Winter Sports Preview

Swimming

With the boys’ swim team losing many of they varsity stroke swimmers, some of their sprinters and distance swimmers will have to switch events. Senior Corbin Barnds will be making the switch from the 500 yard freestyle to 100 yard breaststroke.

The boys’ swim team will also be leaning on senior Andrew Hornung and sophomore Zack Holbrook to be team leaders, two of the top state placers from last year.

“I think State this year will be a lot closer than last year,” Holbrook said. “We have great swimmers in all events this year. I wouldn’t be shocked if it came down to just relays and we win it all.”

Grant Minick could be a key member of both their 200 and 400 freestyle relays at state. It will all come down to if he can heal quickly and get back in shape from a fracture in his femur. With relays being worth double points, the Lancers’ swim team will rely on seniors Jack Haverty and Brian Tucci along with other sprinters to lead the team in the sprint 200 and 400 yard freestyle relays.

Wrestling

The Lancer wrestling team is putting in the hours in the weight room and working hard to recreate last season, where the team had eight state qualifiers. The team will have to look to seniors Blaine Hill, Blake Hill and Ben Randolph for the key leadership and experience required in a winning program.

“We need to keep our focus on our goal of top three,” Randolph said. “Stay confident in our ability to beat the guys in front of us and be humble and not overlook anyone we’re up against.”

The team will also need to get back to the basics, from working on half-nelson to perfecting their double leg takedown, two of the very first moves that are learned when beginning wrestling. If they perfect these two moves, the team will be on their way to accomplishing their goal of a top three finish.

“The team will need to focus on the areas that we control which include working hard, working smart and working together,” head coach Chip Ufford said.

Girls Basketball

This year, returning four-year varsity member Shannon McGinley looks to boost the Lady Lancers with strong perimeter play and strong leadership. With an 11-9 start, the Lancers started slow but finished strong. The girls’ team looks to start off their season the way they ended last season–with strong shooting performances from their seniors.

“I’m really excited to be one of the senior leaders this year,” McGinley said. “I’m looking forward to using the experiences I’ve gained the last three years to help out the younger girls on the team.”

Similar to the boys’ basketball team, the Lady Lancers will be looking to improve on closing out close games.

“This year we really need to work on finishing,” says McGinley, “Last year we had a lot of close games that came down to the last few minutes. “

McGinley will also be looking to lead the team through the tough patches of their schedule when they go through a four game road trip in the heart of their schedule.

Boys Basketball

Walking down the hall from now until the end of January, you will be able to hear the sound of basketballs swishing through fresh nets as the boys’ basketball team works every day to get better. With a record of 7-15 last year, the team had a season that failed expectations.

The team will need great point guard play from seniors Andy Hiett and Alex Schoegler.

“Being a leader means I need to set a good example for people to follow,” Hiett said. “I really want to be the guy our team can count on in a tough situation.”

According to head coach Shawn Hair, the team will also need to work on their fundamentals such as team defense and out-rebounding opponents if they are to achieve the season that they are hoping for.

One key to the Lancers’ success will be the fact that nearly the entire varsity squad from last year will be returning. This was something that ended up hurting the Lancers last year due to their inexperience.

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