Jay Gibson was preparing for the worst.

At the beginning of the season, the Norman North coach said the Timberwolves would be rebuilding. Question marks were everywhere after nine starters graduated from a team that qualified for Dual State.

But every week, Gibson’s squad has defied expectations. North started by routing a Norman High squad that was ranked for the first time in years. Then came a 13th place finish at the Cliff Keen Nationals in Kansas City and a top 10 finish at the prestigious Geary Tournament.

North then beat Edmond North last Thursday to wrap up the district championship. Not even ranked to start begin season, the T-Wolves are now projected No. 6 as a dual team and No. 7 as a tournament squad. The district title also means that North will be back at Dual State Feb. 8 at Yukon.

“Every week I’ve just kind of believed in this team more and more,” Gibson said. “Losing nine starters, you’d think we’d have a lot of work to do, but our big guns have come through and our younger guys have stepped up.”

The big guns would be fourth-ranked (by OKWrestle.com) Matt Dragg at 140 pounds, No. 3 Josh Sublett at 152, No. 3 Chad Wright at 171 and No. 1 Colton Cline at heavyweight. Skyler Hoss is ranked sixth at 215, but has not wrestled since before Christmas due to a lingering hip injury. Gibson does not expect him to return.

All of North’s ranked wrestlers are seniors but Kennedy, a sophomore. North has six sophomores in the lineup and two freshmen. That’s eight of 14 weights.

“They’ve done a really good job,” Gibson said. “They’ve accepted their roles and we’ve become a really tough team.”

Gibson always thought his younger wrestlers had talent, but didn’t want to throw them on the mat too soon. But they’ve helped North get back to Dual State. Gibson said North was one of only five schools to reach Dual State in back-to-back seasons.

“That’s a pretty good accomplishment,” he said. “That lets us know that maybe we aren’t the best, but we’re one of the elite programs.”

And, barring injuries and defections, North should stay that way for the forseeable future.

“We told our sophomores that they could be the first group in school history to go to Dual State all four years,” Gibson said.

North’s sophomores include Kennedy, Sterling Wright at 119, Kyle Christian at 130, Aaron White at 135, Chase Webb at 160 and Spencer Bladow at 189.

Important dual