Get ready to root for a former warrior.

Righetti High School graduate Jeff Wilson is one of the castaways who will try to outwit, outplay and outlast each other for the ,1 million prize on "Survivor: Palau" which premieres Feb. 17 on CBS.

A personal trainer now living in Ventura, Wilson, 21, was born in Santa Barbara.

He moved to Ventura when he was 3, and later moved to Santa Maria.

He played on the football team at RHS and after graduation, continued his studies at The National Academy of Sports Medicine.

While efforts to find a teacher or former coach who could offer some insight into how Wilson might fare on the show proved fruitless, a look at some of his personal stats via the CBS Web site could be useful.

At 21, Wilson is the youngest castaway this time around. The oldest is 57.

This could help, or hurt, the personal trainer, depending on who he tries to align himself with.

In previous seasons, age definitely separated the tribes into "young" vs. "old" factions, aiding to victory and defeat on both sides.

While brawn (think Colby and Boston Rob for example) has no doubt helped contestants in winning challenges, it has likewise been viewed among fellow contestants as a major threat and has sometimes led to player banishment.

So Wilson/s strength and athleticism could prove beneficial or detrimental.

Wilson could also be included in a couple of potential voting blocs, including the "California alliance" (Wilson and three others are from the Golden State), or perhaps even the "my-first-name-has-double-letters alliance" (which would, besides Wilson, include Ashlee, Gregg, Bobby, Jennifer and Willard).

That Wilson is single might also work for, or against, him.

Wilson is one of several current and former Santa Marians to appear on reality shows 77 a list which includes Josh Souza of CBS/ "Big Brother" fame, and sisters Tory and Taylor Thompson, who appeared on the Fox talent show "American Juniors," in 2003. Their talent and likability earned them a record deal.

Some major changes are promised for the latest installment, which is set in the Pacific Island nation of Palau, including the participation of two additional contestants for a total of 20.

The most recent "Vanuatu" and "All-Stars" seasons included 18 castaways, while the previous editions of the reality show stranded 16 individuals in an exotic locale.

Other alterations, however, remain a mystery.

During the live "Vanuatu" finale, host Jeff Probst promised that in Palau, "the game will be changed in a dramatic way. Everything the survivors have come to expect will be wiped out in the first 10 minutes."

One hint: The press statement says three castaways could be sent home in the first episode.

In addition to his career as a trainer, Wilson is also a brand representative for a major clothing company.

He is also a member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

For some more personal tidbits about Wilson, such as his favorite colors (blue and candy apple red), fruit (strawberry), and more, as well as information about the other contestants, check out www.cbs.com/prime time/survivor10.

* Staff Writer Britt Fairchild can be reached at 739-2220 or by e-mail at bfairchild@pulitzer.net. The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Jan. 21, 2005