Eagles host wrestling camp

The Arlington wrestling program collaborated with Punisher Wrestling to host the Levi Jones and Martin Mitchell Camp from June 22-23.

Over the weekend, wrestlers from all over the area came to the Eagles’ gym to learn from some of the best coaches in the state. Both Levi Jones and Martin Mitchell have long resumes when it comes to the sport.

Jones was a Washington State Champion, three-time NCAA Division One National Qualifier and part of the three-time Pac-12 Team Champions at Boise State University. After his career as a wrestler he has gone on to coach Olympic level athletes as well as being a Division One coach for BSU and Arizona State.

Mitchell is one of the greatest wrestlers to come out of Washington as he stands as one of 16 men to ever win four State Championships. After high school he went on to become a Fargo Freestyle/Greco All-American and competed in NCAA Division One at the University of Oregon. He is currently a Team Washington National Coach.

“We are looking to give each kid a positive experience and continue to grow the sport in the area. It’s only our first year, but we’ve had so much support, and so many families were ready for us to get started so they could be a part of this. We’re surrounding our team with good role models and making sure that we foster a positive environment,” said Punisher Wrestling Head Coach and President Dustin Baxter.

Punisher Wrestling is a really young program in the area but has already gathered a strong coaching roster. The roster includes coaches Dustin Baxter, former three-time All-American, and Jonny Gilbertson, Eagles’ Head Coach and four-time Washington state placer.

The program currently holds open practices weekly, usually every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. The practices are held in the Arlington High School Gym and the schedule can be found on the Punisher Wrestling website.

“Not only do we want to make great wrestlers, we also want to make great citizens. Whenever we bring them in here the most important thing we teach is work ethic, and that is something that you can take wherever you go in life,” said Coach Baxter.

If you want more information about Punisher Wrestling or their open practices you can check them out at https://www.punisherwrestling.org/home.