Coming off of the program’s first league championship since 1999, the Hazen wrestling team is looking to keep building.

“We really want to roll with the success we had last year and try to keep it going,” said Hazen coach Rory Magana. “It’s about promoting our program right now and getting more kids interested.”

Magana is still looking for more wrestlers to help fill out his team. Last season the team didn’t wrestle any dual meets or tournaments with a full lineup as several wrestlers were missing due to injuries and poor grades. Yet the team still went 7-1 in league dual meets to win the Seamount.

The Highlanders sent five wrestlers to the 3A state meet and of that group, Josh Kluth, Austin Clark and Daniel Karpman return. All three won Seamount titles last season (Kluth at 103 pounds, Clark at 130, Karpman at 135).

Kluth, a sophomore, surprised Magana last season with his rapid improvement. As a first year wrestlers, Kluth took third at the competitive Liberty Invite, just his second tournament.

Other key returners are Justin Russell, Andre Faciane, Cameron Felt, Jeremy Guilbert, Jesus Lara, Jeremy Hazlett and Alex Palanciuc.

New wrestlers to watch are Derek Nichols, Andrew Tran, Jonathan Pineda and Jayden Schwope.

One big goal for Magana and the coaching staff is to not only get wrestlers to state, but have them place. He said the last state placer for Hazen was in 2004.

“That’s something that we’re striving for as a coaching staff,” he said. “We want to start producing those higher quality wrestlers.”

Last year’s experience should be helpful for the team. Clark, who lost both of his matches at state, is looking to do much better this year.

“Last year was more of the experience,” he said. “The Tacoma Dome is the big thing looming over your whole season and when you finally get there it’s kind of scary. But now I’ve been there and I can do better next time.”