North Callaway boys wrestling has state qualifiers and more who emerge.

Of the 25 boys in the program this season, head coach Brock Davis said most of his team from last season is returning and he only lost one of North Callaway’s four state qualifiers.

Ben Haubner is back, state medalist Gunnar Wenneker returns and state champion Collin Moore will have high expectations again. However, the high expectations don’t just fall on them.

“I have really good leadership on the top end for sure,” Davis said. “Honestly the biggest strength of this team is the middle-of-the-road guys because they are above average on every mark and even better than that in some ways. The schedule that we wrestle and district that we’re in, they don’t necessarily get to shine like some other districts would.”

Kellen Long is a senior transfer from Butler who is a three-time state medalist and has won at least 100 matches and his sophomore brother Hunter Long has wrestled on the national level. Davis said Wyatt Haden is a senior who he expects to be a contender for a medal this season.

Davis said there are some freshmen who are looking solid for a diverse group this season. He said Bryson Twillman and Leyton Crane catch his eye at the lower weights.

North Callaway won a couple of tournaments last season and finished second in conference. Davis said this team can shoot for more tournament victories and a conference championship.

“There are a lot of middle-men guys who aren’t necessarily standout state champs, but they are tough as nails,” Davis said. “It’s a bummer they get looked over because I’ve got really good kids in the room, and they’re some of them.”

Davis said Carver Safranski, Vince Houchins and Aiden Wimmer can surprise some and add to the type of winning culture he wants at North Callaway.

“Obviously, we want to keep winning,” Davis said. “We’re trying to set a culture around here. It’s not necessarily just winning but doing the right things to get there like doing things the honest way and working hard to get there.”