By: Nibha Patil and Artem Dolgushev

As the days get shorter, the weather gets colder, decorations get put up, and fall sports come to an end, Marriotts Ridge is bustling with athletes getting ready for the winter season. With great results from last year’s season and even greater anticipation
for this year, Mustangs are working hard this pre-season to meet and exceed expectations.

One of the most anticipated winter sports is basketball, as the stands are filled every game with students eagerly cheering on the Mustangs.

“We have been preparing since the summer. We are here three days a week with an open gym, weight training. We have also been playing in the summer tournament and fall league to prepare,” commented Coach Willingham.

The basketball team is looking forward to a great year after going 17-8 last season, with hopes for another winning season and to win county championships.

“Our team goal for this year is to win the county championships and go on, make the playoffs,” said junior Blake Willingham.

The team has been working hard all off-season, with team lifts and off-season tournaments to make the players stronger, more agile, and more skilled.

Another sport popular for Mustangs is Indoor Track, Kiahn Hamlet being one of the team’s successful athletes.

“My goal this year is to make it to a new balance and nationals with my 4 by 2 team and proceed into states with my event,” said junior Kiahn Hamlet.

Track and field has been hard at work this preseason to ensure both their beginner and seasoned athletes are successful. Another popular sport, wrestling, is also busy with preparations, looking to improve on last year’s successful season.

“We are preparing for wrestling by having two practices every week; we lift on Tuesdays and practice on Thursdays,” said sophomore Matthew Ivie.

Although this sport technically is not associated with Marriotts Ridge and HCPSS, their victories still roar through the halls. The ice hockey team, led by Madison Lunieski, Gavin Keenan, and Will Perrier, kicked off the season with two losses and a victory. The team speculates on a strong and rewarding season.

“We would like to win the Serio Cup this year. Every game and practice adds up to our goal,” said head Coach Andrew DiFerdinando.

The team gears up for their road to victory for the Serio Cup and looks forward to the upcoming season after a tough 6-4 loss against the Royals and placing 4th overall last year.

After a tough season, the girls’ basketball team ensured a strong season ahead of them with accountability for various improvements.

“Last year, we were a very young team; we also lost quite a lot of seniors. But this year, we have a bunch of transfers coming in that will help build a strong team with the current
varsity players,” commented junior Katie Leader.

The team also experienced a major transition this year with Coach Brown replacing Coach Miller. The girls are also having to adjust to the new coach’s plays, practices, strategies, and overall routine.

“We have been doing a bunch of open gyms with our new coach. This way, we’ve been able to figure out his coaching style, what he likes, and overall, get to know him,” ex-
plained junior Noelle Zahn.

Hopes and passion are up for this team, with their new coach, new strategies, and their road to the county championships.

Last but not least, the MRHS winter cheer prepares for a glorious season ahead of them. The team is taking accountability for various preparations that would shape them better for the rest of the season.

“To prepare for the winter season, we practice our stunts, cheers, tumbling, and our overall routine for competitions. We also usually have optional practices for some days to
help prepare us,” said sophomore Kacey Richardson.

The fall season also shapes them for an overall betterment of their performance, cheer routine, and reflection upon their mistakes from the previous season. Coach Amaka and the girls hope to bounce back with an award-winning season after placing 4th in the county’s overall. As the winter breeze settles in, the Mustang athletes gear up for the winter season, expecting to make a change and anticipate a victorious season ahead of them.