By Chris Parker
Hillcrest wrestling has a new head coach in Spike Fogle this season. The Hornets have good numbers in the early going with 45 wrestlers showing up for summer workouts, preseason workouts and the first day of practice.
“We have had a great turnout of 40 plus wrestlers to start off this year,” Fogle said. “There will be wrestlers who will make tremendous gains throughout the season and will have the opportunity to help our varsity team by the end of the year. I am looking forward to growth of this sport at Hillcrest not only with the wrestlers but by the wonderful community that is here on the Northside.”
Sam Humphrey and Levi Morris will lead the boys wrestling team in their senior seasons. Hannah Gott and Abbi Whitman return for their sophomore seasons to lead the girls.
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Hunter Blomenkamp, Miles Atterberry, Cornelius Nolan and Andrew Neer on the boy’s side will make an impact for Hillcrest as well. On the girls’ side, Kira Johnston, Tailyn Pohslander, Kenzi Price, Abby Howard and Gabby Lee have shown tremendous gains in the practice room according to Fogle.
“Our goal this year is to continue to build participation, create a passion for this great sport and be competitive in all matches,” Fogle said. “With addition of wrestling in the middle school, our numbers have increased tenfold. Thanks to the great work by our middle school coaches (Coach William Shoge at Reed and Coach Jacob Gott & Coach Clay Smith at Pleasant View) and the administration at the schools and district to help improve the numbers. Lastly, thank you to the community of the Northside for helping young athletes to buy into wrestling and show how wrestling can improve their life and athletic ability, as well.”
Both teams open their seasons Dec. 1 & 2 at Bolivar. The girls wrestle on Friday and the boys on Saturday.
