There are very few things in this world that can unite us quite like a sports team does. As Hamilton continues to grow and thrive, one thing has always remained the same: loyalty to Big Blue Athletics.
“I bleed blue!” — a phrase that’s been echoed time and time again since at least the late ’90s by both current and former athletes, as well as supporters who have lived in Hamilton all their lives. They grew up here, they went to Hamilton schools, and now they have kids and grandkids who are part of the community. Their love for Hamilton and Big Blue Athletics runs deep, and their loyalty is unmatched.
Perhaps that’s why, year after year, Big Blue Athletics always comes out and competes at a high level. The athletes show up, they work hard, and they play for something bigger than themselves.
Football — the boys of fall. There’s just something about a Friday night under the lights. Win or lose, it’s a rush that’s hard to beat. The 2024–25 season, however, had a whole lot of winning. Going 9-3 overall, with an impressive eight-game winning streak, the football team did not come to just “play football.” They came to make a statement. With the help of players like senior Gracen Goldsmith, who set a new school record for single-season rushing yards (1,550 yards) and also set the single-season touchdown record, it’s no wonder the team had several blowout wins. It also doesn’t hurt that Big Blue’s defense was nearly impenetrable. With four games allowing zero points and four games where they allowed no more than seven points, it’s hard to beat a team when they refuse to let you score. Throw in kicker Conner Stephens, who set a new school record for extra points in a season with 35, and you have a team that’ll frustrate you on both sides of the ball. With a solid group set to return this year, it should be interesting to see what they can do in the 2025–26 season.
The winning wasn’t a market cornered solely by the football team, though. The cheerleaders even got in on the action. In addition to their dedication to supporting the football team each and every week, no matter the conditions, they also took their program to the next level. This past year the Big Blue cheerleaders made a bold move by taking on the added difficulty of stunting — a move that would take their program to the next level, earn them a spot at state competition, and win them a Team of the Week Award.
Another group that went into the 2024–25 season on a mission was the wrestling team. With strong showings all season, it’s no wonder the team, as a unit, finished GMC Runners-Up — an accomplishment that’s not only hard-fought but earned through perseverance, dedication, and discipline. There were also individual milestones. Making history — or HERstory — was senior Tayley Asher. With a dominant and statement-making win in her District Semifinals match, Tayley became the first-ever female at Big Blue to qualify for state. Julius Knowles, another of the team’s impressive standouts, once again earned himself a much-deserved spot at state where, in true Julius fashion, he gave it everything he had and left it all on the mat. Julius’ younger brother Jayden also had a stellar year. Jayden was not only a district qualifier, but he also received the Most Improved Award. Additionally, his district placement garnered him a spot as an alternate at the State Tournament.
The 2024–25 season was one of historic firsts, broken records, and moments that will forever be etched in the memories of those who experienced them.
Moments like swimmer James Hossler becoming the first-ever freshman in Big Blue history to qualify for state. Or maybe it was when James broke the 24-year-old school record in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:17.52. Oh, and there’s also the time when he broke the 21-year-old school record with his 200 IM time of 2:03.52. And let’s not forget when he and his teammates — Elijah Lay, Jude Yordy, and Colson Culver — broke their own school record for the fifth time in the 400 Freestyle Relay. What a year the boys of Big Blue swimming had!
The boys weren’t the only ones lighting up the pool, though. Senior Hazel Culver was awarded the Friends of the Classic Scholarship for her hard work, outstanding leadership, and inspiring sportsmanship. She also broke her own school record in the 200 IM with a time of 2:20.72, and with teammates Hannah Robinson, Makayla Platt, and Ana Grant, broke the school record in the 200 Medley Relay. The cherry on top of the season, though, may have been the historic GMC finish for both the boys and girls. For the first time in over 30 years, Hamilton’s Big Blue swim team finished in sixth place, beating out top rivals Fairfield, Princeton, Colerain, and Middletown.
All year long, the accomplishments just kept coming. There were track and field record-breakers such as district champion Mason Holbrook, who broke the school’s 17-year record in shot put.
Then there’s Elijah Lay. Elijah broke the school’s 15-year record in pole vault — which he later broke again — making him the GMC Pole Vault Champion.
Big Blue track and field also had some serious speed. Running himself into the record books and to the state track meet was RJ Shepherd. RJ absolutely shattered the school’s 31-year record in the 200 Meter Dash with a time of 21.60.
It’s difficult to share every single historic moment that happened last year because there were so many. Big Blue Athletics are thriving, and the girls’ softball team is a prime example of that. Not only did they, as a team, set a school record for “Most Home Runs in a Single Season,” but senior Peyton Eversole scored nine of them, which also broke a school record. Talented, hardworking, coachable kids are a big part of what can make or break any program. But if you want to take a good team and make them not just great, but truly special, you need a special kind of coach. A coach like Steve Heckman.
Coach Heckman earned his 450th win for Big Blue this past season. It’s an accomplishment that is not only well-earned and hard-fought but truly speaks to the kind of care he has poured into the Big Blue softball program.
Looking back at all the accomplishments from last year, it’s easy to see why Big Blue Athletics means so much. It’s more than a game — it’s where we learn lessons, escape the world for a while, and play for something bigger than ourselves. It’s where the game is real, the passion is strong, and we bleed blue.