The winter season is full of excitement with holidays, colder weather and especially sports. Widely regarded as one of the best times for sports–the winter marks the heart of the NFL season, the beginning of the NBA and most importantly, MRHS winter sports.  In HCPSS, seven winter sports are available to students: boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, wrestling, hockey, cheer, indoor track and allied bowling.
This past season, the Mustang’s wrestling team brought home a county championship and their second regional championship in the past two years. Last year, the Mustangs were led by Rocky Alabbadi, a Frostburg State University commit, who won a county championship and regional championship and was a top-five finisher in the Maryland State Wrestling Tournament. However, the focus now turns to the up-and-coming wrestlers, hoping they can reach the standard set by Alabbadi.
Among those wrestlers, Jonah Obitz, a 100-match-winner as of last year, hopes to continue this excellence when the season starts later this month and claim their third regional championship in three years.
On many people’s minds, boys’ basketball is ready to tip off their season. Last year, the boys’ team finished the season with an underwhelming 6-9 in-county record, but there is much to be hopeful about with this new team. They kept key players such as senior Res Whittaker and junior Aaron Hammann.
“We only have ourselves to beat,” Hammann voiced.
On the girls’ side, leading up to the season, preparations have been made to ensure success. The girls have been conditioning in the weight room and shooting for the past couple of months. Senior Lillie Parson, a key contributor, is also coming back from injury hoping to play a role. “I think Hammond or Glenelg is our biggest competition. Beating them would really make the hard work pay off,” sophomore Noelle Zahn stated.
Potentially a slept-on sport, MRHS indoor track is preparing for an exciting season. Liam Hennigan, Ashton Clark and Jaidyn Augustine will all play pivotal roles in the success of the upcoming season. Although last year the Mustangs did not win any significant awards, this year, Hennigan expects higher.
“I’m going to probably be top five in the state in the 500, maybe top 20 in the 300, and if Ashton can stay injury-free, our 4×2 relay will be good,” senior Hennigan said.
The team travels to Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex for their meets, competing with around ten other schools per meet. Athletes can compete in their choice of 19 events–the majority being running events. As the season ramps up athletes are hopeful for what’s ahead.
Although it is not technically an MRHS sport, the hockey team, led by captain Aaron Rodgers and assistant Tanner Moran, has already started their season against the Royals with a loss followed by a loss to River Hill. Fortunately, they bounced back with their first win of the season against the Wolves 13-4 on November 11th followed by a win against Mt. Hebron on November 15th. Most recently they beat Howard 15-5. Looking ahead, they will kick off December against Glenelg at The Gardens Ice House on the 6th.
“We hit morning ice every Tuesday and Thursday. We have weekly practices and we have team-building exercises two hours before each game. I’m really excited for this upcoming season because the team chemistry built throughout the past couple of months is going to pay off in the long run–especially in the playoffs,” junior Shawn Kim exclaimed.
Additionally, allied bowling kicks off on December 2nd at 3 PM. The team is made up of 15 kids and will play against six other schools.
Finally, MRHS varsity cheer is preparing for their season in many ways; many have been taking tumbling classes and reviewing videos of new skills for the winter season. Recruitment has declined since COVID, although Coach Okoronkwo believes in the future of their program. This year they will perform in four boys’ and four girls’ basketball games and are planning on being in four competitions including the county championship at Atholton High School on January 28th at 6 PM.
As the days get shorter, the lights get brighter for MRHS winter sports athletes, hoping for their chance to make an impact on the young season.