THE WARMP-UP: Loomis wrestlers on their own; basketball teams chase improvement
The WolfKings have ceased to be.
Bertrand and Loomis have dissolved the cooperative with both schools having enough wrestlers to be competitive in Class D after having competed in Class C as a co-op.
Loomis should have a number of returning wrestlers as well as but also several newcomers.
"A large senior class along with experienced underclassmen will be looked at to provide leadership throughout the season," Loomis coach Dustin Freeman said. "Hopefully the large number of wrestlers will make for a competitive practice room and lead to team success."
Senior Clay Bohr (40-12) anchors the middle of the lineup with returning state qualifiers junior Carter Horner (29-18) and sophomore Tyson Freeman (36-15) setting the tone in the smaller weights.
Other returning lettermen are sophomore Phillip Titkemeier (21-21), sophomore Cauy Meyer (24-21), sophomore Walter Kenney (18-21) and sophomore Caden Swanson (24-18).
"Contributions as well as consistency from several returning letter winners, and being able to disperse and fill weight classes, will be keys to the success of the team," Freeman said.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Three returning starters and three other letter winners give the Loomis girls hopes of improving on last year's 6-16 record.
"This year we have some seasoned athletes who will be able to lead this year's team with their experience on the court," fourth-year head coach Derek Billeter said.
Starters returning are 5-7 senior guard Brooklyn Wiese, 5-7 senior forward Carly Stewart and 5-7 junior guard Zeigh Booe.
Other letter winners on the team are 5-7 junior guard Jorjanna High, 5-2 sophomore guard Addison Perry and 5-6 sophomore guard Kinsey Lauby.
"We will speed up the game this year using our players' strong attributes to be competitive against our opponents. We hope to end our season in the top half of the conference," Billeter said.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Three returning starters from last year's 15-9 team gives rookie coach David Squiers some building blocks to work with.
"I look forward to continuing on a great tradition here and trying to make our community proud of our effort on the court," said Squiers, the son of University of Nebraska at Kearney volleyball coach Rick Squiers.
Returning starters for the Wolves are 6-1 senior guard Cale Nelson, 6-foot junior guard Tyson Essex and 6-2 sophomore forward Ben Trompke.
Nelson averaged 13 points per game last year while Essex and Trompke averaged seven points per game.
The three starters are joined by 6-4 senior center Zac Rademaker, the only other letterman back from last year's team.
"Our players have a high expectation for themselves and the amount of work they put into their craft. It will be exciting to see come to fruition this winter," Squiers said.
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