Football

With 11 returning lettermen, five college recruits and a deep sophomore line-up, the football team has high prospects for the season.

“We have high expectations because they have played a lot of football,” head coach Dirk Wedd said.

However the team is not relying on experience alone. Players trained during the summer with 7 a.m. workouts as well with nine contact sessions with other high schools to improve their skill sets, including one camp at KU.

“Our team goal is to win one game at a time and win the state championship” senior defensive back Ivan Hollins said.

Volleyball

Six seniors with varsity experience will provide leadership as the team fights to improve its record from last year.

Aside from having an experienced team, it’s business as usual in training for the season.

“My personal goal for this season is to get out of my head during game preparation, and our team goal is to play as a team and not individually,” senior Nesreen Iskandrani said.

Boys Soccer

The team is looking to build on five returning starters with underclassmen looking to make varsity-level contributions as the team faces a tough schedule.

“We’re a young team with young players on varsity,” senior Piper Hubbell said. “We’re looking forward to playing Free State and seeing how the season will play out.”

So far, the season has been rough, with a 4-0 loss to rival Manhattan and a 1-0 drop to Topeka.

However, the team stays optimistic as members look to get the season back on track.

Gymnastics

Young talent may help a gymnastics team that is low on returning athletes.

“We have three returning girls and three new freshmen who are really good and [we’re] looking forward to our team being really good and making it to state,” senior varsity gymnast Ashley Ammann said.

Ammann’s individual goal is to place at state on floor, an event that she competed in last year.

Although several athletes qualified for state individually last season, the program aims to qualify as a whole this year.

Cross Country

Overcoming tough competition to be more competitive in the Sunflower League is the goal for the girls and boys cross country teams.

Runners worked hard this summer to be stronger and more prepared to compete this year.

“I’m looking forward to running with the girls because all varsity girls have been working their butts off all summer,” senior Shaye White said.

Senior Nathan Pederson, who competed at state last year, will provide leadership in developing younger runners.

“I’m looking forward to all of our competition this year,” he said.

Girls Tennis

The tennis team is looking to repeat last year’s success with a strong state finish. With 28 girls on the team, coach Chris Marshall has a deep senior class to pit against rival teams like Olathe East.

“My goal is for each player to get better at the game of tennis,” Marshall said. “That means they will improve their skills and shots. That means they will be more consistent hitting their shots where they are supposed to. They will develop strategies that will help them win points.”

Senior Caroline Baloga is looking forward to the journey to the state title.

“My personal goal this season is to make it to state and do pretty well,” she said. “The team goal is to get as many people as possible to state as possible.”

Girls Golf

Although the team started the season with only two athletes before recruiting more, freshman Beatrice Lopez and Emily Johnson are looking to improve their games for seasons to come.

“My personal goal is to get better as a golfer, since I have not been playing the game long,” Lopez said.