The Linfield wrestling program is ready for its second season under new head coach Frank Johnson. The Wildcats had a handful of athletes qualify for regionals and nationals.
 
Coming into this season, Linfield hopes to build off the successes of the first year and continue coming together as a team.
 
MEN
Jacob Barnes shined in his first year at Linfield and now returns as an upperclassman to lead a young Wildcats group. Barnes finished last season 27-4 in the heavyweight division with 17 victories coming by way of pin.
 
"The sky is the limit for him," Johnson said. "He walks around at 6'5 and 290 pounds but he can do things that a little guy can do. I think the most important thing for Jacob is getting him competition throughout the season because we're in a really tough region and we have to get him tested."
 
Jakob Jarvis (157) joins Barnes as the only other junior on the roster and aims to build off last season where he qualified for regionals. Darrius Walker (174) also made regionals last season and looks to improve upon his 10-12 freshman record as he enters his second season at Linfield.
 
The 'Cats bring in many new faces with five freshmen joining the program. Sayed Amanzad and Max Vander Meide highlight the 125 class. Trey Dieringer and Ethan Ensrud join Walker at 174 and Brian Walker Jr. will join sophomore Alex Tapia at 165.
 
WOMEN
Three of the six regional qualifiers return for the Wildcats this season. Emily Sullenger (123), Ayana Medina (136) and Kami Hart (170) have their sights set on another strong season. Sullenger and Medina look to for nationals in back-to-back seasons.
 
"Ayana might be our best overall wrestler," Johnson said. "Technically she's very good and she has a tremendous work ethic. Emily has gone above and beyond. She was named our first champion of character."
 
Klaira Flatt (143) joins Hart as a 12-match winner from last season and looks to take another step up going into her sophomore year.
 
"Klaira's a gem," Johnson said. "She and Kami do the laundry and have been stellar in helping me. Klaria is really athletic and can do just about anything we ask her to do. We have really high hopes for her and I don't think she's even close to meeting her ceiling."
 
COMING CLOSER
Opening the season with a lengthy road trip can be tough for a team to find its rhythm. However, the Wildcats are looking at their first two meets in Canada as an opportunity to come closer together and continue to bond.
 
"The biggest goal we have right now really has nothing to do with wrestling," Johnson said. "We really want them to be a family and they've been super receptive. The team found an Airbnb to stay at in Canada and we're going to be able to do some team-building stuff while we're there." 
 
ON DECK
The Wildcats open the season in Burnaby, B.C., with two meets at Simon Fraser on Nov. 3 and Nov.4. The 'Cats then return to the meet for their first home meet against Pacific on Nov. 16.