With a returning state champion leading the way, the outlook for the Thompson Falls High Blue Hawks wrestling team for 2021 is promising.

After finishing third in the state at 113 pounds in 2019, junior returner Trae Thilmony jumped up a weight class last year and became a state champion at the 120-pound classification.

This year Thilmony will be wrestling at 132 pounds, with big things expected of the junior for the 2021 campaign.

Joining Thilmony among the ranks of returners with state championship qualifications are Shane Reishius (2019-20 qualifier, including at 145 pounds last year), Elijah Ratliff (132) and Dane Chojnacky, who qualified for the tournament last year at 182 pounds.

Those Blue Hawks help give oach Mike Thilmony a solid group coming back.

“We have wrestlers returning who have state tournament experience and we believe they can all do big things this season,” coach Thilmony said. “We also have some younger wrestlers who are improving each week and will be ready to compete.”

Many of those younger wrestlers, Thilmony said, have wrestled with area clubs for several years. Five of the up-and-comers are freshmen who bring a mix of experience to the team.

“I feel the youth we have will develop quickly,” he said. “We could be very competitive by the end of the year.”

As is the case with many area sports programs, working around the Covid-19 restrictions and keeping wrestlers on the mats will be a major challenge and concern.

“We want to stay healthy and get better each week,” Thilmony said. “We feel we have a strong team that can compete in the post season. We will be focusing on keeping everyone healthy throughout the year.”

With Trae Thilmony, the coach’s son leading the way, Mike Thilmony is confident he and others among the state qualifiers will help shape a winning team.

“We have great leadership among the state qualifiers from last year,” coach Thilmony said. “The guys with experience have been real good about helping the younger guys as they prepare for the coming season”.

The Blue Hawks are scheduled to open the season at Dillon, Friday, Jan. 8.