Fall sports have concluded, the calendar is now entering the winter months and a new season of sports are about to begin.
   Winter sports are trying to follow up on a productive season last year but that doesn’t change the expectations.  
   “We’re hoping for a productive, successful season,” Athletic Director Miss Lynn Jobe said. “Bowling is consistently successful and wrestling is going for win number 700, which is very big.”
   Tradition is strong in all GS sports, but there is something different about every one of them.
   “They are different by nature,” Miss Jobe said. “But it is exciting to start new seasons.”
   Some student-athletes look at winter as a recovery period but the time students get in high school should be taken advantage of.
   “High school goes quickly,” Jobe said. “Opportunities should be taken so do everything you can.”

   Boys’ Basketball
   Not every winter sport has stayed the same since last winter.
   “Boys’ basketball has a whole new regime,” Jobe said. “However, everything else is the same.”
   This basketball season will start without Coach Paul Sapotichne, but his successor looks to continue the success.
   “Coach Mankins gives everyone a chance to show what they got,” junior Max Ponzurick said. “He has to evaluate every player from scratch.”
   Luckily, both coaches share similarities that benefit the team.
   “They both care about us as people and not just as players,” Ponzurick said. “They teach us how to act, how to respect and how to be better people.”
   Some players already know their role on the team.
   “I need to be a leader this year,” Ponzurick said. “Leading the team will help our team reach our goal.” 

   Girls’ Basketball
   The GS girls’ basketball team didn’t lose many players from last year which should benefit the team and help them achieve their goals.
   “We look really good and we have high expectations,” sophomore Claire Oberdorf said. “We have four out of our five starters coming back and we’re striving to win the section this year.”
   Last year’s team had some young players and even featured playing time for some freshmen.
   “Playing as a freshman was really fun and a great experience,” Oberdorf said. “Making it to the playoffs was an experience I won’t ever forget.”
   Although the girls’ basketball team is following a successful season, they are hoping that this year will be even better.
   “We are going to be better than last year,” Oberdorf said. “The team is going to work harder so we can reach our goals.”

   Swimming
   For freshmen at GS, high school sports are new and they’re not exactly sure what to think.
   “I think (swimming) will be fun,” freshman Maris Leonard said. “It will be different because I never swam with any of the team before.”
   Swimming is a sport that is open to more participation.
   “Everyone who is not playing a winter sport should try swimming,” Leonard said.
   Some student-athletes are willing to do what’s best and contribute to the team in order to succeed.
   “I will compete in events if the team needs somebody to swim,” Leonard said. “Hopefully they are events that I’m good at.”

   Ice Hockey
   Last year’s success took the GS hockey team a long way and the boys are trying to do it again.
   “Hockey is awesome and action filled,” junior Logan Davis said. “It is enjoyable for the fans to watch.”
   The GS hockey team made a run at the Chiefs Cup Championship game last season and although the team fell short, they look to use that as motivation for their success this season.
   “We have some new players,” Davis said. “But we also have a lot more depth throughout the team.”
   In an attempt to repeat a great season like the one they had in 2011-2012, the team wants to keep their traditions to guide their way.
   “We had team dinners last season before every playoff game,” Davis said. “We would all go to Tyler Brinton’s house and have pasta.”

   Bowling
   Another club sport that matches the accomplishments of the hockey team is GS bowling. 
   “We have made it to the playoffs every year,” junior Randy Knox said. “Our team won the league championship last year and finished third in the state.”
   After finishing third in the state last year the bowling team needs to prepare in order to be just as successful.
   “Our team just needs to constantly practice,” Knox said. “Some of the kids also bowl in leagues to sharpen their skills.”
   The interesting thing will be if the bowling team has what it takes to get back and win the state title this year.
   “Our goal is to make it to states again,” Knox said. “But this time, we’re going to win.”

   Indoor Track and Field
   Track and Field is a sport that is big during the spring season but in the winter the indoor track and field team has a chance to improve and compete before the weather gets nice.
   “(Indoor track) can be looked at as training because it is a time to lift and get stronger for the spring,” junior Courtney McQuaide said. “However, we do go to meets and it helps you judge your expectations for the spring.”
   Now if indoor track is viewed as training by some athletes, the real goals may not be achieved until the spring time.
   “I try to start off the winter with my times from the previous spring season,” McQuaide said. “Once I reach that I work to improve.”
   Along with helping others train for the spring, indoor track also gives kids an idea of what spring track will be like.
   “Lifting in the winter will make you stronger for spring,” McQuaide said. “If you want to participate in spring track lifting will help you throw farther or jump higher.”

  Wrestling
   This could be one of the biggest years for GS wrestling in recent memory as the team looks to collect its 700th win in school history.
   “It’s very important as a team and as a school,” senior Zack Voytek said. “The 700th win is a huge milestone for us to accomplish.”
   Unfortunately, after losing star senior Tanner Hahn, the team looks to fill the void at the 220-pound spot.
   “Tanner is a huge loss because he was almost always a sure win,” Voytek said. “There is a big hole that needs to be filled and everyone needs to step up.”
   Last year’s team went all the way to Hershey for the state tournament. Now they will have to try to repeat that act without Hahn in the lineup.
   “The goal is still the same,” Voytek said. “We want to make it to Hershey by winning sections, WPIALs and getting that 700th win.”