SPORTS
December 1, 2017
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2017-2018 Mercer Island High School Winter Sports Preview
Kate Francke, a staff writer, looks into the upcoming sports season. As fall sports come to a close, students at Mercer Island High School are readying themselves for the upcoming winter season. Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Gymnastics, Wrestling, and Boys Swimming are all kicking into gear with vigorous training schedules and determined mindsets. GIRLS BASKETBALL
Girls basketball, reigning state champs, have started training in the gym, and preparing to hang another banner. “My expectations for this season are that we will work hard and get better,” said Gillian D’Hondt, MI girls basketball head coach. “Last year all of our teams were successful. Our varsity team won the state championship for the first time in MI school history! When you accomplish something like that as a program, expectations rise. Every team will have it out for the defending state champs. So we will need to be ready to compete every night and take pride in the success we have had.” Support the girls at their first home game, Friday, Dec. 8 versus Liberty!
BOYS SWIVE
Likewise, Boys Swimming has started their season with pressure on their backs. Last year they placed 2nd at the KingCo Championship and 3rd at the State meet. “I think our placement was solid but myself, as well as the team, feel we can do much better this season,” said Evan Moline, Boys Swim and Dive head coach. “What that means in regards to our training, is that we will have our goals in mind from the beginning. I have high expectations and believe that the team has a very good chance at winning our 3A District and 3A State meet.” Come cheer the Boys Swive team on at their first home meet, Dec. 7 at Mary Wayte at 3:30 p.m. against Juanita High School!
Photo courtesy Mercer Island Reporter
Boys Swive on the podium after their third place finish at the state championship last year.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Another upcoming sport is Boys Basketball. The team is up and running with Gavin Cree, and captains Griffin Emanuels and Ethan Eason guiding them to victory. “We tied for the KingCo Championship last year with Bellevue, so our expectation is to be in a position to win KingCo again. Really, in general, we expect to just try to get better throughout the weeks of the season,” said Cree. Boys basketball has their first home game on Saturday, Dec. 2, against a team touring from Australia. Their first regular season home game is Dec. 8 versus Juanita. Come encourage the team!
WRESTLING
And finally, wrestling, the co-ed combat sport, involving grappling type techniques and assertiveness. “We’re hoping to win all of our dual matches this season to hopefully take a KingCo title back from Redmond High School, who won it last year.” Wrestling head coach, Lee Jahncke said. “We’re also hoping to increase our turnout in numbers and to get as many wrestlers into the postseason as we can.” The team had their first home match Nov. 29. Come cheer on the team at their next match, Dec. 7, at Redmond High School. Hundreds of students have been working to ready themselves for the season ahead, so show your L-O-Y-A-LT-Y and root for your fellow students!
Girls Basketball hoisting their trophy following their state champion-
Photo courtesy Mercer Island Girls Basketball
Spotlight on Gymnastics
Isabella Pangallo, a staff writer, gives a sneak-peek into the upcoming Girls Gymnastics season. The Mercer Island High School Girls Gymnastics (MIGGS) is ready for the 2017-2018 season. Gymnastics is a sport of balance, grace, and strength. There are countless forms of gymnastics, and MIGGS participates in numerous of those activities, including balance beam, floor, vault, and bars. Their season started on November 6 and will continue through January. The coaching staff consists of Head Coach Lenny Lewis, Assistant Coach Olivia Harvey, and Volunteer Coach Polly Prince. The team is led by senior captains Leah Wooton and Sophia Tiscornia. The girls are looking forward to a fun season where they will improve the skills they have as well as learn new skills. “I’ve only been to two practices,
and I already love Girls Gymnastics!” said Eden Voss. “This upcoming season I expect the team to do twice as well as last year’s team, as far as wins and improvement,” said Lenny Lewis, Girls Gymnastics head coach. “Last year we only won three meets. It was a really tough season.” MIHS Gymnastics is known to be one of the largest teams in the state. MIGGS usually consists of around 60 girls who are separated into Varsity and JV. They participate in different events and meets, and practice at different times. Catch MIGGS at their home meets at 7 p.m. on December 7, January 11, and January 25, and away meets on December 13 and January 4. MIGGS captains Sophia Tiscornia and Leah Wooton at a Gymnastics meet.
Photo courtesy Sophie Tiscornia