 p.m. vs.Granite Falls, Home

Thu, Dec 15, 5 p.m. vs. Mountlake Terrace, at Granite Falls High School

Sat, Dec 17, Lindbergh Invitational at Lindbergh High School

Tue, Dec 27, Brian Hill Tournament, Eastside Catholic High School

Fri, Dec 30, Bremerton Brawl at Bremerton High School

Sat, Jan 7, 10 a.m., Bearcat Invitational at WF West High School

Thu, Jan 12, 6 p.m. vs. Inglemoor, 7:30 p.m. vs. Interlake, at Juanita High School

Sat, Jan 14, 10 a.m., King of the Mountain tournament at Darrington High School

Thu, Jan 19, 6:45 p.m. vs. Sultan, Sultan High School

Sat, Jan 21, 10 a.m., vs. South Kitsap and Auburn Riverside at South Kitsap High School

Wed, Jan 25, 6:45 p.m. vs. Archbishop Murphy, Home