Intro. to Newspaper's Sports Update

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER Dhruv Khanna’s journey through soccer.

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Countries Dhruv Khanna has lived in.

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Languages that Dhruv Khanna speaks

7 Years that Dhruv Khanna has played soccer.

8000 miles can be a world of change. But there are some forces strong enough to endure any distance.

For Dhruv Khanna ‘18 this force is soccer. Born in India, Khanna has experienced moves all across the world, most recently a move to Iowa. “I like the fact that I get to meet so many people everytime I move around, and I think that soccer is a great way to interact with new people,” Khanna ‘18 said. Although there is turmoil involved in his frequent moves, soccer has helped Khanna keep his footing.

Khanna recognizes the multifaceted culture that exists in India. “[In India] There’s just so many stories to tell every single day, when you get to meet thousands of new people,” Khanna said. Khanna found it hard to pin down one stereotypical “Indian” lifestyle, because of the wealth of cultural diversity that exists in the country. But with these varying experiences, some are bound to be negative.

Khanna talked about the growing poverty in India, and the immense income inequality between the rich and the poor. “In the United States, you don’t see as many children in the street,” he said. The minimum wage in India varies by state government from $2.40 to $5.80, all of which are significantly below the U.S .

and European minimum games.” Khanna said. In wages. Khanna said he is fact, when asked about the glad to leave behind the coaching in India, Khanna unfortunate part of India. referred to it as “nonexWhen asked about his istent”. While it certainly move to the U.S., Khanna has not taken center stage, talks about the surprising- he recognizes that socly easy time he has had. “I cer is a much bigger part really enjoyed the move of American culture. Bebecause the people here cause of this, he has been in the U.S. are extreme- able to use soccer to meet ly warm and friendly, people in the US. “Soccer which you don’t see in ev- has helped me make a lot ery country,” Khanna ‘18 of friends and role modsaid. He talks about the els in the United States,” positive experiences that Khanna said, “It’s defihe has had in nitely considered as the U.S. Khana very competitive na refers to the sport in the United “clean” aspect States.” The move of the country, to Iowa has helped and calls Iowa him to grow his City his, ‘favor- Jason Smirh ’18 soccer skill set, and ite place’ to live become part of the because the people have “family” that he refers to a certain “good, warm” as club soccer. Although quality. Khanna will be the transition to a competmaking yet another move itive atmosphere was diffithis summer, and he men- cult, it has helped Khanna tions how he dreads mak- to grow as a soccer player, ing the journey away from as well as an individual. the friends he has made in Now that Khanna has Iowa. “There comes a point been integrated into US in your life where you find soccer, he has several goals a place that you want to for both the short-term stay.” Khanna ‘18 stated. and long-term. Khanna, a Regarding soccer, howev- member of the West High er, Khanna said there was team , is optimistic about a tough transition from the upcoming season. In India to the US. In India, addition, he believes soche said, cricket is consid- cer at West will take him ered the national sport, far in the future. “My long with all other athletics term goals are maybe to taking a backseat. He said even play college soccer.” that because of this, soccer Khanna ‘18 said. Soccer in India remained infor- has helped fuel dreams mal. “It was mostly street such as these in Khanna. soccer; just everyday peo- He also agrees that soccer ple playing in pick-up has pushed him not only

Iowa City 8,431 miles

Mumbai

Khanna’s Journey on the field, but in the classroom as well. “Soccer helps me conserve my time well and utilize it.” Khanna said. He elaborates that much of this needed encouragement has come from his coaches, both in club soccer and West soccer. “It’s the coaches that push me to study well and be competitive.” Khanna said. Khanna’s coaches and teammates have been a big motivation to get involved and be a better player on and off the field. Khanna notes that

his biggest role model is Walter Donich ‘18 says teammate Jason Smith ’18. he has “showed him what He said that Jason Smith to do and what not to do” is part of the tight through his words knit family that and actions. By has helped him to both having role become fully enmodels, and gaged with soccer serving as a role in the US. When model, Khanna asked about his Walter Donich ‘18 has been able to impact on Khanleave his footprint na, Smith said he’s been on West High Soccer. able to “teach him every- Although he has been thing he needs to know through the struggle of about this school.” Khan- having to say goodbye to na has also become an everyone again and again, influence on several of this time will be differhis teammates. Teammate ent for Khanna. He has

found a home in Iowa City, especially at West.

Many friends, memories, and of course, soccer dreams will be left behind here when he packs up yet again this summer.

But regardless, Khanna is certain that soccer will get him through this hurdle, just as it has before.

