RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers' varsity wrestling team doesn't begin its season until January, but that isn't stopping them from getting ready.

This past week the Lancers participated in a team scrimmage to go along with scheduled practices, and the early returns have head coach David Moore feeling optimistic about his team entering the season.

"We're feeling good," Moore said. "We've got a lot of returners, and that's really helpful because we also have some beginners. But the coaches have passed it on to the seasoned wrestlers to pair off with the younger guys and help them understand the moves. That's what is going to make them better and a lot of our veterans have really stepped up and answered that call. It's made my job a lot easier and that's why I'm feeling really hopeful about this season."

Currently, the Lancers' wrestling squad has 33 players on its roster and may even add more. Standout returnees figure to include seniors Simon Cuevas and Matt Haunt, as well as junior Marc Haunt. Junior heavyweight Matt Ross, as well as senior captain Atziry Chavez  round out what looks to be a competitive top of the roster for Cordova. The team is still figuring out which weight classes certain individuals will be competing in, according to Moore.

When asked about his goals for his team this season, Moore eluded to keeping things in perspective and letting the rest play itself out.

"I want the new kids to have fun with the sport and appreciate the development of personality that comes from the sport," he said. "The idea of being able to push ones self beyond their limits. That's what this sport does and that's what I want these kids to realize. For the seasoned wrestlers, it's about building off last year and learning from the mistakes that stopped us from going on in the postseason. My goal for them is to get to that next level of the postseason."