Losing a two-time state champion in Nolan Kellerman, and nine seniors, you would think Lawrence High would be in a rebuilding mode for the 2006-07 wrestling campaign.

However, coach Mark Dulgarian is not looking at it that way.

“I don’t want to say it is a reload and go, but later on in the year when we have some of our sophomores who have had an opportunity to get a little bit of varsity time, I think some of them will be just fine,” Dulgarian said.

Kellerman won the 171-pound Class 6A championship last year and ended his career on a 64-match win streak. Dulgarian hopes Kellerman’s success will have rubbed off a little on the younger wrestlers.

“I don’t ever think that could ever hurt you,” Dulgarian said. “That is a benefit. They just have to know that they have to do whatever those other people did in order to be successful.”

Dulgarian will rely on a core group of seniors, as well as 15 sophomores, to help lead the Lions this year.

Returning for LHS will be Brandon Goodwin, who finished sixth at state last season and whom Dulgarian says is one of his many leaders.

The Lions will be missing Chris Coons, a two-time state qualifier, until after the winter break. Dulgarian hopes at that point of the season, the Lions’ younger group of sophomores will have had a good chance to gain experience to help the team in the final parts of the season.

fREE STATE'S MARC SOMERS, BOTTOM, should be one of the Firebirds' top performers after finishing fifth at last year's Class 6A state tournament.

“When we get some of the guys back in the lineup after Christmas we could most definitely be a most different team,” Dulgarian said. “We will start out with young guys and practice hard and then come back after Christmas and the next part of the year, when all those sophomores have grown up.”

The Lions have gained a new sophomore wrestler in Clifton Sims, who was the Lions’ fullback on the football field in the fall.

“He is a tremendously gifted athlete,” Dulgarian said. “He just hasn’t had a lot of mat time.”

While LHS is replacing seniors, Free State High is replacing a coach.

Paul Lappin, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Olathe South, takes over for Darrell Andrew.

“They have responded very positively,” Lappin said. “They are starting to buy into what I want them to do. I am a pretty relaxed person until someone doesn’t do what I am asking them. Then I get a little upset.”

Lappin wrestled at Garden City, where wrestling is king.

“It is quite a bit different,” Lappin said. “I am used to having about 60 kids in the wrestling room and four or five kids at each weight, but out here we have about 18 kids. We are having trouble filling a few spots, so it is quite a bit different to me. Hopefully with time I will be able to change all that.”

Despite the limited numbers, Lappin thinks it is a blessing in disguise considering it gives him more one-on-one time with his wrestlers.

LAWRENCE HIGH'S BRANDON GOODWIN, TOP, is back after finishing sixth at last year's Class 6A state tournament.

“It has been easier because I don’t have as many kids that I need to focus on,” Lappin said. “I can make them do all the little things right.”

The Firebirds will be led by Marc Somers, who finished fifth last season in the 130-pound bracket at the 6A state tournament.

“He is a real unorthodox wrestler,” Lappin said. “He is a little bit of a goofball, but he is a great kid. I am just excited to see what he is going to do in his final year.”

Somers is joined by fellow seniors Josh Fowler and Andy Neighbors as the senior leaders for the Firebirds.

Both LHS and Free State begin their seasons Saturday.