After a notable campaign last season, the ISU wrestling team will begin its quest toward the top of the collegiate wrestling rankings this Sunday.

The Cyclones wrestle Upper Iowa at 2 p.m. in Council Bluffs. For two Cyclones, this is the perfect way to start the season.

Twins Trent and Travis Paulson will take the mat at Council Bluffs Lewis Central High School, wrestling in front of plenty of familiar faces.

“We’re really excited, I think we have a really good fan base there,” Trent said. “We’ve got a lot of supporters that are ready to see the Cyclones.”

Trent, ranked seventh at 157 pounds, won two state championships while wrestling at Lewis Central.

Travis agreed that the homecoming should be an exciting experience.

“I’m pretty sure it’ll be sold out, from what my parents have said,” Travis said. “I’ve had e-mails from teachers that are really excited to have us back home.”

Although the gym might be the same, the competition for the brothers will not be.

Upper Iowa may not be a NCAA contender, but coach Bobby Douglas and the Paulson brothers are going to be taking this meet very seriously, Douglas said.

Trent echoed Douglas’ thoughts.

“We’re not going to take them lightly; we’re going to go out there and wrestle them like we do everybody else,” he said. “I think the results will take care of themselves.”

Travis said he uses one of his coach’s sentiments as a rule for every competition.

“Every match you go out there, like Douglas says, and act like you’re facing a national champ,” he said.

This Sunday’s meet in Council Bluffs should be a huge aid in the Cyclones’ in-state recruiting efforts, Douglas said.

“These things are nothing new; this is something that has happened in the past and was successful,” Douglas said.

“We’re starting to make really great strides in in-state recruiting, and this is something we feel will be a great tool for us to use.”

Travis, an All-American last season at 157 pounds, will wrestle at 165 pounds this season, though his position at 165 pounds is not secure. Travis will have to earn his spot at 165 pounds by wrestling teammate Nick Passolano.

“I’m excited, when you have a tough competitor at the same weight class, it just makes both wrestlers try that much harder to make the team,” Travis said.

Travis claimed three high school state championships in his time spent on the mat at Central High School.

Both Trent and Travis were named Amateur Wrestling News High School All-Americans in 2002.