Even though the 2023-2024 school year has just begun, our Vikings have been wasting no time. In sports, clubs, and extracurriculars Hoggard students have been busy prepping for the new school year and enjoying the last moments of summer.
The Student Council pulled off a successful pep rally for homecoming festivities, bringing excitement among students and faculty for the homecoming football game. Led by Student Body President Avery Braithwaite, the week was a success. The Homecoming Dance, hosted by Hoggard PTSO on September 30, was a night to remember. It was held in the Hoggard Cafeteria decorated like a true dance floor where students danced the night away!
On the sports side of things, Hoggard athletics have set a high bar for the 2023-2024 season. Hoggard was awarded the Mid-Eastern Conference (MEC) Wells Fargo Cup. This sought-after award is given to a high school whose athletic department achieved excellence in all sports in that year’s seasons. In competition for the state Wells Fargo Cup, Hoggard placed 10th in the rankings for 4A schools. 4A is NC’s largest and most competitive conference, so Viking athletes should be proud of all their hard work last year!
In the face of high expectations, Hoggard fall sports have rose to the challenge. Hoggard Volleyball earned their title MEC Champs in the regular season and the MEC tournament. They finished undefeated in the conference, dropping only one set to Ashley High School. They have their sights set high in the State Playoffs, receiving their first victory on Saturday, October 3rd against Northern Durham High School with a comfortable win of 3-0. Hoggard Women’s tennis also earned the MEC Championship title led by their seniors Helen Bennington, Lucy Boswell, and Kristiahn Foster.
Hoggard Cross Country is one to watch this year, with both the boy’s and girl’s team taking a decisive victory at the MEC Cross Country Kickoff 3k. Senior Ashlei Summers set a blazing new school record at 18:03 and won the race. Viking girls sweeped the rest of the top 4, with Summers followed by freshman Amelia Medlin, senior Catalina Veldwijk, and senior Annie Mulligan. On the boy’s side, senior Luke Adams took second place with a 15:45. They finished their season with the MEC Championship.
Student spirit is as strong as ever this year. The student section, dubbed the “Viking Crowd”, has been filled with energy each home game. They have gone from tropical, to jersey night to pink out, to seniors wearing togas, each week bringing more and more excitement and spirit. As the fall sports come to an end, school spirit doesn’t. Winter sports and events are gearing up and getting ready for what is to come!
As the semester begins, Vikings have been gearing up for another extraordinary school year. Although the seasons may change, the power of Viking Pride never wavers.