Freshman Wins GAC’s

SEASON FINALE

This season, the Knights hockey team started their season on top. On Oct. 21, the Knights played Holt High and beat them 4-2, with sophomore Aiden Stowers and senior Blaine Longmore each scoring one goal and sophomore Brandon Emert scoring two.

“Scoring goals is exciting and rewarding,” said Emert. “It gets you pumped up and motivated to score more.”

They weren’t as fortunate in their second game and lost to FHH 0-13. Coming off a tough loss, FHN faced FZS and Lutheran HS South and won both games.

“It takes a lot of practice,” sophomore player Matthew Wells said. “You have to be patient, it will come to you.”

Unfortunately, FHN then lost five games in a row. They found a way to come back and tied their next game against Eureka. Coming off a tie, FHN battled St. Mary’s and beat them 13-0.

“We won more games this year,” Wells said. “I want to see us expand and do better next year.”

On Dec. 7, the Knights started an unfortunate losing streak. They lost the rest of their December games and their first January game. The losing streak ended when FHN beat Holt on Jan. 4. by Abigail Akers aakers454@g.fhsdschools.org FHN hockey team pulls through with a 6-18-2 record after starting out their season with a win

Freshman Lilian Steigerwald gets off the mat after winning a match against Washington High School. Steigerwald pinned her opponent to win the match within the first round. She is one of the three girl wrestlers on the team. (Photo by Kaili Martin)

In a hockey game against FZS on Dec. 21, sophomore Matthew Wells engages in a face off with an opposing player. This is his second year on the varsity team. “It’s a fun sport, I grew up around it when I was younger and started playing it and haven’t stopped loving it ever since,” Wells said. (Photo by Riley Witherbee)

“We would like to improve team communication and puck movement throughout next season,” Emert said.

The Knights went on to compete against John Burroughs, FHC and Duchesne. The Knights lost against John Burroughs with Stowers scoring the only goal and John Burroughs scoring eight. Their next game, junior Aaron Caldwell scored one goal and Emeret scored two, but unfortunately the Knights lost against FHC 5-3. On Jan. 17, the Knights played Duchesne where Caldwell scored one goal and Wells scored two but lost 6-3. For many of the members of the team, scoring a goal is an event that comes with excitement and a sense of victory.

“I am always super happy and excited after scoring goals,” Wells said.

With the Knights six wins, 18 losses and two ties, they headed into their last game. On Jan. 24 the Knights battled FZW. In one of their last games of the season, they won the game three to one. Caldwell scored the first goal for the Knights. Shortly after Emert scored the game winner. Stowers went on to seal the win by scoring an empty netter. While the team lost their last two games, the team is optimistic and is really looking foward to the next season.

“We are all very close, you know,” Emert said. “We consider each and every one of us like brothers and sisters.”

A HISTORICAL VICTORY Freshman Lillian Steigerwald becomes the first female wrestler at FHN to win GACs and qualify for the state tournament

On Jan. 14, the FHN wrestling team competed in GACs at St. Charles West and freshman Lillian Steigerwald became the first girl in FHN history to win GACs.

“It was an exciting match,” head girls wrestling coach Sean Fowler said. “It could have gone either way. She was wrestling a fantastic athlete, so she pulled ahead and then pinned her. It was very exciting. It was gratifying.”

Steigerwald did jiu-jitsu and has really shined as a true athlete in the wrestling program.

“[Steigerwald]’s a really hard worker,” senior teammate Erin Fleming said. “She did little league wrestling but she came into the season basically like a first year. She just really pounded the rock and grinds super hard in the room, she works really hard in practice.”

According to Fowler, Steigerwald competed in a very tough wrestling match and was able to pull away with a strong victory.

“It shows a lot of promise you just never know from year to year who’s going to be there,” Fowler said. “But [Steigerwald] shows up, works her butt off and is aggressive on the mat and we look forward to this as just being the beginning of a great career with us.”

On Feb. 6, Steigerwald placed third at McCluer North and on the following Monday it was announced to the school that Steigerwald qualified for the state wrestling tournament.

“My big goal is to get my name on that wall and by doing that you have to qualify for districts and then state and place at state,” Steigerwald said. “[The team] feels like my second family and I feel I can be myself around them.” by Parker Kilen pkilen0503@gmail.com WATCH Take a look at one of our wrestling livestreams: bit.ly/NSWLS

UPCOMING EVENTS

February Friday 21

Varsity Girls’ Basketball Game Time: 5:30 p.m. Where: Troy High School

February Friday 21

Varsity Boys’ Basketball Game Time: 7 p.m. Where: Troy High School

Throwing her hands up senior, Grace Lindstrom performs during the halftime show for the FHN boys’ varsity basketball team. The whole team did their hip-hop routine that they used at their competitions. The varsity dance team won first place at the FZN regional competition with their hip-hop and jazz routine. (Photo by Riley Witherbee) DANCING FOR THE BLACK AND GOLD

WRAPPING UP THE BASKETBALL SEASON Senior Ben Oster jumps to take a layup against the Fort Zumwalt West Jaguars. Oster has been playing on the boys basketball team since his freshman year of high school. “I like to be in a go-get it mindset because I thought if we keep playing the way we had, the game would be in the bag,” Oster said about the game on Dec. 9. (Photo by Phoebe Primeau)

Knightline has been giving it their all in their performances, dominating the regionals and hoping to bring home another win at nationals in Orlando.

“This season has definitely been our most successful to date in the program’s entire existence,” senior Knightline dancer Sam Key said. “It’s been a really fun ride and we’ve come home with a lot of great trophies.”

Regionals started over winter break and met a successful conclusion on Jan. 25. Knightline won first place for both of their dances in their competition against Lindbergh on Dec. 7. In the Omaha competition the team won first in hip hop and third in jazz. Then, in their last competition against FZN, Knightline won first for both dances again.

