Prep wrestling outlook

WesCo North

Favorite — Lake Stevens

Contenders — Marysville-Pilchuck, Stanwood, Oak Harbor, Cascade

Top returners — Casey Audette, Mount Vernon, 130, Jr. (8th at state); John Hanks, Marysville-Pilchuck, 112, Sr. (5th at state at 103); Willie Ward, Monroe, 140, Sr. (6th at state); Erik Olson, Stanwood, 160, Sr.; Nick Rodgers, Stanwood, 145, Sr.; Ty Human, Lake Stevens, 135, Sr. (5th at state at 119); Lester Brown, Lake Stevens, 112, So. (9th at state at 103); Tony Nicolas, Oak Harbor, 140, Jr.; Patrick O'Brien, Oak Harbor, 171, Jr.; Ben Giard, Arlington, 160, Sr.; Brent Larson, Cascade, 145, Jr. (8th at state); Matt Leonard, Lake Stevens, 275, Sr.; Ryan Burke, Snohomish, 189, Jr.; Jordan Gere, Snohomish, 145, Jr.; Spencer Whitlock, Snohomish, 215, Jr.; Corey Nagel, Arlington, 119, Sr.

Impact newcomers — Chris Mather, Stanwood, 112, Fr.; Tony Kubec, Lake Stevens, 130, Jr.; Bryan Hise, Snohomish, 112, So.; Johnny Gilbertson, Cascade, 112, Fr.; Randy Eggen, Oak Harbor, 130, Jr.; Karlson Miller, Oak Harbor, 103, Fr.; Casey Fortin, Snohomish, 171, So.

Notable — Lake Stevens, which has not lost a league dual meet in 10 years, is seeking its 13th straight WesCo dual-meet championship. ... Stanwood lost by only one point to Lake Stevens on Dec. 19, and Oak Harbor has had several strong results.

WesCo South

Favorites — Everett, Mariner

Contenders — Lynnwood, Edmonds-Woodway, Shorecrest

Top returners — Reese Cogdill, Lynnwood, 215, Sr. (5th at state at 215); Joe Trieu, Edmonds-Woodway, 119, Sr. (4th at state at 112); Matt Hanchett, Edmonds-Woodway, 152, Sr.; Kyle Castle, Mariner, 130, Sr.; Andrew Dunn, Mariner, 140, Jr.; Trenton Tuiasosopo, Mariner, 215, Jr.; Tim Irwin, Everett, 119, Sr.; J.D. Mowrer, Everett, 152, Sr.; Tesir Al-Hussaini, Lynnwood, 135, Jr.; Matt Suthern, Lynnwood, 189, Sr.; Darren Birkenbuel, Jackson, 125, Sr.; Joe Edwards-Hoff, Shorecrest, 171, Sr.

Impact newcomers — Jeremy Paulter, Edmonds-Woodway, 140, Fr.; Michael Bell, Mariner, 189, Jr.

Notable — Almost every notable wrestler from last season is back in the South. ... Trieu placed second in the 2002 Greco-Roman Junior Nationals.

SPSL North

Favorites — Enumclaw, Auburn, Kentwood, Tahoma

Contender — Sumner

Top returners — Adam Thiessen, Auburn Riverside, 135, Sr. (6th at state at 125); Nick Tompkins, Tahoma, 140, Sr. (2nd at state at 135); Ryan Paulson, Auburn Riverside, 135, Jr. (6th at state at 135); Kenny McNeese, Auburn, 145, Sr. (4th at state at 140); Chris Koontz, Enumclaw, 103, Jr. (state qualifier); Joel Anderson, Enumclaw, 119, Jr. (state qualifier); Jake Gonzales, Enumclaw, 112, Jr. (two-time state qualifier); Quintin Josie, Enumclaw, 152, Sr. (two-time state qualifier); Kyle Clerget, Enumclaw, 275, Sr. (state qualifier); Tonio Thacker, Auburn Riverside, 119, Sr.; Mason Wahl, Sumner, 135, Sr.; Brandon Hunter, Kentwood, 145, Sr. (1st at state at 140, 40-1 record); Jake Firman, Kentlake, 189, Sr.; Nick Woodbury, Kentwood, 152, Sr. (state qualifier); Troy Hanson, Enumclaw, 160, Jr.

Impact newcomers — Amberle Montgomery, Tahoma, 112, So.; Shawn Wilson, Kent-Meridian, 171, Sr. (transfer); Brian Horaski, Enumclaw, 171, Jr.; Michael Johnson, Tahoma, 145, So.

Notable — Enumclaw, third at state in 2002, has won 36 consecutive dual-meets against SPSL North foes heading into tomorrow's big match against Auburn, which was sixth at state last season.

