The ISU wrestling team will compete in its first official competition of the season Saturday as it hosts its home tournament, the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open at Hilton Coliseum.

This weekend will be the first step in the Cyclones’ attempt to recover from last season’s 35th-place showing at nationals.

“Our expectations are high,” said ISU coach Kevin Jackson. “We want to perform at a very high level; we expect our guys to wrestle to their full ability, their full potential.”

The tournament is double-elimination with seeding based on the information submitted when the wrestlers are registered.

Last season, five Cyclones — four of whom are returning — earned titles at the Cyclone Open.

Redshirt sophomore Ryak Finch earned the 125-pound title last season in commanding fashion. He opened with a 17-0 technical fall, then went on to post two falls in the semifinals and finals.

Finch’s plans for this weekend are the same as last year: Dominate.

“Our goal is always to win every single weight class,” Finch said. “With a tournament like this, that’s got to be your mindset going in. I know that’s my mindset, making sure I’m going out there and dominating, getting all my attacks off and getting bonus points.”

Last season’s title-winners also included sophomore Shayden Terukina (133), redshirt junior Cole Shafer (197) and redshirt senior Matt Gibson (heavyweight).

Aside from these returners, Gibson said some other wrestlers are emerging as key contributors this season as well.

“There are a lot of guys stepping up, trying to take leadership positions,” Gibson said. “[Trent and Tanner] Weatherman, Boaz [Beard], [Michael] Moreno, Max Mayfield — all those guys are coming in here, and they’re trying to take leadership positions and even leading by example.”

Despite the Cyclones’ low number of upperclassmen, Jackson said the younger wrestlers have been through just as much as anyone and are ready to excel this season.

“We only have two seniors starting, but we’ve gained a ton of experience over the last couple years,” Jackson said. “There’s no surprises. All they know is they have to go out there and compete at a very high level every time; we can’t afford any inconsistencies.”

Wrestling will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at Hilton Coliseum, with doors opening for the general public at 8 a.m.