It doesn't take much to get Neil Wartnik to smile, but this year's Siuslaw Vikings wrestling team has the veteran coach grinning, ear to ear.

"This group is fun," Wartnik said. "They are respectful, hard-working, cooperative, fun young men. The group has great energy, and the energy is growing."

That energy will be unleashed this week with two demanding tournaments, Friday at the Deven Dawson Invitational at Harrisburg and Saturday at the Perry Burlison Invitational at Cascade (Turner).

"Our schedule is the most challenging one my team has ever faced," Wartnik said. "The next three weekends will be a stiff challenge — trial by fire."

The Vikings' 13-athlete roster is a balanced blend of promising newcomers and tested veterans, led by senior Richard Huff, the defending Class 4A state champion at 113 pounds.

Huff will wrestle at 126 and 120 pounds this season.

"Richard Huff does a great job setting the pace," Wartnik said. "His humility, kindness and work ethic are inspiring.

"He is doing a great job of passing on his love and knowledge of wrestling to others."

Other top returnees are senior Sal Sierra, junior Riley Jennings and sophomore Matt Horrillo, who Wartnik says are much improved over last season.

"We also picked up a pair of quality transfer students, (sophomore) Gavin Fletcher and (senior) Jay Goldblatt," Wartnik said. "They have excellent work habits and bring a knowledge of wrestling with them."

The Siuslaw coach is equally bullish on his youngest team members.

"We have the strongest group of rookies Siuslaw has had in a while," Wartnik said. "Sophomore Luis Infante and freshmen Brady Libby, Elijah LaCosse, Ryan Jennings and Christian Newlan trained with the team at summer training camps, and already train like varsity-level athletes."

The Vikings also are blessed with eight assistant coaches, including three newcomers, Coast Guard staff Scott Harvey and Rylan Burum and Siuslaw graduate Diego Santos.

"Their youthful energy has been so well received by the team," Wartnik said.

Other assistant coaches include Chris Rupp, David Burkett, Dusty Shingleton, Robert Forsythe and Thomas Jennings.

"As we enter the year, we realize that it will be important to allow our younger wrestlers to mature," Wartnik said. "We don't want to rush them into the varsity lineup.  We want to help them find joy in training and competing and help them learn to be winners one step at a time. 

"If we can stay healthy and gain lots of experience, by the end of the year this could be one of the finest groups I have ever coached."

A good reason to grin, ear to ear.

VIKINGS ROSTER
Weight class — athlete, year in school
113/106 — Brady Libby, freshman
120 — Gavin Fletcher, sophomore
126/120 — Richard Huff, senior
126/120 — Elijah LaCosse, freshman
132 — Patrick Hill, senior
145/138 — Ryan Jennings, freshman
145/138 — Sal Sierra, senior
152/145/138 — Jay Golblatt, senior
152 — Alexander Paasch, junior
170/160 — Riley Jennings, junior
182/170/160 — Luiz Infante-Marquez, sophomore
195/182 — Christian Newlan, freshman
285/220 — Matthew Horrillo, sophomore

2017-18 SCHEDULE
Friday, Dec. 1 — Deven Dawson Invitational at Harrisburg.
Saturday, Dec. 2 — Perry Burlison Invitational at Cascade.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 8-9 — Coast Classic at North Bend.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 15-16 — at Grants Pass Invitational.
Thursday, Jan. 4 — Far West League Dual at Douglas (Douglas, North Bend, Siuslaw)
Saturday, Jan. 6 — at Bend Invitational.
Saturday, Jan. 13 — Nick Lutz Invitational at Siuslaw (North Bend, Sheldon, Siuslaw, South Umpqua)
Friday, Jan. 19 — Siuslaw at South Umpqua dual meet
Saturday, Jan. 20 — at Sutherlin Classic.
Thursday, Jan. 25 — Philomath at Siuslaw dual meet
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 26-27 — at Cottage Grove Tournament.
Friday, Feb. 2 — Senior Night Duals (Siuslaw, North Bend, South Umpqua), 5:30 p.m.