LYNDEN

LIONS

Coach: Randy Anderson

Last year: Finished fourth in the Class 2A NWC standings and tied for fourth overall with a 4-2 conference record. ... Placed fourth at the 2A Regional Tournament and advanced three wrestlers to state. ... Finished 21st at the state tournament with 35 points and Jeremy Korthuis won a state title at 182.

Wrestlers to watch: Nick Iaconetti (Sr., 126-138); Ryan Meggison (Sr., 152-160); Caleb Newman (Sr., 220); Ryan Mouat (Sr., 152-160); Christian Mouat (Jr., 145-152); Jonah Wilson (Jr., 182-195)

Outlook: The Lions have a saying on the wall in their wrestling room stating Lynden is always training for February - when regionals and the Mat Classic take place. Only Caleb Newman (220) and Ryan Meggison (152-160) return state experience, as reigning state title holder Jeremy Korthuis graduated. Lynden has plenty of wrestlers on the cusp of breaking through, though. Seniors Nick Iaconetti (126-138) and Ryan Mouat (152-160) have the skill to make a strong postseason run, and juniors Christian Mouat (145-152) and Jonah Wilson (182-195) are two others to watch. "If I had to say, I think we are still strongest in our middle to upper weights," coach Randy Anderson said in a phone interview. "We have a few upperclassmen that are coming back and a lot of new underclassmen. It will be a process to get them where they need to be but, when it's all said and done, we will be competitive."

2012-13 SCHEDULE

Dec. 6 at Sehome 7 p.m.

Dec. 7 at Battle at the Border 1 p.m.

Dec. 8 at Battle at the Border 10 a.m.

Dec. 12 at Ferndale* 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 at Graham Morin Invite 10 a.m.

Dec. 19 at Squalicum 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 Burlington-Edison 6 p.m.

Jan. 2 Mount Baker* 7 p.m.

Jan. 5 Panther Classic 10 a.m.

Jan. 9 Meridian* 7 p.m.

Jan. 12 at NWC Tournament 10 a.m.

Jan. 16 Anacortes* 7 p.m.

Jan. 19 Lynden Tournament 9 a.m.

Jan. 23 at Nooksack Valley* 7 p.m.

Jan. 30 at Nooksack Valley 2:30 p.m.

*NWC match

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.