Hillcrest High’s wrestling program combines fresh faces with state title experience to give its coach some high expectations this season.

Last winter, the Hillcrest girls finished third in the state, establishing themselves among Utah’s top programs. The Huskies return three of its four girls state champions, sisters junior Katie and senior Eva Zimmerman and senior Eleni Nonu — and added twin sisters, Caroline and Cassie Pastrana, another state champion and state contender, respectfully. The seniors transferred from Cyprus High.

Coach Nick Pappas said the new additions should make an immediate impact.

“We’re working through some eligibility to get them ready to go as soon as the season starts,” he said.

The twins are expected to strengthen the lineup without displacing returning talent.

“Caroline wrestled Eva during Eva’s sophomore year in the state finals and she lost to Eva. Then last year, she wrestled Antonia (Ingabire, who graduated) a couple times throughout the year. We know them well and they should spot in at weights where we don't have anybody,” Pappas said. “With Eliza (Zimmerman) graduated, we traded one state champion for another state champion.”

Eva Zimmerman continues to be a national-caliber athlete as she represented Team Utah in national duals in Fargo, North Dakota.

“Eva took fourth at a big national tournament over the summer and then just placed seventh at the Super 32 invitational. She’s leading our team as an All-American,” Pappas said.

She could become the Huskies first four-year state title winner in girls wrestling.

“We also are expecting great things, a good chance to be champions again, from Katie and Eleni this year,” he said.

As the season opens, Pappas believes the Huskies can contend for a 5A state championship.

“We have a chance if things go our way,” he said. “We had 11 girls at the state tournament last year; if we get some more girls in the room and get them to progress quickly, I think we can do it.”

While the girls have become a powerhouse, Pappas said the boys’ team is looking for a bounce-back year after rebuilding with several first-year wrestlers.

“We graduated four seniors, but we have our state champion, Moroni Mahe,” he said. “He's ranked No. 1 in the state at 215 pounds.”

Mahe headlines a roster that includes veterans Xander Shafizadeh and Cam Carrell and freshman Isaiah Zimmerman, continuing the Zimmerman family’s wrestling tradition.

“It was kind of a rough year last year for us with a lot of kids who have never even wrestled before,” Pappas said. “This year, it’s going to be an improvement. The kids have been working hard in the offseason and are more prepared for this upcoming season. We’re not a top team by any means, but we will see improvement.”

This year’s key matches for both squads, he said, will be Battle of the Axe at Brighton on Dec. 11 and Rockwell Rumble, Jan. 16-17, 2026. Also, for the girls team, matches on Dec. 3 versus Mountain Ridge, Jan. 15, 2026 against Wasatch and the Dec. 18-20 Reno Tournament of Champions.

Much of their offseason training comes from other sports or lifting on their own. In season, Pappas ensures his wrestlers are challenged daily.

“We run 2 miles before every practice,” he said. “We practice for two hours a day when we don't have competition. If there are kids who want to work in the morning, I'll show up early to let them drill for an hour or so.”

Pappas emphasizes life lessons, leadership and mental growth. His captains will read “Courage Is Calling” by Ryan Holiday.

“The plan was probably going to stick with the book, and then just have them write a little note in the book to pass on to the next future captain,” he said.

Pappas also brought in a mental performance coach.

“We talk about finding the baseline, how to block out some noise,” he said. “It seems generic, but he did a great job of explaining to the kids before every session, kind of what the team needed, and then did a good job of being flexible to have questions.”

As Hillcrest continues to climb into the standings and chase state titles, Pappas appreciates his team.

“I definitely have a different group of kids than probably most other sports,” he said. “Wrestling is a tough thing, and they’re awesome. I’m lucky to have the kids who I’ve been able to work with, and they continue to still come out, even though it is difficult.”