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Climbing back towards the top

Photography and design by Nick Pryor

by Hunter Liebermann and Connor Greer

A

fter three boys soccer state championships in a row, the West High boys soccer team lost in heartbreaking fashion to Muscatine last year in the sub state final; a loss that still stings for many. The team is back this year, and with a vengeance. This year’s seven returning starters have a lot of experience under their belt from those previous state championship appearances, however the six new players making up the team remain inexperienced, but talented. “I expected 100 percent out of them, I know they will make mistakes, but working hard will make up for it,” said team captain Alex Anderson ’17. Hard work is something that his driven this team to those elusive titles in previous seasons, and this year’s team is hungry to return to the field and retake the championship.

Anderson (pictured left) is the starting striker this season and is now entering is third season on the West High varsity team. Anderson plans on taking this season one step at a time in order to help build momentum for success as the season progresses.

One way he plans on going through this season is by making goals to work towards as a team. First on Anderson’s list is to win the conference title game, followed by making it past substate, and finally by bringing home the state championship trophy. Anderson and the team understand the difficulties and adversity they will face from their opponents but believe with enough hard work from everyone, starters through bench players, they will be able to achieve these goals. Anderson also hopes to bring many of the younger players who are just starting on varsity under his wing in order to help make them better players. Earlier this year, Anderson verbally committed to playing soccer at Drake University where he plans on continuing his soccer career.

The trojans have kicked off the year with 4 wins against 3a opponents.

They had a 3-2 win against Ankeny that was won during penalty kicks.

Then followed up by 3 easy wins, 5-0 over Muscatine, 3-0 over Dowling Catholic, and 3-1 over Cedar Rapids Washington. These wins give West hope that they might be back in the state championship this year.

The games to look forward to and keep on your calendar are against Linn Mar on April 26th, and against City on May 17th. These games will feature college talent all around, including multiple future teammates at Drake University.

Henry Chen ’18 (pictured above) is the brother of starting goalie Jack Chen. Henry earned his spot on the varsity team last year, as a freshman. Starting as a freshman on varsity has helped him understand the pressures that go with it and how to work with the others on the team. Playing on defense as a center back has brought him closer on and off the field to his brother. “It is a good experience to play alongside my brother and it brings us closer,” Henry Chen said. Henry hopes for the team to continue on its path of success as they continue into the season. A big motivator for him has been the feeling that there is still unfinished business left to complete after the dissatisfying loss in his first year on the team.

Jack Chen ’16 is the starting goalie for the team. This season is his fourth on the team, including a game his freshman year. As a four year player and a team leader, Jack Chen has high expectations for this year’s team. “We want to win state, and after our first three games, I think it is a very realistic goal,” Jack said.

With his brother, Henry Chen, playing alongside him this year on defense, Jack has noticed how well the two of them work together. “We get along really well because of it and we have to work together as brother’s and teammates.” he said. In the 2014-2015 season, Jack Chen led the team with 21 saves in 15 games. He hopes to increase those umbers as the season continues. Although early in the year, he has already become a hero after a save in penalty kicks against Ankeny.

BEING THE FRESH MEAT By: Alfonso Wheeler, Anna Haney, & Liz Nodia

You put on your chin guards, pull up your socks, and lace up the shoes your mom just bought. You run on to the field, and see all your friends dribbling the soccer ball. You are nervous, scared, but all around excited to play the sport you love. It’s tryouts, and if you want to make the best team, then you gotta try your hardest. For most students trying out for soccer at west high, these are the main emotions going through their head. Everyone’s main goal is to make the best team, the varsity team.

But, this goal isn’t easy, and it is especially hard for freshmen at West trying out for soccer. With over Of the 10-20 freshmen that tryout, only one to two for both boys and girls teams will make varsity. This season, Rachel Olson, Marnie Vonderhaar and Gada Ambo are those lucky freshmen . But what is it like to be the youngest person on the team? Is it worth it? Some people assume if the freshman make the best team, they will never see the field. They are the youngest, so they have to carry all the equipment, or do all the dirty work. “[I’ll be] taking my equipment to the field and they’ll [Upperclassmen] say ‘Freshman you take it[theirs]’” (Rachel Olson 19’).

