Winter sports season kicks off

The Hot Springs County High School Bobcats winter sports seasons will start on Friday, December 8, 2023.

The wrestling season will commence with an invitational meet in Powell, at which Coach Travis McDermott expects there will be up to twenty schools appearing to compete. Coach says practices have been going well, with a great group of kids out for the team. “Although we have experienced some absences due to illness, the kids have been working hard in practice to get ready for the season, and we are looking forward to a good year.”

“As far as our team this year, we have a strong upper class, led by returning State Runner-ups Brody Sorensen and Will Ward, who each made the State Championships last year. Sam Skelton also was a state placer last year. Kaitlin Barral returns as our lone girls state placer, after becoming the first lady to accomplish that last year. Additionally, we have some very talented freshman on the team, with Middle School State Champions Cannon Boren and Lilly Quintanilla leading the way. Our girls program is growing with six ladies that are competing this season.”

“The team has selected their captains for the season. On the boys side Jessen Basse, Seth Needham, Brody Sorensen, and Will Ward will be the captains. On the ladies side Kaitlin Barral and Alix Sorensen will be the captains.”

Coach McDermott will be joined by his staff of Assistant Coaches, Bill Faller and Chris Ryan. Talyah Myers, Sophie Conrad and Teresa Steadman will serve as team managers.

The Basketball season begins on Friday with a meet in Burns for both the girls and boys Varsity and JV teams, with the freshman teams playing in Meeteetse on Friday and Saturday. Shane Corpening, coach of the boys teams, advises he is expecting 12 to 15 teams competing in Burns, and around 12 teams will be in Meeteetse.

Coach Corpening says his players have looked pretty good in practice, with good energy and quick steps. The boys team will be comprised of ten freshman, eight sophomores, six juniors and four seniors. “We’re a super young team, but I think we can look forward to a very productive season at all levels.”

Coach Corpening will be joined by Assistant Coaches Paul Collamer and Ryan Roybal. Mesa Longwell, Sadie Martinez and Layla Epperson will serve as the team’s managers.

Tyler Weinberger, coach of the girls basketball teams, expects to see 12 to 13 teams competing in Burns and Wheatland this weekend. “With such a short practice season, we have been concentrating on conditioning, and upon installing a new zone offense. We’ve thrown a bunch at them, but the girls have responded well, and are focused. We know that we will be tested early in the season, but look toward good outcomes, if we just hang in there.”

The girls team will be comprised of five freshman, seven sophomores, two juniors and four seniors. Coach said, “We are a young team, but nevertheless, we expect to do well in the season.”

Coach Weinberger will be joined by Assistant Coach, Katie Despain. Brooke Hubele and Sharron Burgress will serve as Managers for the teams.