By Ava Wille
Every Rocket is aware of McNicholas High School’s rivalry with Badin for the GCL as well as the local rivalries with Anderson and Turpin. McNicholas, Anderson, and Turpin regularly compete in most sports each season, and hope to end victorious with the title of King/Queen of the Hill.
Turpin High School Athletic Director Tony Hemmelgarn said the rivalry started “probably since [Turpin] began.” He says King and Queen of the Hill started in 1976 with basketball, soccer, and softball, which were the first sports at Turpin High School.
This rivalry also started when all three schools were part of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC). Being only seven minutes away from each other in either direction, the rivalry among the schools became well-known among their athletes.
The competitions among the schools evolved into the winner holding the title of King or Queen of the Hill. Even though the rivalry can be intense, many McNicholas students still have friends from both Turpin and Anderson.
Senior Jordan Wheatley said it is always “fun and exciting” to play against her friends from Anderson and Turpin and said how they won Queen of the Hill this year in basketball. Senior Lucy Laudeman, who transferred from Turpin High School her junior year, said she feels bad when they play and win in softball, but they are always kind and supportive. Junior Ellie Mulvaney said it “makes me feel empowered” when McNick wins.
The McNicholas Milestone 