Stereotypes about high school sports have been that some freshman might prefer playing on a lower team where they would be a starter. However, these players value the opportunity in the varsity experience, even if it means less playing time Marnie Vonderhaar 19’ responded: “Being on varsity is definitely worth getting less playing time. Even though

4 SECTION APRIL 2016 WSSPAPER.COM

I won’t see a lot of time on the field this season, I feel very grateful to even have the opportunity to practice with the varsity girls because I think that it will greatly improve my game for future seasons.” However, just because they do not get equal playing time on the field, they still feel equal within the team. “I feel equal with my team because I am so close with them,” Rachel Olson 19’ said, “Shoutout to my older sister Katie who is on the team for making me get to know them.”

These girls have not just started soccer either. They have been playing since before junior high. Olson started at just 4 years old, while Vonderhaar started at 6th grade playing club. When asked how she prepared to try out for varsity Vonderhaar replied, “I feel like I was really lucky to work with the coaches at ISC. Jon Cook, my coach, put in so much time to help, motivate, and prepare me and the rest of our club team for high school soccer.” It’s not hard to see how much effort Olson and Vonderhaar put into their high school soccer careers. Even though it is just beginning, they have already created an advantage for themselves. The varsity team this year has a great outlook,and if you want to check out these players, come to a varsity west soccer game this season! They have two upcoming games on April 12th, and April 14th.

FAST FACTS Started playing in 6th Grade iPlays for Iowa Soccer Club Plays Center Back

Likes playing for West and for Club equally.

Started playing soccer because alot of her friends were playing.

Compiled by Alfonso Wheeler

Marnie Vonderhaar 19’

FAST FACTS

Started playing Recreational League for Iowa City at 4 Plays for Iowa Soccer Club IPlays defensive middle

Prefers Club Soccer, but really enjoys playing for West High Older sister Katie Olson 16’ also plays on Varsity Compiled by Alfonso Wheeler

Rachel Olson 19’

Rachel Olson 19’

WSSPAPER.COM APRIL 2016 SECTION 5

Women of Soccer Troy Imagine tying up your cleats, putting on your shin guards, grabbing a ball, and walking out onto the field. You feel the pressure to win as soon as you see the other team on the opposite side of the field. This is the game of soccer. West kicks off their season coming off of a record of 18-2 and winning the state championship. Out on the field, there are eleven people allowed. The positions on the soccer field are goalie, left defense, left center defense, right center defense, center defensive midfield, right midfield, left midfield, right forward, center forward, and left forward.

Julie Watkinz ‘17 started playing soccer in kindergarten on a club organization called Kickers. “Being on a team with Kickers is great because we oftentimes get snacks after games and occasionally practice” said Watkinz. Watkinz typically plays defense out on the soccer field. “ My job is to check people and get warnings from the ref” said Watkinz.

Yarelle Jaimes ‘19 started playing soccer when she was little up until sixth grade before she moved from Mt. Pleasant to North Liberty. “I used to play when I was little up to 6th grade then I moved here I didn’t really play and when I found out they have it at West I decided to get back to playing” said Jaimes. Jaimes is playing goalie this season. “I keep goals from being brought in.” said Jaimes.

SPORTS “Ultimately, the game is for the player, the creativity, and watching players and teaching them creativity.” -Dave Rosenthal

ON THE FIELD Amber Dyson ‘19 started playing soccer in fifth grade. “ My friend’s mom thought that I’d be good at [soccer] and so I just decided to start playing” said Dyson. She started out on the club organization ISC. Dyson plays forward out on the field. “My position is the one that usually gets the ball from defense to go up and score goals” said Dyson.

There’s no hands; the only time the ball can come in contact with your hand is if it hits it

There are starts and restarts through the entire game; the game is restarted at the start of the game, after a goal has been scored, at the start of the second half, and at the start of each period of extra time

The ball must be thrown in

A player cannot touch the ball two times in a role

Don’t Expect to see high scores in the game because they’re typically low

STORY BY JANELLE BEEMON DESIGN BY MEGAN BOLAND PHOTOS BY: ALAA ALI

SPORTS

Friendship Goals Staying ahead of the game on and off the field

BY MOLLY HOWES

Soccer, football, futbol, Jalkapallo; no matter how you say it, the sport is the same. The athletes who call this sport their own are a rare and talented breed. Of those few are Emma Cooper ‘17 and Regan Steigleder ‘17. They are committed to Michigan and Northwestern universities, respectively, and have been on varsity girls soccer together since their freshman year.

“At first we were like super competitive,” said Cooper, regarding the start of their friendship.

“Even our coaches have said that they thought we were going to always hate each other,” said SteiCooper, 17 gleder.

Although the girls’ friendship may have had a rocky start, the two are now the best of teammates.

