The Lions made strides in their second season under coach Aron Helmrich, sending eight wrestlers to the Class 1A state tournament.

Half of that contingent returns, including sixth-place finisher Cael Stricker, plus Jack Gogel, Cade Happel and Caleb Brown. Senior Jackson Knapp made state in 2023.

“Our wrestling room looks tough; we’ve got a lot of experience coming back,” Helmrich said. “That allows us to get into it every day. The first week has been really fun.”

Lisbon was ranked No. 7 in 1A by IAwrestle.com.

“I think we can be higher than that,” Helmrich said. “I think we can be Top 3 if we have guys wrestling as hard as they can.”

And the Lions are already hyped to learn they are hosting one of 12 1A District meets at the end of the season. Home mat advantage is real.

Lisbon should have a full lineup, and then some, Helmrich said. It is the last go-around in the Tri-Rivers Conference before a move to the River Valley next year.

And that may change the non-conference schedule a lot, too.

“Most of those River Valley teams are 2A, so next year we’ll need more tournaments with 1A teams in them for 1A seeding criteria.”

Lisbon returns 13 letter-winners, and has some new faces off the JV squad who are ready to wrestle varsity, and a few freshmen who will be in the conversation. That includes Brogan Boots, younger brother of state qualifier Tiernan.

“I don’t think he feels the pressure,” Helmrich said. “He’s ready to hang out and enjoy wrestling.”

Adrian Armstrong, Eldin Bower and Oliver Finnebaker may push for lineup spots, too.