With just a dozen athletes on the roster for a shortened, six-week season, head coach Chad Cate is looking at positives as he leads Sequim High’s wrestlers into the 2021 season.

The Wolves’ see just five returners from last year’s squad that struggled to match numbers and experience with other Olympic League foes and in tournaments.

“Really this season is, for all intents and purposes, good preparation for next season,” Cate said this week. “I need my wrestlers exposed to good talent (because) they are so young and relatively inexperienced.

“One thing I love about them is their aggression. That’s hard to coach: either you have it or you don’t. This squad has it.”

This year’s Sequim squad includes all underclassmen on the boys’ side, including returning sophomores — Samuel Fitzgerald, Brandon Linson and Aaron Tolberd, each of whom competed in the 2019 sub-regional tourney — and a handful of freshmen.

“I kind of like that,” Cate said, noting he can help build a core of boys over a number of seasons. “It gives me time at least on the boys side to develop from the ground up.”

He said he’s also got a robust offseason planned that including bringing in former NCAA champ Gene Mills for a training and instruction session.

“I’m looking to use that (event) as our cornerstone,” Cate said.

The Wolves also see the return of two upperclassmen on the girls side, with all-league junior Petra Bernsten back in the fold along with senior Aleah Chen, a state qualifier as a sophomore in 2018-2019.

Bernsten is 2-0 in her early season matches, Cate noted.

“She’s wrestling like a veteran; it’s a pleasure to see,” he said.

The Wolves’ turnout, like other sports, have taken a hit from a number of factors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, losing some potential athletes to students choosing to work and to other sports, Cate said.

Last year’s breakout grappler Isaiah Cowan, a state qualifier, was lost to injury in football.

“Another stumbling block is, if they didn’t do a sport right before this, they are gassed right now on the mat,” Cate said.

With so much inexperience on the roster, the Sequim coach said he works with other squads to make sure there are non significant mismatches.

“The coaches have been good to sit down come up with responsible pairings,” Cate said.

Winter sports preview: Sequim High Wrestling

Head coach: Chad Cate (first full year)

2019-2020 record: 0-8 (1 athlete to state)

Returners: Boys — Samuel Fitzgerald (so.), Brandon Linson (so.), Aaron Tolberd (so.). Girls — Petra Bernsten (jr.), Aleah Chen (sr.)

Newcomers: Boys — Ari Skov (fr.), Mirek Skov (so.), Riley Tadlock (fr.), Owen Tjemsland (fr.). Girls — Jordan Hegtvedt (jr.)

2020-2021 Sequim wrestling schedule

Date Opponent Time

May 5 at North Kitsap 7 p.m.

May 8 vs. Olympic 7 p.m.

May 13 vs. Port Angeles 7 p.m.

May 19 at Kingston 7 p.m.

May 26 at Klahowya 7 p.m.

June 2 at Klahowya 7 p.m.

June 5 vs. Bainbridge, Central Kitsap 7 p.m.

June 9 Post-season event (time, location TBD)