The coldest season of the year brings more athletic seasons for Powell High School. Wrestling, basketball, and swimming will begin their period of play.

The wrestling team had their first practice on Nov. 20. That day would kick off the infamous Hell Week.

“The first day involved a lot of hard drilling and sprints,” senior wrestler Jonathan Harms said. “We had like six kids throw up, and then one passed out.”

Hell Week consists of endless conditioning in order to keep or get the team in shape. The state owns impressively great wrestlers and will bring incredibly great competition. Being in top-tier shape is the best way to pull out victories.

The wrestling team also saw significant growth on the girls team. Last year they had only two girls join, but now they have eight on the team.

“I’m kind of excited that there’s more females coming in,” sophomore girl wrestler Allison LeBlanc said. “There will be some complications on weights and getting those assigned to other people, but I think it’ll all work out.”

Moving to the court, the basketball teams started tryouts over Thanksgiving break. Both teams look to repeat as qualifications for the state tournament.

After tryouts finish, official practices begin. Basketball is known to be a stacked sport in regard to the teams that are involved. State titles don’t come easy so improving every day gets teams one step closer to champions.

“The first few practices have been really good in my opinion,” junior girls basketball player Saige Kidd said. “We have a confident and positive attitude, and I think we are just ready to really start out the season strong.”

The boys team holds similar sentiment.

“I think the upcoming season is going to be good because we are better than last year,” freshman boys basketball player Kason Sherman said. “We are well prepared for this season.”

Now diving to the pool, the boys swim and dive team started practicing on Nov. 27. The group of guys is smaller than the year before, but they’re competitive and determined.

“Our numbers may not show it, but we have a lot of fast swimmers on the team this year,” senior boys swimmer Jon Hawley said. “We have devoted teammates who are willing to put in the work.”

One more sport will begin its inaugural season come January. However, they had their first team meeting on Nov. 29. The PHS Indoor Track team will initiate their second year as an individual team. Practices will begin during the early stages of the new year on Jan. 4.

“I think we’re going to be stronger, and probably move up from where we were last year,” indoor track assistant coach Mrs. Tracy McCarthur said. “Obviously indoor track was a needed program, and I think it’s going to continue to grow and develop.”