Lawrence High wrestling coach Mark Dulgarian thought he would have six of his seven state qualifiers returning this season, but the Lions will be far less experienced than anticipated when they take the mat for their season-opening matches today at Shawnee Mission East.

LHS lost only one state qualifier — 215-pounder Clayton Kellerman — to graduation, but senior Pharouk Hussein (130) will spend the winter playing indoor soccer, and junior Marc Albers (135) was injured during football season.

“We thought everybody would be back, but that happens,” Dulgarian said. “People have to do the things they have to take care of. We won’t have open weight classes, but they’ll be people coming up from junior varsity.”

Senior heavyweight Blake Hageman decided not to wrestle this season, then changed his mind and rejoined the team late during preseason practices. Dulgarian said the senior likely wouldn’t make an impact until after winter break.

“That’s three people who won about 70 matches,” Dulgarian said.

But the coach was glad to have Hageman back.

“It’ll help us out because he has senior experience,” Dulgarian said. “All the other heavyweights are underclassmen.”

The Lions still will have three state qualifiers in the lineup today — sophomore Chris Coons (112), junior Brendan Halpin (145) and junior Nolan Kellerman (160).

Others expected to fill the varsity lineup are sophomore Brandon Goodwin (103), sophomore Tyler Lou (119), senior David Stites (125), junior Chris Ermey (135), sophomore Greg Payne (140), junior Kenneth Stowe (152), senior Luke Johnson (171), senior Tim Giblin (189), junior John Berg (215) and sophomore heavyweight Jake Lorenzo.

City high school wrestlers Alex Benson, left, of Free State and Tim Giblin of Lawrence High will lead their teams this season. Both city squads open action today on the road.

Sophomore Zach Hertzel, a transfer from Baldwin, will step in at 130.

“We’ll be young,” Dulgarian said. “We won’t have a lot of senior starters.”

Free State High

The Firebirds will have four returning state qualifiers — sophomore Marc Somers (125), junior Mike Goble (130), senior Dale Sipple (145) and junior K.J. Siebert (160) — in the lineup when they open the season today at Gardner-Edgerton.

Siebert was 28-16 last year and led FSHS with 54 takedowns, while Goble was 20-18.

Somers was a league and regional champion last year as a freshman when he finished 12-12. FSHS coach Darrell Andrew hopes a few more freshmen will step up this year after the junior-high season ends. Until then, Free State will be open at 103, 112 and 119.

“We don’t have a full lineup, and that always hurts you in duals,” Andrew said. “But we have some really good kids that can take us quite a ways in tournaments.”

The Firebirds will start at Gardner in a tough, 10-team tournament that draws teams from Nebraska and Missouri.

Sipple had a modest 6-17 record last season, but Andrew has high expectations for the senior.

“He ran cross country and is in great shape,” Andrew said. “He was a state qualifier last year, and we expect big things from him.”

Andrew also is optimistic about Cameron Reschke at 152. Reschke was 15-19 at 160 last year when he missed qualifying for state by a point.

“Last year he was the littlest 160-pounder I saw in the state,” Andrew said. “He’s more suited to 152. Cameron is an incredibly strong young man. He’s strong and he’s developed his technique. I think he’s a lot stronger at 152.”

Free State must replace 171-pounder Ryan Williams, but Andrew is confident that sophomore Kyle Weinmaster is ready to step in.

“He was really impressive in junior varsity last year,” Andrew said. “I’m really excited to see him on the varsity mat. He’ll be a good wrestler the next three years.”

Free State’s lineup also will include senior Alex Benson (135), senior Troy Rousselo (140), sophomore Andy Neighbors (189), junior Doug Ratliffe (215) and senior heavyweight Ricky Lockner.

Andrew said league and regional champion Jesse Hardy (189) won’t compete until second semester.