A more balanced league could make for an exciting year of wrestling in the new District 1/3A, and the Warrenton Warriors plan to be right in the middle of all the excitement.

Head coach Chuck Pike lost a few key wrestlers to graduation – including son Billy Pike, who was a district runner-up last season – but Warrenton returns some high-profile seniors and a handful of competitive juniors.

The DistrictThe new District 1/3A has a totally new look, and it’s one that could benefit a lot of schools.

Last year’s top three schools in the District 1/2A meet were Culver, Willamina and Dayton – and all three are now in a different district, leaving Neah-Kah-Nie as the top returner.

Sheridan and Amity are also no longer in the district, while Rainier drops down from the Cowapa League to join the 3A ranks. Colton and Gervais have also been added.

“Colton will probably be the new tough team in the league, and Rainier could be pretty good as well,” Pike said. “I’m hoping we could be right in the mix and possibly place if things go right.”

The OutlookLooks good for the Warriors, with three of their five district placers returning.

Senior Dan Wolfe placed third last year at 135, and will likely wrestle at 140 or 145 this season. He may miss some early action after suffering a concussion in a November car accident.

Junior Jorge Campos placed sixth at 145 and senior Nathan Massey was sixth at 215, and both return. The Warriors have two experienced wrestlers at 125 pounds in Jacob Bogh and Eric Bodell, who transferred from Seaside.

“I’m thinking we could send three to five guys to state,” Pike said. “Of course we’re expecting good things from Daniel and Nathan. Then Blake Higgins, Jorge Campos and Tyler Collier could win quite a few, and Beau Torres is real gung-ho about this year.”

Torres was lost to grades last year just before districts.

“Eligibility could be a problem for a few of our wrestlers this year,” Pike said. “If we can keep our grades up, I can see us competing really well in district.”

Warrenton will take part in the familiar tournaments this season, and will host a Clatsop County tournament Jan. 13 with Astoria, Seaside and Knappa.

The WrestlersWarrenton’s 2006-07 roster, with projected weights

Tony Nguyen, Fr., 103

Claudia Campos, Sr., 119-125

Eric Bodell, Jr., 125

Jacob Bogh, Jr., 125

Sparky Hankins, Fr., 125

Beau Torres, So., 130-135

Sergio Vasquez, Exchange student, 130-35

Travis Nelson, Fr., 135

Chris Parrish, Sr., 135-140

Dan Wolfe, Sr., 140-145

Jorge Campos, Jr., 145-152

Chris Marks, Jr., 152-160

Michael Pietsch, So., 152-160

Randy Solansky, Jr., 152-160

Tyler Collier, Sr., 160

Jimmy Bechtel, Jr., 171

Blake Higgins, Jr., 171-189

Nathan Massey, Sr., 215