HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SEASON PREVIEWS

Clarkston

Coach - Duane Benton (second year)

Returning state qualifiers - Zach Freeman (7th)

Outlook - Benton enters the second year of his quest to return Clarkston wrestling to its high-water years. He'll get help from his son, senior Eric Benton (145), and from the junior Freeman (138). "We have the tools and young men to take our team to the top of our league," the coach said.

Clearwater Valley

Coach - Carlos Martinez (fifth year)

Returning state qualifiers - Garrett Fell, Dillon Wilcox, Zack Wilkins, Ian Anderson

Outlook - The Rams boast some talent, though much of it is bunched in the middle weights. Seniors Fell (195) and Wilcox (152) look to cap their careers on a high note while Wilkins (145) and Anderson (145) top the junior class.

Lewiston

Coach - Dan Maurer (12th year)

Returning state qualifiers - Trevor Rigney, Ryan Knapp, Marshall Bowen (6th), Drake Randall (4th), Bryce Parson (1st), Johnny Kenyon (2nd), Josh Reynolds, Adam Hug, Brandon Vandevender, Ryan Klemp (1st), Austin Kasper.

Outlook - It should be another strong campaign for the Bengals, who have bagged top-4 trophies at the Idaho 5A state meet four straight years and five of the last six. Maurer cites Centennial as the state favorite but District I-II schools Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls all look solid. Meridian and Borah are also contenders. Individually, Klemp is halfway through a four-year sweep of state titles, and Parson is coming off a sensational season that saw him go 51-1 and set the LHS pin record at 39.

Orofino

Coach - Monte Toombs (first year)

Returning state qualifiers - Zach Broncheau, Anthony Jones (6th), Trevor Hopkins

Outlook - The Maniacs boast a young group that will asked to grow up quickly. If it can, Orofino will be competitive in league competition and could send more than a couple of grapplers to State. The Maniacs will be led by new coach Toombs.

Pomeroy

Coach - Brian Slaybaugh (third year)

Returning state qualifiers - Clayton King

Outlook - Coming off a season in which they claimed a district title and finished third at State, the Pomeroy Pirates return a young squad that features only three seniors, one of whom is currently banged up. While Pomeroy may lack seniors, they don't lack numbers considering that seven letterwinners return from last season.

Potlatch

Coach - Bryan Bryngelson (10th year)

Returning state qualifiers - Cole Wallen, David Amos, Rowdy Paul (1st), Kyle Brown (3rd).

Outlook - Led by two former state champions, the Potlatch Loggers boast a strong lineup that is once again poised to compete at State. Last year, Paul won a title at 160 pounds and Brown was third at 170 after taking a 140-pound title in 2011.

Pullman

Coach - Ryan Scaggs (fourth year)

Returning state qualifiers - none.

Outlook - The Greyhounds have strong numbers. But with the departure of what Scaggs called a "phenomenal" senior class, Pullman will look to break in 15 freshmen. "We have worked really hard as a staff to recruit kids to come out and wrestle this year, and so far it looks promising," Scaggs. His team loses standouts Jake Staniszewski, Bailey Poitra, Roman Cox and Daython Maltone to graduation, but "we have great numbers and look to have depth at every weight," Scaggs said.