The Nansemond River High School wrestling team had a strong 2012-13 season and returns a talented and experienced line-up this year.

“This is going to be, by far, the best team we’ve had at Nansemond River for a while,” said Warriors head coach James “Tripp” Seed, who was voted Southeastern District Coach of the Year last season.

He earned the honor after leading the Warriors to a 23-12 record.

The team lost three wrestlers, Graeme Beaman, Saquan Branch and Demetrius Ortiz, to graduation, but it will remain heavy in the junior and senior classes this year.

One of the reasons Seed is confident relates to the experience level of the squad across all the weight levels.

“Pretty much everybody starting this year for me was either a starter last year,” he said, or they still have experience on the mat as back-ups. Seed said he does not have many first-year guys wrestling in the starting lineup this year.

Seed is also confident in how his team will stack up against the new field of competition, resulting from the Virginia High School League’s realignment. Nansemond River will now only face teams from schools of like size in conference and post-season play.

The coach said the change waters down the competition, and while his team will have a challenging schedule, he expects them to be near the top of the food chain.

“We should be one of the top teams in the conference and one of the top teams in the region,” he said, also looking for a top five ranking in the state.

Senior heavyweight wrestler Caleb Repko, who last year won the regional championship and placed fifth in his first-ever state tournament appearance, will lead the 2013-14 line-up.

Seed expects big things from the only freshman in his lineup — 220-pounder Dia Gray.

“He should place at the state tournament this year, we think,” Seed said.

Other expected standouts include familiar names like senior Nick Garland, who will wrestle again at 120.

Senior Donya Craig will make the move up to 126.

“He was pretty big last year at 113, and he was having trouble making it toward the end of the year,” Seed said.

Junior Leon Lynch will fill the 160-pound slot, cutting down his weight after rolling at 170 last winter.

Junior Hunter Hill will take over for Ortiz at 138, having moved up there from 126.

Junior Jacob Clark will aim to fill the shoes of Graeme Beaman at 132.

Seed is still weighing his options on who will take over Branch’s slot at 145.

At the lighter weights, sophomore Malcolm Dawson will move into 106 and junior James Boone moves up to 113.

Because some wrestlers are still getting into shape and injuries are present, as well, Seed said, “We’re going to take some lumps at the beginning of the year.”

Of course, he anticipates this to be a minor issue.

“We should be ready to roll for January and February,” he said.

With a wealth of talent and experience in big matches, Nansemond River’s wrestlers simply need to perform up to their ability, Seed said.

Seed has a goal in mind, which he made clear after last year’s state tournament.

“Next season I want to win a state championship, and I don’t want to lose,” he said then.

His goal is to see even more wrestlers qualified for states this time around.

“I think if we can get seven to nine guys to the state tournament, I think we can win it,” he said.

The Warriors open up the year tonight, hosting a tri-match against Grassfield High School and King’s Fork High School.