Rugby gains popularity in the Midwest
By Morgan Vehige, Lafayette High School
January 23, 2020
Despite originating in Britain in 1823, the sport of rugby is gaining more traction each year in the United States. As of 2016, there are over 125,000 members playing in over 2,600 clubs around the country, with over 900 of those clubs being college teams governed by USA Rugby. Language arts teacher...
Friendships, rivalries and fan accounts: A breakdown of basketball teams who play for the J
By Michael Lolley, Parkway West High School
January 23, 2020
Established in 1880, the Jewish Community Center (the J), formally known as the Young Men’s Hebrew Association, has been a part of St. Louis’ history for decades longer than the Gateway Arch. One service provided by the J is recreational sports leagues for both youth and adult players. Basketball ...
OP alumnus aims for 2020 Olympics
By Kellen Beckett, Oak Park High School - CA
January 22, 2020
“Oak Park holds a very special place in my heart.” Kareem Maddox graduated from Oak Park High School in 2007 and went on to attend Princeton University as a player on their Division I basketball team. Maddox remembers his time at OPHS fondly. He also favorably remembers his coaches and teachers. ...
How superstitions and rituals affect athletes
By Gabby Hyrkas, Orono High School
January 21, 2020
Superstitions and rituals are extremely common in athletics, especially at Orono High School. However superstitions and rituals are not scientifically proven to directly affect the outcome of an event; they merely trick the athlete into believing they are able to influence a situation they have no control...
National Treasures: How Lincoln cross country defied expectations by making it to Nike Cross Nationals
By Cole Pressler, Lincoln High School - OR
January 21, 2020
If you asked head coach Eric Dettman in the summer of 2018 if he thought the Lincoln girls’ cross country team would make it to the national championship meet, there might have been a sliver of doubt in his eyes. But something was different about the team this year. There was a tenacity that he...
Thomas Watry prepares for U.S. Paralympics team
By Drew Jurek, Stillwater Area High School
January 17, 2020
It was 2014 when junior Thomas Watry went to his first national competition in Richmond, Va. It was a relatively small meet in comparison to future competitions he would take part in; however, the experience was overwhelming for him. It was his first tournament on an international level, with no parents...
Confronting Concussions
By Julian Bartlebaugh, Bellwood-Antis High School
January 16, 2020
According to CDC estimates, anywhere from 1.6 to 3.8 million sports and recreation related concussions occur each year in the U.S., and ten percent of all contact sport athletes sustain concussions yearly. Brain injuries cause more deaths than any other sports injury, accounting for 65 to 95 percent...
Concussions common in girls soccer
By Helen Moore, Henry W. Grady High School
January 15, 2020
You blank out. You are are on the ground. Then up again. A few moments later a corner kick is being taken, but you have no idea how the game played out to get you to that moment. Sarah Gray* experienced this confusion during a Grady soccer game in May of her freshman year. “I remember realizing...
Plant-powered athletes: Students share their experiences in sports with modified diets
By Susie Seidel, Parkway West High School
January 13, 2020
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Venus Williams and Scott Jurek rank among many professional athletes who fuel their performance through plant-based diets. In addition to the big names, athletes on our home turf also find strength and endurance through vegan and vegetarianism. Lydia Roseman After months ...
Local Students Head to Youth Olympics for Curling
By Lauren Medeiros, Wayland High School
January 13, 2020
Many people know curling as a long-running sport in the Olympic games. This year, team USA will be represented at the Youth Olympics in January, by four youth athletes and their coach. The team consists of Coach John Benton (former Olympian), and Athletes Ethan Hebert, Alina Tschumakow, Katie Murph and...
Racial separation remains on school’s sports teams 58 years after integration
By Charlotte Spears, Henry W. Grady High School
January 9, 2020
Sports should be the great equalizer. A football, a softball or a frisbee can strip kids of wealth, race and status and pull people together based solely on passion. Fifty eight years after the integration of Atlanta Public Schools, high school athletics should be representative of the possibility of...
Athleticism over sexualization
By Kaitlyn McTigue, Benilde-St. Margaret's School
January 7, 2020
Three-time gold medal winner, Lindsey Vonn, is said to be the most award-winning female skier of all-time. Before the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Vonn was showcased on the Sports Illustrated cover––something that is very rare for women––in a pose similar to skier AJ Kitt, who was showcased on t...
Injury Prevention for Athletes
By Julianne Berry-Stoelzle, Iowa City High School
January 7, 2020
A sprained ankle, a broken bone, or a torn muscle all have the ability to put even the best athlete on the sideline. An injury in high school athletics can make a big difference, from sitting out a season to not getting a chance to play in college. According to At Your Own Risk, an organization dedicated...
