One new coach, many familiar faces for Marion
Staff writer
Marion will have wrestling along with boys’ and girls’ basketball this winter, as a few familiar faces make their return.
Wrestling
Regional champion Brian Nguyen returns this season after finishing 25-8 last year and earning sixth place at the state tournament.
Varsity letter recipient Vyolett Dawson also makes her return, along with Sam Rziha, a sophomore who wrestled for varsity last season.
“We are going to be a very small team this year with a few new faces,” coach Tyler McMichael said.
This will be McMichael’s ninth year as head coach.
“Considering how small our team will be, we are going to be able to focus on the individuality of each and every one of our wrestlers and lead them to be the best wrestlers that they can be,” McMichael said.
Other members of this year’s team are freshmen Morgan Dixon and Olivia Mathews along with sophomore Sam Foster.
“It will be a learning year for a lot of our team,” McMichael said. “Hopefully our new wrestlers will stick it out when things get tough and continue to be resilient.”
The first wrestling matches of the season will be on the road in Hesston at 9 am Dec. 14th.
Girls basketball
“This group has put in a great summer in the gym and has been a close-knit group that enjoy being with each other,” head coach Jason Hett said.
This will be Hett’s sixth year coaching Marion girls’ basketball. He brings with him returning starters Erin Regnier, Taryn Kraus, and Kenna Wesner.
Regnier will be asked to take on more of a scoring role this season.
Kraus will be asked to play multiple positions and help handle the basketball.
Wesner has continued to develop her skills and is going to be a hard player to guard. She can step out and play on the outside as well as battle in the paint.
“I am excited to see where this group can go if we can keep out team chemistry high and play for each other,” Hett said.
Other players to watch this season are Shaliah Ensley, Scout Redger, Kate Wessel, Addison Cooper, and Dylan Kraus.
Ensley will guard anyone on defense, and Redger has a nice shot that could help stretch the floor.
Wessel battles inside, Cooper brings energy, and Dylan Kraus has speed and quickness.
“We will look to play under control and play great defense,” Hett said. “This group has continued to develop our culture for the program and they are determined to play with grit to try to reach their goals.”
The Warriors open the season up against another county team, Goessel, at home Friday at the Sports and Aquatic Center.
Boys basketball
As first-year head coach Kevin Dasenbrock makes his debut, the Warrior motto this season is “relentless pressure, unstoppable pace.”
Dasenbrock brings returning starters Luke Wessel, Jackson Howard, Carson Krause, and Kadon Mercer to the team.
“We will be young but will play hard,” he said. “The guys had a great summer learning a new program and culture and really bought in and competed really well.”
The Warriors will open their season at home Friday against Goessel.
“We are going to play fast but controlled and have a lot of fun,” Dasenbrock said. “I am excited to be here in Marion to coach these young men.”