The Lakeland High School wrestling team is exceedingly young this year, which was a fact contributing to why the scores were lopsided in its tri-match on Wednesday against Grassfield High School and host Great Bridge High School.

The Cavaliers fell 70-12 to the Wildcats and 68-12 to the Grizzlies.

“We didn’t quit in any of our matches, so that was good, but we definitely have things to work on,” said new Lakeland coach Nathan Hoffman.

He noted a coach is never going to say he is happy with losses like those, but he did see positives coming out of the tri-match, not only in his team’s perseverance, but also just in its opportunity to face teams like Great Bridge and Grassfield.

Hoffman said it “lets our young kids know, ‘OK, this is what elite looks like.’”

Getting the wrestlers necessary to fill all 14 weight classes has been a struggle for Lakeland in the past, but it filled 11 weight classes on Wednesday, and “I’m able to fill 13 when everyone’s healthy,” Hoffman said.

“Our numbers are actually really good as far as the team goes, especially for Lakeland, but we’re just very young,” he said.

Between the varsity and junior varsity teams, Hoffman said there are close to 20 freshmen. Five of them are on the varsity roster, which also includes three seniors, three juniors and two sophomores.

“We’re just a very young team, and we’re learning and kids get excited, and they’re dedicated, and I’m enjoying working with them,” the coach said.

Notable departures from last season’s squad include Ironclad Conference Wrestler of the Year Blade Hubbard, who graduated, and coach Jamaal Jones, who relocated out of state.

Prior to moving to the area, Hoffman coached wrestling for four years at Stone Memorial High School in Tennessee, helping lead the Panthers to three conference championships. He also helped the young school to have its first wrestler to place on the state level a couple years ago.

Originally from Colorado, he wrestled for 10 years as a high-schooler, placing fifth in the state tournament as a junior and fourth as a senior in the 189-pound weight class.

Hoffman was an assistant strength coach for two years at Tennessee Technological University, and he also has experience coaching football.

He said once he moved to Hampton Roads, “I was looking for a head wrestling coach position, and I teach math, and so Lakeland was a good fit.”

In terms of his expectations for how Lakeland will perform this season, he said, “I really don’t know,” given the youth of the team.

But he has seniors to help lead the way for the younger participants, and those seniors include Bruce Odom, who wrestles in the 132-pound weight class.

“He’s probably one of our strongest — pound-for-pound — that we have on the team,” Hoffman said, noting Odom is also quick, with pretty good skill and technique.

Senior Travis Jones returns and is trying to get his weight down so he can move from the 285-pound class to the 220. The coach hopes Jones will be able to make that transition just after Christmas.

“He’s got a good work ethic,” Hoffman said.

Senior Devin Harden wrestles in the 138-pound class and is a good leader, the coach said.

Hoffman said inexperience, especially lack of wrestling knowledge, is the biggest obstacle his team will have to overcome to be successful this season.

Lakeland currently holds a record of 0-5 but made it a challenge for Western Branch High School, only losing 39-34.

The Cavaliers will be back in action on Wednesday, wrestling against Oscar Smith High School and host Nansemond River High School.