The 2025 fall seasons are finishing up, and dozens of fall athletes are already preparing to begin their 2025-26 winter season. Athletes prepare for both their second year of success and major improvement.
In the 2024-25 season, Boys Swim and Dive won State, while Boys Wrestling placed second at State and won State duals. Boys Basketball went 8-16, Girls Basketball 7-17, causing both teams to prepare to outperform last year. Girls Swim and Dive successfully placed 3rd at State, and Girls Wrestling placed 8th at State. The Girls and Boys Bowling team went 9-15. The winter teams both prepare to improve in the coming season and improve their records.
The boys basketball team graduated five seniors, one being standout Luke Larson, and has seven returning seniors.
“One of the major goals we have compared to last year is just to improve everywhere. We didn’t have the best season last year, so our overall goal is to win more games and be better than we were.” Kyle Campbell, a junior varsity football, basketball, and track athlete said. “We definitely hope to have a better record than last year. I think we can win more city games, since we struggled there last season. Hopefully we can make it to state this year—that’s the goal.”
Girls Basketball hopes to do the same. Losing only two seniors, there are nine seniors this year who are ready to step up as leaders.
“Last year we only had two seniors, but this year we’ll have nine. Everyone’s going to want it more because it’s our last year playing together, last year playing basketball for a lot of us. I think everyone will be more focused and dedicated,” Leighton Nyberg, senior, and varsity cross country, basketball, and track athlete said. “Our best strength last year was definitely defense. We were really connected and communicated well because we were so close. This year, if we keep improving on offense, I think we’ll be really talented.”
After a State duals win and placing second at State, the wrestling team is prepared for a year of continuing to grow with an already set foundation.
“I think our team really has something special. We definitely have what it takes to go all the way. Last year we came up just short, finishing second to Creighton Prep, but I think this year we can go all the way,” Junior Joe Waegli, football and wrestling athlete said. “Definitely having a better record than last year. I think we can win more city games, since we struggled there last season. Hopefully we can make it to state this year—that’s the goal.”
All of these well accomplished athletes are just finishing their fall season, whether that is football or cross country. This switch requires a mindset switch.
“It’ll just be resetting, focusing on getting back into the swing of things, getting acclimated with the team again because there’s a lot of different guys than football season, ” Campbell said. “It’s just getting in a mindset of starting over fresh on a new season, reaffirming the goals that we have for basketball compared to what I have for football.”
The change is not only a mindset switch but a time to change the role the athletes may have on their team.
“In football, I got to know a lot of the younger guys, and many of them are coming out for wrestling. So going into the season, I already have that bond, and I hope it grows,” Waegli said. “Last year, my biggest strength wasn’t even on the mat—it was off the mat, helping younger guys learn and being there with them through highs and lows. This year, I hope to improve on that leadership ability.”
Campbell agrees.
“My role is a lot different for both sports, so it’s just getting used to switching from one role in football to the next role I have in basketball. The things I need to do to help my team win differ between the two sports,” Campbell said.
Changing roles can be a tough switch. It involves the athletes refocussing and understanding what each sport requires. While adapting to a new sport may be difficult, being a two-sport athlete is extremely beneficial physically.
“By tryouts, I’m already in shape. I ran six days a week for the last three months, so my endurance is there, Nyberg said. “With a week of shooting, I can adjust back into basketball. And I’ve been in that team mindset from cross country, so I think it will transition well.”
While basketball and running are beneficial for endurance, for football and wrestling, the movement often goes hand in hand.
“Wrestling and football really correspond with each other in movements and conditioning. Having back-to-back seasons keeps me in shape and ready to go,” Waegli said.
Many sports mesh, and these athletes have the opportunity to reap the benefits of varied types of sports.
“Doing each sport relates to the other a lot. I can take certain skills from basketball and apply them to football, and vice versa, Campbell said. “It also expands my friend group since I can be friends with a ton of different people from both teams. It helps with leadership too, because you go from one group of guys and then switch quickly to another group, and you have to figure out how to be an effective leader for both.”
Campbell sums it up perfectly. Multi-sport athletes have many benefits, although, within two weeks, these athletes are prepared for a whole new season, working just as hard for their teams.
Swim and Dive is prepared to continue their success, and many have seen possibilities of another State Championship for boys and a new State Championship for girls. Bowling prepares to continue to grow the program and walk away with an improved record.
There are no new changes to the Heartland Athletic Conference, making the schedules for the team fairly similar to the years prior. There are few exterior factors the teams can control, but the athletes and teams can continue to focus on the team ahead, and be prepared to improve.
The beginning of the winter season begins with tryouts on November 24, and Boys and Girls Wrestling, Basketball, and Swim and Dive on December 4. Find more information on the Athletics and Activities Calendar.
