Wrestlers are usually known for wearing masks of courage, ferocity and invincibility when they step onto the mat.

The Gig Harbor Tides’ wrestling room, on the other hand, was filled with laughter and smiles last week as the team stretched out prior to a workout.

There are plenty of reasons for the Tides’ joviality. Twenty-two first-time wrestlers, including 19 freshmen, have joined the squad as it attempts to build long-term success under first-year head coach Leonard Spadoni.

It’s a bigger group than former coach Charles Biggs fielded during his four-year stint, and senior co-captain Phillip Olson likes the approach his new coach has taken.

“We started out a bit more easing them into it, as opposed to breakneck speed,” said Olson, the Tides’ top wrestler at 195 pounds. “And I think that’s what’s kept a lot of them around.”

Spadoni, who previously was an assistant under Biggs, is trying to instill discipline in the young group, but building a knowledge base in a technically complex sport takes time.

“We’re bringing them along as fast as we can,” he said, “but, at times, I have to slow down and lay back because we’re moving too fast.”

Gig Harbor is using its four most experienced seniors to provide added leadership in practices. Olson is a sixth-year wrestler, while Kyle Iverson, Ben Small and Jacob Spadoni, the coach’s son, all reached the Mat Classic state tournament last season.

The Washington Wrestling Report’s first rankings of the year had Iverson seventh among the state’s 138-pounders, although he’ll start at 145 before he drops down. Jacob Spadoni was 11th at 138 but will start at 152 and drop to 145. Small was eighth at 160, and he plans to move up to 170.

“I see that all three of them should place, and should place high, at state,” Leonard Spadoni said. “They’re at midseason form at this point, from what I’ve been watching.”

Iverson went 0-2 in his first Mat Classic appearance last February, and he’s eyeing a big improvement for his final high-school season.

“I think as long as I keep doing what I’m doing, working hard, working my moves, getting those little mistakes fixed … top eight is a pretty realistic place to look at,” he said.

Olson also harbors hopes of reaching state, although he’s going to develop a new strategy as he jumps from 171 to 195 — use his opponents’ size against them, and get the first takedown.

“I feel like more tie-ups will occur at a higher level,” he said. “I think stamina will be a big key here, trying to tire out some people.”

Gig Harbor’s large freshman class has two potential standouts in 106-pounder Matt Leske and 160-pounder Austin Warren.

“Austin has been doing a lot of youth wrestling — probably six years of wrestling coming in,” Leonard Spadoni said. “He’s got some education on the high-school level of how quick and how fast it moves, plus the sheer brutality of it.”

The freshmen have been eager to learn, Iverson said, and they’ll get a big test Thursday when the Tides host Shelton in a Narrows League dual meet.

“I feel like they’re rising up to the occasion,” Iverson said. “They’re having a little bit of trouble with the moves, but they’re working hard on it, and they’re getting better every day.

“It’s good to see everybody out there, and I’m hoping we’ll have a powerful team in a few years.”

GIG HARBOR TIDES WRESTLING
Coach: Leonard Spadoni, first season

2010-11 recap: 0-7 in Narrows League duals, sixth at league championships, ninth at regional championships, sent four individuals to Class 4A state tournament

Defending league champion: South Kitsap

Key losses: Jake Baker, Sean Dennis, Daniel Hendrickson, Ryan Olson

Key returners: Kyle Iverson, sr., Phillip Olson, sr., Mackenzie Schwendeman, so., Ben Small, sr., Jacob Spadoni, sr.

Key newcomers: Matt Leske, fr., Austin Warren, fr.

Biggest upside: Nineteen freshmen who should help rebuild the program

Opponents to watch: Olympia, Shelton, South Kitsap

TIDES’ SCHEDULE
Dec. 8 vs. Shelton, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 at Bonney Lake Tournament, 9 a.m.
Dec. 13 at Mount Tahoma, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 at Hammerhead Invite (Silverdale), 10 a.m.
Dec. 29 at North Mason Tournament, 10 a.m.
Jan. 5 vs. Central Kitsap, 7 p.m.
Jan. 10 at Stadium, 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Olympia, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 at Auburn Mountainview Tournament, 10 a.m.
Jan. 19 vs. South Kitsap, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20-21 at Pacific Rim Tournament (Seaside, Ore.), 1 p.m.
Jan. 26 at Bellarmine Prep, 7 p.m.