SHORELINE — Many of the Shorecrest wrestling team’s top performers from last season are long gone, but the Scots landed a state champion in the offseason.

Too bad he can’t suit up.

Marcus Requa, a former state champion at Edmonds High School, has replaced Brent Busby as head coach.

And though the team’s numbers have dipped a bit from recent seasons, Requa has been impressed by the commitment exhibited by a core group of grapplers.

“I’ve been seeing some good things in a lot of the wrestlers,” Requa said. “They’re working hard in their matches. They’re not giving up.”

The Scots lost one of their two state qualifiers to graduation, regional qualifier Travis Meske moved to Oklahoma and injuries have knocked a few more potential returners out of commission.

Despite the departures, Requa remains optimistic about the 2003-04 season and the future of the program.

It was just two years ago that the Scots came out of nowhere to finish second in the Western Conference 4A South Division. Shorecrest went 4-5 last season to tie Jackson for fifth.

“My goal is to get established, to let people know this is a program that’s going to be here for awhile. This is a program that is built on a foundation of success,” Requa said.

“Success won’t be based on wins and losses. It’s based on the groundwork to get those wins.”

That’s not to say the Scots won’t have any wins to celebrate. With a handful of experienced individuals, Requa expects Shorecrest to be a competitive tournament team.

David Reiben started the season by winning five of his first six matches at 171 pounds. Three of Reiben’s victories were by pin.

“He’s real good at staying in position when he’s on top and knowing when to continue on top or to give up a point and let them get away and start over,” Requa said. “He worked real hard over the summer and it’s showing.”

Senior Cameron Nakata finished third at Northwest Districts and second at regionals at 130 pounds as a junior to clinch his first berth to the Class 3A state tournament.

“He’s working hard to getting back to where he was last year,” Requa said.

Other standouts for the Scots include Colin Sternagel (152 pounds), Eric Gurr (140/145), Dan Cliney (119) and Curtis Wong (112).

“Those four are excellent workers,” Requa said. “That’s really what I look for in my kids. As long as they’re working hard and working to improve, that’s the key.”