Poplar Bluff senior Paul Swesey returns after winning the district title at 171 pounds and finishing sixth in the MSHSAA Class 3 state tournament. (Brian Rosener/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor

Even with nine returning starters, including three state qualifiers, Poplar Bluff wrestling coach Brian Wisdom isn't convinced the lineup in the season-opening match Thursday night at Dexter will be the same throughout the winter.

"I've got a good set of kids coming up," Wisdom said. "I can't say the lineup is going to stay (the same) because it comes down to who wants it bad enough."

The challenge matches for the starting spots during the preseason have been some of the toughest Wisdom said he's seen in quite a while.

"The freshmen that just came up, they don't play around," Wisdom said. "They're coming up trying to take a spot and it shows."

The Mules are anywhere from two to five wrestlers deep at all the weight classes but most of that depth is in the lighter divisions, Wisdom said.

"Someone needs to have a growth spurt," he joked.

Poplar Bluff features just one returning senior in Paul Swesey, who was a district champ and earned a sixth-place medal at state last season.

Zach Surque, now a sophomore, and junior Brandon Bounds also return after qualifying for state. Also returning are juniors Colton Woodsmall, Cameron West, Jordan Henningson, Dallas Berry, Kelton Thompson and Dylan Janes along with sophomore Storm McClure.

At least one freshman, 103-pounder Ethan Swingle, will start Thursday.

"They're fighting real hard," said Swesey of the new wrestlers. "They're the toughest freshmen I've seen so far coming up."

The competition for starting spots should help a team that finished seventh in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 tournament last season.

"It's going to make it more of a tougher wrestling room, meaning that the guys are always going to get challenged for their spots," Wisdom said. "They can't ever take a day off because if they do, they could lose their spot."

Just about every returning starter moved up a division this season starting with Surque, now at 112 pounds, Woodsmall (119), McClure (125) and Bounds (130). West returns to 135 pounds while Henningsen moved up to 140 and Berry to 145.

Brent Wagner, a senior, moves into 152 pounds while Shawn Phillips also joins the team at 160. Brennan Moore takes over at 171 with Swesey starting the season at 189.

"Paul is looking good," said Wisdom of the three-time state qualifier. "He gained a little weight. We're getting that weight off him (and) hopefully by district he gets down to 171."

Thompson is back at 215 while heavyweight Janes also returns for the Mules, who host just two matches this season -- Dec 18 and Jan 24.

After opening at Dexter, the Mules travel to Farmington for a tournament on Friday and Saturday. Wisdom said he'll be able to see where his guys stand after the first week but wouldn't mind if there are a few lineup changes.

"I hope for that," he said. "You always got kids working harder and listening a little bit more."