Two of the three Ellsworth wrestlers head coach Steve Thorburn took to the 3-2-1A State Tournament at Hays during the 2018-19 season will return this year.

Both Tyler Walford and Morgan Kelley were state qualifiers. The two, along with Brendan Tripp, will be seniors and team captains.

Thorburn also expects Teagon Nienke and Brad Vopat to be strong returning wrestlers for the Bearcats.

A lack of numbers could be Ellsworth’s biggest challenge.

“We will have a small team due to some kids not returning to wrestle this year,” said Thorburn, who is in his fourth year as head coach, following a decade as an assistant coach.

“This hurts us for duals and in the practice room.”

He said the league teams to beat in the North Central Activities Association are Minneapolis and Beloit, both tough and technically sound teams.

Ellsworth’s junior varsity team participants in the Salina South Tournament Dec. 7 and the Minneapolis Invitational Dec. 14. The varsity wrestling team is out of town Dec. 21 for the Russell Tournament.