Humboldt Athletics - Featured: Wrestling 2021

John Pucci, Assistant Athletic Director - Humboldt High School 

In 2016, The Hawks wrestling team went 0-6 throughout conference play, with little to no team pride. Today, your Hawks wrestlers are tied with Highland Park for first place in the conference and are firing on all cylinders. Even without fans, the match on Wednesday night against Central and Harding was electric. The Hawks made short work of Central, keeping them scoreless throughout the entire meet; an impressive feat. The highlight of the match came during the heavyweight bout, as the first-year wrestler, Sam Smith went up against what appeared to be the best wrestler on Central’s roster. Sam battled, and was able to secure his first-ever pin! The Hawks then went on to wrestle the much stronger Harding team, which was a much tighter match. While the Hawks led for most of the night, Harding refused to go away. Senior Poh Say did his best against one of the top wrestlers in the conference, Miles Lee of Harding high school, and managed not to get pined. This seemed to be a turning point in the evening, as it was followed by three straight pins from Crown Htoo, Tha Gay, and Hser Ku Htoo. The three pins gave the Hawks 18 quick points, and the Knights were never able to recover. Your Hawks now await a showdown on March 6th with Highland Park to determine the conference champion. If the Hawks are successful, it will be the first conference championship for Humboldt Wrestling since 1989. An incredible thank you is warranted to Head Coach Brad Novacheck who has not only turned the program around but turned it into a conference powerhouse. Go win that title Hawks!

Boys Basketball 

The Boys basketball team returns to action after a short COVID19 related delay this Saturday at home against Washington. The Hawks are still very much in the hunt for the conference title, and a win on Saturday will put them in a tie with Central for first place in the conference. Good luck to coach Garcia and the Boys Basketball team! 

Girls Basketball 

The Girls Basketball team currently sits in third place in the conference trailing Central by only a game. They defeated Washington on Thursday night. The Hawks are back in action on Monday night against the first place Como Park Cougars and have the opportunity to be the only team in the conference to beat them. 

Boys Swimming 

The boys swimming team ends their regular season tonight, Friday 2/26/21 against Como Park. A Big Shout out is deserved for Coach Gill, who has kept her team competing and having fun throughout a tough year for the Hawks. Thank you, Coach Gill!

Winter Sports to begin for Humboldt High School and OWL!

 

 

Winter sports begin on Thursday, January 14, 2021. Sports offered and what time they practice:

Girls Basketball- 3:15

 Boys Basketball- B and JV- 3:15- V- 5:15 (if they have a question of what team they are on or when they should come, tell them 3:15).

Boys Swimming- Practices at Washington- 3:30

 Wrestling- 3:15

 On the first day athletes should:

Wear a mask to enter the building

Enter through door #21 on Humboldt Ave

Bring your fees, MSHSL forms and physical (if needed) on the first day.

Thank you – GO HAWKS!

Humboldt High School Athletics - December 2020

"After a tough work out the boys and gals like to break a mental sweat too. Thank you to those teachers who have sent work for the kids to do. It has brightened their day and I hope yours as well. Thank you and always #GOHAWKS!" A message and photo provided by coach Novacheck, Humboldt High School Wrestling (Winter 2020)

By John Pucci - Humboldt Athletics 

Most coaches would be satisfied with 2 athletes making it to the state tournament, with two others almost qualifying, but not Coach Novacheck.

Last year’s wrestling team was one of the most successful groups Humboldt has had in recent years, with graduated Senior Ryan Prisch making the state tournament. He was not alone however, with star Sophomore Kyaw Htway also qualifying. In addition, Junior Crown Htoo was the most improved wrestler in the team, which Coach Novacheck credits assistant coach and Humboldt alumni Scottie Bonds for. Crown missed qualification for the state tournament by mere points. Finally, one of the unsung heroes of last year’s team was 8th grade phenom, Po Si Si. Po Si Si is the younger brother of Kyaw Htway, and clearly wrestling dominance runs in the family. 

Instead of being satisfied with a great 2019-2020 season, Coach Novacheck is hungry for more. He believes that this year’s team may be even stronger than the last, and Crown, Kyaw and Po Si have returned to the team in match ready form. In addition, Seniors Pa Ha and Hsa Loo have both been identified by Coach Novacheck as athletes to watch for this upcoming season. While the pandemic has once again forced coaches to move to digital platforms and caused quite a bit of disappointment across the state, nothing can damper the excitement of Coach Novacheck and his athletes. 

The wrestling team started digital practice last week, which included a home workout led by their coaching staff, as well as a tactical wrestling session, reviewing techniques and strategies the team looks to implement this season. As a Humboldt community, let’s praise Coach Novacheck and his staff for prioritizing student safety and wellness while still engaging and improving his student athlete’s ability and well-being at the same time. Great work coach!

