by Katie Hill
As the weather begins to change and the temperature drops, YSHS welcomes the winter sports season. Teams that will be featured at this time of year include boy’s and girl’s basketball, boys’ and girls’ swimming, cheerleading, and wrestling. Each team has its own challenges to face and a rival to defeat.
Boys’ Basketball
The boys’ basketball team started their season on Nov. 16 and have been working, practicing, and scrimmaging to prepare for their first game on Friday, Dec. 4.
“Our challenge, which we are excited for is to compete every day in practice to improve and prepare to face tough opponents,” said head varsity coach Dustin Boeckel.
Boeckel is looking forward this season due to the bonds formed by his players. “Their friendship and trust off the court directly enhances their play on the court,” he said.
Girls’ Basketball
The girls’ basketball team is taking a similar approach to strategy in terms of team building and forming those strong bonds.
“We have a great group of student athletes who work hard for each other and love playing with each other day in and day out” said head coach Jessica Barley.
However, this season, the girl’s basketball will be introducing a new set of players, freshman, who must adapt to the team and its atmosphere.
“My goal is to be a starter this season. This will be a challenge because there are other players on the team with more experience who have the same goal” said freshman Jalissa Breeland.
Additionally, Barley hopes to improve on one specific target: scoring on the offensive line.
Swimming
Both the girls’ and boys’ swim teams are tightly knit as well, which is what head coach Craig Brennan’s goal is.
“The true success of our team depends on the ability of the group to individual to come together as one cohesive group. Before we can tackle individual and other team goals, team unity has to come first,” said Brennan.
By far their greatest competitor this season is themselves. “My goal this season is to make it to states in the backstroke as a freshman” said freshman Katie Hunt.
Hunt has set this audacious goal with the intent of achievement even after a severe knee injury. Swimming is a sport of improvement and individual achievement, which Brennan is trying to show his swimmers through their grueling practices and sometimes unsuccessful meets.
“We strive to get better each day and do our best in meets. If it wins, then great, but our biggest goal is to improve within.
Wrestling
Wrestling is another sport taking the spotlight during this time of year. The boys have been meeting since Nov. 16 to prepare for the season.
When it comes to challenges, head coach Brian Gentzyel is concerned about the number of wrestlers he has.
“We do not have many wrestlers and we will forfeit at least two weights,” said Gentzyel. Still, Gentzyel is hopeful and wants to send many of his players to districts.
“I am looking forward to wrestlers doing well individually and in the post season tournaments,” said Gentzyel.
Cheerleading
To get the students and other crowd members excited at basketball events, the YSHS cheerleading team has been practicing their turns and twirls.
“We have practice everyday and get to work right away. We go over bench chants daily so that all the new girls can pick them up quickly and are ready for our first game” said varsity cheerleader Grace Bissey.
Although the girls must work together, each of them have their own goals and fears that they have set out to conquer.
“I feel that my biggest challenge will be getting over some of the fear that goes into stunting,” said freshman Bailey Singleton.
Cheering is not the simple yelling and jumping task it appears to be. “The biggest challenge for me is going to be trying to remember everything because there is just so much to remember,” said freshman Aimee Martin.
Nonetheless, the eleven girl squad is looking forward to cheering on the boy’s basketball team to victories.