MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Mountlake Terrace wrestling team is going be a work in progress this season.

The Hawks graduated one of their most talented senior classes and come into the season with nine first-year varsity wrestlers, according to coach Kanoe Vierra.

Those nine include several juniors and sophomores who are new to the sport and some freshman who have middle school experience.

While most of the Hawks likely will be spectators at the Class 4A state championships, there is a good chance the team may still make the trip to the Tacoma Dome in February anyway.

Mountlake Terrace has won the state academic championship four out of the last six years, including 2003 when the Hawks compiled a 3.328 GPA. The award is given to the school with the highest team GPA in its enrollment classification.

In addition, one of last year’s seniors, Joe Kim, was Mountlake Terrace’s first two-time individual state academic champion.

The emphasis on school work starts at the top and is a total team effort, encompassing the coaching staff, teachers and wrestlers.

“After high school a lot of them are not going to be wrestling,” said Vierra, who is in his sixth season as head coach. “They’re going to have to depend on their education. We’re trying to get them to be lifelong learners.

“We try as a coaching staff to work not only with them on the mat but off the mat.”

Academics have to take priority over practice, said senior co-captain Theo Smith.

On occasion teammates may come up to Smith in the hall and inform him they are having trouble with a class and won’t be able to attend practice.

Smith tells them to “just come (to practice) when you can as long as you get your grades back up.”

Vierra encourages his wrestlers to take advantage of study clubs and any extra tutoring opportunities. The coaching staff also makes it a point to help out in any way it can.

“We encourage them when we travel to bring a book or bring some homework along, especially the varsity wrestlers,” Vierra said. “As the JV guys are wrestling, they can be doing some homework or doing some reading.”

The emphasis on academics hasn’t hurt Mountlake Terrace on the mat. The Hawks finished second at last year’s sub-regional tournament.

“It shows that we can work hard on and off the mat,” said senior Shad McVay. “I like to work hard for myself personally. I kind of want to win the academic state championship this year. I was close last year.”

Both McVay (125 pounds) and Smith (160) had a 3.5 GPA and earned state academic honorable mention recognition last year. In many ways the two are typical of the kind of wrestlers Vierra enjoys coaching.

“They’re good kids. They’re not going to get Division I scholarships,” Vierra said. “But they’re going to excel in whatever they do. They’re not the most gifted athletes. They just worked hard all four years, not only in wrestling but in the classroom.”

McVay advanced to regionals last year, while Smith was an alternate.

Even though the Hawks are young, McVay sees plenty of potential in his teammates.

“I know they all have the ability,” he said. “It’s just up here in their heads … as the season goes on and as long as everybody keeps working hard and we keep improving our technique, we’ll have a fighting chance.”

Smith also sees a good work ethic in the younger wrestlers.

“We’re a well-conditioned team this year,” he said.

But given Mountlake Terrace’s overall lack of experience, Vierra acknowledges the season will be a challenge.

“If we win it’ll be a total team effort,” he said. “Each individual will have to perform at their peak for the team to win matches … it’s up to us as coaches to help these kids to keep their focus and keep positive.”