Students at Eagle High are motivated to prepare for the next big step in their athletic pathway. From training during their free time to creating new, achievable goals, they are pushing their hardest to be prepared for game day.
Wrestling is starting soon, and sophomore Shelby Butler is ready to fight for the gold.
“This offseason, I wrestled at All In Wrestling Academy, went to some intensive camps [and] I wrestled at women’s nationals in Spokane, and… Freestyle National Tournament in Fargo North Dakota this summer,” Butler said. Butler is excited to return to her team again this year to train with new instructors like senior Caddy Tverdy, practice with her brother and reunite with old teammates like sophomore Kara Ferguson.
“I’ve wrestled with her since sixth grade, and she’s always been super supportive of her teammates,” Butler said. Wrestling has helped Butler grow strong friendships, especially after years of having the same teammates.
Along with winter sports, basketball has been an important part of senior Audrey Baxter’s athletic life.
“[Baxter has been playing basketball] Since I was seven, so 10, almost 11 years,” Baxter said. She also said that she is most looking forward to reuniting with her team “family.” Baxter is preparing for the season by attending open gyms, open weight rooms and playing basketball with her friends.
Though it is recognized as a spring sport, track and field training requires time and preparation long before the sport starts.
“I’ve been setting up times to work with a trainer while also putting in the extra hours in sprint workouts to stay in shape for the season… in total, per week, I’ve spent about five-10 hours each week practicing,” said sophomore Owen Rieder. Rieder has been racing for about two years, and he participates in long jump, triple jump and zoom sprint events. One of Rieder’s big goals for this upcoming season is to set a personal record of 18 feet for long jump.
Though winter snow is not ideal to be running on, it’s wonderful for some friendly skiing and snowboarding competition.
The smooth snow in Bogus is fantastic to ski and snowboard on during wintertime, though there is not much to train for before the snow season. However, the ski and snowboarding club is still recognized and supported by Eagle High.
These athletes are mentally and physically prepared to represent and show up for Eagle High, and they will do what it takes to reach their goals. To find more information on the upcoming winter sports, head to “The Stampede” sports section.
