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The online home of the Central Focus

FHCtoday.com
The online home of the Central Focus

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Grabbing at her challenger’s hands, sophomore Makenzee McPherson struggles to escape her opponent's grasp. Just before McPherson can be returned to the mat, she breaks loose from the clutch of her opponent.

Underclassmen Under Pressure

Nadia Moore, Staff Reporter • April 10, 2025

Once sophomore Makenzee McPherson, the 100-pound varsity girls' wrestler, hits the mat, she instantly feels the pressure and tension her teammates hold on her while they watch. Like most student-athletes,...

Kailey Benson runs over to hug girls Coach Kurt Kruse after she had won her second championship. Benson hugged Kruse before he pointed up to the Spartans in the audience and then she hugged Jacob Mattson to celebrate.

Carrying the Weight of the Champion

Donya Ihmoud, Staff Reporter • April 1, 2025

The screams of encouragement erupting from the exhilarated coaches on the sidelines are drowned out by the moment of absolute zen occupying senior Kailey Benson as she braces herself before her opponent,...

In the final match of her high school career, senior Kailey Benson throws her hands up and shakes her fingers. Benson placed first at the state tournament in the 130-pound weight class with an undefeated record this season and hasn't lost a match since her sophomore year.

Making History

Amelia Raziq, Social Media Editor • March 18, 2025

    On Feb. 28 through March 1 the girls and boys wrestling teams competed in the MSHSAA state wrestling tournament. They qualified seven girls and four boys for the tournament. They...

After beating her opponent in the 155 lbs. weight class, senior Dana Thee Sanchez puts her hands on her knees to catch her breath. Her opponent attempted to console herself before she had to shake Sanchez’s hand.

Statewide Showdown

Caroline Kraft, Visuals Editor-in-Chief • March 11, 2025

After setting a record for the first varsity girls team to win the class 2 championship within the Francis Howell District, the Spartans returned to state in hopes of earning more awards to bring back...

After cross-facing his opponent, junior Garabed Sams reaches his other hand between his opponents legs to begin locking up a cradle. Shortly before this, Sams’ opponent called injury time due to strain on his shoulder.

Mind Over Muscle

Rachael Latzel, Staff Photographer • February 20, 2025

Overthinking about matches. Cutting weight. Underperforming. These are all common hardships that many wrestlers know all too well, as the sport is notorious for being rigorous and challenging. Sophomore...

Once Dana Thee Sanchez won her match, she shook her opponent’s hand before also shaking the coaches’ hands as well. Sanchez proceeded to talk with Coach Kurt Kruse who congratulated her and had a t-shirt as a gift for her 100 career wins.

Century Marks Celebrations

Caroline Kraft, Visuals Editor-in-Chief • February 10, 2025

Francis Howell Central’s wrestling is among the most rewarding programs at the high school with both boys and girls having outstanding records this season. The program can thank its hard-working...

unior Chase Gray jumps up and down to get loose before his match. Gray then walked over to his team so they could send him out.

A Bitter Sweet Goodbye

Amelia Raziq, Social Media Editor • February 7, 2025

  Being a senior is never easy. Your senior year is always full of your last firsts, and being a senior athlete is even harder because when the end of the season rolls around so does senior...

Dominating the Mat

Audrey Webb and Madi Scott • February 6, 2025

Last year, the girls varsity wrestling team took home a win at the state tournament. This year, the entire team is coming back to practice and putting in the hard work in order to take home the win for...

Senior Olivia Tran strains to hand fight her opponent and ultimately get her in a position that makes it to where Tran can take a shot. To take a shot means to get your opponent on the mat and prevent them from getting back up in the hopes to win by pinning them down.

Swift Success for the Spartans

Addison Yeaton, Staff Photographer • February 3, 2025

At St. Charles High School, the junior varsity Gateway Athletic Conference girls wrestling tournament was held on Jan. 24 where teams from various schools competed against each other.  These events...

Maleah Eichelberger, freshman, stares at the referee as she waits for the whistle. Eichelberger stayed locked around her opponent to make sure she secured a win.

Dominating at GAC’s

Izzy Dunlap, Staff Photographer • January 31, 2025

During the GAC tournament, junior varsity tournament held by St. Charles High on Jan. 24 the Francis Howell Central junior varsity wrestling team came out of the doors with the gold. Sophomore Kenzee...

Senior Owen McCracken looks to his left at his coaches for instruction on what move to attempt next. McCracken was able to put himself into a good enough spot so that he was able to look away from the match for a moment.

Pinning Down Progress

Audrey Webb, Staff Photographer • January 28, 2025

After a very long night, both the girls and boys wrestlers were able to gain the win for the school against the Francis Howell Vikings. The girls were able to win with a score of 39-28 and the boys...

Reese McDevitt looks at the course ahead during a cross country race. McDevitt set a school record of 19:16.7 this year to become the fastest female junior in school history.

A Hunger to CompEAT

Hannah Halterman, Staff Reporter • May 22, 2024

As the official blows his whistle to signal five minutes until the cross country race begins, runner Laney Parmeley rips open a packet of Skittles while Reese McDevitt drinks honey from a small bottle....

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