Found on 125 Commercial St. and established in 1976, the Midwest High School Hockey League presented the Waterloo Warriors in the late fall of 1980. With great success from dozens of schools across the state of Iowa and led by coaches Brian Cook, Dan Lichty and Tucker Schweer, the Warriors, ranking at number 6, qualified for the state tournament at the MidAmerican RecPlex in Des Moines.
On Friday, March 1, 2024 the Warriors faced off the Omaha Junior Lancers and the Des Moines Oak Leafs in the state tournament; their first State tournament since taking home the state JV state championship title in 2020.
With varsity and junior varsity both winning their Friday games 1-0 and 5-1, the teams advancements sent them off to the quarter finals. The Warriors varsity team followed up with a 6-3 loss.
On Sunday, March 2, the Warriors continued their long weekend with a 1-9 loss placing them fourth overall while junior varsity faced the Omaha Junior Lancers JV, losing 3-4, placing them second in the overall bracket.
Junior defenseman Jack Rikkers, a three year returner, says “It felt good to go there for the first time since my freshman year, and then to upset the third ranked in state we had previously lost to earlier in the season felt great.”
Senior Cayden Kutz a four year returner, adds that he has cherished his last four years of high school hockey, “The best four years of my life.” Kutz, an offensive forward, has worked hard and long with his team this year and says “It feels like our hard work finally paid off.” As Kutz played his last high school game on Sunday March 2, his last message to his team is “Enjoy it while it lasts. Have fun spending time with your friends.”
From a harsh season start to ranking second and fourth in this year’s bracket the Warriors fought against the odds and were able to achieve a secured seat in the state tournament, pushing themselves and truly showing the work they put in this season. With support and pride from not only their own team but the Waterloo Community Schools, students, families, and viewers around the Midwest.
