If the motto “experience matters” holds water, the Sumner wrestling team has little to mind going into the 2012 winter season.

Last season, the Spartans sent five wrestlers to the State 2A tournament at the Tacoma Dome. Four of them—Travis Filleau, Jacob Unger, Jeremy Jackson, and AJ Atoigue—are returning to the mat.

Atoigue, who wrestled in the 152 pound weight class, led the Spartans’ performance with a fifth place showing at the WIAA tournament. Jackson, 132 pounds, took eighth place and 106-pounders Filleau and Unger were knocked out before they could place.

Coach Matthew Harshman noted Zach Wooding, who competed at 145 pounds last winter, as a wrestler to watch this season.

“We expect to compete for a league title and make a presence in the state tournament,” Harshman said.

Last November, the wrestling team saw gangbusters enrollment, especially from freshman; after a year of growth, Harshman expects those novice seeds to bear varsity fruit.

“We have a lot of wrestlers who are ready to step up and become notable varsity wrestlers,” Harshman said. “We just need to wait and see when they get their chance.”

David Sandberg joined Harshman’s coaching staff this season as an assistant.

Preseason, the Spartans already held their Purple and Gold scrimmage Saturday, and will soon hold their annual Ed Arima Invitational. This year’s tournament will consist of eight teams, including Cascade Christian, Klahowya, Todd Beamer, Decatur, Enumclaw, Kent-Meridian and Westview High School of Portland, Ore.