Eaton Red Ink December 2012

The

December 14, 2012

Injuries abound at EHS

Tis the Season

see page 8-9

RED Ink 114 Park Ave, Eaton, CO 80615

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Vol. 5 Ed. 2

2 redREPORT

December 14, 2012

‘Murder’ hits EHS stage reecekothe opinioneditor

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Nile, directed by Kendra Hixon, assisted

by Jay Kilber and Trevor Foos, and produced by Eaton High School, was a captivating murder mystery of jealousy and its affect to drive individuals to kill.

While on their honeymoon on a Nile steamboat, newlyweds Kay and Simon Mostyn played by Cassie Maack and Trent Sieg (13) are badgered by Simon’s ex-fiancé Jacqueline De Severac played by Haley Morrell (13). Feeling that Kay stole Simon from her, Jacqueline seeks to get him back at all costs.

Throughout the production, Jacque-

Photos by Reece Kothe

line’s sly and portentous ways keep the audience wary of her capabilities and underlying desires.

A strong willed Canon Pennefather, played by McKyler Korth, confronts Jacqueline and attempts to extinguish her true intentions before it is too late.

After Kay is murdered and Jacqueline is eliminated from the suspects, Pennefather begin the meticulous process of sorting through each passenger to determine the killer.

It was quite apparent that the students grasped the roles of their characters and thus skillfully carried out their purposes. All of the actors and actresses learned their accents especially well, adding to the atmosphere of the play.

The set, although basic, was perfect

for the production and allowed the audience to focus more on the storyline.

The play starts out slow, but tension and anticipation grows as the audience joins Pennefather in his search to solve the mystery. As each suspect was painstakingly eliminated, Pennefather discovered that Simon murdered his own wife.

The characters did a great job conveying a true mystery; the answer was not black and white.

Overall, this story of love and jealousy was played by the Eaton students in a confident and straightforward manner.

As a result, the audience was able to put aside small mistakes and enjoy the exhilarating story.

redREPORT

December 14, 2012

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Freshmen psyched to complete Eaton 101 Freshmen, Colton Ingram, Erich Russ, Ivan Quinones, Kaitlin Carey and Mary Martin celebrate their graduation from Eaton 101. The freshmen class spent their first four months of high school learning the Eaton acronym during advising: Excellence, Awareness, Tenacity, Ownership, Noteworthiness. In the assembly, the sophmore, junior, and senior classes got the chance to applaud the new freshman into high school. The class was presented with two speeches by LINK leaders, Austin Ekeler and Wendy Watson (13), who among others guided the freshmen through the Eaton acronym and made the high school feel more warm and welcoming. This year’s class is the 3rd to go through the Eaton 101 program. Every freshmen receieved a shirt with the Eaton acronym on the back.

Photo by Aaron Miller

Re-elected Obama faces Amendment 64, fiscal cliff

normaloya

Photo by Norma Loya

editorinchief

The heated 2012 Presidential Election was a tight race on Nov. 6, but with momentum from the swing-states, including Colorado, Barack Obama claimed the Oval Office for another four years.

After a year of nonstop campaigning, the candidates spent roughly $2 billion, which makes for the most expensive election in American history.

The 44th President took Re-

publicans by surprise after claiming Ohio and winning re-election.

Once the red states settled from a painful loss, other stories took precedence. Florida became the mockery of the country after taking days after the election to count all of the votes. It eventually turned out blue, but not by much.

Two states--Colorado and Washington--passed a bill to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

Amendment 64 and Initiative 502 are the first steps to decriminalizing the psychoactive drug.

Following the elections, new and old members of Capitol Hill face the looming guillotine blade of the fiscal cliff. The much-hyped “fiscal cliff ” is the term describing the inevitable increase in taxes and spending cuts that will take effect at the end of the year.

At this point, it’s just a matter of wrestling with the details of the proposed plan. Democrats want to increase taxes on the rich by about $1.6 trillion over the next decade.

This cliff will cut debt by about $1.2 trillion over the next two years.

According to the Washington Post, Republicans have proposed cutting spending on “Medicare, Medicaid, and other entitlement programs, as well as bigger cuts to domestic discretionary spending.”

If a deal is not reached by the new year--if Democrats and Republicans can’t play nice for a little while--taxes will go up. If a deal is reached, despite the “single largest act of debt reduction in American history,” another recession will be a likely outcome.

Amendment 64 passes in CO Amendment 64 will permit Colorado residents 21 years or older to consume or carry one ounce or less of marijuana.

The amendment allows for cannabis to be cultivated and distributed in Colorado.

Marijuana will be regulated much like alcohol is regulated and will be taxed similarly to alcohol; however, the tax can not be over 15 percent.

Persons will be checked for an ID, can not drive under the influence, and will be permitted to grow up to six plants.

The new law does not affect any medical marijuana businesses, and all previous regulations for selling medical marijuana are still in effect.

Plants can not be sold from a

household unless that household is licensed to sell marijuana. The Department of Revenue has until July 1 to establish regulations for selling marijuana. Since the law is constitutional the general assembly can not change the law.

Even though the amendment is passed, counties and cities still have the authority to ban the use of marijuana.

Weld County is one of the counties in Colorado seeking to ban marijuana plants, facilities, and retail stores from distrubuting. If so, the ban won’t go into effect until Jan. 28.

The first $40 million of the taxes collected from marijuana will be added to the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund.

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redspotlight

Choir shines despite tech troubles

jenniehaley guestreporter

At first, the EHS fall choir concert seemed to lack the sound it has had in the past.

Once the technological impurities and the nerves from the year’s first concert are taken into consideration, the concert displayed excellent talent among all four choirs.

Director Christina Contreras was graceful about the failing technology. She did say she was somewhat disappointed, however. “It affected how the audience perceived our performance, the soloists especially because of the feedback from the audience.”

First to perform was the Women’s Choir who were nearly perfect, singing, “Hallelujah” by L. Cohen.

Emily Naill (14) performed the first solo for the Women’s Choir in “Hallelujah”. Her voice was strong; however,

malfunctioning microphones stole her sound.

The Men’s Choir was hardly forgettable when they performed “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars. Estin McGraw’s (14) solo would have any girl swooning; he was strong and captivating even without microphones.

When the pretty faces of the Bella Voce ensemble stepped on stage, the crowd was eager to experience a phenomenal performance like usual. But if Contreras warned the ladies before getting on stage about no sound amplification, few of them seemed to have gotten the message. It is almost guaranteed that Alyssa McIntyre’s (13) solo in “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” by A. Webber would have swept the crowd off its feet if anyone could have heard her.

McKyler Korth (13) master-

fully played his Ukulele solo in “Over the Rainbow” by E. Harburg and H. Arlen during the Troubadours’ performance. The Troubadours proved amazing abilities to blend each unique voice like every talented a cappella group.

Both Women’s and Men’s Choirs lacked their usual animation, but Bella Voce and Troubadours sold the show despite technical difficulties.

Not only was their singing outstanding, but they actually looked like they were having fun.

These two choirs showed excellent expression in all of their songs, especially during their choreographed pieces.

This concert receives a three out of five. If the sound had been working, the concert would easily have been a four.

Eaton graduate returns home

erincarney

newseditor

Eaton High School received a blast from the past when 2007 Eaton graduate Austin Wahlert returned to EHS to speak to the student body about Noteworthiness.

Wahlert’s main point was that working for what you want is better than having it given to you-and he has worked hard to get where he is.

Not only has Wahlert made a name for himself in Nashville, writing and singing country music, but he also owns two other businesses. Wahlert is also a consultant for a National Pro Rodeo star, negotiating sponsorships and contracts, and he runs a leather tooling company.

Wahlert said he actually wrote his first song, Rodeo Man, while he was a student in History teacher Chad Shaw’s class. Wahlert was a three-sport athlete at EHS where he played football, wrestled and rodeoed.

Wahlert said, “I had a good time in high school.” His senior year he decided to learn guitar and asked choir director Christina Contreras to teach him how to sing.

Austin Wahlert poses with his wife and daughter after speaking to EHS.

