ARLINGTON First-year head coach Doug Byers has a look of intimidation inside the AHS wrestling workout room that feels like a sauna.
His instructions to the male and female grapplers with a commanding voice could be mistaken for military boot camp, but it only takes a mere five minutes to crack a smile on the Arlington High School teacher.
Wash your uniforms on a daily basis and put them in the washer for your mom dont make the same mistake I did and let her handle the dirty and sweaty thing, Byers told the group of about 45 at a recent practice.
Byers son wrestled for the Eagles and the elder Byers said after being a volunteer coach for years life wasnt busy enough and wanted to try his hand at the head coach position.
The 2006-07 team is reloading in a lot of ways after graduating 12 seniors from last year and also dropping down to the 3A level.
The 3A level is kind of a matter of pick your poison as we will be facing the Auburn schools, Sedro Woolley and Lake Stevens from the Wesco North league, he said. We have guys with experience from being on the junior varsity team and some of the freshman come in here with experience from Post Middle School. I think overall we have a chance of getting four guys to state.
Juniors Jesse Bosley (152-lb.), captain Jordan Anderson (171-lb.) and seniors Greg Brager and Jeremy Goheen figure to make the biggest waves this year.
Asked if his squad would be ready for their season-opening dual at Stanwood High School, Byers didnt hesitate with an affirmative answer.
Oh yeah, he said with a smile.
The former assistant attended the University of Oregon on a wrestling scholarship before transferring to Southern Oregon University where he was a member of the 1984 National Championship team.
The Eagles host their first match Thursday, Dec. 14 against league foe Snohomish. JV begins at 5:45 p.m. and varsity takes the mat at 7p.m.