EL PASO -- For the second consecutive year, El Paso will host the best high school wrestlers in the area when they meet up at the Region I championship tournament on Friday and Saturday at Del Valle High School.

The grappling will begin at 9 a.m. both days, with finals set for 4 p.m. Saturday. The top four individual placers in each weight class will move on to the UIL State Championships on Feb. 26-27 in Austin.

Last year, Chapin placed second on both the boys and girls sides. While the Huskies are hoping for a repeat performance, coach Angel Nevarez is impressed with his girls, who are ranked No. 1 in El Paso.

"To tell you the truth, I think this is a stronger group than last year's," Nevarez said. "We are taking eight, instead of the last year's 10, but these eight are a stronger bunch."

Chapin was runner-up to Amarillo Caprock, which is expected to be in contention once again, along with Hereford and Amarillo Tascosa.

"Granted, (Caprock is) the seven-time state champions, but they aren't the same as they were last year," Nevarez said. "There will be tough teams there, but it always comes down to who wrestles their best."

Irvin coach Don Gwynn said this week's practices are mostly used for preparation.

"We cut our practices a little shorter to save their legs," Gwynn said. "You can't teach them anything new now; you've just got to fine-tune what they are doing."

Twelve of last year's state qualifiers on the girls side were underclassmen from El Paso, including three from Chapin.

The Eastwood boys team, ranked No. 1 in El Paso, has hopes of taking down Canyon Randall, which won the regional title last year.

"We got a handful of kids who have their sights set on state," Troopers coach Roman Villa said. "That would be the ideal way to end the season -- wrestling for a state title."

Leading the way will be junior Andy Rico. Last year, he was the state runner-up in the 135-pound division, but this year he is competing at 145. "Our kids are ready, I think. They are excited," Villa said. "We're hoping to take more than a couple to state."

The Troopers qualified 11 for the regional tournament, but Randall and Franklin each sent 14.

Franklin's SP Martinez and Justin Carreon qualified for state last year and are geared up to go back. "Our goal is to go in there and do our best to peak at the right time," Franklin coach Jesse Almodovar said. "We've got to have a good Friday and Saturday."

Aaron Bracamontes may be reached at abracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6381.