Over this past summer Wahlert came back to Eaton to shoot his very first music video. He used the iconic Steve’s Grill and the high school’s football field in the video.

The video can be found on Youtube under “Miss Living in a Country Town.” He can also be found on iTunes and Facebook.

Wahlert is happily married to his wife, Justine. They have a two-month old daughter named Regan. Wahlert posted about his little girl on his band’s Facebook page. “She has Down Syndrome and what’s called a complete AV

heart valve defect. She only has one chamber in her heart where she should have two so they have to go in and try to use synthetic material to help her grow that chamber over time.” Even with his daughter’s condition he still has a positive view on life and is very humble about all of the things he’s done in life.

Wahlert’s visit to EHS can be wrapped up by a line from “Miss Living in a Country Town”: “It’s where I’s born, it’s where I’ll die.

Baseball caps and apple pie. Miss having my family around; I miss living in a country town”

December 14, 2012

5 Two relocations cost band percussionists redview

December 14, 2012

mishaylastephenson staffreporter

November 30 was an exhilarating evening as four bands performed to their full potential at their concert directed

by Phuong Nguyen. Beginning Instruments, Jazz 1 and 2, and the Concert Band played festive music for the upcoming Christmas season. All bands had a wonderful concert and their sounds were spine-tingling in many ways. One of the biggest shocks was from the Concert Band. Through their four songs, Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, With Every Winter’s Breath, and White Christmas, the band expressed great passion and intensity. Their commendable percussive performance was shocking, due to the loss

of

two key percussionists.

Within the marching season, the percussionists on the field are known as the “battery.” This consists of snares, tenors or quad-toms, and bass drums. For Eaton, the battery had two snares, one tenor, and two bass drums.

The battery of EHS may have been one of the strongest sections in the band and the strongest in the league. It was able to conquer difficult music and each member pushed themselves to their limit, putting in extra time than needed into sectionals.

However, toward the end of the season, Justin Gebauer (14), received a sudden notice that he would be moving to Grover with his aunt and uncle.

Since Gebauer was the only tenor player, the battery lacked in sound and strength when he was not present. Gebauer was lucky enough to not have school on Fridays, so he was able to drive back to Eaton and practice with the band, but only until the marching season ended.

With the marching band not placing at Regionals, Gebauer was officially out of the band.

As the band was recovering from the bad news, they discovered that Nik JuchertClegg (15), snare two, was moving back to his home state of Idaho regarding financial reasonings.

The day after Regionals, the band lost Juchert and Gebauer.

Juchert and Gebauer were top percussionists, and with concert

time, or maybe Abbasi was too far away to assist, but even those close to Han chose to idly watch by out of fear or helplessness.

Where was Han’s knight in shining armor? He may not have had anyone save the day, but he managed to get his 15 minutes of fame. His death made the front page of the New York Post, the shot of him holding on moments before his untimely demise plastered the paper and littered the streets. No one’s death should ever be publicized much less publicized for entertainment purposes. The publishers of the article didn’t even care about how tragic, how

cruel or how unfair the event was, but rather how much revenue it would bring in.

And people, having an avid curiosity for morbidity, bought it.

Han, who was said to be a family man, has children who now get to see just how their father died and the horrors of it, thanks to the paper.

His publicized death is no longer personal, it is an event shared with the whole world, a world who will forget it in a week.

It was one thing to get a picture, but another thing entirely to put it on a front page. People of the world are greedy and arrogant to make a profit from a tragedy. Lost is the sense of modesty and privacy. Because of publications such as this, the name of journalism is slandered.

Respect is lost for those in the field because this greediness is apparent in work used solely to make money. And furthermore what becomes of Han’s life now?

Thanks to New York Post, Han’s life will not be credited to much more than the “Man Pushed to Death on Subway Tracks.”

Media sullies man’s death, life emilynaill

guestreporter

“Doomed” read the headline on the front page of the New York Post on Monday, Dec. 3. In the background of this 200 pt. font eye catcher, a man captured in a still frame held on to the platform, dangling and watching an oncoming train hurl toward him in the dim lighting of the subway in Manhattan.

58-year old Ki-Suck Han was pushed by a seemingly disturbed civilian off of the platform at the 49th Street Station. However, what is more disturbing about this event is that freelance photographer, Umar Abbasi, was able to take a crystal clear photo of Han seconds before contact.

Choosing entertainment value over the value of human life makes it clear and evident that people are losing their humanity. Abbasi claims that he was running toward the train flashing his camera hoping the driver would see the signal, but flashing a camera to an automatic train seems rather incredulous, especially when the picture came out clear and precise.

Maybe there just wasn’t enough

band beginning, there were only three percussionists left. To fill the two spots, color guard members Maija Rae Brown (15) and Shelby Ruman (15) joined the percussion section for the concert season for some extra help. The percussion section now includes Mishayla Stephenson (14), Natalie Dyer (15), Jolee Ledbetter (16), Maija Rae Brown (15), and Shelby Ruman (15).

Saxaphone leader, Haley Cox (14), said, “It sucks losing Geb and Nik, but it’s worse that I lost some great friends.” Losing two percussionists, Cox still believes that the concert band will sound fine, however, saying, “We’ve lost too many people, but my hopes are still high.”

Dyer explained the great loss

of her friends. “I think losing Jeb and Nik was a big loss to not only the percussion, but also the band, too, talent-wise and personality-wise. We did pretty well in concert band last year. Hopefully we can pull it together again this year.”

Although the percussionists were off to a shaky start, the Christmas concert on Nov. 30 turned out as a success. Phuong Nguyen said, “Fantastic concert!

We’re a family and always make do with what we’ve got. [I’m] very proud.” According to Nguyen, despite the lack of percussionists, the concert ended up auspicious. Not only did the concert end well for the concert band, but every performance was superb and momentous.

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redview

Red Ink Staff Box Editor-in-Chief..............normaloya Sports Editor...........carterwilliams

and

Opinion Editor..............reecekothe Feature Editor...............averyjones News Editor......................erincarney

Pros:

mishaylastephenson staffreporter

Because of the amendment Web Editor..................aaronmiller being passed, pot is now being taxed. With weed being taxed, it Ad Manager...............chrisdawkins is declared that each year the first $40 million profited from that tax Staff Reporters would go toward public school construction. ...............................mishaylastephenson Since weed is being used for many different reasons, like reliev.......................................jazminschwark ing of symptoms caused by illnesses and depression, it is predicted Adviser..........................deirdrejones that marijuana sales could bring Colorado over $100 million in The Red Ink is a public forum, school-sponsored and student generated, which new tax revenue alone. This large encourages the free exchange of ideas and infor- amount of tax income will benefit mation. All opinions made in the exercise of schooling (including the teachers freedom of speech or press are the sole opinions and students) and the economy in of the writers and are general. in no way to be considered the opinions of Despite the negative light cast Eaton High School, administration, Board of Education, or Eaton School District. The on it, pot is actually very benefiRed Ink strictly adheres to School Board cial toward a variety of issues. It Policy JCEA and Colorado Revised Statute is able to relieve stress and pain 12-1-120. The Red Ink is a member of the without the repercussion of secColorado High School Press Association, Journalism Education Asso- ondhand smoke. It can be used through brownies, cupcakes, suckciation, and Quill and Scroll. ers, vaporizers, warm drinks, synthetic pills, pipes, and joints.

Also, because of the legalization, there would be a tremendous decrease in street crimes and theft due to marijuana. Not to mention, it is not possible to die of overdose of weed, unlike other prescription drugs.

Scientific studies have actually been done to test the “harmful effects” of weed. According to Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, cannabinoids (found in pot) exert a neuroprotective effect on the brain. This proves that it does not kill brain cells, but rather protects them.

Also, in an interview done by Marc Kaufman of the Washing-

Happy

H o l id ays

from

the

Re d I n k Staff

Amendment 64

December 14, 2012

ton Post, Donald Tashkin, a pulmonologist of the University of California at Los Angeles, who has studied marijuana for 30 years, said, “We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between marijuana use and lung cancer, and that the association would be more positive with heavier use.”

