Wizard Gazette

Girls Winter Swimming

By: Kamille Hocking

This winter season for the girls swimming team is going to be one to keep an eye out for with many new freshmen and of course the returning swimmers. Aleksy, Lacey, Morgan, and Rilea made up the state relay team last year.

Will there be more girls making it to state this season? With the level of swimmers this year I’m sure many more girls will be swimming at the state swim team.

There are many different events that you can swim during a meet including individual events are relays, you can swim up to 4 events per meet of any of the 4 strokes. This year senior Aleksy Waterman said she will be swimming any freestyle and backstroke. Junior, Lacey Whitehead, and Sophomore, Morgan Friesen, say they will be swimming 200 IM and then 100 fly and 100 breast. “My favorite events to swim are relays, especially the medley,” Waterman said.

A few girls on the team do club swimming as well as high school swimming. Morgan swims for Loveland Swim Club and she will be participating in the US Junior Nationals Meet in Seattle, Washington December 10-14. There are only 10 swimmers from Loveland going to this meet. “Yes, I am very excited for this meet is should be a good one,” Friesen said. She will be swimming the 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 200 and 400 IM. As for the high school swimmers, their first meet is December 4 and they are swimming against Skyline at Windsor.

There are many things to look forward to this season. Lacey said that she was most excited to be able to spend time with her team and to improve herself as an athlete throughout the season. Morgan explained the difference between club practice and high school, “I enjoy the high school season because I get to spend the time swimming with all of my friends and I can’t wait to grow more as a team this year.” Aleksy agrees with both Lacey and Morgan, she can’t wait to bond with the team.

As a senior of the team Aleksy is one of the captains so she has different responsibilities than the other swimmers. “I picked out the team suits that we will wear at meets and then I also picked out the sweats and shirt designs,” she stated. Lacey and Aleksy both said that they are always there to help the newer girls on the team and be great leaders for them to look up to. Whitehead said that she will always be trying to help the girls improve as a team.  

Lacrosse Season Preview

Although lacrosse is a spring sport, the boys are already practicing and getting ready for the season to start. Some say the season never ends. “ If you’re not practicing year round, you’re not going to be ready for the spring season,” attack man Hunter Hop said.

When does the season actually start? For the high school it starts in the early spring. There are some players who play year round and are constantly playing on different club teams.

Joe Shermock, senior, said that he is most excited to continue to get better individually and as a team and to play the teams that beat them last year. “It’ll be good to get another chance with those teams,” agreed sophomore, Jake Hardy. Juniors, Hunter Hop and Chris Ahl said that they are excited to see what they can do this season during the regular and playoff season and seeing how they will expand their skills and their teammates ability to play.

Joe, Jake, Hunter, and Chris all had a similar reasoning for what they like most about lacrosse. They all like the speed aspect of lacrosse. “It’s a lot different from football, but I love the speed of the game,” stated Shermock. Jake said that the speed is what keeps the game interesting to watch and definitely play. Chris however likes the intensity of the game most. “Every play can determine whether or not you win the game,” said Ahl.

As a senior, Shermock has a big responsibility. He is looked up to as a leader and he is often asked to help run offense. Even as a sophomore Hardy takes the responsibility of keeping the guys on track and being helpful to his teammates. Hop explained, “as an attack man, it is my job to call plays and sets and score goals, as well as keep the offense doing what they’re supposed to be doing.” “The whole team has different responsibilities,” Ahl said, “but we all need to be responsible for looking out for each other as a team.”

They all agreed on the way that they felt before a game. They don’t get nervous but they get very anxious. Chris explained how he is always anxious to get on the field and get all the jitters out. “I always want to play to the best of my ability and that thought constantly running through my mind makes me ready and anxious for the game,” added Hardy.

Top 10 Christmas Destinations

1. New York City, New York

New York is one of the best cities to experience a grand Christmas day.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is a beautiful city add lights and it’s the perfect Christmas experience.

3. Prague, Czech Republic

Incredible architecture sets a mind blowing setting for dazzling Christmas decorations.

4. Charleston, South Carolina

Christmas in Charleston is filled with Southern flair and beautifully decorated streets lined with shops.

5. Provence, France

Lights are strung across the streets and people congregate at the big Christmas market.

6. Aspen, Colorado

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, Aspen is the perfect place for you.

7. Venice, Italy

During the holidays, Venice has many beautiful holiday decorations.

8. Paris, France

With lights on either sides of the street and The Eiffel Tower shining brilliantly, this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

9. Durango, Colorado

If you want a Mountain Christmas without all the hype and fanfare, Durango is the place for you.

10. Barcelona, Spain

It’s a celebration of the Christmas holiday is well worth the stay.