Just two weeks ago, Columbia wrestling head coach Harold Garwin had his team projected to win 16 matches, place high in the counties and districts, and to have shot at winning the Super Essex Liberty Division. Since then, five wrestlers, who were starters a season ago, have opted not to wrestle this season for a variety of different reasons, turning what looked like a promising season into a giant question mark. "I went from being very optimistic about having nine to 10 kids back, to now where we'll have to wait and see," Garwin said.

They will be missing starters from the 103-, 112-, 119-, 171- and 189-pound groups, leaving half of the starting spots up in the air to be grabbed by young and inexperienced wrestlers. After posting a 13-11 record a season ago, this year was poised to be a big one, with many starters returning. But now, the Cougars may be looking towards next year before this season even begins.

"It's disappointing to the kids from last year, who were looking forward to a big season this year," Garwin said.

One thing that the Cougar grapplers have going for them is the new conference, where they won't have to face a slew of Morris County schools. As members of the Liberty Division, they may still have a shot at the league championship, with no clear frontrunner emerging from the pack. According to Garwin, the Liberty Division will be much easier to navigate than was the Iron Hills in years past.

"I'm still looking to have a winning season," Garwin said. "I think we'll have a winning record in the conference since we're not in the Iron Hills anymore. It's like night and day for us… I still think we have a shot at the league."

On top of losing athletes to other sports, injuries or academic problems, four of the Cougars' top wrestlers graduated last season, three of whom had 20-plus-win campaigns.

But the team is not completely without talent. Andrew Adams, who wrestled at 103 in his junior year a season ago and won over 20 matches, is moving up to 119 this year. After reaching fifth vs. sixth match in regions a year ago, Garwin is hoping for him to take another step forward.

Co-captain David Goldenberg is at 131 pounds this season and won nearly 20 matches a season ago at 125. Garwin said that he should have a really good year.

Co-captain Omar Shabazz may be the top talent on the team, wrestling at 215 pounds this season. He placed third in the county and second in the district last year and won more than 20 matches. The other co-captain, James Goode, posted a .500 season last year at the heavyweight spot and placed fourth in the district.

Most of the other spots will be up for grabs through wrestle-offs, which began on Thursday and will continue through next week. While Garwin has tempered his hopes of a 16-win season, he still expects to field a competitive roster. He said that the team's success will depend heavily on the improvement of the underclassmen throughout the season.

Columbia's season begins on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Cranford High School.