Getting the ball from another player, as their cleats dig into the soft green of the field. Avoiding the other team. Running with the ball across the field. Sweat dripping down their brows. Finally an SPORTS APRIL 2016 WSSPAPER.COM

opening is found near the goal and with Steigleder passing to Cooper, they score. Moments like these are a shared favorite between the two.

“We get along better this year than we did in past years … honest to God we’ll spend four hours together,” said Cooper. “I feel like we work better together because we can actually communicate together … she’s super talkative and I’m not, so that builds my confidence to talk on the field,” said Steigleder. “I think we work better together on the team because we know each ruo evol I other,” said ”.maet Cooper.

“Honestly, slrig eTh tnew neht Steigleder, 17

like ‘Oh, I played well, it doesn’t matter,” said Cooper. The need to commit, and the fact they were on rival club teams growing up, helped to divide them their freshman year.

Luckily after the girls committed to schools they lost a sense of competition.

“Freshman year I committed to Vanderbilt. They had a coaching change … so I decommitted my sophomore year,” said Steigleder, “which was a lot of pressure because that’s a big year for college.” “I had Michigan contact me,” said Cooper, “the coach invited me to come visit the school, and he pretty much sat me down and offered me to go there. It takes a lot of the stress off the next years, I don’t have the pressure to qualify [anymore].” “I had a circle of schools I could choose from,” said Steigleder, regarding her other college options, “so I decided to go to Northwestern.”

The dark sky against the green of the field painted a perfect canvas for the start of soccer practice, a daily routine for the two.

One would never expect the intense amount of work and physical activity each day in the

“Before you commit you have to show your stuff more.”

-Steigleder ’17 sport requires. Their typical workout starts with running and stretches before running drills on the field. The girls spend about 15 hours a week at practices, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

on to explain the importance of playing well at the beginning of their high school careers, and the reason they were so competitive.

“Before you commit, you have to show your stuff more,” said Steigleder. “You can lose a game and be DESIGN BY IAN PRESCOTT

PHOTOS COMPILED BY KYRA STOLL

WSSPAPER.COM APRIL 2016 SPORTSW

“College Raptor really helped me narrow down my choices for colleges.”

-Morgan Hoeft ‘16

Graduation is coming.

Do you know what’s next?

Go to www.collegeraptor.com for college help.

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Life on the

RUN

Can’t… stop… must keep… running… No, they aren’t criminals escaping a max security prison. They run because they want to. It is what they love to do. They are the West High girls track team. After placing sixth at state last year and their new season recently starting, the expectations are higher and the excitement of track meets has returned. Meet days are tough, and the only way you’ll understand how they feel is if you experience it yourself.

BY JENNA ZENG

A

fter a good night’s sleep, it’s finally meet day.

Even though your gear is already packed, you wake up feeling antsy.

You’re still full from your carb-loaded spaghetti team dinner last night. You groggily get ready and head off.

Despite having huge races later in the afternoon, you still have to force yourself to go to school. During class, your mind begins to wander. The anxiety starts to kick in. “I’m nervous all day during school, and I do find it hard to focus,” said Katie Severt ‘19 Katie Severt ’19, a sprinter. “I always think about the things I need to work on such as pushing off the blocks harder and my arm movement.” Time seems to stand still as the day drags on. Tick tock. Tick tock. Now you’re just watching the hands on the clock go round and round, as if they are little runners on an endless track.

After what feels like ages, you arrive at the track and get settled in. It’s time to go full on track mode.

You pop your earbuds in and listen to your favorite music and do anything you can to calm your nerves.

“I try to laugh with my teammates because laughing just takes a lot of the stress off each other,” said Bailey Nock ’18, a long distance runner. About Bailey Nock ‘18 an hour before the meet you start lightly jogging and stretching to warm up. The seconds keep ticking away, and the pressure keeps building as it gets closer to the start. You PHOTOS BY OLIVIA DACHTLER

meet as a team to encourage each other and get your head in the game.

It’s finally showtime. The butterflies in your stomach are going crazy, and your jitters are increasing by the moment. “I take really deep breaths and blur out the rest of the competition because I can only control my race and no one else’s and I just need to do my best,” said Peyton

Peyton Steva ‘19

“My favorite thing is when I pass the finish line and I’m completely exhausted because even if I didn’t get first place I know I left all I could out on the track and it’s an amazing feeling,”

Steva ’19, a hurdler. On your mark… Get set… BANG! And you’re off. You run like your life depends on it. Your legs feel like they’re going a thousand miles an hour. All your nerves and anxiety is gone.