After testing this hypothesis, Tashkin said, “What we found instead was no association at all, and even a suggestion of some protective effect.”

Although marijuana is frowned upon by 47% of people in Colorado, it is actually very beneficial.

It helps school construction, it protects brain cells and lungs, and helps soothes many illnesses.

Before weed is degraded by being stereotyped as a “harmful drug,” it is necessary to know the benefits.

Those benefits--health-wise as well as financially--outweigh the cons of marijuana. Amendment 64 is the legislation of a lifetime.

The passing of this law will reform Colorado and allow the state to be placid with its problems.

Cons: reecekothe opinioneditor

The legalization of Marijuana has been a controversial issue for years.

Although legalizing Marijuana may have its perks, Marijuana is still a drug nonetheless. Now that the drug is legal in Colorado, the state has decided to fund schools with Marijuana taxes.

This is a poor justification to legalize a drug that can cause so many problems. Marijuana is morally wrong and yet ironically, schools will benefit from it. What has the state of Colorado come to? People should seek true happiness rather than escaping reality and getting high. It's hard to believe an intoxicating substance that was once illegal and frowned upon by many is now funding schools where students were pressed not to get involved with drugs.

This argument gives students the idea that drugs are okay since drug money is funding the schools and gives way to more students getting sucked into a habit that could shape their lives for the worse.

Many people who favor Marijuana argue that it will help recover the economy. Taxes will indeed provide a sum of money, but the social issues that the drug causes will offset this benefit. Marijuana intoxicates its users and renders them unable to function normally.

This problem is particularly concerning behind the wheel of a car.

Driving under the influence will greatly increase with the legalization of Marijuana causing more accidents to occur and thus more money to be spent to solve the problems.

Driving while using marijuana is difficult and more dangerous because Marijuana delays the responses of the brain. Additionally, doctors say that users of Marijuana suffer motor issues within the brain overtime.

Marijuana can cause brain cells to work at half capacity (in the hippocampus where the brain regenerates brain cells) for up to seven months. Similarly, supporters of marijuana say that if alcohol is legal marijuana should be legal, but social issues related to alcohol actually prove why we shouldn't legalize marijuana. Substances that are legal and taxed such as alcohol cause much more trouble than tax related benefits.

For example, federal taxes collected on alcohol in 2007 reached $9 billion and states collected $5.5 billion. These amounts together are not near the approximate $185 billion in alcohol costs to criminal justice, healthcare, and lost productivity in the workplace. This example shows that Marijuana is taking us on a road leading nowhere that will indeed cause more damage than profit. Using drugs is morally wrong and should remain that way. Really now, how will more potheads benefit our society?

redview

December 14 , 2012

Somebody that I used to know

It wasn’t too long ago when the students of EHS were little kiddies watching Disney, Nickelodeon and listening to huge pop stars like Britney and Christina with complete awe for the actors and singers.

But then, the young Hollywood elite all seemed to hit their mid-life crises a little too early. With the oh so difficult pressures of being rich and famous, these teen-stars hit rock bottom quickly and publicly.

Which begs the question: what happened to the kids we used to know and love?

The once-beloved Parent Trap standout, Lindsay Lohan, is the poster child for messed up child actors. The Parent Trap was a critical movie in every kid’s childhood.

But after the roaring success of Mean Girls--pretty much the greatest movie to quote from--she fell off the grid a bit. Following...what, 17 arrests now? (17 for you, Glenn Coco. You go, Glenn Coco!) there just seems to be no hope.

Drugs, alcohol, bad driving, a dysfunctional family and a bad

normaloya editorinchief

temper have been her downfall, and no movie—not even Lifetime's Liz & Dick—can revive her old A-list status.

Though Lohan was not exclusive to any children's channel, Nickelodeon alumni Amanda Bynes has become the new Lindsay. Bynes first debuted on television on All That, a sort of kids version of Saturday Night Live.

Eventually she went on to have a successful acting career but disappeared after Easy A. After announcing her retirement from acting a few years ago, she appeared on TV screens with in the form of a mug shot on every entertainment show. Careless driving and excessive clubbing turned this once lovable actress into just another hasbeen with serious issues.

Nickelodeon has a knack for picking the most appropriate kids to represent their channel. From the show Zoey 101, Jamie Lynn Spears caused quite the fuss when she and her then-boyfriend forgot to use a latex. Silly children. Spears' teenage pregnancy caused her pop-

ular show to get axed. But it's not like the Spears family is unfamiliar to this kind of behavior.

Her older sister, Britney—pop legend—temporarily ruined her image following a line of minimarriages. After a vaguely successful marriage, she pushed out two kids and went straight back to being crazy. A shaved head and many hilarious photos later, Spears eventually got her act together. Let's just forget about that period of her life and live in the early 2000s, when Britney and N'sync ruled the world.

Hollywood is a crazy place filled with shallow, heartless, loaded celebrities. But since we're so obsessed with the lives of the rich and famous, the stories of their downfalls are that much more entertaining.

It's only a matter of time before iCarly or Honey Boo Boo dabbles with cocaine, or makes a sex video, or runs over an old lady, or punches someone in a club, or makes death threats over a voicemail to their exes...either way, TMZ will have it covered. Fingers crossed.

Health conciousness can prevent injuries

christinacontreras guesteditorial

Christina Contreras has been a high school volleyball, basketball, track athlete and college volleyball player at Western State. She is a Certified kickboxing instructor, CrossFit Eaton owner/coach and two-time CrossFit Games Regional Qualifier First let me start off by stating I am NOT a doctor. This is merely my opinion and observation. I have been involved in many different facets of sports and fitness for many years and can’t help but to notice the increased amount of injuries. Here are my opinions as to why: 1. Year-round single sportsmen. When you are playing the same sport all year long, you are doing the same movements over and over, creating major wear and tear on certain joints/muscles (depending on the sport you’re playing).

When you play different sports during different seasons (like I did when I was a kid), you’re training different muscles/movements. I’ve observed that multi-sport athletes

’ Hollywood is a crazy place filled with shallow, heartless, loaded celebrities.

guestcartoonist

are generally more athletic due to the variety of movements/skills. Playing multiple sports prevents burnout on one sport as well.

2. Poor diet. The average American diet is filled with fast food, too much sugar, not enough protein or vegetables. Muscles cannot recover, repair or strengthen efficiently without sufficient nutrition and hydration. You cannot expect to eat junk, but perform your best.

3. High level competition.

Competition gets more advanced every year. High school level athletes are performing at what college level use to be. Anytime you have highly competitive athletes, there is a higher risk of injury.

My recommendations: Play a variety of sports - be a well-rounded athlete AND person! Eat healthy foods that are good for your body.

Drink more water, less sugary drinks. Stretch after every practice/workout-flexible bodies are less prone to injury.

Take care of nagging injuries before they turn into major issues.

These won’t ensure you will be injury-free, but it will help!

We are one

EHS should be proud

Staff Editorial

emilynaill

7

EHS should take great pride in the way it has made each student feel welcome and worthy in their own ways. As soon as students enter the high school as freshman, the Eaton 101 program encourages them to be the best that they can be as they develop into the next generation of leaders.

Advisers and LINK leaders guide the freshmen through the journey of high school and encourage them to succeed. These willing individuals are the true key in the success of freshmen and help make EHS a safe environment where the sky’s the limit for future success.

Eaton 101 stresses the best out of the students and encourages these foundational qualities to be a constant throughout their lives.

Excellence, Awareness, Tenacity, Ownership, and Noteworthiness-the Eaton Way enables the students to start on their path to greatness by teaching a set of positive guidelines that the students can live by for the rest of their lives.

These principles allow students to live their lives in successful ways.

Eaton High School is like a family-a community that welcomes new students, and the “we are one” motto on every freshman t-shirt is becoming a reality.

The teachers and staff create a great learning environment in which students can work hard and get to know each other. As a result, everyone is able to get along and focus on their futures.

Without the positive atmosphere that is EHS, success would not equal what it does.

