Wrestling season preview: Team-by-team capsules

5A South, Region 2

Coronado

Coach: Matt Brickell

Returning state qualifiers: 7

Key wrestlers: Adrian Cordova, sr., 113, (state champion); Jess Hankins (state qualifier); Devan Cruz (state qualifier); Devin House (state qualifier); Tyler Zunich (state qualifier); Richard Cote (state qualifier); Trent Watson (state qualifier).

Outlook: Deep and experienced, Coronado will be in the mix come state-tournament time.

Doherty

Coach: Dave Kalbach (fifth season)

Returning state qualifiers: 4

Key wrestlers: Ricky Mahan, sr., 182, (two-time state qualifier); Nathan Gonzales, jr., 132, (state qualifier); Thaddeus Hayes, sr., 138, (state qualifier); Brandon Supernaw, jr., 160; (state qualifier); Logan Hammammeister, so.; Ian Havens, so., 152.

Outlook: Kalback is optimistic, going so far as to say “this will probably be the best lineup we have had in my five years at Doherty.” With four returning state qualifiers, several retruning lettermen and newfound depth at the heavier weights, his optimism is justified.

Liberty

Coach: Shawn Springsteen (third season)

Returning state qualifiers: 2

Key wrestlers: Chris Fuller, sr., 120-113, (state qualifier); Brandon Poulus, jr., 126-120, (state qualifier); Dylan Knight, sr., 152; Alec Dowell, so., 113; Josh Hartley, so., 138; Jonathon Sigley, jr., 145; Josh Turner, so., 145-152; Josh Burns, so., 152-160; Kaiden Springsteen, jr., 170; Kade Beziou, jr., 182; Farhad Jijina, jr., 195.

Outlook: After posting a 6-8 record in duals a season ago, the Lancers are looking to improve for the third straight year under Shawn Springsteen.

Palmer

Coach: Martin Davidson (22nd season)

Returning state qualifiers: 2

Key wrestlers: Ryan Pellow, sr., (state qualifier); Andrew Pellow, sr., (state qualifier); Tevares Waldner, sr.; Draper Sullivan, sr.; Gage Petryk, sr.; George Truong, sr.

Outlook: While short of depth at some weight classes, Davidson says his team “should have a good year if everyone stays healthy.”

(No information provided for Fountain-Fort Carson, Pine Creek and Rampart. Non-area teams in league are Arvada West, Fort Collins, George Washington, Grandview, Lakewood, Legend, Littleton, Mountain Range, Mountain Vista and Rock Canyon)

4A South, Region 1

Air Academy

Coach: Blue Anderson (eighth season)

Returning state qualifiers: 2

Key wrestlers: Hunter Milner, sr., (state qualifier); Nate Butler, sr., (state qualifier in 2011); Caleb Cuneio, sr., (second at regional); Justin Petrash (27-9 in 2012); Tyler Hanenberg, so., Ben Self, so., Dillon Dombaugh, jr., Dillon Cea, so.

Outlook: A very young squad from last season gained experience that should pay off this season.

Canon City

Coach: Duff Seaney (25th season)

Returning state qualifiers: 0

Key wrestlers: Jake Schipper, sr., 120 pounds, (fourth at regional); Garrett Benell, jr., 220, (sixth at regional); Gaven Guess, jr., 132, sixth at regional; Anthony Kelly, sr., 145; Tommy Dexter, sr., 170; Dillon Deutsch, sr., 152; Kyser Seaney, jr., 138; Caleb Coffey, jr., 126, Frankie Bethune, jr., 132; Anthony Abbott, jr., 182; Stephen Bradshaw, jr., 285, Spencer Bethune, jr., 160, Mason McClaugherty, so., 113; Blake Repshire, so., 195; Ricky Garcia, so., 145.

Outlook: The abundance of juniors and seniors will help the Tigers in duals. They will be looking to develop throughout the season and peak at regionals.

Cheyenne Mountain

Coach: Nick Gagliardi

Returning state qualifiers: 2

Key wrestlers: Bobby Amond, sr., 126-132, (state runner-up in 2012, fourth at state in 2011); Matt McFadden, sr., 132-138, (state qualifier); Nick Cimino, so., 120-113, (fifth at regional); Billy Dabney, jr., 220.

Outlook: The Indians will be very young at many spots, which could spell problems in duals. They are strong at the top, though, which will allow them to fare well in tournaments.

Discovery Canyon

Coach: Ron Sukle (sixth year)

Returning state qualifiers: 7

Key wrestlers: A.J. Rees, sr., (state champion in 2012 and 2011); Steve Turner, sr., (defending state champion); Adrian Mack, (second at state); David Traynor, (fourth at state); Tanner Reynolds (state qualifier), Tyler Oberg, (state qualifier), Jackson Spalding (state qualifier).

Outlook: Coming off back-to-back third-place finishes at state, Discovery Canyon has the experience and depth to make a serious run at the state title.

Lewis-Palmer

Coach: Nick Baker

Returning state qualifiers: 2

Key wrestlers: Nate Rykerd, sr., 138, (state qualifier); Darryan Vanderpool, jr., 126, (state qualifier); Alec Oberndorfer, jr., 106, Trevor Wilch, so., 106-113; Brad Kadlubowski, jr., 113-120; Joseph Glenn, jr., 160-170, (fifth at regional); Matt Brines, jr., 160-170; Luke Fowler, jr., hwt., (fifth at regional); Ricky Anderson, sr., 152, (sixth at regional); Cameron Sypher, sr., 132.