Competition cheer team makes history with first ever WPIAL win
By Lindsay Bonetti, Victoria Di Cesare, Jaiman White, and Tyler Zeman
January 7, 2020
As soon as she saw her coaches crying and the crowd screaming, senior Abby Zuder knew that her cheer team’s routine at Saturday’s WPIAL Championships was something special. “In your own stunt groups, you can’t see the rest of the team, but I could just feel the energy that we hit,” Zuder...
Minnesota hockey team plays at home arena
By Tennam Gyaldatsang, St. Louis Park High School
January 7, 2020
According to public relations director of the Minnesota Wild Aaron Sickman, the Wilds have been holding outdoor practices in St. Louis Park for the last couple of years. “This is the third year in a row that we have done this outdoor practice at the ROC,” Sickman said. Freshman Eli Puchner...
Coloring in the lines
By Sally Parampottil, Coppell High School
January 6, 2020
Throughout the world, about 200 sports are internationally recognized. In total, there are an estimated 800 sports throughout the world, including regional and specialized sports. Just as those smaller-scale sports are associated with a specific region, ethnic group, race or nationality, larger spor...
Welcome to the Mat
By Natalie Walsh, Francis Howell Central High School
January 6, 2020
Eye to eye. Silence settles over the gymnasium as the referee places his arm between the two opponents. Hearts are racing as anticipation and anxiety settles in for the match. Knees bent, arms in position, waiting for the referee to let hell break loose; cut the strings holding them back and let what...
Relentless. Impassioned. Immortal.
By Kayla Reyes, Francis Howell Central High School
January 6, 2020
The first snow of the year falls to the ground, a thick flurry of white, fluffy flakes blowing through the air. The hallways clear out and fall silent as hundreds of teenagers quickly rush to their transportation, desperate to get out of the frigid temperatures and the cold, slushy snow that cascades...
Paying to Play
By Jake Bollinger, Bellwood-Antis High School
January 6, 2020
For some high school athletes the sports season doesn't end when their team’s schedule is complete. More and more, teenagers are joining travel teams to compete all year-round. Each year parents spend thousands of dollars to have their kids play on travel teams, footing the bill for costs includes...
Cut the Gut to Make the Cut
By Anna Carroll, Francis Howell Central High School
January 6, 2020
145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, 285…See the pattern? The difference from number to number, from weight class to weight class is the hard-earned product of hundreds of calories, countless workouts and ceaseless dedication. By dropping pounds, wrestlers hope to gain an athletic edge against their...
Wrestling with stereotypes
By Hanah Kitamoto, West High School
December 27, 2019
At first glance, wrestling mats might look soft. That's what people thought about female wrestlers. But if you take a closer look, both are extremely tough. It took decades of dodging stereotypes and doubters for girls to settle into the wrestling room. Forty years ago, female wrestlers took these steps...
Looking back: Females fight sports bias
By Amelia Stevens, West High School
December 27, 2019
Females fight sports bias by WSS Editorial Board 1971 Published in the September 17, 1971 edition of West Side Story During the course of high school, certain extra-curricular activities are set up so that the student may pursue any object of interest which may not be available during school hours. W...
Junior fitness guru “lifts” the community with his knowledge
By Lincoln Polan, Walt Whitman High School
December 26, 2019
As the Air King fans whir in the background of the weight room, junior Jordan Maggin holds a 90-pound dumbbell in his hand. Curling the weight with ease, Maggin sets the scene dramatically: “Welcome to Whitman lifting club!” Maggin started the weightlifting club to spread his knowledge about fitness...
Remembering the Knight at the Bank
By Sport Writing Class of 2019, Benilde-St. Margaret's School
December 26, 2019
The 2016 Benilde-St. Margaret's football season: a rollercoaster season in which the Red Knights endured injuries, suspensions, and tough losses, but one that also consisted of chemistry, triumph, and an unlikely state championship run. Even now––nearly three years later––the impact of the...
Beyond the numbers
By Sally Parampottil, Coppell High School
December 20, 2019
The year after I was born, former quarterback Tony Romo signed for the Dallas Cowboys, launching his 13-year career in the NFL. He retired two years ago, taking on a new role as a sportscaster with CBS. While his legacy is debated, some pointing to the numbers to show he was not a stellar quarterback and others ...
