Hitting the mat

Wrestling heads to sectionals as season closes out

the swimmers laying on the pool deck gasping for air.”

As the teams continue to strive and keep improving for Sectionals, the team works together to help one another strengthen their weaknesses.

“We have been working very hard on pushing off the walls because that is our competition weakness,” Casey McNulty, senior and a girls’ captain, said. “We know that we have to pull together as a team if we want to be successful. The team is the closest it has ever been this year, so we have high expectations of each other.”

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 STRIVING FOR STRIKES At their Sectionals, Abigail Martin, junior, prepares to bowl. “I feel fantastic because this is a first,” Martin said. “The girls have never gone to regionals before.” (photo by jaylyn fassoth)

For the first time, Girls’ Bowling qualified for Regionals, which was held in Michigan City Jan. 21. The girls placed twelfth, not moving onto Semi-state. The Boys’ qualified seniors Ty Pappas and Casey Knor for individual competition at Regionals. Knor placed seventh, moving him onto Semi-state this Saturday.

“We found out we made it to Regionals, and we were going ballistic,” Alyssa Torres, sophomore, said. “The energy was off the walls.” dorothy lakshmanamurthy

Freshman Gracyn Gilliard breaks MHS Girls’ Basketball record

emily dywan page editor

The wrestling team recently finished their regular season with a 12-7 record. Now, the squad will focus towards the upcoming sectional tournament. As the team’s season ends, the team charges towards their upcoming sectionals this weekend. Head Coach Zach Slosser plans to keep the same routine to get ready.

“We are going to keep our conditioning up and focus on our positioning,” Coach Slosser said.

Beyond the team’s intense application, Coach Slosser credits both team and individual success to the goals they have set and accomplished.

Streamline off the walls to glide fast and create minimal resistance.

Have high elbows to ensure there is no drag in your stroke.

Kick downwards but maintain a pull up on your legs. Pull the water straight in front of you by not crossing your arms.

“A lot of the goals we set are individual goals,” Coach Slosser said. “When those individual goals are met, team accomplishments are met.”

Sophomore wrestler, Jack Foreit, shares his own objectives for his first wrestling season.

“Some goals I have set for myself are to learn the sport in depth,” Foreit said. “Another goal would be getting in better shape and conditioning.”

As for the junior varsity team, they finished their final meet of the season at New Prairie last week. Freshman Ava Walker is one of the two new females, including Noemi Cabrera Gonzalez, on the team. Despite minor injuries, both girls represented their team strong through their first season.

“Being [one] of the only girls on the team is definitely scary,” Walker said. “I feel like our team expects a lot from us, but also expect us not to be as good as them. Coach puts a lot of extra time in for us by finding girls tournaments, which makes us feel included.”

Glancing over to the sidelines, Gracyn Gilliard, freshman, watches her coach flash up two fingers and mouth the words “two points.” He was referencing breaking the record of most points scored in a game. Passing Ellen Blackmun’s 36 points in 1989, Gilliard scored 38 points at the Dec. 20 game against Washington Township.

“The pressure of making two free throws was crazy, especially since I’d never been the best at free throws,” Gilliard said. “Coach called a timeout, and everyone was cheering and dumped water on me after.”

lauren hoogeveen

Hockey Club prepares for State Championship Feb. 24

 ON THE FLY During their game against Brebeuf Jesuit Prep, Brenden Budeselich, senior, chases after the puck. Ending with a 4-4 tie, the team nears closer to their State Championship Feb. 24. (photo by marianna young)

With the Munster Hockey Club nearing the end of their season, the team is looking forward to the State Championship Feb. 24. The team’s biggest goal is to win another championship after their previous State win in 2021. As nine seniors will be leaving the team after this season, the Mustangs are looking to end the season on a high note.

“Coming off of our State win in 2021 wasn’t great and we are finding this year to be the same way,” Ben Riffice, junior, said.“I think we can pull back and win State.”

josephine zangrilli