DesotoExplorer.com

The phrase "young and inexperienced" has clung to the De Soto wrestling program for years now. Even while Neil Erisman was winning his state championship in 2005, his headlines covered for a -- brace yourself -- young and inexperienced squad.

New Wildcat coach Shannon Sawner hopes to put an end to that broken record.

De Soto returns only 10 wrestlers from last year's team, but hopes to finally begin the process of becoming more than "young and inexperienced."

"This is my first year and I'm just trying to build it back up," Sawner said. "The program wasn't very good last year, to be honest."

The first step, Sawner said, is to show the team exactly what its gunning for. De Soto has a tough schedule set for the season, one that begins with a Saturday trip to a Wamego tournament.

"You have to take a really close look at your schedule," Sawner said of building a program. "You want a good schedule. You can't just throw kids to the wolves because we're a developing program, but you have to develop your schedule as you develop your athletes.

"If you want to be the bully, you have to beat the bullies."

Sawner said being the bully might still be a few years off, but a young and -- wait for it -- experienced team could be the foundation.

De Soto didn't fare well in tournaments or duels last year, routinely finishing last in both. It won only a handful of matches at the league tournament and didn't threaten to advance anyone to state.

The implementation of a middle school wrestling program two seasons ago is starting to have an effect on the high school level, however. While the program spent the majority of the season getting wrestling first timers up to speed in years past, now many of the team's 15 freshmen enter with the basics already established.

"I have six or seven who have never wrestled before, but I have about 10 who have some experience," Sawner said. "I'm excited about having some of those younger guys and I see a pretty good future.

"With the middle school program, it's going to do nothing but improve."

The programs hopes for 2007 will rely heavily on a handful of the experienced wrestlers returning from last year's team.

Tom Beaver is the lone senior, a leader who was a team captain last year and was one of only two Wildcats to pick up a win at league.

"He's a vocal leader, both him and (junior) Austin Thompson," Sawner said. "For a bigger guy, (Tom) has some athleticism. He's impressed me a little already just in the practice room."

Todd Atchison, a sophomore, also returns after finding some late-season success.

Atchison started his freshman season as a 112 pounder, but cut weight to wrestle at 103 pounds in the league and regional tournaments. He won a pair of matches at the league tournament to finish fifth and was the only Wildcat to place.

Sammy Seibolt could also have a big affect in his sophomore season. Seibolt missed last season after sustaining a broken leg during the 2006 boys soccer season, but still enters the new wrestling season as one of the most experienced Wildcats.

"(Todd's) still just a sophomore, so he's got some maturing to do, but he can also surprise you once in awhile. You'll see him do some maneuvers you didn't know were there yet," Sawner said. "I think (Sammy's) going to be right there at 119 or 125 pounds. That will be pretty competitive, but he might be our most experienced wrestler from what I've seen.

"I think we can get some wins out of him, but missing the whole year last year will set him back."

De Soto kicks off its season at 9 a.m. Saturday in Wamego and won't wrestle at home until a Dec. 19 triangular against St. James and St. Mary's Academy.

The Cats also play host to a Jan. 24 triangular against Piper and Christian Prep.

"There will be some good teams out there (at Wamego)," Sawner said. "We'll see if we can get in and compete in some weight classes and improve on where we were last year.

"If you don't set goals, you can't reach for them. Are we going to start winning tournaments right away? I don't think so, but my hope is to surprise a team here or there, try to get some wins and try to develop the team. We want to get to where we can get kids to reach the state tournament. That's our focus."