Lakenheath's Lucius Bowman fights out of a hold by AFNORTH's Markuss Grebesz during the 165-pound final at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Last year could be considered a banner year for the Lakenheath wrestling program, as three Lancers grappled their way to the top of podium at the European championships.

Yet the team finished a distant sixth place in Division I with 116.5 points.

With two European champions coming back in seniors Lucius Bowman and Witt Hennig, the Lancers are hoping not only to build off the great individual accolades, but also accomplish a title as a team.

“The seniors, they are on a revenge tour this year,” volunteer coach Jacob Taylor said. “They really want that trophy that Ramstein took last year.

“We’re not going to compete numbers-wise. Once we get on the mat toward the end of the season when everybody knows what they’re doing and everybody get comfortable, I think we got a chance.”

After Saturday’s Raider Rumble at Kaiserslautern High School, the Lancers showed they could close the gap with powerhouses Ramstein and Stuttgart.

Lakenheath had five individuals win their weight classes, beginning with Bowman at 165 pounds and Hennig at 190. Joining them were European qualifiers Micah Rothas, a junior, at 120 and Sophia Yorko, a senior, at 150.

Another senior, Elijah Hutton, took first at 175.

Maverick Brady finished runner-up to Hennig at 190, and junior Gabriel Stanley came in second at 285 despite not practicing all week.

It’s the type of performance that gives the team confidence.

“I think we’re set up pretty well this year,” Yorko said. “I believe that we’re in the competition for D-I. Obviously, it’s harder because we’re a smaller school, but I think if everyone shows up and does what we’re learning, we’ll be able to execute.”

Executing is what Hutton did.

His junior campaign cut short by a meniscus tear, Hutton said he worked hard at physical therapy during the offseason. Once he was cleared medically, he hit the weight room to bulk up.

The hard work showed Saturday. Hutton posted three pins in his first three matches of the round-robin format and cruised to the title.

The injury didn’t motivate him so much as seeing the success of his teammates last winter. He said he has his eye on the Roman gladiator helmet.

“Last year, I saw the kids who wrestled and who won, they got to wear this helmet that coach gave to them,” Hutton said. “I just want that helmet.”

Wiesbaden's Daniel Garin puts Baumholder's Landon Moody in a lock duirng a heavyweight match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

AFNORTH's Richele Reyes controls Kaiserslautern's Dominic Bailey during a 120-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Kaiserslautern's Uno Tate grapples with Lakenheath's Natalia Maynes during a 113-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Lakenheath's Sophia Yorko tries to break out of the grip of Wiesbaden's Alex Brookhart during a 150-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Spangdahlem's Troy Truscott stands up as Kaiserslautern's Chris De La Torre holds on during a 126-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Spangdahlem's Caleb Truscott attempts to break the hold of AFNORTH's Richele Reyes during a 120-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Lakenheath's Gabriel Stanley looks up to his coaches while Wiesbaden's Daniel Garin holds him during a 285-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Lakenheath's Micah Rothas keeps Baumholder's Jason Danso from moving during a 120-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Alconbury's Edison Vega swings Raider Uno Tate during a 113-pound match at a wrestling meet on Dec. 9, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Yorko also was a dominant force at 150, cruising to victory.

She said she wanted to prove herself against the boys. She mentioned her goal of not only returning to the European championships but also placing in Wiesbaden in February.

Taylor said she also has a chance to impress colleges that have expressed interest in signing her. He told her to improve her standing among prospective schools, she must take care of business against the boys.

Mission accomplished on Saturday as she improved to 5-1 on the season. Even in the final against Wiesbaden’s Luke Freeman, the senior quickly flipped him in the first period and collected the pin.

“I was just thinking about getting home,” Yorko joked of her performance Saturday. “I wanted to give them something to worry about. A lot of guys aren’t worried enough about wrestling girls. I wanted to make sure that they had something to remember next time we have to wrestle each other.”

Whether or not the Lancers will close the gap to the top of Division I remains to be seen.

The team was missing a couple of its top competitors at Kaiserslautern. So, Lakenheath could improve its standing after the nearly monthlong winter break.

“We have a lot of returners from last year, so they know the mission, they know what they have to work on and they use it,” Taylor said. “They really push each other, and as a team, they strive for success.”