Talented is the word I would use to describe Park High's young talent.With some of them playing varsity as freshman or 8th graders, the raw talent of these young kids has some even taking seniors’ spots.
Nola Hondorf is an 8th grader who played her first varsity volleyball game on senior night last fall. Hondorf played against kids almost five years older than her and did not even blink an eye when she got put in for a senior’s spot. Nola had multiple blocks putting her team closer to victory. If she can make that big of an impact on one game, imagine the positive impacts she will have in the future as a Ranger.
Nikolas Elwell is an 8th grade soccer player who stepped up to the plate during a big moment, starting the second half against current back-to-back conference champs Billings Central, whose roster featured four all state selections and multiple seniors. Nikolas came in as a left back and shut down a Billings Central winger who was one of the best wingers in the state.Once again, a 13-year-old kid shut down a 18 year-old-man, never backing down and always being first to any 50/50 ball. Nicholas was able to step up in many important ways throughout Park High’s boys soccer competitive season. His very successful first year of varsity soccer was not all luck; it just showed how hard he has worked on his own time to be the best soccer player he can be. Nikolas is one of the many young 8th graders who have put in a ton of off-season work to increase their chances of winning state championships.
Brody Leininger is a 5-10 freshman who led the Park High boys basketball C squad team to a winning record. Brody put up impressive stat lines, averaging three rebounds and 16.2 points per game which is first in the state for C squad basketball.The reason for Brody's success is his off-the-court efforts putting up shots every day before he goes and sees his girlfriend Maria Turck.When Brody parts ways from Maria he heads straight to the court and weight room, lifting that iron and tweaking his shot to perfection.
Leininger was not the only reason for the team's success. Freshmen Brody Speake and Grant Reagor both put up ridiculous state lines. Speake shot an accurate 42% from beyond the three point line and Grant averaged nine rebounds a game.The three boys I just talked about are not the only ones on the team that have been a huge part of the program and its new form of success.