NOCTILUCA February 2017

SPORTS Appleton, Wisconsin February 2017 Volume XXII

Issue IV Page 12

Wrestling team philosophy: All about personal success

Wrestling: A new passion for student from Mexico

According to Coronado, “If it wasn’t for my gym teacher, Mrs. Rivers, I would’ve nev- er tried out for the wrestling team and got that spot.” When asked about how he got on var- sity right away he said, with a subtle smirk, “Some of the guys took me under their wing. They taught me really well, and I am thankful for them. I also got lucky in a few of my first matches.” “I wanted to prove to my- self that I could do something like this. I wanted to be able to stand out since I was new and no one really knew me,” said Coronado when asked why he decided to listen to Mrs. Riv- ers’ advice. He said once he goes back to Mexico he is ex- cited to tell all of his family and friends how wrestling made a huge impact during his time in the United States.

1. How did you get in- volved in basketball? I started playing basket- ball when I was 5 at the Y. Both of my parents played in high school and my mom played in college as well, so basketball is definitely a shared interest in my family. 2. What are your per- sonal and team goals for basketball? Personally, I want to be the best defender on the court at all times as well as a leader on and off the court. As a team, we want to con- stantly focus on getting bet- ter every day in practice and giving our best effort all the time. 3. What do you love most about basketball? Basketball is a great sport because it is so competitive and complex. It is such a Originally from Mexico, Aldo Coronado didn’t know any English before coming to the United States two years ago. He also didn’t know what kind of sport wrestling was. Mexico, according to Coro- nado, is nothing like the United States. In schools, they don’t have any extra-curricular ac- tivities, so the idea of school sports and clubs was a new idea to him. They also don’t have gym class, which made it even harder for Coronado to get into shape for wrestling, since he didn’t have any prior experi- ence in working out or getting “in shape.” However, as soon as he hit the mats, he was a natural. It didn’t take him long to earn a spot on North’s wrestling team. You may have seen him walking the halls at Apple- ton North, you may have seen him practicing on the wrestling mats after school, or you may have also seen him dominat- ing at tournaments or meets. Aldo Coronado, who recently returned to Mexico, made his mark on the wrestling team. Aldo Coronado talks about his newfound love for wrestling By Kyle Hoffenbecker

Coach focuses on daily effort and personal wellness By Kyle Hoffenbecker

This year’s Appleton North wrestling team is guided by a new philosophy and many wrestlers are in favor of it. Head coach of the wrestling team, Coach Scott Clough stated, “Our new philosophy is focused less on state and conference titles, but rather individual accomplishments like daily effort and personal wellness goals.” Many wrestlers are in favor of the change, including one of the captains of the wres- tling team. “The new philoso- phy allows us to perfect our technique. We also able to learn more about each other and become closer as a team,” said senior captain Weston Verhoff. “We are able to bond more, that is something I en- joy,” said junior wrestler Bryt- ton Goymerac. “The focus on personal success will lead to team success. We need to be better individuals before we can become a better as a team. To become better all starts in practice, we push each other

Senior captain Weston Verhoff during a match. Verhoff com- ments about how new philosophy helps perfect technique. Photo by Gabe Retzlaff

to become better technically, physically, and most impor- tantly, mentally,” said junior wrestler Zach Fischer. The wrestlers all have high hopes for the upcoming sea- son. They all hope that this new philosophy will lead to

more success in the long run. For now, expect each wrestler to give their all every day. Ex- pect them to push themselves more than they ever have, in order to become more suc- cessful.

Aldo Coronado wrestling in a match against Neenah. Photo courtesy of North Wrestling

Basketball athletes of the month By Maddie Clark

Callie Pohlman - Senior - Girls’ Basketball

Jacob Hiltunen - Senior - Boys’ Basketball

physical and mental game- you need to be a good ath- lete, but you also have to have basketball IQ. Also, basketball is a team sport. A team is only as good as the sum of its parts. All of my teammates are my best friends so it is so enjoyable to be able to work with them every day in practice. All of the hard work we put in to- gether makes winning that much better. 4. Why do you feel peo- ple should come to bas- ketball games? The Appleton North girls’ basketball team plays fast and aggressive which makes games fun to watch. 5. Finish this sentence: At the end of the season, Appleton North Girls’ Basketball will be... The best team we can possibly be through hard

1. How did you get in- volved in basketball? My dad loves sports so he got me into basketball. 2. What are your per- sonal and team goals for basketball? They both go hand in hand as our team and I try to get better every day. 3. What do you love most about basketball?

The relationships [I’ve] built with my teammates. 4. Why do you feel people should come to basketball games? Because every Apple- ton North team deserves to be supported. 5. Finish this sen- tence: At the end of the season, Appleton North Boys’ Basketball will be... Another team to re- member.

Photo used with permission by Callie Pohlman

Jacob Hiltunen, number 5, playing in a game against Appleton West. Photo by Olivia Molter