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redspotlight

December 14, 2012

Who’s Hit the Hardest Track Softball 8% 8%

Basketball 17%

Volleyball 33%

Wrestling Football 17% 17%

More than ever, EHS has seen its share of injuries carterwilliams & averyjones

Crutches, casts, walking boots, and braces--what haven’t you seen in the halls of Eaton high school during the fall? Sports injuries have become an increasingly chronic issue not only in sports as a whole, but especially at Eaton High School. During the fall sports season, the amount of injuries in football, volleyball, and softball, the amount of varsity athletes that missed playing time due to various injuries seemed to be drastically increased from years prior. Athletes at Eaton missed anywhere from one week to an entire season, and even as much as 11 months from injuries ranging from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet.

As seen in professional sports, the issue of concussions has become more of a problem over the past few years, particularly in, but not limited to, professional, college, and even high school football. According to ESPN. com’s John Brinkus, the NFL has seen about 40 more players diagnosed with concussions from the 2005-06 season to last year, in the 2011-12 season. This is partly due to the fact that brain science has increased dramatically over the past few years, and now, doctors or trainers are much more likely to diagnose a concussion in situations where they would not have in the past. Studies have also shown that a mild concussion, though very hard to notice, can lead to much more severe concussions that could have long term effects such as memory loss, depression, chronic headaches, and even bleeding and swelling of the brain.

After being diagnosed with a concussion, even

if the concussion is gone within a day or two, the screening and clearing process now takes five to seven days.

Eaton’s own Molly Wilson (13), the setter on the volleyball team, and Bailey Schumacher (16), both missed time this season due to concussions--Wilson for the entire season this fall due to multiple concussions, the last one occurring over the summer while playing volleyball at a summer camp. Schumacher missed six weeks due to a concussion that occurred during practice.

Schumacher, though a freshman, started varsity at libero before her injury.

Ankle, foot, and knee injuries have become more of an issue as well, but the nature of an injury like these are nothing like concussions. According to Mike Ressler, owner and operator of Momentum PT TC in Fort Collins, who received multiple bachelors and masters degrees in physical therapy, biology, and athletic training from the University of North Dakota, injuries to joints, bones, and ligaments have become more common due to constant stress and possible over usage.

“When I was in high school, you didn’t get to play one sport year round if you wanted to,” said Ressler. “But now, with club teams and legion teams, kids can play almost any sport all year round. Eventually, those tendons, especially in knees like ACLs and MCLs, get worn down and give in.”

Ressler also said that muscle injuries, such as torn hamstrings, pectorals, groins, and other large muscles are possible as well,

but are usually due to lack of stretching or hyperextension. Muscles are less likely to be injured because they can be and are commonly strengthened through weight training. The problem with feet, ankles, and knees is that tendons do not gain strength as the muscles do. “As you get to where you are lifting huge amounts of weight, those tendons become the weak link with the muscle growing. A tendon is a tendon, there isn’t a way to strengthen it,” said Ressler.

Fifty years ago, when lifting heavy weights and constant training was much less common, ligament and joint injuries were less likely to happen due to less habitual stress.

Ressler also said, “Honestly, if you want to prevent these injuries, stretching and flexibility is important even in preventing tendon and bone injuries. Also, be variable. Don’t focus all your time on one sport when training and work things that are not always sport specific.”

Football players Casey Edens (15) and Michael Cardona (14), volleyball players Ryleigh Haynes (14) and Caiden Rexius (16), and softball players Carolyn Aguirre (13) and Carly Jurgensmeier (13) all missed time due to bone and ligament injuries. Edens, Jurgensmeier, and Haynes all missed time due to a torn ACL. Edens missed the last three games, and State due to his injury, and will miss this basketball season. Jurgensmeier missed the whole softball season and will also miss basketball season. Haynes also missed the entire volleyball season. Cardona and Rexius both suffered a broken foot that kept them out

of play for extended periods of time. Aguirre broke her wrist during a softball game, and will miss up to five months because of it. All were solid contributors on varsity, and would have benefited the team significantly had they been playing.

Though they did not play fall sports, both David Jones (14) and Jasmine Inda (14) have injuries that will keep them out of the upcoming basketball season. Jones tore his meniscus last last track season, where his main event was pole vaulting. Inda tore her post tibular tendon in basketball in eighth grade,

redspotlight

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and the injury is still lingering. Both of the two would have made an impact on the varsity teams.

It seems as though athletes today have to make the decision to either stressing their bodies and raising the risk of injury or not working out and suffering in playing time.

“To a degree, this is very true. That is a decision that the athlete has to make. If you can go through your high school or even college career without major injuries then fantastic,” Ressler said. “But if you do something serious, you have to consider your life after sports.”

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redspotlight

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December 14, 2012

Political Cartoons

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redspotlight

December 14, 2012

Black Ops II delivers with teleporters, buses, monsters November 13 hit with this pumped up, zombie-filled version of an old favorite.

tanneralm guestreporter

The game Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has gathered a lot of attention and for good reason. The game has many new additions, future weapons, past and future campaign and alternate endings depending on choices made in the game. This game is great because it combines the best of the old as well as the originality of the new.

One of the game’s shining features is Zombies. It has always been a smashing hit with the fans, but with new added features it’s better than ever.

Teleporters, buses, monsters--these all are new things that add to the strategy of the game and also the fun.

The story escalates as well as the action, and with new characters come new mysteries, a woman whose past is unknown but critical to the story in someway, a fisherman who can hear the voice of the protagonist from the prequel.

What do all these elements do? They construct one completely engrossing and addictive game mode. The Zombies game mode will also further expand after dlc (downloadable content) is released.

The campaign takes a turn for the worse for the main character David Mason, son of the only playable character from the first game, Alex Mason, when his father’s enemy comes back in the future to wreak havoc on western civilization.

This enemy is so easy to hate especially with background from

previous games. This only serves to bring the player into the game further. Covert ops forcing you to kill Americans, infiltrating enemy strongholds, and past missions all come together to form one controversial and damn good campaign to play.

Taking place in the somewhat distant future, Call of Duty shows that even after the modern era, war games can still be fun!

Veteran players will be happy to know that the multiplayer in the game is true to the standards of old, including its run-and-gun action.

The multiplayer has many of its past parts like weapon ladders, unlockable camo’s, and killstreaks for those who master the game. The multiplayer seems to be the only part of the game that has really any small disadvantages.

Unless the game was bought early on in the year, the world of Call of Duty multiplayer is a brutal place to be. The guns do much more damage in this game making it so starting players who aren’t a high level yet are at a supreme disadvantage, vulnerable to death after death after death.

Multiplayer might be changed with upcoming patches, so don’t disregard it at all. The multiplayer is still a solid gamemode though, engulfing thousands of players every day.

This Call of Duty was the most highly anticipated game of the year and for good reason, it has great game modes as well as a great storyline.

With past and future mixing together perfectly to form one of the best in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is sure to wow anybody who plays it. Overall this game is amazing and gets 5 RPG’s out of 5!

11

Ways to Foil a Bully not just your everyday “holdback” techniques

averyjones featureeditor

1. Play dead. Like a bear, no bully wants to beat up a dead animal. Simply drop dead in your tracks and lie still for 30 seconds and he’ll lose his desire to punch you in the face.

2. Use big words. Scientifically speaking (and I am no scientist of course), most bullies have a much lower IQ than the average human being. It makes sense doesn’t it? If you were stupid you would be angry too. You can use this characteristic to your advantage. When he approaches, just put to use your higher-level vernacular. For instance, instead of the colloquial “sup?” you instead can say, “Good morrow, in this instantaneous and brief moment in eternity what activities would a lad such as yourself discover himself participating in?”

While he is attempting to decipher your diction, rapidly exercise the contracting abilities in your quadriceps and hamstrings in the opposite direction of your assailant. (Run away!)

3. Pre-emptive self strike.

Before he gets the chance to hit you, beat him to the punch—literally! Hit yourself and his intentions will have already been served. There will be nothing left for him to do, and he’ll leave you alone.

