Wrestling is back in Bigfork.

The Vikings, who dropped the sport after the 2002 season because of dwindling numbers, open the Class B season tonight at 5 with a home dual versus Eureka. 

“We’ll have almost every weight class covered,” Bigfork coach Josh Feller said for the first match.

The open weight classes will be at 98, 106 and 220. Feller, however, hopes to have those filled as the season goes along.

“Pretty good,” he said on how things have come together thus far.

“I’m pretty excited about the coaching staff and the kids.”

Feller said the Vikings have pretty much kept the same number of wrestlers — more than 20 — on the mats for the past two weeks during conditioning and technique drills.

 “Most of the kids have wrestled before,” he said.

“It might have been six years ago for some of them, but they have enough (mat skills) to get them through these first few events.”

Bigfork also has a home dual on Tuesday with St. Ignatius. That match begins at 6 p.m.

“The real cool thing is they’re pretty athletic,” Feller said of his squad overall.

“Any one of the guys could surprise ... be a leader and a force for us.”

Three wrestlers to keep an eye on are Boyd Rieke, a senior, who will weigh-in at 195; Colton Woll, a junior, who checks in at 120; and Vinny Quirk, a junior, who will wrestle at 182.

The Bigfork program this year is self-funded.

Class AA’s mat season also starts today with new coaches at Flathead and Glacier. The Braves and Wolfpack host Butte in dual action at 2 and 4 p.m., respectively.

Ross Dankers, an assistant at Glacier last season, is at the helm this year.

Rich Vasquez takes over at Flathead.

“I think we have had a good, solid 10-12 days,” Dankers said of preseason workouts.

“We really pushed a lot of technique and had some long practices. They learned a lot.”

The Wolfpack have three placers back from last year’s team, which finished seventh at state. They are senior heavyweight Zach Dennehy, senior Tanner Stupack, 170, and junior Cody Decker, 132. All three placed sixth.

Glacier will have two open weights for its opener — 106 and 220.

“We had a decent turnout — 26 kids,” Dankers said.

“Obviously, we’ll be pushing for more. Everyone has experience, so that’s a good way to start out.”

Following the dual on Friday, Glacier heads to the Polson Invitational on Saturday. Action begins at 9 a.m.

“It’s exciting to start with a dual,” Dankers said.

“We look forward to Polson to hopefully get a bunch of matches in, get the ball rolling in a good way.”

Dankers says his team has lots of potential.

“I expect to see a lot of progression throughout the year,” he said.

“We’ll see a lot of growth as the season goes along. It’s a hard-working group, hard-nosed. They are willing to put in the time and effort to get better.”

Flathead is off to a good start with 43 wrestlers on the mat.

“A good turnout,” Vasquez said.

“I’m pretty happy with that. We have a good number of freshmen and sophomores. That’s where we want to be in the future.”

Flathead finished 13th at state last year. The Braves have no returning state placers.

“On paper, we don’t look that tough,” Vasquez said.

“But I think on the mat we will surprise some people.”

The goal this year is to finish in the top six at state.

“I’m excited for the season,” he said.

“The future is looking great for Flathead.”

Vasquez said the Braves have four talented freshmen in Hunter Rush, Cody DeVall, Mike Schmeusser and Cameron Mantel.

He said seniors Mitch Stivers, Axel Bladholm and Gavyn Wilson have provided strong leadership to date, along with juniors Dyan Guzman and Tyler Davis.

Flathead’s mat action continues on Saturday at the Helena Duals, which begin at 9 a.m. The Braves are guaranteed four matches.

Class A wrestlers are also on the mat tonight for dual action. Whitefish hosts Columbia Falls at 7 p.m. with Libby traveling to the Havre Tournament.