Arlington hopes to soar to top this fall season

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Eagles hope to fly above and beyond in tennis and cross-country with some of their returning players.

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Eagles hope to fly above and beyond in tennis and cross-country with some of their returning players.

Cross-country will return Nathan Beamer and Emma Janousek, who both ran at state last year. They will look “stronger than ever,” head cross-country coach Mike Shierk said.

“We are poised to have a strong showing within the Wesco 3A ranks,” Shierk said. “As always our team goals are focused on qualifying for the state tournament.”

Both the girls and boys teams will be stacked with new and veteran runners, Shierk said.

“We have a boys team with depth like we haven’t had in recent years.  With only one senior harrier on the boys squad we should be strong for years to come,” Shierk said. “The girls are equally tough with five of our top seven girls returning. The ladies look to do some serious damage this season.”

Meanwhile the Arlington boys tennis team will utilize some returning talent from last year, as well as developing fresh players this season.

Senior and team captain Connor Ghirardo finished second in regionals last season.

Arlington is looking to three sophomores to step up this season.

Isaiah Mitzelfeldt, Nick Mendro and Conner Gutheria are looking to be solid contributors, head tennis coach Sean Cunningham said.

Arlington is stepping down to Wesco 3A this year, which will alter the playing field.

“It will provide an interesting challenge for us as we will renew the rivalries with the Marysville schools and play our traditional rival, Standwood, twice,” Cunningham said. “I believe that Stanwood is the team to beat in 3A North tennis as they are a perennial league winner and have a tremendous amount of depth.”