Tenth of a point — Winning Williams’ way

Pins are overrated.

It seems to me that they are the baseball equivalent to the adage the chicks dig the long ball.

Everybody likes to see the most points somebody can score with one swing, or in wrestling’s case, one move.

It takes real talent, however, to dominate your opponent for six minutes rather than catch him trying to do something flashy and put him on his back.

At least that is what Shaun Williams said after seeing his Arlington boys wrestling team turn the corner to finish in fourth place of the Wesco North with an upset win over Marysville-Pilchuck Jan. 28.

“If I could win every match by 1 point, I’d be happier than getting 12 pins,” Williams said. “Because it shows that we know how to wrestle.”

In that case, Arlington wrestled the way Williams wanted and eked out a 30-24 upset by seeing nearly every match through to its limit.

And in doing so, they have completely changed their outlook from just two weeks ago.

I was at the Eagles’ 57-16 loss at Snohomish just two weeks ago. I saw the look of despair on their faces — and anger on Williams’.

After watching Arlington take down Marysville, I can understand Williams’ frame of mind after the match when he questioned his wrestlers’ drive. They have showed the following week, when they also defeated Stanwood, that they have the talent to be near the top of the Wesco North.

It seems as if Arlington’s wrestlers are just starting to realize what Williams has seen for months, and at the right time. Those boys were jumping up and down, cheering their teammates on and creating an energized atmosphere.

It takes time to gain the confidence to win, especially if it comes six minutes at a time.

Contact Arlington Times Sports Reporter Travis Sherer at tsherer@marysvilleglobe.com or 360 659-1300 Ext. 5054.

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