Winter is on its way, and it’s prime time to get ready for winter sports once again. Tualatin High School offers a multitude of sports for students to engage in over the winter season. These sports include basketball, wrestling, snowboard club, ski club, racquetball club and swim. 

All of these start Monday, Nov. 18, so if you missed out on fall sports, it is not too late to sign up for sports this winter.  

The Wolf sat down with Matt Hamilton, Tualatin High School’s wrestling coach for the past 25 years, to talk about what wrestling has in store this year. 

“The reason I [coach] is not about championships or things like that. It’s about building good human beings that work hard and that can go through long-term goals and get it done,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton invites all to join wrestling this season and explained that wrestling is available for both boys and girls. 

“Now we’ve added the girls’ team, so any girl can be part of the team, and it’s been nice to see that kind of opportunity develop,” Hamilton said. “I’m a big supporter of it. I think women’s wrestling kind of saved men’s wrestling. I’m always excited to see who decides to come out.”

Hamilton went on to say it’s important for students to do something that allows them to become part of a team. 

“Just coming together as a team, it doesn’t matter if it’s a sport or an activity, it’s building that teamwork and that community together,” he said. 

Wrestling isn’t the only opportunity for interested students. 

“I do basketball because it’s really fun and I enjoy playing it and I just love the sport,” freshman Lovelei Best said. 

Best has been playing basketball since she can remember. As a freshman playing for Tualatin High School for the first time, Best has 10 D1 offers already.

“I’m looking forward to basketball season and winning state,” Best said. “It’ll be fun if the boys and the girls could both win state this year.” Playing sports is a great way for students to get involved in their school, to improve their health and to make new friends. 

“It just brings the best friendships honestly. You are with them 24/7 and they just become your best friends,” Best said. “And also playing sports can help you as a person, like learning how to fight through adversity and getting your body healthy, like something to have a diet for or working out to get stronger.”

Best encouraged all students to give athletics a try. 

“Everyone should do something, It doesn’t even have to be basketball, just find something that they enjoy doing … it could be something to do with clubs or sports, but just finding that thing that they enjoy.  It gives you something to strive for.” 

Her advice for someone wanting to do basketball or any sport this season?

“Just be consistent in your work. If you want to play basketball and get better, consistency is key. Just working at it every day and getting one percent better every day.”

With winter approaching, right now is the perfect time to consider doing a sport. Go try out and feel the benefits that being part of a team and a sport at TuHS offers!