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The online home of the Central Focus

FHCtoday.com
The online home of the Central Focus

FHCtoday.com
Wiping blood from her mouth, Kaitlyn Sparkman ends her match fighting for fifth place, but ultimately losing the match. All three periods were used and points were close, nearly allowing Sparkman to place higher.

Flipping Expectations

Michael Purcell, Staff Reporter • April 8, 2026

In the recent trip to the State competition, Spartan wrestlers were unfortunately defeated; however, the girls’ team’s efforts were better received, making it further in the tournament than the boys’...

After getting a big upset and pinning her opponent, junior Addison Holtgrew ran over to assistant coach Brian Bitney. Holtgrew then went to find her dad on the floor and celebrate her big win with him.

The Final Match

Amelia Raziq, Visual Editor-in-Cheif • March 5, 2026

The boys and girls wrestling team took 12 wrestlers total to the state tournament on Feb. 27-28. The boys took four wrestlers, finishing with no medalists, and the girls took eight wrestlers, finishing...

Locking her opponent in place with a mantis lock, Halen Phillips pressures down with her chest. Phillips continued to win this match by pin.

Halfway a Champion

Rachael Latzel, Photo Assignments Editor • March 4, 2026

The two-day state tournament took place on Feb. 27, and the Spartans had been preparing for this moment since before the winter season started. The boys and girls wrestling teams together sent 12 state...

Sitting back on his knees, senior Chase Gray works to get the North Point wrestler on the mat and get his three points. Gray hooks his hands on his opponent's ankle and tries to get him flat on the mat.

Focus Driven

Amelia Raziq, Visual Editor In-Chief • February 27, 2026

While the class 4, district 2 tournament didn't quote go how the boys wrestling team wanted,  with only qualifying 4 boys, the ones that did qualify are ready to take on the state tournament that...

Kaitlyn Sparkman pins her opponent in her second bout of the day on Feb. 13. Sparkman is balancing club soccer and school wrestling while maintaining a high GPA, finishing the tournament first in her weight class.

District Dominators

Aaron Alavi, Staff Photographer • February 25, 2026

With the Spartan Girls Wrestling having its district tournament on Feb.13, the girls dominated, coming in second place with many wrestlers advancing to state, and several Spartans had standout performances....

Rising up and onto his feet, Owen Eiswirth begins to try and find a way to get a hold of his opponent during the Kyle Thrash tournament on Jan. 31. Eiswirth pulled his opponent to the floor and began to try and keep him down.

A Tradition That Carries On

Emma Kull, Staff Photographer • February 9, 2026

The Kyle Thrasher tournament has been going on for nearly three decades and on Jan. 30-31 at Francis Howell high school it was held once again. The tournament consists of schools from all over and...

On Jan. 7, sophomore Kaitlyn Sparkman glances around, preparing herself for her match at GAC’s. Sparkman’s match was challenging, but she stood her ground to take the win.

All In On The Mat: GAC Wrestling Tournament

Olivia Unash, Staff Photographer • February 3, 2026

The girls and boys wrestling team had GAC’s on Jan. 7. After many rounds of challenging matches, the girls team placed first and the boys team placed third overall for their GAC division. Sophomore...

After winning his match on Jan. 14, the referee raises freshman David Bundy’s hand to declare he was the winner. Bundy had one match, allowing him to win all his matches that day.

Wrestling The Rival

Carter Hayden, Social Media editor • February 3, 2026

Going against their rivals in a duel, the FHC Spartans were paired against the Francis Howell High Vikings on Jan. 14. Because it’s against their rival school, it was important for the Spartans to...

Lifting his opponent off the ground freshman Seth Nichols attempted to slam the other team's wrestler. The match is in its height and points are beginning to become crucial on Jan. 28.

Bonds Built on the Mat

Gabrielle Viehmeyer, Staff Photographer • February 3, 2026

On Wednesday Jan. 28, the Francis Howell Central Girls and boys wrestling teams attended Fort Zumwalt South to participate in a dual. Both the girls and boys teams displayed their hard work from the...

On Jan. 17, Addison Holtgrewe wraps her arms around her opponent while trying to flip her over. The game ends with Addison winning with a strong hold.

Overcoming the Nervous Thoughts

Lola Bedel, Photographer • January 29, 2026

The girls varsity wrestling team went to the St. Charles Tournament on Jan. 17. The girls worked hard in practice for this tournament and it payed off. Most of the girls finished their first round...

Junior Sam Golden grabs his opponent's leg on Jan. 7, in an attempt to pin him. Golden won the point for the match making the score between Central and Liberty even.

Iron Triangle

Jacob Banks, Staff Photographer • January 29, 2026

Starting off the second semester, a match off between Liberty and the varsity boys wrestling team on Jan. 7, in the big gym ended in a Central victory. The match ended in a close score of 36-35. A...

Freshman Seth Nichols slams his opponent to the ground, as Troy’s wrestler puts his arm straight down as an attempt to brace himself. Nichols’ initial move on Jan. 21 to get to this lift was hitting a double leg shot, and then using that momentum to take the athlete over his shoulder.

Troy Throwdown

Rachael Latzel, Photo Assignment Editor • January 28, 2026

Wrestling matches against schools from anywhere are often nerve-racking in general, but for Francis Howell Central, this dual was one where everything was on the line. The wrestling team has worked...

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