The Siuslaw Vikings wrestling team opens its season today (Thursday, Dec. 1, hosting North Bend and Reedsport at Glenn Butler Court.

North Bend and Reedsport duel at 5 p.m., followed by Siuslaw vs. North Bend and then Siuslaw vs. Reedsport.

The meet is one of two the Vikings will host this season, the other the annual Nick Lutz Memorial Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Brookings-Harbor, Junction City, Lincoln, South Umpqua and Taft are entered in that event.

The Vikings have a second meet this coming week, on Saturday at Cascade. Crescent Valley, Junction City, North Marion, Stayton and Thurston also are entered.

Veteran Vikings coach Neil Wartnik has 15 wrestlers on his roster for the 2016-17 season, including Eyza Abbas, Douglass Barnett, Joaquin Cervantes, Mystic Debary, Clark Hooper, Matthew Horrillo, Richard Huff, Riley Jennings, Kainan Lane, Matthew Morales, Quincy Rusk, Salvador Sierra, Scott Simmons, Nick Steinman and Samuel Testa.

"This is a group that is slim in numbers but solid in work ethic and cooperation," Wartnik said. "We are becoming a true team, and I am excited to see them compete.

"We have several individuals who are very good — Richard Huff, Scott Simmons, Kainan Lane.  Riley Jennings and Salvador Sierra are much improved.  Matthew Horrillo and Quincy Rusk are very good newcomers.

"Eyza Abbas is an outstanding wrestler as well and will compete for a spot on the men's roster as well as compete in women's tournaments."

Assistant coaches are Chris Rupp, David Burkett and Dusty Shingleton.

NOTE

Wartnik was bullish on his just-completed Li'l Toads program, which attracted 80 elementary-school children. "Our high school and middle school standouts — along with Dane Muller — did an outstanding job of providing direction for them.  We are excited to begin our local mat club this week."

SCHEDULE

• Thursday, Dec. 1 — North Bend, Reedsport at Siuslaw
• Saturday, Dec. 3 — at Cascade Perry Burlison
• Friday-Saturday, Dec. 9-10 — at North Bend Coast Classic
• Friday-Saturday, Dec. 16-17 — at Grants Pass Winter Kickoff
• Thursday, Dec. 29 — at Elmira Girls Tournament
• Thursday, Jan. 5 — Far West League at Brookings-Harbor
• Saturday, Jan. 7 — at Alsea Bay Classic, Waldport
• Saturday, Jan. 14 — Nick Lutz Memorial Invitational at Siuslaw
• Saturday, Jan. 21 — at Sutherlin Invitational
• Tuesday, Jan. 24 — at Philomath dual meet
• Wednesday, Feb. 1 —Far West League at North Bend
• Friday-Saturday, Feb. 3-4 — at Cottage Grove Invitational
• Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11 — at Special District Tournament, South Umpqua
• Friday-Saturday, Feb. 24-25 — at OSAA Class 4A State Wresting Championships, Portland Memorial Coliseum