Athletics

or the past month and a half, the wrestling team has been conditioning

for the season. Conditioning is not just running, it is help-ing everyone get in shape for the upcoming season, and to teach the right techniques. “Wrestling is a big part of my life. It helps me to control my anger and it also helps me compete with character,” Devin Williams, sophomore varsity wrestler, said. Wresting hasn’t been the only sport conditioning; there’s also been basketball, and swimming. Conditioning helped them to work and play to their best ability. “We have the hardest practice. We have an hour of running, on hour of lifting, and a hour of wrestling. This is all to help them with stability and the form.,” Marcus Hilario, Head Coach, said. “The boys have to make a certain weight by Dec 5th and if they don’t meet it, they don’t wrestle. Some of the guys have to run in sweats so they can lose that body fat. Anything for them to meet the cut.” Hilario

By Desiree Roberson ◦ ReporterGoing hard from the start

Preparing for the season

WrestlingThe wrestling team has high expectations for the team this year they have about 30 guys out and their goal is to take eight to state which hasn’t happened before here at Benson.

Seniors • Sentrell Buckley - 138 • Shawn Map - 145 • Marquin Buckley - 160/170 • Zach Krebbs - heavy weight

Star Returners• Johnny Chapman - 126 • Eh Htoo Gay - 152 • Devin Williams - 182 • Shawn Krebbs - 220

girls BAsketBAllThe basketball team is very young and will be going through a lot of changes. The student body should expect lots of improvement throughout the season and hopefully another shot at state.

Seniors • Samantha Ibis • Nautika Valentine • Alexis Jones • Ti’Rayah Cotton

Star Returners • Samantha Ibis • Nautika Valentine

Boys BAsketBAllThe boys basketball team is ready to have a more excit-ing and positive season with lots of improvement. They are determined and focused to gain many wins and hope-fully make their way up to state.

Seniors• Trevaun Henderson • Ja-Waun Moore • Javon Price • Will Smith • Chirod Lewis • Buom Rom

Star Returners • Roneal Ross

sWimmingAs the numbers on the team have more than doubled since last year, the team has lots of young talent on the team, and hope that all continue to improve and rebuild a solid swim team that represents Benson High School.

Seniors • Amber Anderson • MaKayla Hogan

Star Returners • Payton Kothe • Mason Kroeger• Donavan Moore • Kali Bush

Decrease in school spirit over yearsenson has been around for over a hundred years. Over those years, there have been a lot of changes from: teachers, students, classes, security, even a

change in the school spirit. “Over the last ten years that I have been at Ben-

son there has been a lot of consistency but some holes that aren’t all the way filled,”MikeDuggan,SPEDdepartment head, said. “But were you see the most spirit from is from the up-per classmen, especially the seniors.” Studies show that most athletes do better when they have support. Knowing that they have fans in the stands helps them play to their full potential.

By Desiree Roberson ◦ Columnist When someone don’t have any support, they tend not to play to their best ability and they also start giving up on themself and their teammates. “I went to school here and a lot of things have changed. Walking into school on a day of the game was exciting. Everyone was wearing Benson gear,” Bob Woodworth, coach and Benson graduate, said. “At the games,thestands/bleacherswerefilledwithpeopletosee the big game that night. Since I’ve graduated and came back, the spirit has gone down a lot after what might have happen the season before.” Benson has had their ups and downs of seasons. After a winning season, the spirit is super well. On the other hand after a bad season, there seems to be no life. You may not know it, but spirit is everywhere. It is in places that you will never picture. It’s in places such as: classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms and even at home. Spirit is like a synonym for support; everyone needs sup-port in their lives, next time there is a game or school activity make sure you go and support the team or group.

“Voice from the crowd” by Desiree Roberson

Photo By Desiree Roberson ◦ The Benson High News

Jerod Olloway, senior, tries to break down Sean Krebbs, sophomore, from the top position.

By Payton Kothe ◦ Reporter

According to the team, this sport is something that can separate the man from the boys. “We’ve been going to conditioning for the last month and by going to conditioning shows dedication and com-mitment.Ifnotfirstthenlast,”SentrellBuckleysaid.

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