The Enumclaw boys wrestling team is on a mission this season and it is called back-to-back.

The Hornets are on a quest to win back-to-back 3A state championships after taking the crown home last season.

“(The) wrestlers are hoping for back-to-back state titles; they are working toward that goal everyday,” coach Adam Eilers wrote in an email. “We would like to be (South Puget Sound) league champions as well. That is a title that we haven’t had in a few years and we would like to get it back. There are tough teams standing in our way (Sumner and Auburn) co-league champions last season.”

Enumclaw has some top-rated wrestlers who are looking for individual titles this season.

Senior Kyle Opland took third last season at 113 pounds and sophomore Quinton Southcott took third at 120 pounds. Both will be looking to move up to the top of the bracket.

Junior Jake Treece took second last season at 126 losing to teammate Hunter Haney, who graduated in June. This should be Treece’s year to stand on the top step.

Tanner Turnbow and Levi Ward each made the state bracket and are expected do well out this season.

“All are looking great in the room right now and all of them seem to be on a mission,” Eilers said.

GYMNASTICS

The Enumclaw gymnastic team will continue the legacy of excellence this season with top-form returning gymnast and gifted young athletes.

Coach Regina Chynoweth wrote in an email, “I believe we once again have a lot of talented and hard working gymnasts who will live up to the Enumclaw standard of excellence that has been set since the beginning of our program four years ago.”

Since the program was founded the Hornets have not finished below second as a team at the state meet. The Hornets won the state title in 2012 and 2013. The team took second at state last season, in 2014 and 2011.

There are 27 gymnasts on the team this season include returning seniors and captains Victoria Hernandez, Tianna Johnston, Alicia Woodford and Melissa Dion.

The girls are working hard and will once again be a force in the division as a team and individually.

Chynoweth is in her first year of coaching the Hornets. She has been coaching at Peak Gymnastics and previously at the Enumclaw Gymnastic Center.

SWIM AND DIVE

The Enumclaw boys are posting top times in the pool as the season is ready to get under way – a very good sign.

The Hornets swim and dive team include a impressive group of athletes that will make a mark this season.

Coach Jesse Nitz is looking at a group of likely state competitors.

“We graduated a very talented group of seniors last year, however, our returning swimmers have come back ready to fill their shoes,” Nitz wrote in an email. “There have already been several lifetime bests in practice, which has gotten everyone really excited to compete. There is so much potential in this young team. I fully expect to continue our winning ways and likely have several swimmers in the finals at the state championships.”

Senior Brandon Vick is the captain and Nitz said, “He holds the school record in the 500 yard free at 4 minutes, 57.05 seconds. (He is) a returning state qualifier, very hard worker and natural leader.”

Sophomore Ethan Horan is a top competitor in sprints and a returning state qualifier. Nitz said Horan is packed with potential.

Sophomore Nathan March is a backstroke specialist and Nitz said his hard work and “attention to technique have yielded huge time drops.”

Reuben Madewell, a junior, gives the Hornets a double threat as both a diver and swimmer.

“A very good racer,” Nitz said. “If the race is close he can be counted on to touch first.”