Five veterans return to the Enumclaw High girls wrestling squad and, with a year under its belt, the team plans to make an impact on the South Puget Sound League 3A and the state.

“We have a year of experience and it’s showing this week,” coach Jerry Scheidt said after an early practice. “We hope to advance some girls to the state tournament this year.”

The Hornets, in their inaugural season in 2007-08, would have likely sent Jennifer Paterson to state until she suffered an injury. Paterson, a senior, was ranked among the state’s best and pinned the state’s fourth-place winner a number of times during the season. Paterson returns to the Hornets’ lineup.

Also back are junior regional participants Rose Johnson and Alicia McDougall, who were a whisper away from making the state tournament in a very tough weight class.

Sophomore Carson Seitz and junior Breanna Flaquinti also return.

Scheidt also has a number of newcomers out like senior Addie Donohue, juniors Chantelle Bailey and Mary Nygaard and freshmen Kasandra Renfrow and Logann Erskine. He’s also signed up manager Kaela Shoe.

Scheidt is excited about the growing program. This year there will be a 171-pound weight class, bringing the total to 11. Plus, the girls should see more competition with several more teams coming on board and a number of all-girls tournaments being set up. Plateau-area schools are looking to host an all-SPSL girls wrestling night, but until they set a date they will participate in the one already on the calendar for Jan. 9 at Auburn Mountainview. The Hornets also plan to participate in tournaments Dec. 13 at Foss High, Dec. 27 at Jackson High and Jan. 17 at Hoquiam. That’s in addition to the dual meets and tournaments they compete in side-by-side with the Hornets’ boys team. The Lady Hornets’ first contest is Saturday at Emerald Ridge.