Travis Filleau was the Sumner High School wrestling team’s sole contender at the state 2A tournament in the 2010-2011 season.

The 103-weight-class grappler’s achievement was doubly impressive considering he was a freshman, though he lost his first two matches and was bounced from the tourney early.

This season, Filleau will be in the 106-pound weight class, one of several weight categories adjusted by the National Federation of State High School Associations for the 2011-2012 wrestling season.

“Last (year) Travis had little to no practice partners,” coach Matt Harshman said. “This year he will have a lot of wrestlers. They will be pushing him and fighting for his spot.”

Harshman lost 145-pounder Tyler Hidalgo and 152-pounder Matthew Wilson to graduation last year, but he’s far from hurting for replacements: Forty-five athletes are on the season roster, 18 of whom are freshmen.

A.J. Atoigue (a potential wrestler for either the 152 or 160 weight classes) was noted as a promising varsity newcomer.

Filleau, Markus Forhan (for the 126 or 132 weight class) and Zach Wooding (145 or 152) were all noted as strong returning athletes.

“We are an aggressive team,” Harshman said. “We have many styles. (The skills we improve over the season) will all depend on the individual wrestler.”

The team’s first scheduled meet is a non-league duel against the Bonney Lake Panthers, to take place at Bonney Lake High School Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

For more winter season previews, be sure to pick up our Winter Sports Guide in the Nov. 30 issue of the Courier-Herald.