Whether Kandie Kujawa returns to the White River High wrestling mat is unclear, but the senior, who finished eighth at 140 pounds at the state tournament in February, should inspire the dozen other Lady Hornets in the wrestling room.

Kujawa suffered a knee injury during soccer season and has undergone surgery.

“We don’t know if she’ll be back,” coach Joe Klein said. “It depends on how quickly she heals and how her therapy goes.”

She isn’t the only returnee to the program. The Hornets bring back state participants senior Sam Lovelace and sophomores Jesslyn Blue and Danielle Garner. Lovelace was also named to the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association academic all-state wrestling team last season.

Two more – Cami (spelling?) Padgett and Mikaela Kilcup – missed the opportunity due to injuries.

“They’re excited and working hard,” Klein said of his group. “If they continue to work hard, I think they’ll do some great things.”

A bonus for the team is graduate Shantel Allstot landed herself a spot on the team at Yakima Valley College.

The league could present some challenges, as Enumclaw finished fifth in state. In the past, the two teams have not matched up well, White River heavier in the lighter weights and Enumclaw filling out the upper part of the bracket. That’s how much of the league stacks up as well. With that in mind, most of the girls’ competition will come from Saturday tournaments.