Cape Girardeau Central High wrestling coach Drew Lilledahl is not about to say that his program has gotten over the hump.

But Lilledahl, entering his third season at Central, does believe the Tigers are definitely moving in the right direction.

"Last year we finished the season with about 20 or 25 kids in the whole program," he said. "This year's we've probably got 50 kids. It's the first year I'll have a full JV and it's the first year I'll have people fighting for positions. It's a dogfight in our wrestling room every day. I'm excited because our younger guys are really pushing the older guys.

"We're definitely going in the right direction. It looks to me we'll have a pretty solid lineup. As far as vying for the conference title, that's probably a couple years off. But this is definitely the strongest we've been since I've been here. We're trying to get the community excited about wrestling."

The Tigers, who open the season Tuesday at home against Murphysboro, Ill., went 5-5 in dual matches last season and sent one wrestler to the state meet.

Senior 189-pounder Matt Strickland returns after qualifying for state a year ago and he's joined by a host of other senior returning regulars from last season.

Other seniors are Keith Benton (112), Eric Henry (125), Greg Chenoweth (130), Troy Sikes (160), Alex Elfrink (215) and Craig Knoth (heavyweight). Chenoweth missed last season with an injury.

Three sophomores were varsity regulars as freshmen: Paul Miller (103), Jamell Austin (152) and O.J. Turner (171). Another returning grappler is junior Josh Goodrich (145).

Lilledahl is also looking for good things from four young wrestlers who figure to battle for varsity spots: freshman Kevin Allen (119-125) and sophomores Hoss Hodges (103), Nick Harter (135-140) and Leeland Woelk (135-140).

"We're looking forward to the season," Lilledahl said. "The guys have all been working really hard."

The Tigers have a new assistant coach this year in former Central wrestler Josh Crowell, a two-time state qualifier for the Tigers.