With 11 starters returning, Elder wrestling coach Dick McCoy sounds optimistic about his squad as the season starts this week.

Four state qualifiers return for the Panthers, including state placers senior Tommy Pretty (projected at 125) and junior Orlando Scales (215).

“The team looks pretty good actually,” McCoy said. “This is probably one of the best returning groups I have had in a long time.”

Elder finished ninth at the Division I state meet, which was the highest in school history.

McCoy said Scales has continued to show improvement heading into the season.

“Scales has improved tremendously,” McCoy said. “At the start of last year he was a first-year varsity starter who did not even place in the Coaches Classic, then he went on to a third place finish at state.”

McCoy said Pretty was on the Ohio national team and performed well during the offseason.

Other returning wrestlers include Jake Schultz (103/112), Doug Meyer (135), Tim Pope (140), Dominic Gorrasi (145), Tony Pope (152), Pat Conners (160), Matt Hofmeyer (171), Ryan Jameson (189) and Eric Berding (285).

“We are looking good, but we have a few injuries so the early season may be a little tough at the start,” McCoy said. “But I think as the season goes on we will get everyone back in the lineup and be ok.”