2011-12 prep wrestling: Teams to watch

CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE (26-5, Tied for 12th at state with 42 points): The hawks return 11 starters and have strong numbers with about 55 wrestlers out. Prairie has had the depth and talent to be one of the top teams in the area and that won't likely change this season. Prairie is led by two-time state finalist and 2011 145-pound state champion Zach Witte, who will miss part of the season with a broken arm. Witte was unbeaten last year and is joined this year with state medalists Andrew Netolicky, who was sixth at 189 last season, and Peyton Wagner, a state placewinner in 2010. A few freshmen could make an impact as well. The Hawks always have the ability to have a competitive wrestler at each weight, battling for six minutes, and this year won't be different.

IOWA CITY WEST (37-2, State runner-up with 150 points and state duals champion): Iowa City west is loaded and will contend for more hardware this season. The Trojans return 10 starters from last season where they finished second at the Class 3A traditional state tournament and captured the school's fifth state duals crown after reaching the duals finals for the sixth straight year. Five returners have reached the state finals, including defending champs jack Hathaway and Phillip Laux. Dakota Bauer, a 2A state champ as a freshmen, was a state runner-up last year along with Kegan Wakefield. Gradey Gambrall was a finalist in 2010. If west can spread out its talent over the new weight classes, it will be tough to beat.

LINN-MAR (28-7, 15th at state with 32 points): Linn-Mar is coming off an impressive season. The Lions reached the State Duals for the second time in school history. Linn-Mar has 10 back from last season's lineup and all of them posted winning records, including eight with at least 20 wins. Six have state meet experience highlighted by Alijah Jeffery and Ross Lembeck, who placed third and seventh, respectively, last year as freshmen. Mitch Wantock, who broke an ankle late in the football season, was sixth at state in March. Junior Joel N orthrup did not place last year, but finished third two seasons ago. Some accomplished freshmen should contribute to a veteran squad. The Lions' balance and depth is very strong and they should reload from last season.

 WEST DELAWARE (19-6, Tied for fourth at state with 65 points): If anyone benefitted from the new weight classes, it was West Delaware. The Hawks have plenty of upper-weight talent and should be able to fit them all in the lineup. West Delaware returns almost everyone from an unbeaten Wamac dual team. The Hawks have four state medalists back. State runner-up Zach Less, a successful up-and-coming race car driver as well, leads the way. Adam Reth, Zach Muller and Sam Lahr also return after reaching the podium at last season's state meet. When you can send your junior varsity to contend for titles at varsity tournaments that says something about your program's strength. The Hawks should be that strong again.

WILLIAMSBURG (23-3, Tied for 14th at state with 40 points): The some key wrestlers may be gone from last year's state duals qualifier, but there are plenty of pieces left to make the Raiders competitive once again. Four-time state finalist and three-time champ Austin Blythe was one of a solid senior group that graduated, but the Raiders still have 10 returning starters for a senior-dominated lineup. Experience is a strength for Williamsburg, including three-time state placewinner J.C. Vercande. Sophomore Aaron Schultz and senior Trevor Knepper also add state tournament experience for Williamsburg. The Raiders have holes to fill and points to makeup for, but Coach Eckenrod hopes guys to step up to be one of the top Wamac teams.

ALBURNETT (24-5, Third at state with 68 points): An opposing conference coach predicts Alburnett to win the conference by 100 points. That's either respect or sarcasm. I'll go with the former. The program has achieved a new level of success, earning a second straight team trophy at the traditional state tournament its first state duals appearance in school history last season. Two-time state champion Tyler Shulista and state medalist Colton Martin, along with state qualifier Dylan Windfield and Grant Henderson, are key components for the Pirates this season. Coach Kane Thompson has led Alburnett to new heights. Don't expect a slip as long as they can find competitive options for graduated leaders like Christopher Halblom and Alex German.

LISBON (18-2, Seventh at state with 53 points): The Lions resurgence shouldn't weaken after recording their second straight top-10 traditional state tournament finish last season. Lisbon has regained some of the toughness and success that made it one of the top wrestling traditions in the state. The Lions have three state medalists from last year, including state runner-up Kolbi Kohl, who should contend for a state title. Two-time state medalist Tait Simpson, Preston Russell and heavyweight Tyler Smith, who all contributed to Lisbon's first state title in football this fall, add a strong nucleus of state experience to build around.  Russell was a qualifier, while Smith placed fourth.  The components are in place for more success under third-year head coach Jamie Kamberling.