BRODHEAD — The Cardinals were just 1-5 last wrestling season, but return three sectional qualifiers: CJ Streuly, Marcus McIntyre, and Cole Hoesly, a state qualifier at 182.

In total, nine wrestlers return this winter, with another six newcomers competing for a spot on the varsity roster.

“Success will hopefully breed more success,” Brodhead-Juda coach Chris Hoesly said, adding that his expectations for this season are to be “competitive whenever we step on the mat in duals or tournaments.”

He said the roster is filled with wrestlers that get alone, and the simple camaraderie will play a major role.

“Being a close-knit team who will sacrifice for each other” will be a strength, as well as having “leaders that will show the younger kids how it’s done,” Hoesly said.

The Cardinals will try to fill all the weight classes this season, a feat rarely done in recent years. Other challenges include getting “everyone to buy in that duals are team-first,” and having to rely on the underclassmen to carry some of the heavy load that bears.

Hoesly expects Evansville and Whitewater to again be in play for the conference title. For anyone else to have a shot, it would take 14 quality wrestlers able to step onto the mat.

“You need to fill weight classes, and no one has proven they can hang with Evansville,” Hoesly said.