SPSL South

Favorites — Spanaway Lake, Rogers, Emerald Ridge

Contenders — Decatur, Curtis

Top returners — Brett Wagner, Rogers, 135, Sr. (6th at state at 119); Ian Richards, Spanaway Lake, 135, Jr. (5th at state at 130); Pat Pitsch, Spanaway Lake, 160, Sr. (state champ at 152, 3rd at state at 152 as sophomore); Kyle Bressler, Decatur, 189, Jr. (5th at state at 171); Blaine Guenther, Bethel, 275, Sr. (7th at state); Yuri Malamura, Spanaway Lake, 215, Sr. (4th at state at 189); Dimitri Ghadarzi, Curtis, 112, Sr. (7th at state); Adam Morrison, Rogers, 130, Sr.; Brent Stover, Spanaway Lake, 140, Jr. (state alternate at 135).

Impact newcomers — Craig Fawcett, Spanaway Lake, 119, Sr. (5th at Class 3A at 119, transfer from Franklin Pierce); Warren Kern, Spanaway Lake, 125, Jr. (5th in Class 3A at 125, transfer from Franklin Pierce).

Notable — Spanaway Lake is ranked No. 1 in state, but injuries and illness have kept Sentinels from putting its best team on the mats. Emerald Ridge beat the Sentinels in a dual meet and Rogers could challenge.

KingCo 4A

Favorites — Bothell, Inglemoor, Woodinville, Juanita

Contenders — Eastlake, Redmond

Top returners — Justin Davidson, Bothell, 125, Jr. (2nd at state at 112); Scott Labrash, Bothell, 189, Jr. (state qualifier at 171); Lafayett Harris, Franklin, 103, Sr.; Dan Saarenas, Franklin, 135, Jr.; Cody Elledge, Inglemoor, 112, Sr. (state qualifier); Chris Meister, Inglemoor, 119, Sr. (state qualifier); John Phimmasane, Juanita, 119, Sr.; Zach Kenealey, Juanita, 275, Sr.; Jimmy Benefield, Lake Washington, 140; Marcus Garthe, Lake Washington, 145, Sr.; Colin Teteak, Lake Washington, 160; Luis Congdon, Roosevelt, 125, Sr.; Loc Tran, Roosevelt, 152, Jr.; Scott Hawk, Woodinville, 130, Sr., (state qualifier); Ryan Trittle, Woodinville, 189, Sr. (KingCo champ).

Impact newcomers — Jamal Meneese, Franklin, 275, So.; Brad Seefeld, Inglemoor, 103, So.; Mikey Sewell, Inglemoor, 140, So.; Chris Dobson, Lake Washington, 140; Chris Teateak, Lake Washington, 152; Aaron Ashby, Roosevelt, 112, Fr.; Alex Skalatsky, Roosevelt, 215, So; Matt Johnson, Woodinville, So., 119; Nikol, Johnson, Woodinville, 119, So.

Notable — Juanita is returning champ, but faces a big challenge from several schools. "These kids know there's a target on their backs from last season," said first-year coach Jim Hardy.

KingCo 3A

Favorites — Cedarcrest, Mount Si, Liberty

Contender — Mercer Island

Top returners — Aaron Pedeferri, Cedarcrest, 125, Sr. (state, district and KingCo 3A champ at 119); Darren DeBoer, Cedarcrest, 135, Sr. (2nd at state); Robby Westermann, Cedarcrest, 189, Sr. (3rd at state); Dan Rogers, Issaquah, 152, Sr.; Erik Eagle, Issaquah, 160, Sr.; Brad Williams, Liberty, 145, Jr. (3rd in KingCo at 130); Justin Studer, Liberty, 152, Jr. (KingCo and district champion, 5th at state at 135); Scott Winslow, Liberty, 189, Jr. (2nd in KingCo at 160); Nathan Schaefer, Liberty, 275, Sr. (KingCo champion); Jean Laschever, Mercer Island, 103, So.; Rusty Johnson, Mercer Island, 125, Sr. (2nd in KingCo at 119); Aaron Cahoon, Mercer Island, 130, Jr. (state qualifier); Andrew Parker, Mercer Island, 152, Jr. (2nd in KingCo at 145); Adam Kinch, Mercer Island, 275, Sr.; Jason Rothget, Mount Si, 119, Jr. (state qualifier at 103); Alex Haas, Mount Si, 125, Sr. (state qualifier at 112); Nick Martindale, Mount Si, 145, Sr. (state qualifier at 135).

Impact newcomers — David Howard, Cedarcrest, 112, Fr.; Tyler Bodick, Issaquah, 103, Fr.; Brett Berntsen, Issaquah, 140, Fr.; Kevin Schmieder, Liberty, 103, Fr.; Aaron Agnew, Mercer Island, 119, Fr.; Kostya Pospelov, Mercer Island, 215, So.; Matt Haas, Mount Si, 119, Sr.

Notable — Cedarcrest, eighth at state last year, returns a state champ in Pedeferri, and two other Red Wolves finished in top three. Cedarcrest faces a challenge at 7:30 tonight in a match at Liberty.

