Maddie Huscher has swapped out her rock-climbing boots for soccer coaching cleats this fall.

Huscher, the reigning Northwest Region Teacher of the Year and who has sponsored the middle school climbing club, will spend the next few weeks on flat ground as La Conner High School’s new girls’ soccer coach.

Huscher greeted a young but enthusiastic roster to pre-season workouts this week.

In a way, though, Huscher will be employing climbing techniques with the Lady Braves. She will be looking to help guide the youthful Lady Braves up NW1B/2B standings after the program slipped to 0-9 a year ago, suf...