It's a strange mix that just could work.
The Helias Crusaders have just two seniors on their wrestling roster this season. But it will be a veteran team that starts the season tonight against the Hannibal Pirates and Warrenton Warriors at Rackers Fieldhouse.
"It's a little strange," Helias coach Bryant Gaines said. "But we've got a lot of guys who have varsity experience.
"We've got a better attitude than we've had in a while. I'm really looking forward to having a good season."
Zack Carr and Nick Schnieders are Helias' seniors.
"Zack and Nick are leading the team in all the drills and are doing a good job of leading the team," Gaines said.
The two are part of a what figures to be a good Helias lineup.
"I think we're solid from 106 up to the upper weights," Gaines said.
The Crusaders return four state qualifiers, including two-time medalist Evan Winder. Winder, a junior, has medaled twice at 106 pounds but will move up at least two weight classes this season.
"It's going to be different at a heavier weight," Gaines said. "He's been at one level, but if he works hard, he can get to another level.
"But his work ethic is bigger and this will be a big season for him."
Randy Salaz, Dustin Luebbert and Jackson Careaga are the other returning qualifiers.
The Helias lineup later in the season should include:
Gavin Adams, a sophomore, will start at 106.
Aleksey Salaz, a sophomore, will go at 113.
"I want to get him to wrestle up to his capabilities and he'll do very good," Gaines said.
Winder will start at 120.
Randy Salaz, a junior, will wrestle at 126.
Carr will be in the lineup at 132.
"Zack is ready to have a big senior season," Gaines said.
Luebbert, a junior, will wrestle at 145.
Jackson Careaga, a sophomore, will be at 152.
Nick Schnieders at wrestle at 160.
Garrett Schnieders, a sophomore, will start at 170.
Colden Imhoff, a junior battling a broken finger, will wrestle at 182.
Noah Wieberg, a junior, returns to wrestle at 195.
"Noah got some valuable experience last year and we're looking for him to have a better season," Gaines said.
The Crusaders are looking to fill the spot at 138. Helias will be open at 220 and heavyweight, likely for the season.
"We don't have any big guys, we're going to be giving up two weights this season," Gaines said. "It's just tough to get the big guys out."
Jacob Schrimpf and Nate Distler could figure into the lineup mix later in the season.
"We're going to have some backups that could move into the lineup," Gaines said.
Helias has just 21 wrestlers out so far.
"It's not the numbers we would like, but the 21 we have are pretty good," Gaines said.
Gaines doesn't want to project how many the state qualifiers will have just yet.
"I don't want to guess yet, I want to see them wrestle a few matches," he said. "I think we're looking good right now, but I want to see what they can do against other competition."
Action will begin at 5 p.m. today with Hannibal squaring off against Warrenton. Helias will then wrestle Hannibal before taking on Warrenton to finish the action.
Helias will then be tested in tournaments the next two weekends, heading to Fox this Friday and Saturday before hosting the Missouri Duals on Dec. 8-9.
"Fox will a tough tournament, a good test for us at the start of the season," Gaines said.
Helias will also host the AAA Championships in late January.