The Northwest College wrestling team has had a longstanding tradition as one of the top junior college programs in the country. However, as the 2021-22 season starts next week, they will field their smallest team under coach Jim Zeigler’s tenure, with just eight rostered wrestlers.

The Trappers will start their season on the road, with a Tuesday dual at Montana State University — Northern. NWC’s wrestling will then return home to take on Western Wyoming on Friday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. and will follow that up with a dual against the University of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m.

Next weekend’s matches will be the team’s only home contests until the last weekend of January, when the Trappers host the Apodaca Duals.

Returning this season in the 197 pound weight class will be Ryker Blackburn, who Zeigler expects to be competitive and potentially reach the podium at the national tournament at the end of the season.

Other returners for the Trappers include two top performers from Utah in Traycee Kenten Norman at 285 and August Harrison, who experienced some matches in rotation at 149 last year.

“He [August] is a great kid and has turned into a real leader for this team,” Zeigler said.

The Trappers are also bringing in new competitors in Brian Benevidez, Ivan Lee and Avery McSpadden all at 125 pounds, Kendall Cummings at 133-141 and Dyllin Broughton at 149.

Zeigler said he does not expect to win many, if any duals this year as the Trappers will be leaving about half of the weight classes open. Instead, the team will focus on individual success and scoring points at the national tournament.

Unfortunately for the Trappers, they will be without Zeigler as their head coach for the first four contest dates of the season. He is finishing the second half of a suspension handed down last season, after 10 wrestlers used a sauna in violation of NJCCA rules.

Zeigler is still able to practice and travel with the team, but will be unable to be in the building or coach at competitions until the second day of their road contest at Rock Springs on Saturday, Nov. 13.George Laughlin will be stepping in as the coach until Zeigler returns.

“He [Laughlin] has been with me for 25 years and has helped the team so they are in capable hands,” Zeigler said.

He said the mixture of COVID-19 and the suspension led to difficulty recruiting, but he’s hoping this transition year can help to rebuild the program as they focus on individual achievements.

“It is difficult, but I just hope everybody remembers how hard these kids are working,” Zeigler said, “and they are doing a great job.”