Sports

Tip off to start a new season

Olivia Richardson, Sports Editor • November 14, 2023

It’s that time of year again Cowboys! Basketball season, one last time for us to cheer on our seniors; Ethan Powel, Decker Dzeirzon, Jack Hendrix, Keegan Kinsman, and Kyle Brimhall through their last ride playing for this program. Along with these seniors, we’d also like to congratulate all the boys who made the team this season. Varsity/JV: Jr, Bryson Roberts, Jr, Camden Killian, Jr, Dennis Castagno, Jr, Evan Bunderson, Jr, Jaxon Kell, Jr, Keltin Byrd, Jr, Kohner Smith, Jr, Mike Troxel, Jr, Payton Thornton, Sophomore, Jaxxon Jenson, and Sophomore Jordan Fawson. Sophomore: Broc Hodgson, Cole Sparks, Dresden Jensen, Easton Hammond, Ian McCluskey, Kolter Dong, Payton Cummings, and Wally Mouritsen. Freshmen: Dacoda Arnold, Andrew Rodriguez, Dallan Van vliet, Nick Adams, Colt Thomas, Austyn Jones, Dawson Dunlavy, Richie Mouritsen, and Braxton Goodsell.

These boys made the cut for the 2033-2024 basketball season out of nearly 50 boys. So congratulations to everyone!

Although this is an exciting time of year, it is also the hardest part as well, Head Coach Kaylie Gudka explained, “This has to be one of the hardest days of the year. I love each and every one of these guys that try outs and don’t want any of them to take it personal. This is a huge life lesson. It is how you respond, are you going to give up, realize a different path in life, or strap on your shoes and get to work. Always chase your dreams whether they are close or far.” Even if you didn’t make the team this year, keep your head up. There are alternative programs like Jr. Cowboys you can participate in to keep your skills up to try again next season.

The ultimate goal of this 23-24 season is to “ WIN IT ALL!!!” said Head Coach Kaylie. She believes that this program is set up for success! Coach Kaylie and her fellow staff members: Stace Riding, Troy Sanders, Kody Bryd, Travis Molford, and Izaiah Sanders are prepared to lead these boys to success and to help them grow as people.

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“It takes a team to be good, but it takes a community to be GREAT. We need all the love and support throughout the season for these incredible group of guys!!” said Head Coach Kaylie Gudka. So let’s go support these boys at their first home game of the season, December 6th!

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About the Contributor

Olivia Richardson

Doing anything by herself was hard. Going up the stairs was almost impossible. Going down was a little easier. She sat on the top step. She set her crutches by her side and started the slow descent. Sliding down step by step. After only a few steps she stopped. Olivia Richardson couldn’t take it anymore. The initial knee injury was hard, but the fact that she had had to get surgery and now couldn’t walk on it was even harder. So was the fact that no matter what no one understood what it was like. To not be able to do the things she loved. To not be able to even just practice with her volleyball team no matter how hard that practice was. Volleyball was a part of her. Liv had broken multiple parts of her knee. Tripping over a hurdle at a track meet had started this painful process, and was continued as her knee cap popped out of place at every volleyball practice. She had been through surgery, and grueling physical therapy that pushed her to her limits each and every time. She worked hard. She pushed through the pain, and at times it was constant. She was doing it for her team. She was doing it for her body. But most of all she was doing it for herself! She was the one who was going to come out on top. Then she could prove to them what she could do. Liv stood on the volleyball court. Varsity player. An asset to the team. She had come so far. Looking around she was filled with gratitude for the simple things she had taken for granted before. “Volleyball has given me opportunities to meet new people and travel” Liv said. She cherishes all the memories she makes with her team and she knows they will be there for her and in return she wants to be there for them when they go through hard times. Now she understands what it’s like to feel alone. What it was like for no one to understand how you feel. Also what it’s like to come out on top. To get through the hard times. Olivia Richardson had won!