4. Soil yourself. This move is only for the most daring and desperate.

If you soil your pants, there’s no way he’ll want to come near you to hit you! However, this technique has an effect not only on the bully, but on everybody else as well. Keep in mind that since you’ve soiled your pants the bully won’t want to come near you, but neither will anyone else. Save this move for a last-ditch worst-casescenario type of thing.

5. Develop a dynamite Study Clint stare-down.

Eastwood in Dirty Harry and imitate his glare. If anyone ever executed this technique well, it’s Clint Eastwood.

This snarl-squint combination conveys the message “make a move, and I’ll kick your butt.” It’s as simple as that.

It doesn’t have to be overdone, and for goodness sakes don’t under do it by being unsure or cautious. If you’re

going to attempt this, make sure you practice your stare-down in the mirror daily for at least a week so that you are confident in it and comfortable using it on someone who will potentially be threatening you.

6. Sudden loud noises. In this case, you will again be treating your bully in the same manner you’d treat a bear. In a bear encounter, you’d want to make yourself as big as possible and make sudden loud noises.

These will intimidate and frighten the bear, and he’ll head back to the hills.

Your bully will react in much the same way. Perhaps consider carrying around a vuvuzela or whirligig or symbols or a set of 2x4’s to act as clappers.

7. Feed the bully. Bring your bully Twinkies--which are now becoming a rarity (thanks a lot, Hostess!)--every day. Sure this may seem like submitting to his will, but in reality, your actions are serving two ulterior motives. Firstly, the food will garner favor with him. He won’t be mad at you so long as you have goodies for him whenever he sees you.

Secondly, little does he know that with every Twinkie you are gradually but surely fattening him like a hog. Soon he’ll be so large, he won’t be able to chase after you when the day comes you run out of Twinkies.

8. Peace offering.

This has to be a large gesture. You can’t just expect to offer him your Gandolf

action figure and everything to be okay. You’ve got to go big on this. For instance, offer up your lake house for a weekend so he can throw an awesome party. You’d provide your services for him—setting up, running to get more kool-aid, and cleaning the entire place afterward. Once you’ve laid this offer on the table, you must qualify it with this statement: “This can happen if and only if you stop harassing me.”

Since you’ve gone big, your gesture will be irresistible. He’ll make the deal, and you’re in the clear.

9. Run in circles.

When your bully comes at you, begin running in circles flailing your arms as you go.

To make this even more affective, yell as you execute this technique. (This will draw more attention, but it only confuses your bully more.) He will be utterly bamboozeled. Sure he (and any other passerby) will think you’re weird, but he’ll walk away from that craziness.

Once he’s gone, you can stop running, flailing, and yelling and proceed with your normal day—bully-free.

10. Flattery.

Everyone likes a good compliment. If every time you see your bully you flatter him, he will start thinking you’re a kind kid, and he’ll forget why he wanted to beat you up in the first place. Here are some suggested compliments in case you can’t think of any: “Are those new brass knuckles? They are simply gleaming!” “Hey there stud, you been working out?” “That is one nice Dickie you’re wearing today.” “Those protein shakes sure are working!” (Shy away from the word “steroids.” Chances are he doesn’t want people knowing he uses them.)

12 redspotlight

Shines at EHS

normaloya editorinchief

Every day at EHS a student floats around the hallway clutching a handfuls of pencils laughing without a care in the world. When teenagers enter the formative years of high school, people often worry about how they will be perceived, if they will be noticed, who their friends will be. Colton Marrs (13), the giggly senior that everybody has come to know, does not have to worry about any of that. The student body greets him at every turn, waiting for a poke or chuckle in response. EHS seems to have a special quality, though.

“Students embrace diversity on so many levels in this school,” said Special Education teacher Hilary Mackey, “Everybody’s gotten to appreciate him.”

Growing up...

At the age of three, said Colton’s father Eldon Marrs, Colton was diagnosed with autism, “but it was very apparent soon after Colton was born that he was having considerable difficulty in meeting developmental milestones.” Autism is a complex disorder of brain development that can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues.

Colton has managed to affect hundreds of people. Even the student body of EHS has grown up. Colton’s sister Emily said, “I remember kids asking me why my brother was ‘weird’ and I would try to explain to them that he was Autistic, but they were too young to understand what that meant.”

Although high schoolers hold on to immaturity for as long as possible, students have accepted Colton for who he is. “Eaton is filled with caring and understanding people,” said Mr. Marrs, “Colton has become a much more outgoing person since he came to Eaton high school.” As a father of two, Mr. Marrs has learned a lot from his kids. “Having Colton has been one of the greatest joys of my life. [He] reminds me each and every day to enjoy the simple things in life.”

For some, raising a child like

December 14, 2012

Colton may seem too difficult to grasp. The task would take much patience; however, Mr. Marrs said, “I have never been angry or frustrated because of Colton’s condition. I have always been extremely proud of Colton. He has always tried his best and that’s all any parent can ask.” Mr. Marrs wants people to understand that Colton is a normal teenager. Just like all kids, Colton is struggling to deal with the emotions and challenges of transitioning into adulthood and finding his place in the world. Colton is a very social person at heart. And with that, Mr. Marrs has learned to not abuse the little, everyday things thatpeople don’t appreciate. “[He] has shown me a new way to look at, and to live life. To look to the positive side of all things and not to take even the simplest of gifts for granted.”

Being a twin...

Some people often forget that Colton has a twin sister. Growing up, Emily said she wasn’t treated differently by her parents. “Our lives have always been a little different from other people’s lives, and when you grow up being a little different, you begin to not think much of it.”

Although Colton is limited from certain activities, that didn’t stop him and Emily from trying to have

a normal childhood. “I want people to know that he wants to be treated the same as they want to be treated, and that positive things will make him happy just as negative things will upset him, and that he is just like the rest of us in that regard.”

As a kid, when Colton experienced meltdowns in public, she said she felt embarrassed and frustrated. “As I have grown, I have learned to let it

bother me less and less, and I reached a point that I’m sure my parents and family friends can relate to, because I do not care what others think of Colton. These actions and attitudes, however, are the exact forces that have shaped us into the people we have all become.”

Not too long ago, Emily thirsted for some change from her everyday life.” There came a time in my life last year when I was ready to be my own person and begin living my own life. I really wanted to break free from the norm that I felt myself being sucked into, and I was ready to start my own journey.”

Emily decided to go to Greeley Central and graduate early so she could begin UNC in the Fall 2012 semester.

Pursuing a degree in Dietetics, she’s hopeful to find a job specializing in pregnancy and lactation in the hospital setting. “I enjoy nutrition, health, and babies, and this is a degree where I can use all of these things.”

Learning skills...

Mackey has been a key influence in Colton’s life since his freshmen year. But even before she came to teach at EHS she said she first met Colton while observing at Milliken Middle School when he was in 8th grade. “He was a lot like he is today except not as social; quiet but still giggly.” Mackey said the

school can attest to how far Colton has come. Four years ago, he wasn’t as social, but now, Mackey said, it’s “great to see how much he’s grown.

He will initiate a conversation even if it’s just ‘good morning’ or ‘how are you,’ where he didn’t use to before.”

As the years have passed, Mackey has played an important role in Colton’s growth both at school and home. After several school meetings, Mackey became acquainted with Mr. Marrs which eventually led to a relationship. The two share a home with Mackey’s sons and Colton. She’s set on differentiating the two roles, though. “At school, I’m Ms. Mackey.

At home, I’m Hilary.”

She said that it doesn’t matter whether a person spends every day with him, or just a few minutes in the hallway. “He’s an awesome young man. He’s very much a teenager.”

With bad days and good days, Colton still suffers from the typical teen symptoms—“he’s ornery and defiant,” said Mackey.

Not only has Colton grown over the past four years—EHS has grown with him. Mackey said, “People should recognize his potential.

Everybody’s gotten to appreciate him, but no matter how different he is, in 20 years he’s going to be your neighbor or working at your grocery store.”

Another person who has played a large role in Colton’s life is DeeDee Garnhart who supervises Colton’s time during the day. Garnhart has been working with Colton for the last three years and said, “I love it.

