CARLSBAD – The person who is perhaps the most influential in La Costa Canyon's wrestling room doesn't even go to the school anymore.

CRISSY PASCUAL / Union-Tribune Bryan Grubbs (top) goes through a practice routine with Ben Locicero at La Costa Canyon.

When Elliott Dennis graduated last season, after finishing second in the state tournament, he left a blueprint for hard work off and on the mat that the next generation of LCC wrestlers has been studying very carefully.

“How could you not want to look up to him?” asked junior Tim Randall, Dennis' former workout partner and LCC team captain. “I learned so much from watching him. For the older kids, he set an example, and I'm trying to follow that and be a team leader. And I think the younger kids saw what can be accomplished with hard work.”

With a very healthy balance of youth and experience, the Mavericks look poised for one of the stronger seasons in school history. They return a masters champion in sophomore Bryan Grubbs, who took the 103 pound title as a freshman, and a slew of talented wrestlers who gained tremendous varsity experience as freshmen and sophomores.

“I think there is a lot of good energy right now,” said coach Dwayne Buth. “We seem to have that perfect balance. The kids are excited and having fun, and I think if they keep working hard and wrestle to their potential, this could be a pretty good year for us.”

So far, it's looking good. The Mavericks took first in the Western Invitational in Modesto last weekend. Grubbs (103), Randall (145) and Shawn Foster (215) all won individual titles.

Grubbs, who entered the week ranked No. 6 in the state, knows there are a lot of expectations for him to carry the Mavericks, despite being just a sophomore.

“I'm OK with having that target on my back,” Grubbs said. “I think if I go into the year thinking I'm going to do exactly what I did last year, I'm going to fail. This is a new year with new goals. Of course, I'd like to be a masters champion again. But I also want to do better at state and place this year. If I linger on what I accomplished last year, none of that can happen.”

The Mavericks' starting lineup will likely consist of four seniors, four juniors and six sophomores. But that doesn't concern Buth.

“I like that these kids all feel like they can build on last year and keep it going,” said Buth, whose team finished fourth in masters and second in Division I last season. “When you are spread out like that, you have consistency in your program and you're able to sustain a high level. That's what we're hoping for.”

Because the school's enrollment dropped this year, the Mavericks will move to Division II for postseason competition, where early predictions put them against Mt. Carmel for a San Diego Section title.

“I'm not one to make predictions,” said Buth, a former state champion from Mount Miguel High. “Mt. Carmel is loaded and very talented. There is Poway, and then there are about four or five teams that are sort of jockeying on the second tier. I think we belong in that group.”

Of course, the Palomar League title has pretty much already been delivered to national powerhouse Poway. Or has it?

“Why not make this the year,” Randall said. “We might not beat Poway this year, or next year or 10 years from now. But every year we have to go in thinking this is the year we can do it. If we don't, what's the point? We have to believe we are a team ready to make a move. And I think we are.”

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