Last season, the Vian Wolverines wrestling team had three matmen. Now, they’ve more than doubled the members to seven on the roster for this new season.

“All but about three were out last year,” Vian wrestling coach Garett Willis said. “We have three new additions. (Having the returners back) helps build the line-up back up. We should see a little bit more success this year. We’re looking forward to it. We’ve put a lot of work in. Some of them have never wrestled before that have already seen some success (on Dec 12 vs. the Poteau junior varsity). Some of our new kids are seeing some success.”

The roster does include a state qualifier from last year — Gunner Richey, who was at 126 then.

“He’ll be at 132 this year,” Willis said of Richey. “He’s grown just a little bit.”

The rest of the roster is comprised of Tyrick Mosley at 113 pounds, AdoffStahlat126,Tristan Wiley at 165, Lane Jameson at 190, Garritt Hunt at 215 and Clay Clark at heavyweight. Jameson and Clark are the only seniors.

“If we wrestle right and wrestle as we can, I think it’s a good shot with most of them (to make state),” Willis said.

Even with seven wrestlers on the roster, it will be hard to earn a spot at the Class 3A Dual State Tournament. Vian’s Class 3A-6 District Duals will take place Jan. 9 at Tulsa Cascia Hall High School. The Wolverines will be joined by the host Commandos, the Warner Eagles, the Heavener Wolves, the Arkoma Mustangs, the Wyandotte Bears and the Oklahoma Christian School Saints.

“As a team, that’s the day to go compete the best we can, and see what happens from there,” Willis said. “We’ll be giving up some weights. Hopefully, we can go win every match and make them count.”

The good news is the future is bright for the Wolverines, thanks to a strong junior high program and the Vian Wrestling Club youth program.

“We want to build back up the junior high program,” Willis said. “We won’t be in the same predicament with seven kids. We’ll have 14 to wrestle, and that will help our dual situation. We had zero wrestlers last year, and we have 14 boys. In the boys, we’re one weight — one heavyweight — away from having a full line-up. Hopefully, they all will stick it out and see some success this year that will keep them out. Most of them have wrestled in the past. The future appears to be bright. For some of them, (Dec. 12) was the first time they had ever wrestled. It’s good seeing them have fun. Hopefully, they’ll stick around.”