Cold weather might be rolling in, but Green Hope’s winter sports season is already heating up. Winter sports are underway and off to a strong start. The lineup consists of basketball, wrestling, swim and dive, stunt and indoor track! The Green Hope Falcon interviewed athletes and captains from each of the six programs this winter – capturing early-season goals, challenges and team culture. Here is how the teams are approaching the months ahead, and why students should show out at their games and performances!
Starting with Men’s Basketball, the team is currently 7-7, and holding the spot at 7th in the Quad City Seven conference. Coming from a solid season last year, which ended 6th in the conference, the boys are geared up and ready to climb the standings with a tougher, determined mindset. A big part of that shift comes from the team’s focus on building a brotherhood. Captain, Carter Emanuelson (‘26) states, “Since preseason workouts, we’ve been focused on building a basketball community for our school,” Emanuelson said. “We don’t just want guys who happen to play basketball together – we want a brotherhood.” That unity has fueled new resilience on the court. “Last year, when we faced adversity, we struggled to get out of it. This year is completely new,” he added. “When we go down in a game, it doesn’t affect us. We stay true to ourselves.”
Shifting to wrestling, the team is entering the season with clear goals and a growing confidence – working off of the past few years’ successes – they are ready to come back even better this year. Their biggest challenge will come later in the year, as preparation begins for a tough regional tournament. But according to the team, they are building towards it and will be prepped and ready. Captain Hutson Catullo (‘26) says, “The biggest challenge is going to be the regional tournament, but we’re getting better every day, so we’re ready for the postseason”. That progress is fueled by a strong daily work ethic. “The team is eager to get better, and they’re willing to put in the necessary work to achieve their goals.” And while many onlookers may assume wrestling is strictly an individual sport because of the 1v1 style, the team emphasized the importance of its collective aspect. “While wrestling is an individual sport, it can also be in a team setting where points are allocated to teams based on individual matches,” Catullo explained, highlighting the shared drive and support behind every match.
Next up, the Swim and Dive team is entering the season with high expectations and a familiar winning mentality. The program aims to further its winning streak in conference and regional titles. Captain, Sloane Wheelehan (‘27), states, “We’re trying to continue our winning streak, and possibly win states,” Wheelahan said. With such a long season ahead, the team stays motivated by setting individual targets. “Having specific times you’re trying to hit helps a lot, and mixing up the events at each meet keeps things fresh,” she explained. What truly sets this year’s squad apart, though, is its energy. “We have a really big freshman class who seem excited to be on the team, and that new energy is great for us,” Wheelehan added. She also noted that “our team culture is already better than previous years,” a strength that should carry the group through both the regular season and the high-pressure weeks of championship competition.
Moving indoors, the Green Hope track and field team is preparing for a season focused on individual improvement that contributes to success. Senior sprinter Eric Daniel (‘26) set an ambitious goal: “getting to Nike or New Balance Nationals,” while ensuring everybody is setting personal bests. Daniel, who is passionate about the “pure competition” of the sport, defines his role as a motivator. “I motivate people a lot and try to push them through hard workouts,” Daniel said, emphasizing the need to be confident and trust yourself to perform. He uses this drive to encourage teammates during tough sessions: “You have to be able to step up and say, ‘Hey, come on, let’s push through it, and… remember what you’re training for.'” Freshman Atharva (Athi) Gupta (‘29) focuses on consistent growth, aiming “for everyone to get better and make progress.” Gupta, who is drawn to the sport by the necessary hard work, focuses on his role as a team communicator who helps others follow instructions. Mental preparation for both athletes involves getting into the zone. Daniel listens to music and discusses race strategy with teammates, while Gupta uses music, deep breaths, and words of motivation.
Beyond the tactical plays and court drills, the Women’s Basketball team is prioritizing team chemistry as its foundation for success this season. Captain and senior Sarah George (‘26) explains that the team’s most important goal is beyond the scorebook: “more so than focusing on the wins or the losses, one big goal that we have this year is to really connect with each other as a team and have a good environment.” George views her role primarily as a communicator and a source of motivation, and the aspect of the sport that originally drew her in was the team setting. She notes that basketball “has a way of bringing people together and the feeling you get after winning with your team is unlike any other.” When the team hits a tough streak in a game, George says stepping up means helping “get the bench involved” to boost overall morale. Beyond the final record, George defines a successful season by the bonds created, “A successful season would be if, by the end of the season, we could all confidently say that we will remember this year as a good year, and that we love each other, and that we appreciate each other.” When the season concludes, she hopes her teammates will remember that she was “always there if they need to talk.”
Finishing off the winter lineup is the Stunt Team, guided by co-captains Adhirai Ezhilvendan (‘26) and Charis Ramsey (‘27). Ezhilvendan’s goal is to ensure “everyone is motivated and able to really bond together and work together.” Ramsey’s goal is for everyone to “find a drive within themselves” and work to better themselves throughout the season. Both leaders stress keeping the energy high, even when practice or matches are physically draining. Before competitions, mental preparation involves reducing stress. Ezhilvendan advises the team that “whatever happens on the mat happens,” and Ramsey tells them to “leave it on the mat,” trusting their practice. For the stunt team, success is measured by progression and the strength of the team’s bond, and both captains hope to be remembered as supportive teammates.
The winter sports season at Green Hope is not just about winning; it is about building connections, personal growth, and maintaining positive energy. With every team prioritizing communication, confidence, and community, Green Hope sees nothing but success in the future. Our dedicated captains and team members exemplify just that – the months ahead are filled with excitement and competition, so be sure to stay up-to-date on games and performances, and show off your Falcon spirit!
