COEUR d'ALENE - They've got six returning All-Americans (top-eight finshers at nationals) in their lineup, but the biggest concern right now for North Idaho College Cardinals wrestling coach Pat Whitcomb might be keeping his team healthy.

Mike Rodriguez (fourth at 133 pounds in 2011), Jarrett Morill (eighth at 141), Ryan Zumwalt (third at 157), Jake Mason (seventh at 165 in 2011, redshirted last season), Kyle Sweedman (runner-up at 174) and Caleb Rivera (seventh at 184) return for the Cardinals, who are the top-ranked team in the NJCAA preseason poll.

NIC is off to a 1-1 start this season.

"Right now, you look at the difference from the front line and if you can return that many All-Americans, you should be ranked No. 1," said Whitcomb, in his 16th year at NIC. "They've been through it and are off and running."

NIC’s last national title — and 14th overall — came in 2003.

After having a match postponed last week due to illness leaving Highline Community College unable to travel to Coeur d’Alene, the Cardinals are now fighting their own illness.

“We’ve got so many kids sick right now,” Whitcomb said. “We now have guys with mono, and two of them are All-Americans.”

Both Rodriguez and Mason could be out until the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Freshmen Nico Moreno (157) from Moses Lake and Jeremy Golding, a three-time state champion from Mead High in Spokane at 149, joined the starting lineup this season. V.J. Giulio, a four-time state champion from American Falls, will wrestle at 197 pounds as a freshman.

“Our freshman group has been surprising,” Whitcomb said. “But they’re all really talented.”

Brock Banta, who was one match away from placing at nationals at 133 pounds as a freshman two years ago, returns at 125 after redshirting last year.

“He’s back bigger and stronger,” Whitcomb said. “But he’s also sick and out with the flu this weekend. We just need to be careful with him also.”

NIC returns to action at the Powell Open on Saturday on the campus of Northwest Wyoming Community College.

“Right now, we need to be patient,” Whitcomb said. “We’re hoping to get Rodriguez and Mason back by Vegas and hit the ground running, but right now we need to remain cautious. Once we get them back, we’ll be healthy.”

Whitcomb is 209-40-2 as the Cardinals head coach after a 25-8 win at Montana State-Northern to open the season Oct. 25 and a 17-15 loss at the University of Great Falls the following day.

“We’ve got a bunch of good kids,” Whitcomb said. “Other than our fitness, I like what we’ve got right now.”

Post Falls High standouts Derrick Booth, who qualified for nationals at 149 pounds last year as a freshman, and freshman Tyler Booth, Derrick’s brother, who won a state title at 152 pounds last year, will redshirt.

NIC returns home next Saturday for the Cardinal Duals.

“If our guys have the illness and the only thing we’ve got is the tournament (at Powell), which is turning out to be a blessing,” Whitcomb said, “we’re looking forward to getting busy next weekend.”

The Region 18 tournament is Feb. 9 in Oregon City, Ore.

The NJCAA tournament is Feb. 22-23 in Des Moines, Iowa.