I love coming to work.” Last year senior Cody Bean (13) taught Colton to say “DeeDee getoutahyeer,” which is his favorite phrase. “He’s a lot more social now,” she said. “He stops now and looks everybody in the face.”

Colton’s father said he is happy Colton is at EHS. “It is wonderful that so many people know him.

I have always been so thankful that Eaton is filled with caring and understanding people,” he said.

Colton may have autism, but that is not his definition. “Colton is a very loving, caring person who has a unique way of looking at life. He is the happiest person I know.”

redspotlight spotlight

December 14, 2012

jenniehaley guestreporter

Photo by Avery Jones Landon Koelzer (14) munches on a cookie during passing period and contemplates its deliciousness.

The crinkle of crisp, white bags, the rapid sound of 50 cents jingling in impatient hands and pockets, and the smell of ooey-gooey, soft, melted chocolate chip cookies fill the halls of EHS. Every morning, since around 1980, the school food service has made cookies.

Head cook Angel Powell said, “We make 400 cookies every morning. It takes about half an hour to put them on sheets and bake them.” The cooks order dough from Otis Spunkmeyer and bake approximately 6,800 bags of cookies, 20,400 cookies and $3,400 yearly.

Freshmen this year may be missing out on the candy bars, chips, and gum that used to be sold in the snack machine that was taken away at the beginning of this year, but they still get to experience the cookies.

Food Service Director, Becky Lawhead said that due to the USDA School Meals Initiative for Healthy Kids, Healthy/ Hunger Free Kids Act, and the Healthier US School Challenge guidelines, the machine had to be taken out in order for

the government to continue funding the school’s food program. Not only was the snack machine at risk of the laws, but the EHS cookies are too. Lawhead said, “Eventually, the government will make us serve whole grain, low fat cookies to meet their guidelines or eliminate cookies altogether.” Lawhead said her job is to “keep making the cookies we do now, as long as we can because we know it’s what the kids like.”

No one knows the exact date of when the cookies started. Lawhead said she guesses it is around 1980 based on when the small kitchen in the high school was built. Lawhead said, “I know the cafeteria was in the basement of the old high school.”

The old high school used to be on the south side of the existing 1928 building, but it was demolished over the summer of 1978. “Students had to walk to Eaton Elementary if they wanted school lunch, because there was no kitchen at the high school that year,” Lawhead said the small kitchen was built in in 1980, “so I assume they started selling cookies then.”

According to Lawhead, the cookies were

13

raised from 40 to 50 cents about six years ago. She said it was raised “for the first time in a long time.”

Seniors have been enjoying the scrumptious, doughy, dessert for the longest out of all the students. Tucker Turner (13) said he loves “coming to school and smelling the cookies.” Turner said his favorite part about them are that “they are all soft and gooey.”

Cookies are sold in the mornings and during passing periods before lunch.

Most of the time, the morning is a sufficient time to sell cookies because it is right before lunch and during Advising/ Enrichment; however, Turner said, “they should be sold after lunch” a couple times a week as well.

New students every year discover the delicious treats served. New this year, Kinzy Anderson (15) said she had heard that “they are delicious, and they are going to make me fat if I eat them all the time.” Anderson said she finds the cookies addicting. She said she would definitely recommend the cookies to someone else because “they’re not like any cookie I have ever had before!”

Students make livestock a living brycedyer&emilynaill guestreporters

Anyone who has ever walked through the halls or talked to the students of Eaton High School can clearly see that students are well rounded individuals.

Many play sports, read, enjoy clubs or hang out with friends outside of the classroom. But this isn’t the case for Colton Lind (14), Bailey Naibauer (13), Catherine Harper (15) or Taylor Dorsey (15). These four individuals take part in an activity that most teenagers view as work. These young high school students travel around America showing worldclass animals at county fairs. Lind shows high-end steers that he and his family raise together. Along with Lind, Dorsey also shows a type of cattle known as Breeding Heifers. While Lind and Dorsey spend there time with cattle, Naibauer shows goats sure to catch the eye of any agricultural enthusiast. And Harper shows sheep that she spends most of her time raising outside of school.

Lind naturally stands out both in

personality and achievement. Many know him as a varsity baseball player who was recently a 3A state champion for Eaton High School. But aside from the ballfield he stands out for other reasons, too. On his spare time, Lind trades his cleats for cowboy boots and his trademark baseball cap for a cowboy hat because he is also very successful at showing his prize winning steers. Lind and the other kids who show their animals, travel all over the United States to compete in these competitions. Lind describes how the most famous place he shows his steers is at Denver for the National Western Stock show, he also has won a countless number of awards at locations all over the nation. Lind says, “I was happy that I won. It isn’t just about the money, winning is just worth it because of all the hard work that is put into the animal.”

Lind is well known for the successful steers that he and his family have raised through the many years. He said, he was first introduced to showing steers by his father, who also showed as a young man.

Since then, Lind has competed and done

extremely well in many fairs around the country. Once a fair is over it’s time to sell the steers, and Colton Lind is never sad to see his steers go due to the large lump of cash he takes in. This is a very successful endeavor for Lind due to the income, but it is also more than that. To Lind it is also a chance to spend time with his family. Lind says, “I just like getting to travel around the country with my family and doing something we all can take a part in.”

As most of the teachers at Eaton High School would agree, Dorsey is well known for her success inside the classroom.

While maintaining a 4.0+ GPA, Dorsey still finds time to work her heifers every day. Finding time between school work and showing can prove to be difficult. But the high GPA and overflowing trophy case in her home, shows Dorsey’s true dedication. Dorsey said, “What I enjoy most is working with the animals and seeing my hard work pay off.” Dorsey spends close to four hours every day working her heifers to be show worthy.

With the amount of time she spends with

these animals, some people may wonder when she has time to hit the books. But Dorsey said, “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Getting to spend time with my friends and family traveling from show to show is something I truly cherish. Even if it can become a little stressful balancing my school work and working the heifers.”

Naibauer is a huge contributor to the culture at EHS. Naibauer spends most of her time with friends either at the tennis courts playing on the varsity team, or participating in school activities. But aside from the time with her friends, she also shows goats. Naibauer said “Ever since I was a little girl, showing goats is something I have always done to meet new people and spend time with my friends and family.” Naibauer tries to spend her time equally through all of her priorities: tennis, showing, family and friends. But the work that it takes to raise the animals into the prize worthy creatures is tremendous. Sometimes it entails having to get up at 4 a.m. to feed, water and groom the goats not to mention spending many hours of the day

training the animals. Naibauer says, “The schedule can get quite hectic.” Naibauer won second in her class at the Pueblo State Fair this past summer--a result of her hard work. Naibauer says, “ When time to sell comes around, I get kinda sad because after working with the goats so much I become attached to them.”

Harper knows a little about this feeling, too, because she shows sheep all over the country. Her father owns a feedlot outside of Eaton. She uses his expertise to help raise the lambs into showable sheep. Harper says, “Showing has always been a part of our family, and I love working with the animals and my family.”

For Lind, Dorsey, Naibauer, and Harper showing has been a part of how they were raised--a part of their family. It is a pastime worthy of recognition even though it may not be recognized enough by many in the community. Showing animals is not the typical pastime, but for these students it has become a lifestyle.

Photo: Lind and Dorsey pose with family and prize winning steer.

14 redzone

’

December 14, 2012

Reds show strength early, make statement for season carterwilliams sportseditor

The Eaton boys’ basketball team is showing signs of having an impressive team this year.

The Reds opened the season strong with a win first against the the Peak to Peak Pumas 71-60.

The Reds then had a bit of a set back as they lost to the Weld Central Rebels in the first round of the Northern Colorado Roundball Classic as they lost, 42-36.

The Reds led 34-27 going into the fourth quarter but had a terrible shooting performance and only scored two points in

photo by Norma Loya

Brock Needens (13) drives toward the basket on a fastbreak in a win against Peak to Peak. Eaton is relying on solid defense and transition baskets due to their small, speedy team.

the quarter. Eaton shot just Grable said, “We are a young team 19% from the field in the game. with not a whole lot of size, but we The Reds then have lots of speed. We rebounded with a “In my experiwant to get a lot of easy dominant win over ence, you will buckets in transition.”

