Steamboat Springs — Soroco wrestler Jace Logan may have taken some of his opponents by surprise last year as a freshman, at least early in the season.

He won’t have that luxury for a single match this year. Runner-up at the state championships a year ago at 145 pounds, Logan will be one of the Rams’ leaders this year, and his opponents will have their eyes on him from the moment he walks into the building.

“He’s a leader no matter what room he’s in, but now everyone knows who he is,” coach Jay Whaley said. “They’ll know who he is, and they’ll be after him.”

Logan is one of eight athletes out for wrestling this year in Oak Creek, and one of two state qualifiers returning to Whaley’s practice room. Lane Martindale, a senior, is also back after a trip to the state tournament in Denver.

“Lane’s tough,” Whaley said. “He’s a senior now, so he’s pretty mature, and he’s been practicing with Jace, so that’s made them both pretty tough.”

One of the most unique members of this year’s team may be a newcomer, Schuyler Carlson.

A junior who at 6-foot-4 inches tall towers over many of his classmates, Carlson wrestled in middle school but is out for the high school team for the first time.

“We expect a lot out of him,” Whaley said. “He’s a pretty good athlete, and he’s hanging in the room. He doesn’t know everything yet, but he’ll be fine.”

Veterans Kane Williams, Dalton Ray and Jesse Amrein, and a pair of freshmen, Gene Bracegirdle and Tristan Singer, round out the team’s roster.

The team travels to Middle Park this weekend for its first action then turns around to play host for a tournament Dec. 10 at Soroco High School.

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253, email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @JReich9