On Jan 5. the FHN wrestlers competed in the annual GAC tournament at Howell Central.e Holt, Fort Zumwalt West, and Fort Zumwalt South.

“Our guys had better be ready to go,” coach Harold Ritchie said.
North had to wrestle against some of the top schools in the state such as Howell, Howell Central, Wentzvill
In the tournament each weight class is placed in a bracket where the number one seed is placed at top and the second seed at the bottom.
“Basically you end up with the best guy wrestling the worst guy until the final best two wrestle each other in the final match,” senior Cody Basala said.
The team is hoping for a better turn out and is doing a lot to prepare themselves for the tournament. Senior Jamison Glose has been hard at work since last year at GAC’s where he placed fourth. Glose is reaching for that first place match as he practices his technique, stance, and set-ups.
During the week while most of the school was sleeping, Glose worked extensively to cut weight and he drilled hard just to get his confidence up to par because he knew GAC’s were right around the corner.
The night before the tournament Glose contemplates his match, his stance, and his technique over a bowl of oatmeal. He gathers all his wrestling materials as he tries to prepare for the day ahead of him. He wants to be mentally focused for his matches.
As Glose gets ready to take on his opponent, he tries to visualize his every move. He’s a little nervous, but it’s not enough to make him scared or effect his performance.
“I feel those little butterflies,” Glose said.
Glose had a disappointing end to his GAC tournament when he hurt his knee against Ben Henson from Central in the first round of the day.
(quote from Jamison)
All the wrestlers who competed worked hard and with agility, but sophomore Jeff Shell became the new conference champ. Junior Alex Cassetta finished at second place. Freshmen Jason Shell, Jarod Glose, and Harold Ritchie placed third in the tournament. The wrestlers worked hard for this tournament and are looking forward to Districts in the next month.
“Jeff wrestles really safe. He just wrestles really clean matches and barely ever makes mistakes in important matches,” said Basala. “This is the normal time that Jeff starts to hit his peak and really start wrestling his best.”
The GAC tournament is very important is a very important tournament for the wrestlers and really helps them to work harder for Districts and State.
“To be a GAC champ means you’re the best in your conference which means a lot because our conference is very hard,” Glose said.