Hungry? Try one of Detonator’s Dirty Water Dogs.
Besides being a varsity wrestler at Monroe High School, Nate Detwiler is an aspiring businessman. In 2010 he hopes to open a New York-style hot dog stand in Seattle, an idea inspired by annual trips to the East Coast.
After eating four of the so-called “dirty water dogs” in one day this past summer in New York City, Detwiler hatched a plan: bring the tasty, successful concept to the West Coast.
“It’s going to be good,” Detwiler said of his proposed hot dog stand, which he might name Detonator’s Dirty Water Dogs, incorporating the nickname his mom gave him, Detonator. “I’m ordering the meat from New York and having it shipped here. I’m going to get a cart and everything.”
Since it’s wrestling season and he must maintain his weight, Detwiler can’t chow down on hot dogs right now. But by the time he opens the stand, he might eat as many dogs as he sells.
Coach’s corner
Competing in the 140-pound weight division, Detwiler came into his senior season extremely focused. He quickly impressed first-year Monroe head coach Mike Pine, who praised Detwiler’s leadership, hard work and dedication to the sport.
Building for the future
About a week before Monroe’s first match this season, coach Pine announced at the end of practice that Detwiler would be a captain. It was one of the fourth-year varsity team contributor’s proudest moments. “I was just super-pumped,” Detwiler said, “because I’ve always looked up to the captains and always wished I could have been one.”
Sticking with it
As a freshman with minimal wrestling experience, Detwiler was thrown into the varsity mix. He struggled mightily. “It was basically my first full year of wrestling. I didn’t even know what I was doing. I just went out there,” he said. Following a rough first season, he showed signs of improvement as a sophomore and gained confidence. “I just have always tried to work hard and maybe that was it — keeping going with it,” Detwiler said.
Stay on track
This past spring, for the first time in high school, Detwiler turned out for track. He ran long-distance events, which was great conditioning for wrestling. “I don’t get tired as easily,” he said. “Usually I feel more energized than the other guy.”
A biz whiz
Even as a boy, Detwiler had entrepreneurial aspirations. “I’ve wanted to own a business since I was 8. I (just) didn’t know what kind of business yet,” he said. A third-year member of the Monroe High DECA club, Detwiler gets valuable experience as store manager of the school store. He makes purchase orders, sets up products before lunch and voids incorrect transactions.
Engage the Rage
Thanks to the musical tastes of his friends and his mom, Detwiler became a huge fan of bands like Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine and Journey. Before wrestling, he likes to listen to blood-pumping Rage tunes like “Killing In the Name.”
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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