When I think about the class of 2018 as a whole, I think about the greatest class to ever walk the halls of FHC. There is not a more gifted class athletically and there won’t be a class like us for quite some time. FHC has experienced some of their greatest seasons of recent past and is ready to embark upon more. The year isn’t even done yet and we’ve already surpassed the success of years past.

A lot of people may argue this is a subjective subject, and something based on opinion. So fine, let’s look at some facts.

As the opening kickoff for the football season was sent into the air, everyone had a deep feeling that something special brewing. The team put together a 13-1 season, its best since 1994, and went on to the state semifinal when they fell just shy of a state finals appearance. It brought electricity throughout the school and was a whole new level of viewing appeasement to see the team have so much success.

Our girls field hockey team made a state championship-winning run, and can sometimes slip through the cracks. When you look up at the banners from this year’s teams, however, the success of these girls was prevalent throughout the season. Not many teams go 14-2 and win the state.

Boys tennis was also a state championship caliber year, as Connor Genschaw won the individual state title at one singles. FHC sent numerous other athletes to WMU to battle for the title, including a multi-time state champ in senior Jake Wiltjer. It was safe to say it was a pretty gifted senior class.

Girls swim and dive had arguably the best season of their history. Senior Colleen Kramer captured her diving state championship while senior Felicity Buchmaier added another two in swimming events. Felicity will be off to NC State to swim in the ACC next season.

Don’t forget, in the fall of 2017, FHC had four collegiate signees to play NCAA sports. Felicity, Miko Rodriguez (Texas A&M Baseball), Patrick English (Marquette University Lacrosse), and Johnny Irish (University of Indianapolis Baseball).

As we moved into the winter, the success never stopped.

Boys basketball looked to make history and they have done just that. Six records have been broken in the Rangerball stat books, they have won 14 straight, they are undefeated in the conference, and have clinched the OK white title. Their season isn’t over yeta�� Seniors Ty George and Ryan Dunn will continue to lead this team as FHC hosts their first district in their careers.

The girls struggled towards the beginning of the year, but seniors Madi Winter and Emma Yoder have given a spark and now make them a lethal threat for their playoff run. Madi also hit a running three with time expiring to crush archrival FHN in the final seconds of the fourth.

We have our first competitive cheer team that belongs to just our school and is not split between the other schools in the district. Was it a coincidence that it was made when we were seniors? I think not.

Boys swim and dive won the conference and took down EGR while also having numerous guys jump into the state time mix. The boasted an undefeated conference record and now have a chance to put together a special run at the state meet.

The winter signing period usually has more signees than the rest of the year, and this class lived up to that expectation. Not only did they live up to it, we had 21 total signees at the table with their college gear on and the name cards proudly lying in front. It was something unheard of and the largest signing in FHC’s history.

With the spring season still to come, it’s hard to believe that this class isn’t the best in the history. Girls soccer, boys lacrosse, baseball, boys golf, crew, and rugby all still have immense hopes of making the run into the playoffs this year.

I’m not sure how we have put all the success together that we have. All I know is that we are extraordinary already, and we aren’t done yet.