Outlook: Having graduated five seniors, each of whom qualified for state, the Rangers will be relying on a number of wrestlers who have seen very little varsity competition. The replacements could surprise, though, as they have competed against the departed state qualifiers in practice.

Mesa Ridge

Coach: Rob Braaten (first season)

Returning state qualifiers: 3

Key wrestlers: Ruben Valdez, jr., 106, (state qualifier); Brandon Gonzalez, sr., 113, (state qualifier); Dominique Hughes, jr., 145, (state qualifier).

Outlook: Making it to the football semifinals was cause for celebration at Mesa Ridge, but it may result in a slow start for the wrestling team since many of its best participants are also football players and weren’t available until after the Grizzlies’ loss to Denver South on Nov. 24. They should be solid later, though, with several seniors and good experience throughout.

Mitchell

Coach: Kevin Meyer (16th season)

Key wrestlers: Abraam Arrequin, soph., 106; Caleb "Chip" McElfresh, sr., 113; Nick Shopp, sr. 120

Outlook: Arreguin was 29-8 last year and McElfresh and Shopp are the team's senior captains. Light weights should be good, but Meyer laments an inability to convince football players to come out for the team -- leaving a giant hole from 152 pounds and up.

Vista Ridge

Coach: Nate Hill (first season)

Returning state qualifiers: 1

Key wrestlers: Jacob Hawthorne, sr., 170, (state qualifier); Austin Mildbrandt, jr., 138, (placed at regional); D.J. Wolski, sr., hwt., (placed at regional).

Outlook: The Wolves have a nice blend of experienced wrestlers looking to make noise at the state level and eager youngsters hoping to get their first taste of varsity competition.

Widefield

Coach: Gary Foltz (13th season)

Returning state qualifiers: 2

Key wrestlers: Jayme Wilson, sr., (state qualifier); Joey Trujillo, sr., (state qualifier); Greyson Parton, so.

Outlook: The Gladiators were inexperienced in 2011-12, which should pay dividends since many younger wrestlers gained valuable experience. Widefield is still young, with just three seniors, but five juniors and six sophomores with varsity experience return.

(No information provided for Harrison, Sand Creek, Wasson or Woodland Park. Non-area teams in league are Pueblo County, Pueblo East and Pueblo South)

Others

The Classical Academy

Coach: Sean Collins (seventh season)

Returning state qualifiers: 2

League: 3A Central, Region 3

Key wrestlers: Andrew Register, jr., 145, (fifth at state); Jordan Birch, sr., 113-120, (state qualifier); C. Hudson Baker, so., 120-126; Nathaniel Johnston, so., 120-126; Nick Krause, so., 170; Zach Johns, jr., 152.

Outlook: The Titans have several holes to fill from last year’s team, including two state qualifiers.

Falcon

Coach: Claude Robinson (second season)

Returning state qualifiers: 3

League: 4A Pikes Peak, Region 4

Key wrestlers: Kyle Soulka, sr., 160, (fifth at state tournament); Cody Soulka, sr., 152, (state qualifier); Justin Barron, jr., 170, (state qualifier); Devin Dunblazer, sr., 220; Anthony Logorio, jr., 182; Charlie Wallace, jr., 195.

Outlook: Having lost only two seniors from last season’s squad and boasting a strong freshman class, the Falcons have high hopes for this season and down the line.

Manitou Springs

Coach: Brad Borkowski (first season)

Returning state qualifiers: 1

League: 3A Southern, Region 4

Key wrestlers: Nathan Titcomb, sr., 190, (state qualifier); Ryan Carpenter, jr., 132.

Outlook: The Mustangs will be a young team that is building.

Palmer Ridge

Coach: Paul Gaglich (fourth season)

Returning state qualifiers: 3

League: 4A Pikes Peak, Region 3

Key wrestlers: Ryan Thalhammer, so., 113, (sixth at state); Tyler Thalhammer, sr., (two-time state qualifier); Erik Guy, sr., (fourth at regional).

Outlook: The Bears boast a large senior class but will be young elsewhere.

Peyton

Coach: Paul Bonner (13th season)

Returning state qualifiers: 1

League: 2A Southeast, Region 4

Key wrestlers: Rich Lancaster, jr., 170, (state qualifier); Dillon Pelkola, sr., 126.

Outlook: The Panthers are down in numbers and have no heavyweights.

Miami-Yoder

Coach: Mike Lopour (first season)

Returning state qualifiers: 0

Key wrestlers: Ethan Welch, sr., 138-145; Josh Welch, 152-160; Jesse Riehl, 220.

Outlook: The Buffaloes are a first-year program but have a sprinkling of athletes with wrestling experience.

Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind

Coach: Donald Alsbaugh (second season)

League: 2A Region 4

Key wrestlers: Kainoa Cosello, soph; Willie Begaye, jr.; Zachary Roske, fr.

Outlook: Begaye and Cosello are both returning letter-winners. Roske could be one to watch, as he was a state qualifyer in middle school. Nick Schwegman and Ian Waters are program newcomers.