WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Wichita Junior Thunder High School team is the Mid-America High School Hockey League champion for the third year in a row.
“I'm really proud of them,” coach Devon Smith said.
“Obviously we’ve won three championships in the last three years, which is pretty good for a Wichita native,” player Lucas Marks said. “So I think we can obviously credit Coach Mike and Coach Devon for that success. But really, team chemistry is what pushes us over the edge against a lot of teams. I think so.”
The Junior Thunder team is made up of kids from Wichita area schools including Campus, Valley Center, Goddard, Andover, Derby, Northwest, Bishop Carroll and more. They play against teams from all over the country.
Most of the boys have been playing together for 10 years.
“In the simplest terms, these guys are my brothers,” Marks said. “I go to war with them every day, compete with them every day, and spend all the time I can with them outside of hockey. It's a great environment and I'm so grateful.”
“There's something different about the community and how everyone is coming together and coming together,” Nathan Zane said.
“I've known all of these guys since I was a kid. They're like my best friends,” said player Aiden Fife.
Marks says it means a lot to have a team that is like family to travel with him.
“Just having that support system…of course you have your family at home, but to have your family there when you're in Jefferson City or anywhere else, it's an incredible feeling and it's very felt. ” is supported, and this is great. Seeing them every day at the rink and every day outside the rink is the most encouraging thing for me and it's great because I'm thinking of a lot of us. ”
Kansas may not be known as a hockey state, but the sport still means the world.
“I've played basketball, I've played football, I've played all kinds of sports, but this is just different,” Zane said.
“This is a great sport,” Marks said. “It's really great, especially in this part of the country where you don't get a lot of exposure, and it teaches you great character, strength and how to be a teammate. And the people here are really great.”
Many of the players had plans to try out for college teams, and five players made all-conference.
“This is pretty impressive, but most people don't even know we exist,” parent Rose Inkeler said. “These kids have been practicing at the rink for hours on end. The bond that they have with the coaches really helps bring the kids together.”
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