Despite the many accomplishments a year ago, North Callaway wrestling is working hard to top that this season.

The Thunderbirds finished last season with two state medalists, three state qualifiers, a 13-3 dual record, six placings at tournaments and fifth in districts. Three also hit the 100-win mark in their careers and records also fell.

Head coach Ronnie Kimbley said the team this year has its fair share of leadership to offset graduating a big senior class.

“It’s going to be hard to top (last season), but these guys are working hard to do just that,” Kimbley said. “I was worried after last season losing such a large and impactful senior class, but the seniors and returning wrestlers have been doing a great job at bringing the underclassman along.”

Team captains for the boys are seniors Lane Kimbley and Tristan Young for the 24 total boys and sophomore Brooke Giboney and junior Abigail Schmidt for the four total girls. Ronnie Kimbley said that they have done great showing that leadership.

His son, Lane, has also done that by example with three state medals, including a third-place finish a year ago, to earn a spot with the William Woods wrestling program. He, Young, and junior and returning state qualifier Casper Safranski will be key wrestlers for the Thunderbirds’ lineup that has 1-2 projected open spots as they each finished first, third and second, respectively, at the Greater Missouri Conference meet last season.

“These three combine for a lot of wins for us and are great leaders on and off the mat,” Kimbley said. “They put in a lot of time during the offseason to get better, stronger and quicker.”

Giboney picked up the sport quickly in her first year a season ago, Kimbley said, and now is that dose of experience for North Callaway’s group of girls.

“She had a great offseason and came in with more experience and drive,” Kimbley said.

Kimbley said his wrestlers have some individual goals that include a first state win, state medal or even a state title, but there are also team goals like winning the program’s first conference title after finishing second at conference a year ago and finishing in the top 10 at state.

“I am expecting big things out of all the wrestlers,” Kimbley said. “Everyone is coming into the room with a great attitude, competing hard and getting better every day. We have a few that will be getting their first starts on varsity this year. It may take a few matches, but I believe they will settle in and have some success.”

North Callaway began the season on Monday at a Hallsville tournament and the boys start at the Ray Stockdale Invitational in Knob Noster. Both boys and girls compete in a quad Thursday in Versailles.