PREP WRESTLING PREVIEW: Mount Baker Mountaineers girls

MOUNT BAKER GIRLS

MOUNTAINEERS

Coach: Clyde Blockley

Last year: Finished second in the NWC standings with a record of 1-1. Finished second at the regional tournament and had 11 wrestlers advance to state. Finished fourth at the state tournament and had Nakasha Custer place sixth at 130, Alex Eyre-White place fifth at 285 and Raney Lepper won the 152 state title.

Wrestlers to watch: Raney Lepper (Sr., 155), Alex Eyre-White (Sr., 265), Dani Mata (Sr., 119), Rachel Hollingsworth (Sr., 145)

Outlook: Fresh off a fourth place finish at state last year, on paper, Mount Baker seems poised to enjoy similar success this season. The Mountaineers had 30 girls turn out this year, which Mount Baker coach Clyde Blockley said is the most they've ever had. Raney Lepper (155) headlines a group of talented seniors which includes Alex Eyre-White (265), Dani Mata (119) and Rachel Hollingsworth (145). Lepper won the state title wrestling at the 152 weight class last year and she figures to be in the mix again this season. After the core of Mountaineer seniors, Blockley said Mount Baker is a young team. "We have a solid team, but we are kind of young," Blockley said in a phone interview. "All the hard work we put in in the wrestling room usually pays off for us down the road."

2011 SCHEDULE

Dec. 2 at George Yonlick Tournament 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 at Yelm Tournament TBD

Dec. 7 at Burlington-Edison* 6 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Bellingham* 7 p.m.

Dec. 17 at Rogers Tournament 9:30 a.m.

Dec. 21 Mount Baker Invitational 9:30 a.m.

Jan. 4 Mount Vernon* 6 p.m.

Jan. 7 at Kelso Tournament TBD

Jan. 14 at Fife Tournament TBD

Jan. 18 at Burlington-Edison* 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 at Dream Duals 9 a.m.