Your only thoughts are run, run, RUN! All your hard work and tough training leading up to this moment is finally paying off. Your heart is racing, and you are completely winded. “My favorite thing is when I pass the finish line and I’m completely exhausted because even if I didn’t get first place I know I left all I could out on the track and it’s an amazing feeling,” Steva said.

Even though you are absolutely worn out, you still have a long night ahead. “After I run an event the positive enthusiasm of my teammates gets

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me motivated for the rest of my events,” said Severt. The moment the crowd roars louder and everyone is just a bit more excited is when you know it’s time for possibly the most exhilarating events of the meet: the relays. “We do this thing before every relay where the first three runners of the relay have to kiss the baton and the anchor person has to lick it,” said Nock.

The sun has gone down, and you’re under the bright lights now. You’ve got three other girls depending on you which makes you run even harder. But, at the end of the meet whether you win or lose, you have to feel proud of yourself and your team. You don’t have any regrets because each girl gave it her all. Everyone ran their hearts out. Your team runs a few cool down laps and then you come together for one final team meeting to compliment each other on the great races and outstanding achievements.

You’re utterly exhausted and you feel like a car in dire need of gas. At last, you get home and flop onto your comfy bed. You drift off to sleep with a smile on your face because you know that in just a couple of days you get to relive the excitement all over again.

- Steva ‘19

Natural Runner

From breaking West’s long jump record on her first try to placing second in the state 100 meter hurdles last year, Valerie Welch ’17 could be this school’s greatest track star.

You’re in your starting blocks, waiting for the gun to go off, anxious to start the 15-second race. You’re about to run one of the most important races of the entire season: state. When the gun goes off, you sprint off the blocks, ready to leap over the 10 hurdles. You’re in first place, until almost the end of the race, where you fall to second. This is the SPORTS APRIL 2016 WSSPAPER.COM

situation Valerie Welch ’17 was in.

“And then the 7th [hurdle], I linger too long over it. I could feel it. And then we were tied, and then she pulled away and she pulled away and she won,” Welch said. Despite her loss, Welch was content with her second-place finish at the state championships.

PHOTOS BY KAITLYN KLOSTERMAN

“[I was] happy that I got second. I went in ranked we have to chat her up and keep her loose,” Young said. fourth,” Welch said. This year, Welch is pushing herself Being best friends, Welch and Young enjoy getting to to higher standards, with the help of her best friend be teammates. “We get to spend more time together,” and fellow hurdler Welch said. “It’s not Grace Young ’16. as boring. Like some “I think that times when she’s gone she can do anything it’s boring.” “[I’m] nervous until I’m done. Then Welch and Young’s that she wants to do,” Young said. This it’s sort of exciting to watch ev- sarcastic and humoryear Welch hopes to ous attitudes also keep erybody else and congratulate achieve even more the track team smiling people,” success at the highest and laughing. “I’d like -Valerie Welch ’17 levels. to run a three minute, The Drake Relays, an 59 second mile,” Welch invitational track meet held at Drake University in Des said, describing a mile time barrier that less than 10 Moines, is the ultimate goal for many high school track high school boys have ever achieved. However, for a athletes. Welch is pushing herself to qualify in all the girl who broke the school’s long jump record in her events she can. first ever jump, some people’s dreams may be her next “[I hope to qualify for] all of the hurdle events,” Welch goals. said. Welch is also currently leading the qualifiers in the long jump event, with the third-longest jump in Iowa’s history--19 feet, 4 inches, which she achieved in her first time competing in the high school long jump.

Despite being one of the best participants in multiple 100 Meter Hurdles: 15.26 events, Welch still gets nervous.“[I’m] nervous until I’m done. Then it’s sort of exciting to watch everybody else and congratulate people,” Welch said.

400 Meter Hurdles: To help her cope with nerves, Welch finds support 1:06.36 in her teammates.Teammate Bailey Nock ’18 added that she helps Welch through the meets. “Before the Long Jump: 19-04.00 4x4[00 meter relay] at Drake she was really nervous and psyched out so I had to rub her back and make her Source by Quick Stats Iowa laugh,” Nock said.

