by: Ryan Polistena ‘17, staff writer

Boys Basketball

Date of first game: December 17 at Foran

Players to watch: Dakota Nyborg ‘17 , Michael Hogan ‘17 ,  Chris Towey ‘19

Led by Coach Dennis Morsey, the boys basketball team is looking to assert itself at the top of the South-West Conference. Captain Matthew Marx ‘17 is confident they can achieve great success, citing their “great team chemistry” as they “chase an SWC Championship.” It certainly seems they are primed for a special season with much of their talent coming into their own this year. Make sure to come out and support your Wildcats this season!

Girls Basketball

Date of first game: December 13 vs Cheshire

Players to watch: Amanda Towey ‘17, Meggy Dolan ‘17, Lily Daniels ‘18

The girls basketball team is motivated to make a statement this season under Coach Anderson Rawlins. Captains Amanda Towey ‘17, Annie Bedore ‘17, and Meggy Dolan ‘17 have the team “working hard day by day to… achieve [their] long term goals,” according to Dolan. When asked about their long term goals, Amanda Towey commented that, “When we walked into the gym as freshmen, we wanted to put a banner up on the wall, and this is the year we do it.”

Don’t miss out, BHS, and come out to support your Lady Wildcats!

Ice Hockey

Date of first home game: December 23 vs North Salem

Players to watch: Luke Newman ‘17, Tanner Trew ‘18

Representing Bethel on the BBD Icecats are returning players Luke Newman ‘17 and Tanner Trew ‘18 and first year players Thomas Conlin ‘19, Patryk Fancher ‘19 , and Tyler Caldera ‘20. Last year, under Coach Rusty Granacker, the Icecats were defeated in the Conference Championship, so this year with the same coaching staff and much of the same core players, they “expect to take home the trophy,” according to Luke Newman. He explains how “despite being from three different schools, the chemistry is amazing amongst all players [on the team].” Best of luck to the Icecats this season!

Indoor Track

Date of first meet: TDB

Players to watch: Everyone

Indoor track is already preparing for the season, starting just days after fall sports ended. Under Coach Grimes, it is a given they will be working hard this season and attaining much success because of that. Three-year, all-SWC cross-country runner Brian Carraturo ‘17 explains that, “In the end, it isn’t about how far or even how fast you go, as long as you go the distance you told yourself you could reach. With this in mind, I believe that the winter track athletes can achieve any goal they set their minds to this season.”

Good luck indoor track, we are expecting big things!

Swim and Dive

Date of first meet: December 20 at Brookfield

Players to watch: Timothy Joyce ‘19, Matt Lin

The Swim and Dive team has a new coach with Coach Tate Rogers taking charge this season and are determined continue improving. Just like Joyce 19’ was All-State last year, the team is hoping Lin can follow in his footsteps and go All-State his freshman year. Senior leader Joyce describes how they are “hoping to have a great season with [their] new coach” and how they would “love all the support [they] can get.”

Best of luck to Bethel Swim and Dive!

Wrestling

Date of first match: December 14 at New Milford

Players to watch: Robert Ruiz ‘17, Nick Cote  ‘18, Max Khoshabo ‘18

Led by Coach Mike Kaptien and Coach Andrew Litschi, the wrestling team is primed for a competitive season. According to Captain Ruiz, they “have a full lineup of kids, there’s a lot of new kids and they’re all catching on really quickly.” That is good news for a team expecting to “win a bunch of matches this year” per Ruiz. With Captain Nick Cote ‘18 and another captain still to be named also leading the team, the wrestling team seems to be on its way to represent BHS well. Make sure to go out and show support for our wrestling team!