New coach, new year, high expectations. Chad Monteith returns as the Darrington High School wrestling coach after a three year hiatus from coaching. He will lead a team loaded with talent and experience.
Three state placers return including Johnny Loughlin at 112 pounds. Loughlin made it all the way to the state finals as a freshman and will likely wrestle at 119 this year.
Colton Palmer returns after a fourth place finish at state at 135. Hell wrestle in the 145 pound category this year.
Colton is a dedicated wrestler, said Coach Monteith. He spends a lot of time in the gym working with weights.
The last of Darringtons state placers is Conner Rounds, who took second in the 189 pound category last year. Rounds will compete at 215 this season after bulking up considerably.
Hes constantly lifting, said Monteith. Hes super strong. I like his chances for a state title.
Also attending the state tournament but not placing was senior Ashley Forrest.
Ashley was hurt at state last year, said Monteith. Shes a great wrestler and will wrestle at 103 pounds for us this year.
At 135 should be Cody Bryson. Bryson barely missed out on a state medal last season at the 125 pound level.
Cody hit a hard weight bracket, said Monteith. If hed wrestled at 130 or 135 he probably would have placed at state. It just happened that the 125 division had a lot of talent.
Up at 152 pounds will be senior Joe Dolph. Dolph is also an extremely strong wrestler, coming off a tremendous football season.
Joe is super strong, he just needs a little polish, said Monteith. Im going to work hard with him this year. Were all excited to see what he can do. I think he can get a medal at state.
Mathias Metzger will man the 189 pound division after playing line for the football team.
Mathias powerlifts in the offseason and has gotten a lot stronger, said Monteith. Hes a four-year wrestler. The key for him will be to lose enough weight to stay out of the same division as Conner Rounds. If they both wrestle different divisions it makes our team that much stronger.
The heavyweight division will be internally competitive with Moe Hyde and Scott Rebelbrugge competing for varsity space. Monteith said the competition is too close to call at this point, but likes his chances with either man.
Last year Darrington placed eighth in state as a team and Monteith is aiming even higher this year.
Were hoping to crack the top five, he said. Thats our goal. I think its realistic given the returners from last year. Id be disappointed if we dont place more kids on the medal stand than the previous three.
A lot of Darringtons football players will move over to compete for the wrestling team this winter. Monteith is hoping the success carries over.
Concrete will be tough in league, said Monteith, but I think we can give them a run for their money. Theyve won three years in a row, but I feel like this team can upset them.
Darrington will be traveling great distances in order to tackle some of the best competition around. Theyre already scheduled to attend tournaments in Oroville and Wahkaikum.
Well face some teams we dont normally get to see, said Monteith. I want us to be a strong team and we need to face the best resistance. Im going to work with the guys and preach aggressiveness more than in the past. I think its going to be a good year.

Head Coach:
Chad Monteith

Assistant Coach:
Andy West