Taking one for the team
By Oliver Simpson, McHenry High School - West Campus
December 19, 2019
In an instant, the match is over and a varsity wrestler feels the referee hoist his hand into the air. Beneath him, his defeated opponent tries to catch his breath, but all this wrestler can think of is the food he has waiting for him in his bag. He has spent the past week trying to cut weight to go...
Arianna Gonzalez: Kicking Down Gender Barriers in Sports
By Allegra Sharp, Kluivert Suquino, and Daniel Toll
December 18, 2019
For generations, the struggle for gender equality has proved to be an eternal battle facing women around the world. Recently, this struggle has manifested itself in nearly all aspects of society as trailblazing individuals have pioneered feminist movements, allowing for an expansive spread of awareness...
Comeback Complete: Christine Nets 1,000 Career College Points
By Michael Stoner, Tyrone Area High School
December 17, 2019
Nearly four years ago, in a high school varsity game against Bellefonte, current Penn State Altoona senior Finnley Christine was driving for a layup when her knee gave out. Lying on the Tyrone gym floor clutching her right leg, her dreams of reaching 1,000 career points in high school and winning a district...
A Day in the Life of the first female NFL referee
By Lauren Anne Smith, Jackson Preparatory School
December 17, 2019
Watching an NFL game is an exciting experience when you’re in the sea of fans cheering on your favorite team. There’s not a dull moment with every kickoff, fumble, and touchdown sending the crowd into an uproar. Heads turn when the whistle is blown, as the referees set the tone of the game. Referee...
Revenge Tour 2019; XC State Meet
By Grace Moriarty and Joey Leonardo
December 17, 2019
Cross country is not typically known for its fan section; however, this year the narrative changed completely. Over 250 fans made the trip down to Peoria to cheer on the boys and girls teams running in the state meet. Seniors Steve Chornij, Jensen Redick, Will Ahern and Kameron Stearns wanted to “hype...
Colin, Contracts, and Controversy
By Matson Montilla, Brashier Middle College Charter High School
December 17, 2019
Colin Kapernick was last seen in the National Football League (NFL) three years ago. Since then he has been very active in the equal rights movement, but he has also attempted to come back to the NFL. On November 16, 2019, Kaepernick conducted a 40-minute tryout in front of eight NFL scouts and the media to try...
A dangerous game, high schoolers face life long sports injuries
By Tristan Caudill, Parkway West High School
December 17, 2019
According to AtYourOwnRisk.org, about half of high school students play sports. Throughout their athletic career, almost half of those students report having an injury from playing sports. Athletic Trainer Matt Brening says that the risk of having long term effects from a sports injury in high sc...
Sister Sister: Legacies in the making
By Eileen Zhang, Richard Montgomery High School
December 16, 2019
Sister duos Lindsay and Caroline Maggio and Elise and Charlotte Turesson are currently four of the most prominent athletes at RM. However, despite being related, they have all paved their legacy within RM athletics as individuals. The Maggios It’s not a new concept for siblings to often play the same sp...
CNN awards Matthew Billenstein with the positive athlete award
By Katherine Steahly and Murphy McFarlane
December 16, 2019
Junior Mathew Billenstein reached for structural support as he stepped onto the diving block for the first time since he started swimming six years ago. It was generally assumed that Billenstein would not be able to dive, but years later Billensteined preserved. Under direction from his all-time coach,...
Wrestling Team Ready for the ‘Spotlight’
By Peter Elliott, Lake Forest High School
December 13, 2019
Wrestling head coach Matt Fiordirosa would be the first person to tell you that WWE has distorted our perception of the sport. Real wrestling is tactical, fundamental, and gritty; the favorite sport of the Greeks. But thanks to the likes of John Cena and Vince McMahon, when we hear “wrestling,” we thi...
Sports injuries: The gruesome risks of being an athlete
By Ellie Tyska and Charlie Moore
December 13, 2019
Disclaimer: This article contains graphic images. Senior Carly Camphausen stands in Wayland’s half of the field, awaiting the throw-in from her teammate. Camphausen, a captain for the Wayland girls varsity soccer team, is trying to win a game against Division II Concord-Carlisle. Sophomore Sophie E...
SS Visual Works gives back to his community
By Caroline Frisiras, Tigard High School
December 13, 2019
Many Tigard alumni go on to do great things after high school, but few return to leave an impact on the community they grew up in. Ryan Slider, popularly known by his social media tag @ssvisualworks, graduated from Tigard in 1997 and is still positively involved with Tigard’s athletic scene. ...