Fort Morgan, winning go as far as your Grable says he does not 76-37. The Reds shot guards will take think this lack of size will you.” much better in this game affect the Reds chances with an incredible 39% Dean Grable at being good this year, from the field. Britten saying that it all depends Abbott (13) led all on the guard play. scorers with 20 points.

“We have to have The Reds then played solid guards,” Grable rival Platte Valley for said, “In my experience, the championship game you will go as far as on Saturday, Dec. 8. your guards will take They again experienced you. If we can execute, a poor shooting performance in we won’t have any problems the first half, as they were 5-19 defending against teams with size.” from the floor in the first half.

The Reds play five more They did lead by nine at half, but games before opening conference Coach Dean Grable was not happy play at Strasburg on Jan. 15. with the shooting performance. Until then, the Reds say they Eaton picked it up in the second have some improving to do. half, outscoring Platte Valley by Senior captian Britten Abbott 15 points in the second half. Jake says he especially is not content Nelson (14) scored nine of his game with thier shooting performance high 15 points in the fourth quarter. thus far in the season.

Abbott also added 10 points “We weren’t knocking down our of his own, along with Austin jumpers,” Abbott said. “We just Ekeler (13), who added need to fix that, but other than that nine points in the victory. we should be fine. I feel like we are The Reds are playing with a executing our plays pretty well.” smaller lineup this season than Abbott currently leads the Reds years past. Head Coach Dean with 13.4 points per game.

photo by Norma Loya Post Justin Ditter (13) puts up an easy layup in the Reds season opening win against Peak to Peak. The Reds offense came on strong as they put up 71 points in the win.

Strength in numbers positions wrestlers for state Thirty-strong, wrestlers look to send more to state after two state champs carterwilliams sportseditor

Photo by Norma Loya Dalton Shoop (13) defends a shot from opponent Logan Longsworth from Weld Central in a duel last season. Shoop, who made the Colorado National team, is working to defend his state title this season.

After hoisting two state championships and one other fifth place finish at state last year, the wrestling team is back at work to have another great season.

With a returning state champion, Dalton Shoop (13), to motivate the younger wrestlers, there could very well be six or seven wrestlers at state this season. Shoop said, “I think with my success last season, they look at that and want it to be them. I just hope that I can make them better and get myself prepared this year.”

Estin McGraw and Michael Cardona (14) both have their eyes set on state this year. Both wrestlers fell short last season, but say that they feel like they can make it this year. “I should have made it last year, and probably placed,” Cardona said, “This year, my goal is to win, and I am not going to settle for less.”

The team has incredible numbers, with over 30 kids out this year. The wrestlers say that they like having a lengthy roster, and it helps them get a variety of different skill sets every day. “Last year I had the same partner every day,” said McGraw. “You kind of adapt to it and eventually you don’t get any better with the same person.

This year you don’t get the chance

to adapt to someone every day.”

Other wrestlers to watch his year are senior co-captain Channing Lewis (13), Riley Jones (14), and Cole Lawson (13), who all three made it to state last year, but fell short of placing.

They all say they feel like they can place this season.Lewis is currently ranked two in the state.

Shoop, who won state last season, said he is ready for his path toward a repeat. “I know it will be hard,” Shoop said, “But I’m ready for the challenge. I can’t think about last year, and just have to take it one match at a time.”

The other wrestlers are simply trying to prove that they are willing to put in the effort it takes at a school where success is expected.

redzone 15

December 14, 2012

Girls begin bounce back season after falling short of state reecekothe opinioneditor

photo by Jehna Powell Shelby Nelson (14) finshes a race at the Reds meet last Tuesday. Nelson, along with Rebekah Whitaker (15), and Lauryn Schriner (14), scored in the 200 yard IM at their home meet last saturday.

Swimmers set to make a splash in the patriot league jazminschwark staffreporter

While on the bus, after findiing that the Estes meet had been cancled, coach Doug Stone received a phone call from the head coach of Fossil Ridge High school asking if a scrimmage could be held at Eaton. Stone said yes to the offer, with the meet taking place at nine that morning at Eaton. Swimmers were still able to compete in all of the events that they would have in Estes.

None of the times from the scrimmage meet would not count toward state, but would count to the athletes who swam them. There was no score kept during the scrimmage for the fact that this meet was just for fun.

Eaton grasped a win 94 to 91 in the last second Tuesday, beating Skyline. Skyline had a slim lead over Eaton until the last event, which was the 4x400. The relays that brought forth the points needed to take the lead where the A and B relay. A relay consisted of Justice Muro (15), Haley Hernandez (15), Jennie Haley (15), Molly Adams (15) which had a time of 4:22.39.

The B relay for the 4x400 consisted of Elise Cozzens (15), Natalie Dyer (15) Zubia, Heltenberg (13) which had a time of 4:56.03.

Coach Doug Stone said, “Winning a meet by three points isn’t just by one person.” Rebekah Whitaker (15), Lauryn Schriner (15) and Shelbey Nelson (14) all three scored in the 200 Yard

IM. In diving Dyer (15) and Ballenger (15) helped by bringing in additional points. Taylor Dorsey (15) and Muro (15) both scored in the 100 Yard Butterfly.

The new athletes were also of major importance to this meet, because it was their first meet.

Last year during conference, the last meet of the year, Skyline beat Eaton by three points, so it was a bit of redemption for Eaton this year. Head captain Karas said, “I am proud of the whole team. Even those who didn’t think they did too well.”

On December 6, the team thought that they had come home with a tie against Windsor with first place at 236 points. The next morning, coach Doug Stone was looking over results from the Tri-Valley Relays, when he found an error putting Windsor in first place; Eaton in second. The error occurred in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, which had the wrong times going to different teams in that race. This meet consisted of all swims in relays. In the 200 yard freestyle consisting of Nelson, Heltenberg, Haley, and Cozzens, came in third with a time of 1:59.77. In the 400 yard IM was Dorsey, Hernandez, Muro, and Schriner took first with a time of 4:45.90. In diving Ballenger’s diving relay took second with 118.20 points. Taking first in the girls 200 Yard Breaststroke relay with time of 2:29.16 were Dorsey, Muro, Schriner, and Whitaker.

After the Lady Reds set the ultimate standard for wins last year with a 25-2 season--a record high number of wins--the team expects to fight back this year and produce even better results.

Although the team lost seven key players including Shelby Edens, Karli Jelden, Kailey Kaiser, and Danielle Lawhead to graduation and the Cheney sisters to transfer, the talent is still top notch.

Juniors, Morgan Schumacher and Morgan Karlberg, and senior, Mary Brehon are the captains for this year and will lead the team to success with an especially tough league schedule. Platte Valley as well as Sterling have

strong teams this year and will give the Red’s a difficult time.

The Reds have been to state the last three out of four years and will strive to replicate similar results this year. This year’s team is one of the taller teams than years in the past. As a result, coach Todd Hernandez said he plans to look to get the ball inside a lot in order to dominate the post.

Juniors, Sami Muse and Karlberg, and sophomores Emily Willer, and Jayla Jarnagin are going to be sought regularly to accomplish this task. Likewise, the guard positions played by Brehon, Schumacher, Alex Nelson (14), Halei Moody (14) and Bailey Jones (15) are just as crucial in enabling a great season.

The coaching staff introduced

Photo by Norma Loya Morgan Schumacher (14) pulls up for a jump shot in the Reds 40-32 win over Fort Morgan in the Northern Colorado Roundball Classic

two new assistant coaches this season in former players Jessica Ruff and Lauren Woods. Ruff will help the C-team and Woods will work with the posts of the team.

As the head coach of the girl’s basketball program, Hernandez said “ I am looking for growth from game to game. With game to game improvement, we should be peaking come tournament time.”

The Reds played in the Northern Colorado Roundball Classic, where they proved to be a force this season. The tournament started on Tuesday, Dec. 4, with the Reds facing off against former Patriot League opponent Weld Central.

