COEUR d'ALENE - There will be a lot of new faces in the North Idaho College wrestling lineup when the Cardinals hit the mats at Christianson Gym to open the season tonight at 7:30 against the University of Great Falls, but the pieces are still in place for another run at an NJCAA championship.

Brock Banta (133), Jake Mason (165) and Braden Mowry (141), all starters last year, are redshirting this season because of depth at those weights this season, NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said.

"We're looking to the future with those guys," said Whitcomb, whose Cardinals were NJCAA runners-up last year. "We'd be a lot tougher team this year, but we owe it to those guys to redshirt them this year."

Mowry, a Coeur d'Alene High graduate, is taking a year off from school, according to Whitcomb.

"We don't have a superstar like Jamelle Jones this year," Whitcomb said of the two-time national champion. "At least not yet. It's not like we don't have someone that could be, it's just not right now."

Ryan Zumwalt, a former University High standout and a two-time state and Tri-State champion, transferred from Cal State Fullerton.

Justin Korthius (184 pounds) and Matthew Foxworthy (285) will be counted on to lead an otherwise young NIC team.

“They’ve both been stepping up as leaders,” Whitcomb said. “Even (V.M.) Meyer getting to see some time last year, they’ve been through that program before. Justin had to start as a true freshman and with the experience he gained — they both need to win those tough matches.”

Johnny Peregrina (Coeur d’Alene), Derrick Booth (Post Falls) and Tristan Storrs (125, Lakeland) are backups, but could redshirt also. Freshman Kendall Nuss of Post Falls will redshirt.

“Our goal is to redshirt them, but you never know with injuries,” Whitcomb said. “All of them would be the second guys in their weight class.”

Mikey Rodriguez (133), Jarrett Morrow (141), Bryce McMahon (149) and Kyle Sleadman (174) earned starting roles during intrasquad scrimmages last week.

Rodriguez is a four-time state champ from Hillsboro (Ore.). Morrow is coming off an LDS church mission. McMahon was a state runner-up at Hermiston (Ore.).

NIC will also face Region 18 foe and defending NJCAA champion Clackamas twice this season in duals.

“We had two good duals against them last year,” Whitcomb said. “They’ll be really tough again. They bring a lot back and added to it.”

Iowa Western is another team that Whitcomb envisions contending for the national title in Rochester, Minn., on Feb. 24-25, 2012, at the UCR Regional Sports Center.

“It will probably be the normal characters,” Whitcomb said. “We’ll have to work and continue to stay injury free all season, but we face that every year. Nationals is a long, long, way away. With this team, we’ll take it one dual at a time.”