Winter sports are beginning and each team is confident for the upcoming season.

The wrestling team begins their season on the first of December with the Vern Ekfield Invite at Omaha North. Even with a relatively young team, head wrestling coach Michael Jernigan believes the team can qualify for the first Nebraska Dual State Tournament. Senior Erick Vargas and junior Dylan Sorrell are expected to be team leaders for the upcoming season.

“We have team goals of district championships and qualifying so many guys for the state tournament,” said Jernigan.

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Girls basketball ended their season last year with a 13-11 record. Returning starters include senior Karly Meyer, junior Mallory Thompson, and sophomore Jay Bridgeman.

“If we can shoot a little more consistently and step up our defense even more this year, the girls feel like it will lead to more victories,” said varsity head coach Steve Clark.

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Boys basketball ended the season with a 10-13 record.

“Our expectations for the season are very high. We feel like we have the best team chemistry that we have had in a long time,” said varsity assistant coach Jered Hellman.

The team lost a few seniors to transfers at the beginning of the year, but is optimistic for the returning players. Junior Kevin Metoyer and senior Jake Koester are the returning starters and will be joined by fellow returner Mike Kiger.

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Girls swimming is looking to defend their state title this year. With the loss of star swimmer Molly Kroeger, the team looks to fill in some vacant spots.

“We have good groups in each grade level that can compliment each other,” said head swimming coach Doug Krecklow. “We only have one goal and that is to bring home the state championship.”

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Boys swimming finished seventh in state last year. “On paper we don’t look as good as some other teams but from what I’ve seen so far I think we’ll be good,” said Krecklow.

Seniors Quentin Bishop and Matt O’Dell are likely to lead the team of over 30 swimmers.

“Our strength is not going to be in one age group, but in our numbers,” said Krecklow.

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Diving also looks to improve upon their past season.

“Diving is one of those tougher events, combining gymnastics in the water,” said Krecklow.

The team is confident with six or seven divers even though the boys diving numbers have decreased from last year.