Metro League

Favorites — Bainbridge, O'Dea, West Seattle

Contenders — Nathan Hale, Bishop Blanchet

Top returners — Zach Smith, Bainbridge, 125, So. (31-6 as freshman, state alternate); Drew Carmichael, Nathan Hale, 130, Sr. (state qualifier); Eddie Lobdell, Eastside Catholic, 125, Jr.; Tyler Folkman, Eastside Catholic, 112, Jr.; Derek Lopez, O'Dea, 160, Sr. (state qualifier); Phil Hayes, O'Dea, 275, Jr.; John Kenney, O'Dea, 112, So.; Chris Martin, O'Dea, 130, Jr. (state alternate); Stevie Devine, Bainbridge, 103, Sr. (regional alternate); Eric Hallberg, West Seattle, 119, Jr.; Beau Maples, West Seattle, 189, Sr.; Peter Mandell, Bainbridge, 189, Sr. (22-12 as junior, state qualifier); Brian Hubbs, Chief Sealth, 145, Sr.; Ionica Hanson, West Seattle, 140, So.; Ian Bailie, O'Dea, 152, Sr.; Nick McCallum, Bainbridge, 215, Sr. (28-12 as a junior, state qualifier); Alonso Valenzuela, Bainbridge, 112, Sr. (19-9 as junior, regional qualifier); J.P. McHugh, Bishop Blanchet, 171, Sr.; Dan McNaughten, Bishop Blanchet, 160, Sr.; Mark Malijan, Bishop Blanchet, 119, Jr. (regional qualifier).

Impact newcomers - Anders Simmons, O'Dea, 171, So.; Rigel Shaw, O'Dea, 160, Jr. (out last season with ankle injury); Justin Lobdell, Eastside Catholic, 103, Sr.; Mike Rittman, O'Dea, 135-140, Jr.; Brian Robert, Bainbridge, 119, Fr.

Notable - O'Dea has had a stranglehold on Metro tournament crown last 12 years, but it appears things are destined to change. Any of five teams has a chance to win regular-season Metro title.

Seamount King Division

Favorite — Highline

Contenders — Hazen, Tyee, Mount Rainier

Top returners — Herley Beyene, Highline, 112, Sr. (8th at state at 103); Vinh Tran, Highline, 119, Jr.; Vu Tran, Highline, 130, Sr.; Casey Rice, Highline, 140, Sr. (8th at state); Tim Perales, Highline, 275, Sr.; T.J. Ford, Hazen, 119, Sr.; Jacob Sandiford, Hazen, 171, Sr.; Daron Weiser, Hazen, 275, Sr.; Greg Abe, Renton, 119, Sr. (4th at state at 103 as sophomore); Nick Antrobus, Renton, 275, Sr. (8th at state); Tony Dorward, Mount Rainier, 145, Sr., (3rd at state); Darin Hollobaugh, Mount Rainier, 152, Sr.; Merlin Brittenham, Lindbergh, 275, Sr. (7th at state); Mike Bull, Kennedy, Sr., 130; Mike Nguyen, Tyee, 130, Sr.; Jose Camarillo, Tyee, 135, Jr.

Impact newcomers — Sean Pierson, Highline, 152, Sr.; Tyler Marshall, Hazen, 215, Sr. (transfer from Nooksack Valley); Raymond Sawyer, Renton, 145, Sr.; Mike Good, Renton, 112, Sr.; Clinton Shimoi, Renton, 135, Sr.; Alex Georgiados, Mount Rainier, 189, Jr.; David Stearns, Mount Rainier, 215, Sr.; Zach Filer, Kennedy, 189, Sr.; Brian Clapp, Kennedy, 215, Jr.; Chris James, Tyee, 119, So.; Shane Steele, Tyee, 275, Jr.

Notable — Highline is 4-0 in league and has won 24 consecutive Seamount matches. ... Toughest weight could be heavyweight, where Weaser, Antrobus and Brittenham qualified for state last year.

Seamount Pierce Division

Favorites — White River, Peninsula

Contenders — Clover Park, Lakes

Top returners — Jake Friedman, Peninsula, 135, So. (7th at state at 130); Jeff Nimrick, Peninsula, 145, Jr.; (5th at state); J.J. Westover, White River, 119, Jr. (5th at state at 103); Paul Klein, White River, 112, Jr. (3rd at state); Skyler Marler, White River, 152, Sr. (5th at state at 140); Brad Padgett, White River, 171, So. (7th at state at 160); Craig Fawcett, Franklin Pierce, 119, Jr. (5th at state); Warren Kern, Franklin Pierce, 125, Jr.; Blake Willard, Franklin Pierce, 135, Jr.; Matt Roll, Clover Park, 125 (6th at state at 119); Ira Jarmon, Clover Park, 160, Sr.; Nick DeLeon, Lakes, 135, Sr.; Zack Abdul-Latif, Lakes, 189, Sr.; Andrew Bennett, Lakes, 152, Sr.

Impact newcomers — Gavino Bautista, Clover Park, 130, Sr.; Omar Petty, Clover Park, 152, So.; Sean McNulty, White River, 135, So.; Dustin Haukenberry, White River, 171, So.; Gary Baker, Peninsula, 103, Jr.

Notable — White River placed second at state last year behind Sedro-Woolley. Peninsula was 12th.