Marysville and Arlington schools begin winter sports practices (slide show)

Marysville and Arlington high schools began practicing this week for the upcoming winter sports seasons.

By Brandon Adam • November 19, 2014 1:43 pm
Marysville-Pilchuck High School started its girls basketball practice this week.
Marysville-Pilchuck High School started its girls basketball practice this week.

MARYSVILLE — The Marysville-Pilchuck and Marysville Getchell composite boys swim team goal for this year is simple: Get as many swimmers to districts as possible.

“We got a lot returners that want to try new stuff,” M-P coach Meredith Jenks said. “We want to be versatile.”

Marysville Getchell returns junior divers Mathias McFralane and Tyler Dukleth.

On M-P’s side of the pool, district qualifier from last year, senior Tony Preston, will return as team captain.

It’s also helpful that both teams are inviting many new swimmers. Jenks counted 30 swimmers for MG and 20 for M-P.

“This sport is about people gaining confidence throughout the season,” Jenks said.

MARYSVILLE — Marysville-Pilchuck wrestlers hit the mat this week in preparation of this year’s wrestling season.

“The freshmen were still panning out,” M-P coach Craig Iversen said. “We’re making sure all the weight classes get filled.”

One returner Iversen is excited about is senior Ryan Daurie, who is anticipated to compete in the 145-pound weight class.

“Last year he was a state qualifier,” Iversen said. “He’s worked hard and plans to have a good year.”

Other senior returners Iversen awaits are Killian Page and Drew Hatch.

“Their heads right now are in football,” Iversen said.

TULALIP — Though only six people showed up to the first day of practice, Heritage coach Marlin Fryberg is sure more will “trickle in.”

“We have lot of talent,” he said. “We just don’t have the depth from last year.”

Though, Fryberg sees this as a rebuilding year, having that small of a turnout is nothing out of the norm for him.

“All you need is five,” he said.

One returner is junior Robert Miles Jr., who was a football stand out this fall.

ARLINGTON — The Arlington basketball team is starting fresh this year with no returning starting players, coach Nick Brown said.

But the Eagles will return a tall, athletic bunch over their muscular and strong starters from last year, Brown said.

Senior Connor Bovard, junior Donavan Sellgren and 6-foot-8 senior Jeremy Bishop are some of the returners for Arlington.