“We’ve had some really good competition this year at all of our competitions, so it’s really exciting to hear them [announcers] call second place and it’s not your name,” Key said.

Though Knightline has been very successful this season, the team had to overcome a plethora of obstacles such as dancers getting injured or sick. However, one of the most memorable recoveries was when sophomore Sarah Stover, had Chiari Malformation- a brain condition where tissue pushes onto the spinal cord. This condition hindered her ability to dance, but it was only a matter of time before she was able to join the team in their competitions again.

“Because of her brain [injury] she couldn’t dance for a long time and she’s slowly getting back into it now,” senior Knightline dancer Emma Quinn said. “We had to change a few things a couple weeks before our competition, but we still did really good because we had to push past that,”

The seniors look forward to their last few times dancing together as a team with nationals starting Feb. 20.

“Honestly, this program has been completely invaluable to my years in high school,” Key said. “Being able to be part of a team that’s so close and works so hard together for such a long season has given me these friendships and memories that I’ll never forget.”(Brief by Liy Taliaferro)

The varsity boys’ basketball team is working on ending their season strong. There are only three games left in the season and on Friday they have an away game against Troy Buchanan High School.

“We started off rough but it’s a minor setback for a major comeback,” junior player Joshua Teemul said.

The Knights had previously played against the Troy Trojans on Jan. 14 and lost 27-64, but the team remains hopeful of a victory for their upcoming game against the Trojans on Feb. 21. The FHN season started off rough with a consistent losing streak but the team often got close in scores to winning. On Feb. 4, the team won their first game of the season against FHC 54-48. This victory gave the team hope for future games and provided a morale boost for the team and coaches.

“Just a few hiccups in our game [against Troy],” Teemul said.

As the season continues, the team has grown closer and keeps their outlooks positive. Despite many defeats, they continue to be hopeful towards a victory and progress as a team. Junior Braden Darnell has been playing on the FHN basketball team throughout high school and is optimistic about how the team will play for the remainder of the season.

“[At the start of the season] we weren’t working together as a team and now we’re starting to improve,” Darnell said.

The team is preparing for their next game against Troy, along with their game away at FZW on Feb. 25 and their final home game against Timberland high school on Feb. 27.

“I think we may come out with a dub [against Troy],” Darnell said. “We have prior experience of playing them. We know their tactics and their plays so we may come through.”(Brief by Karsyn Williams)

MORE INFO Check out the team’s rankings here: bit.ly/NSBBstats

February Tuesday 25

Varsity Girls’ Basketball Game Time: 5:30 p.m. Where: Ft. Zumwalt West

February Thursday 27

Varsity Boys’ Basketball Game Time: 6:30 p.m. Where: Home

March Mon.-Fri. 2-6

Spring Tryouts Time: 2:30 p.m. Where: FHN Fields/Gyms

Contemplating her next move, junior Becka Brissette dribbles the ball. Brissette has become one of the top players on the team. Having played all throughout high school, Brisette plans to continue basketball for the rest of high school. (Photo by Riley Witherbee)

ALWAYS BEEN MORE THAN JUST A GAME

Basketball has been a huge part of junior Becka Brissette’s life since she was only five years old. Brissette has grown up playing through FHN’s youth teams, which ultimately helped her transition into high school.

“It definitely helped me transition better playing through FHN’s feeder teams because I was playing with many of the same girls,” Brissette said.

Brissette’s experience in basketball showed when she got into high school and made the girls’ varsity team freshman year. Although she didn’t play much up until this year, Brissette was always a major member of the team.

“Becka always stays positive and always helps me when I need her and is just super supportive,” said Brissette’s teammate, sophomore Faith Todd.

This year, Brissette is a team captain and is essential to the spirit of the team. Brissette has always shown her leadership on the team by consistently helping the younger girls and being a supportive friend to the team.

“I feel that by hyping up the team before each game and helping the girls out in any way possible allows me to benefit the team in a positive way,” Brissette said.

This varsity season has been one to remember for Brissette, as she continues to grow as a player alongside her friends. The girls’ varsity team has become Brissette’s home away from home and the memories that she has made on the team will last forever.

“Me and my friends have become really close through basketball and have created a special bond, which is why I keep on playing,” Brissette said.

Overall, Brissette’s kindness and leadership skills are why many of her teammates admire her so much.

“In the locker rooms Becka always tells us what we need to work on and what we are doing well,” said teammate and sophomore Makenna Davis. “She really helps bring the team up.” (Brief by Emma Musselman)

At Harvest Lanes, senior Andrew Durham rolls a bowling ball during a FHN bowling game. Durham has been bowling competitvely for only a year. “My favorite part of being on the bowling team is the free bowling every Sunday with my friends that are on the team,” Durham said. (Photo by Rachel Stover)

Q&A WITH ANDREW DURHAM

How did you get into bowling?

“My friend had been doing it for a couple of years, so we got a bunch of friends together and started a team.”

What do you do to improve your bowling skills?

“We have practice once a week and we try to train as much as possible on Tuesdays and Thursdays when it’s cheap. We spend a lot of time up in the bowling alley.”

What has been your biggest achievement in your time bowling?

“I went to a nine pin tournament, where nine pins count as a strike and I got first place in my division. I got first place in my division and won $150 to go towards college.”

What do you recommend for people trying to get into bowling?

“Bowling balls can be expensive, but having the right ball makes a difference. It takes your score from 100 to 150. It makes that much of a difference.”

What challenges have you faced in Bowling?

“I mean, it’s bowling. It’s not that hard, but it takes practice to become good.”

(Content by Aadhi Sathishkumar)

MORE INFO Read about a player on the FHN bowling team: bit.ly/NShsbowl