Cardinal winter sports is up and running

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg High School winter sports programs have been underway since November 18, and the Cardinals are looking forward to a successful season.

Lash LaRue started his second season coaching Waitsburg High School wrestling. His goal for his team is to make it to State. LaRue told his boys, "If you are not going for gold, what are you here for? This sport is all in or not in at all."

LaRue believes his athletes have the character, discipline, and attitude to pull it off. This year's team motto is from Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs, "All I see is Gold." 

First-year wrestlers include senior Will Ahler, freshman Dylan Guiterrez, and junior Karissa Posts, the first female wrestler for Waitsburg.

Returning wrestlers include juniors Jarod Hankins, Graycen Teal, Tucker Hamilton, and sophomore Akayden Mikesell.

The team will travel to the Burbank jamboree on December 3 and Medical Lake on December 7.

The eight cheerleaders will keep spirits high during varsity basketball games. Seniors Cedar Stegall and Marian Duncan, juniors Hope Adkins, Matti Carter, and Bea Karl, and freshmen Chloe McCaw, Madison Strickland, and Victoria Whitmore have been practicing for the first home game on Saturday, December 7 against Garfield-Palouse. Coach Vickie Hamann said the girls will sell Dilly Bars at home games.

This is Kira Boggs-Waggoner's first year as head coach of the Lady Cardinals basketball team. She welcomed 12 players for the 2024-2025 season.

"We are a young team, and this year will be a great learning and growing opportunity. I think there are a couple of teams we will be neck and neck with. These girls have a lot of potential, and I am excited to see the players they turn into," said Boggs-Waggoner.

The team will be led by returning seniors Alyssa Hollingsworth and Kaydance Tiner, junior Addison Crenshaw, and freshman Cheri Mathews. Others looking to contribute are seniors Jessika Lambert and Morgan Lindsey, sophomore Hannah Peralez, freshman Yaneli Flores, and eighth graders Olivia Kiefel, Joslin Nodine, Kayla Kuykendall, and Sophia Castillo.

The Cardinal boys' basketball team welcomes a new head coach, Westin Wallace. Gavin Waggoner will assist Wallace.

"Our goals for this year as a team are to grow as basketball players, as a team, and as young men. This year, there is not only a new coach but no returning starters due to Lucas VanHoose's injury," said Wallace.

Seniors William Daves and Jackson Karl will bring playing experience to the team.  Blake Benavides, Teegan Kenney, Logan Seal, Tyler Coulston, and Kyle Lindsey are Juniors who will make an impact. Sophomores Isaac Mahre, JJ Gleason, Landon Henry, Trace Nesje, Rollin Carpenter, and Fredy Chavez are ready to play, as is the only freshman on the team, Bryer Paul.

"There will be a learning curve for us all, also a lot of opportunity. I think we will realize as the season goes on that we have all the potential in the world to be a really good basketball team. We just need to invest in the little things, do the hard work, and develop a love for the game. Having only two seniors is not ideal, but that means this group has a chance to make its mark not just this year but also in the future. I know I am excited; the boys are ready to play, and we can't wait to play for our community," said Wallace.

Come to the gym on Saturday, December 7, wear your red, and cheer on the Cardinals.  Junior varsity boys at 2:30, girls' varsity at 4 p.m, and boys' varsity at 5:30 p.m.