By Sydney Case, Editor-in-Chief
As winter approaches, the River Hill High School wrestling team is preparing for another season on the mat with new athletes, preseason practices and a change in leadership. Following the departure of Jeff Rermgosakul, known to the team as Coach Remy, the program is welcoming new head coach Mark Davis. While the transition marks the end of one chapter for River Hill wrestling, returning athletes and newcomers alike are looking forward to what the upcoming season will bring.
In February 2026, Coach Remy announced his departure from River Hill to take over the wrestling program at Old Mill High School, where he had previously coached. During his time at River Hill, Remy helped rebuild the program and strengthen its team culture, leaving a lasting impact on the wrestlers.
Senior Tony Galanakos is excited about the new coach but knows he will miss Remy’s leadership. He believes Davis will help the team improve both on and off the mat, particularly by focusing on developing younger wrestlers.
“Our new coach will not only help us become better wrestlers, but he will also teach us important life skills that we can use outside of wrestling,” Galankos said. “I believe our team will improve a lot this season, and I know we will continue to grow and get even better in the years to come. One thing I really like about our new coach is that he plans to focus more on the younger wrestlers, helping them develop their skills and build a strong foundation for the future.”
Sophomore Logan Case also reflected on what he appreciated about Coach Remy’s leadership, particularly his teaching style and the techniques he brought to practices. Although Case is interested to see how Davis approaches training, he is looking forward to the possibility of an end-of-season banquet this year.
“I liked Coach Remy’s style of practicing because he taught us good techniques, and I’m interested to see how the new coach does things,” Case said. “I’m also excited about hopefully having a banquet this year because we didn’t have one last season.”
Aside from the introduction of the new coach, River Hill wrestlers have been working to prepare for the upcoming winter season. During the summer, the team held Thursday practices alongside Glenelg High School’s wrestling team, giving athletes a chance to learn from different competitors and experience new wrestling styles.
Sophomore Garret Hayleck enjoyed the combined practices and appreciated the opportunity to learn from Glenelg’s skilled wrestlers.
“I enjoyed practicing with Glenelg because they have a lot of skilled wrestlers,” Hayleck explained. “It was good to learn from them, share techniques and wrestle against different people. I thought it was a great way to start preparing for the winter season.”
Once school resumed, practices initially took place on Tuesdays and Thursdays before switching to Mondays and Wednesdays as the season approached closer. With tryouts scheduled for November 12–14, returning wrestlers are sharpening their skills while new athletes begin learning the sport.
One exciting development this season is the number of new students showing interest in wrestling. Sophomore Ronan Taylor is among those preparing to join the team for the first time. Taylor has started attending preseason practices and is becoming increasingly excited about the sport.
“I didn’t wrestle last year, but I’ve started going to preseason practices, and I’m getting really excited,” Taylor said. “I have a lot of friends on the team, and I’ve heard great things about River Hill wrestling. I’m looking forward to trying something new and seeing how the season goes.”
The arrival of new wrestlers also gives returning athletes an opportunity to take on leadership roles, helping beginners develop their skills and become comfortable with the sport. With a new coach and additional athletes, the team has an opportunity to build a strong foundation for the future.
Junior Yasmine Cedars, previous Howard County girls wrestling champion, shares her take on the upcoming season.
“I’m really happy that the season is starting soon because it’s my favorite part of the wintertime.” Cedars says. “I think we are gonna have a bigger team this year and I’m interested to see how the new coach will improve our program.”
As tryouts approach, River Hill wrestling is entering a season filled with change and opportunity. While returning athletes adjust to new leadership, newcomers are preparing to step onto the mat for the first time. The team’s focus on improvement, teamwork and developing younger wrestlers will be important as the program continues to grow.
With preseason practices underway and a new coach leading the way, River Hill wrestling is ready to begin its next chapter. Whether returning to build on past experience or joining for the first time, the athletes are preparing to make the upcoming season one to remember.