After the 1995-96 season, when the Braves had three state finishers, Flathead wrestling coach Jeff Anderson is ready for the challenges of a new season.
"We've said a top five finish in the state is definitely achievable," said Anderson.
"We have a lot of upper-classmen and a lot of experienced wrestlers," said junior Robbie Brekke.
The team has 27 varsity and junior varsity players returning from last season. Anderson's team also has 14 athletes with state experience. Last year, the Braves' three finishers were Trent Gardner, who took first place, Chad Cattron, who took fourth, and sixth place finisher, Rye Thompson. Both Gardner and Thompson graduated. Cattron returns as the Brave's only state finisher.
"It's always nice to have a state champ on the team," said senior Mike Richeson of state champ Trent Gardner. "But (with Gardner) being gone, we have Chad Cattron filling in for him. Hopefully, he will step up."
The team is confident they will be a force to be reckoned with this year.
"One week into practice, we look very strong in the middle-weights through the heavy weights," said Anderson.
"We're strong in the middle weights but we don't have many light weights," said Richeson.
This year, Flathead hopes to become a contender for the title.
"We hope to get as many kids to the state tournament and doing as well as we can," said Anderson.
"We have a lot of new kids coming up," Brekke said. "They're really strong. We have a lot of depth."