By Ray Hamill — The Fortuna Huskies could be the best positioned of the H-DNL wrestling squads to challenge Del Norte for a league title this season.

The Huskies will compete in the prestigious Grants Pass tournament this weekend, as they continue to build momentum ahead of the league campaign.

And head coach Steven Stockdale believes both the boys and girls teams are poised to make some noise in the H-DNL.

“It’s a more mature team, I think,” he said this week. “They’re starting to buy into the process.”

The Fortuna boys team opened the season at the Battle at the Border Tournament in Crescent City two weeks ago and placed second behind the host Del Norte Warriors, and they followed that by tying West Park for first at last weekend’s McKinleyville Invitational Tournament.

Just one Fortuna grappler won his bracket in Crescent City — Mason Evanow, who placed first at 126 pounds — but they had seven wrestlers reach finals, including Cayden Spiers (106), Jordan Jacobs (113), Tyson Evanow (132), Jacob August (138), Mako Limon (157) and Kaysen Finley (215).

Spiers, Mason Evanow, Jacob August, Mathew Brightman and Dailyn Wallace are all expected to lead the way on this year’s team.

“I feel like we’re right there if everyone can stay healthy and eligible and focused, and I feel like it could be a good year,” Stockdale said.

The Fortuna girls are also expected to make some noise this winter as they begin to build momentum on the mats as well.

The team will be led by returning state qualifier Chloe Cox.

“The girls did well (at the Battle at the Border),” Stockdale said. “And they showed great improvement the next weekend.”

The H-DNL dual meet season gets under way in the new year.