Winter sport leaders voice their hopes for the season

As a member of the boys varsity basketball team for three years now, the feeling of dribbling a basketball has become second nature. Senior Ryan Moore is the captain of the team and is excited to see what the new season holds. “Our goals for the past few years haven’t changed much. Definitely to just get better and to be playing really good basketball by the end of the season. I think [our goals]...

Junior hockey player Jake Hosszu started skating around age three and joined a hockey team when he was four. Since then, hockey has not only been important to him for athletic purposes but for social purposes as well. “A reason [hockey] plays such an important role in my life is all of the friends and bonds I’ve been able to make through playing the game,” Hosszu said. This year his goal is to...

Senior girls basketball captain Nina Ciresi started playing basketball in 6th grade. “[When I started] it wasn’t that big of a role in my life, it was just kind of something that I did. But, in high school especially, it has turned into something that I love [...] and forward to doing,” she said. Ciresi is a co-captain this year, which requires her to step up as a leader and play a bigger r...

Junior Ellie Hoppe has been on the dance team since it was created 5 years ago. Now as the new captain of the team, she has exciting goals to accomplish. This year she plans to have two teams instead of one, which will allow the girls with different levels of ability to compete at a more suitable level for their individual ability. “With the two teams, the girls that aren't as advanced won't be expected...

Sophomore grader Ian Matenaer has been on the swim team for three years. Over the years, Matenaer has made some of his closest friends, despite the age difference when he joined. “I am most excited to see everyone from Highland and have some good laughs,” said Matenaer. This year he is hoping to accomplish a goal he has been working at for the past three years. “I hope to letter in my 50 Free...

Although fencing is much more complex than just lunging and stabbing players with swords, as many spectators may think, this is what inspired senior Iris Shaker-Check to join the team in 8th grade. Shaker-Check has competed in the sabre section ever since she joined the team and is now the sabre captain. Being a captain on the fencing team means running warm-ups, chaperoning rides and making sure...

Senior Kenzie Giese is a goalie on the Varsity Girls Hockey Team at SPA. Giese used to live in Roseau Minnesota, where hockey is an essential part of the community. “Almost everybody here plays it, there are three [ice] rinks in the town and the town is 2 thousand people, so there are more [ice] rinks than grocery stores,” Giese said, “I kind of learned how to skate when I learned how to walk.” Giese...

Senior Bailey Donovan has been on the Alpine ski team since seventh grade. This year she wants to win the state meet as an individual skier, and she also hopes that the girls' team can make it to state. “Last year we were really close, so this year I hope we actually make it [to state].” Donovan added, “We’re a really fun and inclusive team. There isn’t really any pressure on any of the skiers,...