Most noticeable when walking into the Mt. Carmel High wrestling room is the sheer number of athletes – a virtual sea of red and gold running laps, doing pull-ups and drilling on the mats.

Always one of the more successful programs in the San Diego Section, the Sundevils wrestling team has experienced a popularity boost on campus from an unlikely source – the football team.

“They have been great to us,” Mt. Carmel wrestling coach Gail Miller said. “They understand the benefits of being a wrestler, and their coach (Darren Spence) has us come out and talk to the kids. In the end, it's a benefit to both programs.”

That has added to the team's population and made wrestlers more than just niche athletes on campus.

“It's something we take a lot of pride in,” said 140-pounder Brandon Hetzler, who finished second in section Division III last year and has aspirations of becoming a section masters champion. “There is a lot of excitement around this team, and I think we have a real good chance at making a run at a (section) title. That's our goal.”

It appears achievable, given the number of wrestlers Mt. Carmel will be throwing at opponents and the team's depth of talent.

With several Division III placers returning, the Sundevils move up to Division II this year because of an increase in enrollment. Many believe the team championship will come down to Mt. Carmel and La Costa Canyon, although Hilltop, San Pasqual and Orange Glen are expected to contend.

A lot of questions will be answered when LCC comes to Sundevil Arena for a Palomar League dual meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 17. During last year's meeting between the schools, La Costa Canyon rallied to beat Mt. Carmel.

“Before we can even start talking about masters or state, we have to focus on our league and then (section),” said Miller, a Mt. Carmel alumnus and 1992 state champion. “We're trying to build a team, not individual wrestlers. I think they are starting to buy into that and they believe that.”

Team captain Anthony Weber believes. The junior was on his way to a successful sophomore season but was derailed by a dislocated elbow. Now, with a strong supporting cast and confidence in the program, Weber said he and his teammates are poised for a strong season.

“We started fast and we just want to keep that momentum going,” said Weber, who won the 119-pound title at the Mira Mesa Tournament last month. “This is a fun team to be a part of. Everyone understands that we are a team first.”

The Sundevils also won the Channel Islands Dual Meet Tournament in Oxnard, compiling an 8-0 record to earn the title. In addition to winning a Division II championship, Mt. Carmel is eager to improve on its fifth-place finish at last year's masters meet.

“We're going to keep working and trying to improve,” Miller said. “We have big goals for this program, and right now we're just working on getting better as a team so we can meet those goals.”

Kevin Gemmell: (619) 718-5304; kevin.gemmell@uniontrib.com