BELLEVILLE — The Sugar River Raiders return five letterwinners this season, including Mason Mau, who qualified for state as a freshman at 120 pounds last winter.

Matthew Loshaw (132), Avery Lettman (138) Alex Zielinski (182) and Carson Loshaw (195) also return. Some key newcomers include a quartet of freshmen: Blake Endres (106), Chase Doll (113), Brennan Keyes (126) and Ryker Swenson (152).

Graduated is three-time state qualifier Joe Quaglia.

Head coach Peter Swenson, now in his 11th year, said the team’s goals are to win the Capitol South Conference, then the Capitol Conference Tournament, and place in the top three as a team at the regional.

“Many members have been wrestling for many years, so experience will help out our young team,” Swenson said. 

Staying healthy through the season will be challenge, as one or two injuries could derail expectations.

Lodi, historically a wrestling powerhouse, is expected to contend for the conference title, as is Waterloo, which Swenson said returns good numbers and wrestlers from the past couple of seasons.