Despite a Rebel run in the fourth quarter, the Reds were able to hold strong and beat Weld Central 4032. Then, on Friday, Dec. 7, the tournament continued as the Reds faced an unfamiliar opponent in Fort Morgan. After trailing by four at half, the Reds outscored the Mustangs 26-13 in the second half to take the game by a score of 40-31.

The red hot Eaton offense continued to shine in the championship game at they faced off against bitter rival Platte Valley on Saturday, Dec. 8. Eaton dominated all aspects of the game, outscoring Platte Valley in every quarter on their way to a 54-43 victory. The Reds offense was well rounded with five players scoring over five points. Jayla Jarnagin (15) and Halei Moody (14) led all scorers with 12 points a piece.

The Reds do not open league play until January 15 against Strausburg at home. They are putting a roster that only has one senior in Mary Brehon (13). The rest of the players are juniors and sophomores, who will have to step up in a this season if the Reds hope to repeat their success from season prior.

The Reds then begin their path toward a third straight league title, and a third straight appearance in the state title. They do play seven non-conference games before league opens up, so there is still time to make some important improvements to make a run at state again this year.

16 redzone

December 14, 2012

It’s hard to be this bad. carterwilliams sportseditor

CU football- or whatever you want to call it

Photo by Carter Williams

Amy Ross coaches Davis Anders (14) during a JV overtime loss to Platte Valley in the Northern Colorado roundball Classic. Ross made school history, becoming the first female coach of an all boys sport in Eaton history.

Reds make history with female coach

carterwilliams sportseditor

The boys basketball team added another “first” for the long list of Eaton sports milestones as English teacher Amy Ross became the first women in school history to coach an all-male sport. After long time coach and shop teacher Arland Ball retired this past year, varsity head coach Dean Grable was left with a vacancy for the JV coaching position. “I wanted someone as passionate about the game as I am,” said Grable, “And someone willing to learn our system we have in place already.” Out of three applicants that Grable considered serious options, he chose Ross.

Growing up with her father coaching high school basketball, Ross always has considered herself a student of the game. “I used to sit on the bench with my dad and watch and learn from a young age,” Ross said. Ross, who has not coached since 2006 as the C-team girls coach, feels like she has a lot to bring to the team this upcoming season. She said

its a lot like teaching, and she wants build relationships with the players and become someone who they want to play for.

The fact that a woman is coaching high school boys has not been an issue at all with the team, and neither Grable nor Ross foresee it ever being one. “I didn’t have to weigh the risks of having a woman coach on my staff because I don’t see any possible risks,” Gable said.

“I wanted a coach that could relate to the players and she does a fine job of that. It’s really no different than Coach Hernandez coaching the girls or Geno Auriemma at UConn. Look at the success both of them have had at their levels” Ross also said that there have not been any issues with the boys undermining her or not taking her seriously. “There haven’t necessarily been any issues. When I was running the conditioning camp, the first day there were some rumors that I wasn’t going to be hard on them, but let’s just say I put those rumors to rest,” Ross said, with a smile.

“Hey lets go watch the CU game.”

“Who are they losing to this week?”

That was the main conversation about CU football this year. Who are they going to lose to this week? Sure, they haven’t been great in the near past, but at least they have been able to at least compete with the competition.

This year, however, they couldn’t do anything. Junior transfer from Kansas, Jordan Webb, was supposed to quarterback the Buffs to at least six wins this year. Or at least that is what now-fired coach Jon Embree predicted in the preseason. They only came up five wins short of that in their 1-11 (lack of) effort this year.

But don’t be so quick to criticize the program that hasn’t had a winning season since Gary Barnett was fired in 2005. Do you know how hard it is to lose 11 games in a season? How many hours of not recruiting, and not having coaching meetings it takes to have that caliber of losing program? It takes a lot of effort to win one game.

In all seriousness, though, I do have an idea of how to begin to fix the program. Don’ try to hire alumni as your head coach, because in all honesty, there aren’t many too qualified for the job. Also, please, for the sake of all of us, quit recruiting out of California and Texas.

CU get these “five-star” athletes from California, like Darell Scott, but they all end up being completely overrated.

Let me give you a small piece of advice, CU. If Texas and USC aren’t offering these guys scholarships, they probably aren’t worth it. CU just gets all the leftovers that Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, and UCLA don’t want, and that is why their recruiting is so bad.

You could be saying, “Well that’s not true; look at Nate Solder, and Ryan Miller, or going back a few more years to Jordon Dizon, or this year with Jon Major. They all were talented players that CU ended up with.” That is because none of them were from California or Texas.

Solder was from Buena Vista, and Miller from Denver. Jordon Dizon came from Hawaii, and Major is from Parker. The only Texas and California

athletes that have really worked out well and have had success at the next level is Andre Gurode and Jimmy Smith. Of course, there is Mason Crosby, who was arguably the best player in school history. Sad to say that he is a kicker. That is all. So, not recruiting out of Texas and California is the first step to fixing the program.

Football power rankings:

We are 14 weeks through the NFL season, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. I decided to make a list of the five teams I find most likely to win the Super Bowl.

These aren’t the five best records in the league. These are the five teams that I find most likely to win in a neutral location against a great team.

5. San Francisco 49ers. This was probably the hardest ranking to do because I had to decide who to leave out. I might take some heat for not putting the one-loss Falcons in the top five, but here we go. Though the 49ers often times look like they are unstoppable and impossible to score on, they do have a mid season quarterback controversy, and I have a very hard time believing that either Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick can win in clutch situations in January or February.

Though Kaepernick looks like the flashier of the two so far, I would say that they have a better chance with the veteran Smith. But it looks like Jim Harbaugh is going to go with the second year guy in Kaepernick. If it was a list of the top five defenses, though, the 49ers would easily be number one or two.

4. Baltimore Ravens. A month ago, I would have had the Ravens at number one, but since the loss of Ray Lewis, the Ravens have been up and down, and that is why I’ve dropped them so far down. They almost didn’t even make my list.

The historically defensive team has become a better offensive team this season. Ray Rice is a great running back. No doubt about that. But in this league today, you have to have a good quarterback to win, and I really am not convinced that Joe Flacco can be great

in the postseason. At least not yet.

3. Denver Broncos. Even as a Broncos fan, I’m a little surprised that they are this good.

I figured that Peyton Manning would be good this year, but the guy is putting up some great numbers, and lead this team to a division title. With there only, in my opinion, two teams better than the Broncos, they have a good chance of going deep into the playoffs.

With their defense playing as incredibly as they are, there is no reason they can’t, and with their new found red zone threat in Mitch Unrein, who can stop them?

2. Houston Texans. The Texans could very well be number one. They are probably the most well rounded team in the league. They have a great running game, great defense, and an above average passing game.

Anyone who forgot about Andre Johnson should be reminded of his greatness this year. Winning a game in overtime on a screen pass is pretty impressive, even if it was against the Jaguars. Johnson, without question, has revamped his career this year.

On top of that, Arian Foster is one of the best backs I’ve seen in ages.

He is a great combination of size and speed which makes him a nightmare for defenses.

If it wasn’t for the team they are behind in the rankings, they would easily be number one. There should be a share of number one, in all honesty.

1. New England Patriots. My man crush on Tom Brady is beside the point that I have the Patriots number one. An eight-game win streak, and scoring over 140 more points than the next team in the league is why I have them number one. A defense that was pittyful last year looks like one of the leagues best this season, also. It’s a whole new look on that side of the ball this year.

I just get the feeling that they have the best chance of winning the Super Bowl. With a quarterback like Tom Brady in a league where quarterbacks reign supreme, the Patriots could very well have another championship come February.

Collin Klein

Loveland native Collin Klein has led Kansas State to its first ever Fiesta Bowl in school history and is a candidate for the Heisman this year.

I’m not ripping on him. I just had to say congratulations to the kid. It is a pretty amazing thing he has done. Why didn’t CU recruit him again? Oh yeah!

California guys are much better.