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball team has begun their digital training sessions as well, led by Coach Garcia and Winters. They plan to implement a new offensive system this season, and have been using film analysis and breakdown to teach it to their athletes. 

Girls Basketball

The girls basketball team is excited to build on last year’s successful season, and challenge for the city title. The team will be led by seniors Makayla Mapp & Ilianese Delarosa, as well as junior Lili Hobday. 

Boys Swimming

The boys swimming team will operate as a cooperative with Washington and OWL this season, similar to the girls during the fall. Watch for Junior Ywar Hay Tha to have a breakout season! 

Winter Sports Preview 2020-2021

 by John Pucci -  Humboldt Athletics 

While all fall sports with the exception of Volleyball have ended, many athletes are gearing up for their winter season. 

     This winter, Humboldt and OWL athletes will have the option to participate in girls and boys basketball and wrestling, while the boys swim team will try to match the great season the girls had this fall. Our PI/CI adapted teams will continue to meet virtually. Many athletes are excited about the chance to participate in winter sports, and the Hawks are primed to have competitive seasons with multiple teams. 

PHOTO: Ryan Prisch, and coach Brad Novacheck (Credit: SPPS - Fair Use) 

Girls Basketball Preview

     To begin with, Head coach and Humboldt alum Tyler Chavez returns all but one starter on the girls basketball team. Point guard Ilianese DeLaRosa and shooting guard Makalya Mapp return to headline the Hawks Offense, while Underclassman Jocelyn Mann looks to be the defensive stopper for the team. The Girls earned the number two seed in a competitive section last winter and have high expectations for this upcoming season. 

Boys Basketball Preview

The Boys basketball team had the opposite happen, as almost the entire roster graduated in 2020. With that said, coach Garcia is confident in this season’s group. He returns Leading scorer Brian Williams, and combo Guard Keith Pabon to bring some leadership to the group. In addition, a surprise Senior transfer in Xavier Garcia will help sure up the Hawks line-up, as he was St. Croix Lutheran’s top man last season. Watch for the boys basketball team to put quite a few teams on upset alert this winter. 

Wrestling 

Boys wrestling looks to continue to be a constant St. Paul Powerhouse this winter. Lead by coach Brad Novacheck, the Hawks return a strong roster headlined by three ranked wrestlers in Crown Htoo, Kyaw Htway and Po Si Si. Watch for Senior Pa Ha to possibly fill the shoes of heavyweight graduate Ryan Prisch, a notable graduate for the Hawks. The Hawks wrestlers will call the Open World Learning Campus home for this winter, and have already laid out their mats. Coach Novacheck was eager to move the seemingly heavy mats and get everything set up on Friday. “Nothing sounds more fun to me than hauling mats around on a Friday morning - I could do this all day,” said coach Novacheck. 

Boys Swimming

Boys swimming looks to build off the success that the girls had this fall, with coach Caitlyn Gill leading both squads. While the boys team lacks some of the experience that the girls have, a few swimmers stood out last winter, and look to make a bigger splash this time around. Senior Eh Ler Moo was a first time swimmer last winter, but really took to the sport earning an all-conference honorable mention. He returns alongside team captain Elliot McNally, who was as smooth as could be in the water last season. Watch for these two to have a breakout season this time around. While our PI/CI athletes and coaches are sad that they cannot compete in person this winter, we as a Hawk community are very thankful and proud of coaches Vibar, Bohland and Long for keeping the teams connected digitally. 

Thanks for all that you do!

Humboldt Athletics: Men and Women's Soccer, Cross Country, Swimming

 by John Pucci, Humboldt Athletics 

Boys Soccer wrapped up conference play with a 1-1 draw to #6 2AA Central and finished second in the conference on Friday. They opened section play this week, with a 3-1 defeat of conference rival Highland Park. The Hawks’ offense was powered by Senior Captain Joe Deuitch, who scored 3 goals in the match!

Girls Soccer begins section play in a slightly different fashion this week, as they will participate in pool play as opposed to single elimination. The Girls open section play on Wednesday, 10/14 against Hiawatha Collegiate Academy at 4:15 on the Humboldt Turf. 

While the Cross Country conference season may have ended last week, Coach Luna has been preparing his teams for a strong showing in sections. The teams will run this Wednesday, 10/14/20 against the other SPPS teams in their sectional race. Good luck XC!

Girls Swimming finished their season with a .500 record, earning four wins and four losses in conference play. They have been preparing for both the conference meet, which takes place on 10/14/20, as well as their sectional tournament which will take place on Friday October 23rd.