Mount Si wrestlers are off to a strong start this season, led by a group of varsity returners who have been working hard in the offseason.

Five seniors include state returner Eli Clure, at 120 pounds, 145-pounder Ryley Absher, who narrowly missed the trip, Tye Rodne at 160, Tanner Stahl at 152, and Hunter Conway at 113. Junior leaders are Justin Edens and Gunnar Harrison.

A lot of these athletes have been putting in work over the last few months in freestyle teams and summer camps. Absher spent a month at a 28-day J Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camp at the University of Minnesota, and Stahl, Clure and several other boys went to 14-day camps. Absher spent a lot of effort honing his mental approach, learning to take it a day and a match at a time.

Stahl meanwhile, focused on getting a lot of time on the mat.

The work is already paying off. Mount Si routed Inglemoor and Hazen, 54-6, 37-5, in a dual meet last Monday.

This group is working on building a strong brotherhood. For the seniors, it feels good to be back together.

“We know when to joke around, and when to be serious,” says Stahl.

Head coach Tony Schlotfeldt saw a big crop of freshman come in this winter, and so far they look hardworking and tough.

Of his seniors, “they’re hoping to get to state and place,” Schlotfeldt said. “That’s the expectation this year for those guys, and what they’ve done in the offseason.”

Freshman Mason Marenco is among the first generation of varsity teammates to come up through the local youth wrestling club. Another young wrestler likely to make an impact is freshman Henry Foster.

In the big weights, watch for Andrew Harris to compete with Cameron McLean for the 195-pound bracket.

Follow the team at http://snovalleywrestling.weebly.com/

Mount Si Wrestling upcoming games

Thursday, Dec. 12

• Mount Si hosts Interlake, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 18

• Mount Si hosts Sammamish, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9

• Mount Si at Lake Washington, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 16

• Mount Si at Bellevue, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 23

• Mount Si hosts Mercer Island, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 28

• Mount Si at Juanita, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 30

• Mount Si hosts Liberty, 7:30 p.m.