Scott Stoner isn't one to make predictions. But this year, the veteran Butler wrestling coach can hardly contain himself.

"This could be our best year ever … could be," the 13th-year Golden Tornado coach said. "There's been a different complexion in the room this year and I'm excited about it."

Butler is coming off a 14-5 season — tying the program record for most dual match victories — and six wrestlers return with at least 18 wins from a year ago.

Four of those had at least 20 wins and one — sophomore Ian McLaughlin — posted a 33-7 record his freshman year.

"The state tournament is next for him. He has to get there," Stoner said. "His father has run him all over the place to big tournaments for years.

"Ian's used to big matches. Now's the time for him to break through."

McLaughlin will wrestle at either 119 or 125 pounds this season. He won the section title at 119 last year.

The Golden Tornado have never won a section championship as a team. They finished second in 2003. They may win it this winter.

"If our work ethic persists and we continue to develop, we have a shot," Stoner said. "I don't remember having a team with this many solid wrestlers coming back.

"We're capable of winning this section. North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Shaler … They're always good. But these kids believe they can win it and that's half the battle."

Besides McLaughlin, 20-win wrestlers returning for Butler include Rob Runyan at 112, Stewart Rapone at 130, Josh Coburn at 152 and Ryan Eck at 189.

Alex Evanoff (135) won 19 matches and Aaron Pascazi (152 or 160) won 18 a year ago.

Here is a look at area wrestling this season:

Coach:Scott Stoner, 13th yearLast year:14-5, third in sectionKey losses:Matt Kalin (17-17) at 171 pounds, Tom Hollerman (24-12) at 125.Prospective lineup:103-Davey Jaillet (freshman)112-Rob Runyan (soph,) 24-13 or Brian Nicelli (transfer from Brashear119-Nicelli or Ian McLaughlin (33-7) sophomore125-McLaughlin or Ken Rosenbauer (9-5) sophomore130-Stewart Rapone (20-12) senior135-Alex Evanoff (19-12) sophomore140-Jon Sanko (7-11) sophomore145-Josh Pascazi (unbeatyen in junior high) sophomore152-Josh Coburn (25-12) senior or Aaron Pascazi (18-12) senior160-Coburn or Pascazi171-Dave Coburn (8-11) senior189-Ryan Eck (22-14) senior215-Mario Quercio (20-8 in junior high) freshman275-Marcus Hough (14-17) seniorStoner says:"Other than 119-125 and 152-1690, our kids fall into place weight-wise. We do have a little depth in case we're hit with injuries. I like the attitude these kids are showing early."

Coach:Marty Ruley, 28th year, 219-110 recordLast year:12-3Key losses:Derek DeGraff (Slippery Rock University), Alec Miller, Matt Turek, Danny Wise, Kent UberProspective lineup:103-Johnny Pas, freshman, or Alec Alessio, junior112-Brady Fyffe, freshman, or Greg Bookwalter, freshman119-Robbie Miller (28 wins) junior125-Brandon Jones, senior130-Paul Johnson (co-captain) senior135-Brant Errera, freshman140-Charlie Baer, junior145-Caleb Kolb, freshman152-Beau Fisher (co-captain) senior160-Josh Miller, junior, or Justin Spencer, sophomore171-Jerry Biebner, senior, or Nick Miller, freshman189-Caleb David, sophomore215-Josh Woods, junior275-Justin Sterner, juniorRuley says:"All of the seniors we lost were four-year starters. We're hoping a lot of these freshmen turn into the same thing. We're extremely young, but sooner or later, people get old like me. We'll learn as we go."

Coach:Don Cooley, second yearLast year:14-15Key losses:Adam Smetana (West Point Prep), Nick LeonhardProspective lineup:103-Luke Salter, freshman112-Matt Perri (30-13) senior, or Luke Selker (15-15) sophomore119-Perri or Selker125-Alex Kokkinakkis (20-11) senior130-Open135-Ben Ziggas, sophomore140-Brandon Beisinger, junior145-Logan Giger (30-12) senior152-Marek Romatowski (510) senior160-Phil Armstrong, senior171-Open189-David Pisarcik (20 wins) senior215-Peter King (25 wins) senior275-Dan Crouthamel (15-15) senior, or Matt Whittington, seniorCooley says:"I always set higher goals than expected. We want to compete in our section and not only get some people to the state meet, but get a state placer this year."

Coach:Lee Mullett, second yearLast year:12-8Key losses:Mike Bianco, Frank SnyderProspective lineup:103-Grant Evans, freshman112-Steve Siato, senior, or Dustin Yelinek, junior119-Tyler Baldauf, sophomore125-Nick Minton, sophomore, or Steve Danlyo, junior130-Tim Gilbert, sophomore, or Russ King, sophomore135-Pat Coyne (20-8), junior140-Lee Layton (30-5), senior145-Frank Mullett (18-14), junior152-Dave Kovach, junior, or Ian Weber, senior160-Austin Kanfoush, sophomore, or Nick Perri, senior171-Zach Cahall (12-16) junior or Dale DiCicco, senior189-Ben Fallon, sophomore, or Ryan Scheller, sophomore215-Ian Whittaker, sophomore275-Phil Mignanelli (16-16) senior, or Zack Eckstrom, juniorMullett says:"We're hoping to post another record like last year's 12-8, which was a big improvement over the 6-12 and 4-14 marks the previous two years. We had 17 kids out last year and we've got 27 this year, so the numbers are picking up, too."

Coach:Fred Powell, seventh yearLast year:6-8Key losses:Jeff Becker (Old Dominion), Trevor Gallo (Mercyhurst), Jeff Kline, Billy LyonsProspective lineup:103-Chelsea Fuller (senior) or Ashley Fuller (freshman)112-Peter Didik (16-10) junior119-Josh Leonard, freshman, or James Brown, junior125-Adam Kummer, freshman130-Open135-Kyle Brenglinger, sophomore140-Steve Jones, sophomore145-Mike Ramirez, freshman152-Brandon Piekarski, sophomore160-Jarrod Vinroe (6-17) junior171-Chris "Boomer" Barron (13-12) senior189-Tyler Beachem, junior215-Patrick "Buddy" Kearney (19-9) senior275-Steve Kay, seniorPowell says:"We have very limited experience and only three wrestlers returning with winning records. Our goal is to teach these kids wrestling because most of them are very new to the sport."

Coach:John McCloud, ninth yearLast year:Approximately .500 recordKey losses:No wrestlers returnKey wrestlers:Delaney Huggins (189) and Ali Ellis (152-160)McCloud says:"Our goal is to be competitive with the other teams, but when you're in a section with Burrell, Valley and Shady Side, it's hard to do that. We target the month of February every year. The first part of the season is a learning experience for us. The second part is when we hope to really show up."