Last year, the Peninsula Seahawks felt they had the kind of wrestling team that would take its lumps during league dual meets, but would dish out some of its own at the postseason tournaments.

As the 2011-12 season commenced last weekend, feelings haven’t changed much around the Hawks’ practice room. Peninsula likely won’t fill three weight classes for its Class 3A South Puget Sound League duals, but the odds of sending several wrestlers to February’s Mat Classic XXIV state championships seem pretty high.

The Seahawks got three wrestlers into state last season, and Mark Nickels, who recently took over Peninsula’s head coaching duties from Ron Powers, has made sure his wrestlers are constantly setting goals for themselves and the team.

“In terms of those goals, I know I’ve got more than three kids looking at a state qualification and a state placing,” he said. “And we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.”

Peninsula has a solid mix of veterans and highly-regarded freshmen who should keep the team competitive in every event.

The older group includes Casey Larson, a junior who took eighth at state at 130 pounds last winter. Larson has put on some weight, and will start the year competing at 145 and 138, but could drop to 132 for the postseason.

Larson’s main goal is to return to Mat Classic and earn a higher placing.

“I need to practice as hard as I can, give it all I’ve got, put everything into it,” he said of his plans to succeed.

The team hasn’t had much time to digest the coaching changes, but senior Tyler Allen — a two-time state qualifier — said no one seems distracted.

“Business is business, so you go on,” he said. “We’re not really thinking about the past anymore. We’re just going on with this new idea of wrestling, and whatever (Nickels is) teaching, we have full faith in him and his coaching staff.”

Allen will be the team’s main 138-pounder, and has high aspirations for his final year in green and gold.

“Individually, I want to place at state this year,” he said. “I’ve gone twice; I haven’t placed yet.”

Peninsula planned to have four freshmen compete Saturday at its season-opening event in Yakima — PJ Hilley (106), Tommy Foreman (113), William Lester (120) and Hector Medina (170). Foreman already has several years of freestyle experience, and was listed in the Washington Wrestling Report’s first rankings of the season.

“There’s guys that work hard, and they’re freshman now,” Allen said, “so it’s hard to tell where they’re going to be, but if they stick with the program, we’ve got good coaches, and they’re going to be great in four years.”

Though Peninsula graduated two talented seniors in Michael Sly and Wes Wynn, a solid junior class will help dampen their departures.

Ryan Valley (126) and Randy Nimrick (132) were regional qualifiers a year ago. Jake Ricco (152) has bulked up quite a bit and is expected to make major strides, and 195-pounder Josh Donaldson could surprise some opponents.

Senior David Shohradov should also be a key contributor in the middle weights, Nickels said.

“I think we’re a really solid tournament team,” the coach said. “We’ve got some holes in our upper weights, and that was a problem last year, but last year we had six holes, and now I think it’s down to three.”

PENINSULA SEAHAWKS WRESTLING
Coach: Mark Nickels, first season

2010-11 recap: 0-5 in South Puget Sound League duals, fifth at league championships, 11th at regional championships, sent three individuals to Class 3A state tournament

Defending league champion: Enumclaw

Key losses: Michael Sly, Wes Wynn

Key returners: Tyler Allen, sr., Casey Larson, jr., Jake Ricco, jr., Randy Nimrick, jr., David Shohradov, sr., Ryan Valley, jr.

Key newcomers: Tommy Foreman, fr., Zach Goddard, fr., PJ Hilley, fr., Luke Holsinger, fr., William Lester, fr., Hector Medina, fr.

Biggest upside: Wealth of veterans who should provide stability in tournaments

Opponents to watch: Auburn Mountainview, Enumclaw

SEAHAWKS’ SCHEDULE
Dec. 7 at Auburn Mountainview, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 at Bonney Lake Tournament, 9 a.m.
Dec. 14 vs. Bonney Lake, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16-17 at Hammerhead Invite (Silverdale), 10 a.m.
Dec. 29-30 at All-SPSL Tournament (Auburn HS), 10 a.m.
Jan. 5 vs. Enumclaw, 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 at Bonney Lake Classic, 9 a.m.
Jan. 12 at Decatur, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 at Auburn Mountainview Tournament, 10 a.m.
Jan. 19 vs. Lakes, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 at South Kitsap Invite (Port Orchard), 8 a.m.