FERNDALE

GOLDEN EAGLES

Coach: Caleb Schlack

Last year: Finished third in the Class 3A NWC standings and seventh overall with a 3-3 conference record. ... Advanced three wrestlers to state. ... Placed 36th at the state tournament with 16.5 points and had Isaac Robison place fifth at 120.

Wrestlers to watch: Sam Alexander (Sr., 182-195); Kam Williams (Sr., 220); Erik Engels (Sr., 160-170); Riley Saenz (Sr., 138-145)

Outlook: Ferndale has a luxury the rest of the Northwest Conference doesn't. The Golden Eagles have 56 wrestlers - the largest of any other league school - and, because of the number of bodies, coach Caleb Schlack's roster is two-to-three deep at most weight classes. Seniors Sam Alexander (182-195), Kam Williams (220), Erik Engels (160-170) and Riley Saenz (138-145) headline a strong core of upperclassmen, and Schlack said he has a huge group of freshmen and sophomores. Alexander and Williams are the Golden Eagles' lone returning state participants. "I would say the upper weights are our strength," Schlack said in a phone interview. "Around 152 and up, we got two or three guys in all those weights." Schlack said he has a pair of freshmen who could make an impact this season. Derek Vajda (126), Tony McCandless (106-113) and Devon Bennett (113-120) are a handful of wrestlers to watch in the lower weight classes.

2012-13 SCHEDULE

Dec. 1 at Mariner Holiday Classic 9:30 a.m.

Dec. 5 at Squalicum* 7:45 p.m.

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

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

Dec. 12 Lynden* 7 p.m.

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

Dec. 19 at Blaine* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 2 at Bellingham 7 p.m.

Jan. 2 at Meridian 7 p.m.

Jan. 5 at Everett Classic 8:45 a.m.

Jan. 9 Mount Baker* 7 p.m.

Jan. 12 at NWC Tournament 10 a.m.

Jan. 16 at Sedro-Woolley* 7 p.m.

*NWC match

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