The Breaking Point
By Owen Hewitt and Erin O'Connell
December 12, 2019
Two years ago, Carsten Haddad took the field on a Thursday night in autumn for Mid South Futbol Club. Haddad had been playing for the club since it was created, when he was eight years old. It had been a fairly normal Thursday for Haddad, a freshman at the time. He had gone through the typical St. George’s...
The Lancer football team’s advantage? The man in ‘The Nest.’
By Cole Keegan, Londonderry High School
December 11, 2019
“It’s the man up in the box,” said senior cornerback, Matt Pemberton. “We couldn’t do it without his knowledge,” said senior safety, Alex Tsetsilas. “We call him the hidden player,” said senior cornerback, Kyle Proulx. This man behind this dominating defense isn’t on the field...
Advice from Olympic gold medalist sparks girls nordic ski team
By Ally Benning, Stillwater Area High School
December 11, 2019
Jessie Diggins' gold medal victory in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea inspired the whole community, but she has affected a specific group more than anyone else. "She has impacted me because she's just a really good person," junior Liv Myers said. "She'll talk about things that...
Remembering Valley’s First Victory
By Spencer Goldstein and Katie Mullaney
December 10, 2019
It was Thanksgiving Day in 1955. Pascack Valley’s football team was winless in its inaugural season, set to take on Northern Valley on the road with one game to go. Valley supporters packed the bleachers in hopes of witnessing school history – and that’s exactly what they did, as Valley defeated...
Advertising Athletes
By Connor Thompson, Lake Ridge
December 10, 2019
The idyllic dream of becoming a professional football player is shared by over 1 million high school students across the United States, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and only 7.1% of these athletes will continue their football career at an NCAA school. Senior Caleb Rogers is o...
Moussa completes family trend on Egyptian national team
By Sally Parampottil, Coppell High School
December 9, 2019
As the third sibling to play basketball for an Egyptian youth national team, Coppell senior guard Adam Moussa comes from a basketball-oriented family. His father, Hesham Moussa, played professional basketball in Egypt. His older sister, Coppell High School 2011 graduate Reem Moussa, played basketball...
Enduring for the endorphins: An overview of running’s mental benefits
By Jenny Loveland, North Cobb High School
December 9, 2019
You see the trail before you and notice the smell of last autumn’s leaves. It mixes with the breeze as you begin to run, and soon you hear the sound of your feet as you hit the path. All remains quiet and peaceful, except for the birds and the leaves beneath your shoes. Talk to almost any student...
Undefeated
By Ryan Moore, De Smet Jesuit High School
December 6, 2019
For the second time in a week De Smet, ranked 14th in the nation and 1st in Missouri for football, has gained yet another state trophy after the football team’s victory over Joplin at Mizzou's Faurot Field. Just two years ago the team won a combined three games in the 2016 and 2017 seasons, however,...
European champ to Coppell coach
By Shivi Sharma, Coppell High School
December 6, 2019
A typical day for Coppell swim Coach Marieke Mastebroek starts early. At 6:45 a.m., she greets her varsity swimmers at the Coppell YMCA, pacing the pool as they practice sets. As Dutch record holder in the 50 freestyle and the 100 individual medley and a decorated former swimmer for Southern Methodist...
One More Skill
By Bridget Nauman, Antioch Community High School
December 6, 2019
Ballet and football: many people may depict these two sports as complete opposites and may never think that one would benefit the other. Junior Dino Kaliakmanis believes differently; he breaks this stereotypical thought by participating in both football and ballet. Kaliakmanis believes that ballet helps...
Barton, NFL All-Pro with Grady ties
By Kaitlin Palaian and Mills Rentz-Baker
December 5, 2019
Joe Montana historically drove down the field against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 22, 1989 to win the San Francisco 49ers their third Super Bowl. Many football fans remember the stars, but few remember the men in the trenches blocking for those stars. Harris Barton is one of those blockers. “I...
Sisters unite volleyball team
By Hartley Hill, H.B. Plant High School
December 5, 2019
The girls volleyball team takes the court as the reigning 8A state runner-up, but that is not the only reason they are a force to be reckoned with. Not one but two pairs of sisters build this team to their greatest potential. Lily and Birdie Frierson and Macy and Adele Cassidy have shared...
“2KForbes Filmed It”
By Gabe Schaner, Walt Whitman High School
December 5, 2019
When he first found out in February that Lamelo Ball, the rising basketball star of the Ball Family, was playing in a high school game for Spire Academy at Towson University, Montgomery County, local Remi Ali felt a drive within himself — he had to videotape the game. Ali, with just under a year of...