Young also added that she consistently helps Welch by calming her anxiety. “She gets nervous really easily so

BEST TIMES 2016

DESIGN BY NICK HADDY

T Sydney Shie ‘17

E

By Jordan Bailey

Not many girls want to play varsity tennis at West this year, with twenty on junior varsity and only nine on varsity. The coaches don’t know why but Erika Mundt, the JV coach says players have given her reasons. According to Mundt, play-

N

Jaya Blanchard ‘17

Why

ers tell her JV is because it’s less time and more fun. Since there are so many activities at West, they overlap so people have to choose. They choose JV so they could either just have fun or fit in other activities on Saturdays since they don’t practice. Also only a certain amount of people actually play on varsity because their more competitive and more about winning. “So people are expected to know how to

N

IS

Meg Moreland ‘18

JV?

play but most of JV players don’t,” says Mundt. They don’t know the scoring like love, 15, 30 and 40.

“We don’t play to win.” Jaya Blanchard 17’and Sydney Shie 17’ both chose not to play varsity because they both want to have more fun than play to win. On the other hand, Emily Burtch ‘18 chose to just not play at all. Even though she was asked if she wanted to play var-

Emily Burtch ‘18

sity. She says, “the varsity coach is more of a friend.” There is one person who does want to play varsity.

Her name is Meg Moreland 18’. She used to play but stopped for other activities. Her sophomore year, her best friend Emma Cook 19’ asked her to play varsity. She says, “I practiced once in four years and made varsity, I’m okay with that.”

Photo editing and photo design by Molly Howes

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Cold turkey on healthy eating

BY SAMALYA THENUWARA AND HAYLEY PAULSON

I Add title of page

ce cream or a cup of 1% milk? pounds and lost like two dress sizes. ter and more active,” Howes said. think that what you eat greatly afHowes chooses what she eats via fects how well you perform in acPizza or a salad? The day is full I looked healthier and felt healthier of opportunities to make healthy and I just felt more confident and an app called Lose It! “You put in tivities because eating healthy can your weight and the give you the right amount of nutridecisions; granted they are not al- better about myself,” It is important to eat healthy... weight you want ways easy decisions. Healthy eating Robles said. Robles ents to make your body feel good.” it just sucks at first. to be or [you can] Saylor believes athletes should pri- 1 tbsp is not a new concept but it contin- finished the pageant -Emma Howes’19 just maintain your oritize their health more, “I think ues to be a very popular one. Ev- with victory of ‘secweight. It gives you it is important for everyone to eat eryone knows the importance of ond-runner-up’. The eating healthy, but no matter how end of the pageant does not mark the calories you can have in a day healthy but I also think that it is important it is, it is by no means the end of her healthy eating streak and you just log everything you even more important for an athlete an easy task. That in mind, those though. “I’m going to continue to eat and all your exercise,” Howes to eat healthy because they have who are cautious in their eating eat that way. I’m not just complete- said. She recommends this app an entire team counting on them habits should be highly commend- ly done now and eating whatever I to anyone, “It’s a really good app.” playing or competing well.” Both Tucked away in the art depart- Saylor and Shutt have competed in ed. For the remaining population want; for the most part I am eating who throw caution to the wind, the same,” Robles said. This is espe- ment is another healthy eatseveral long distance races and you know who you are, West Side cially true because she started the er. Jenny Saylor, one of two neither plan on changing their Story interns scouted out some diet with not only the pageant in art teachers, has been on a healthy lifestyle anytime soon. athletes and fitness-enthusiasts to mind, “It was more to prepare for vegan diet for many years, From pageant queens to athget their take on healthy eating. the rest of my life which is kind of which means she doesn’t eat Jenny Saylor letes to teachers, West High is Isabelle Robles ’17 has a cheesey,” Robles said. Robles any animal products. “I like full of healthy eaters. Though unique reason for why she admits eating healthy is prob- to eat this way because it makes my some of them agree it is not easy to 1oz. started eating healthy. She ably not something she would body feel good and I don’t like the eat healthy, they all agree it’s very restarted a meal plan seven have come to her on her own, way the animals are treated at the warding. So if that’s something that weeks ago to prepare for the “...but with the help of my farms that produce cheese or pork you might want to get into, go for it.

Miss Teen Iowa pageant. Isabelle Robles ’17 nutritionist, I got there and I or chicken,” Saylor said. Food isn’t “[My] pageant coach [is] realized that this was a bet- the only way Saylor stays healthy. good friends with this guy who is ter way to be eating,” Robles said. Shutt and Saylor can often be seen a nutritionist and she just recomEmma Howes’19 has also been riding their bikes to work regardmended it for me because she just paying extra attention to her meals. less of temperature or weather. thought ‘it would be better if you Howes is a gymnast. “I’m just Even though Saylor may seem lost some weight’ - but not in a bad trying to stay fit while I am out of quiet but she is not afraid to voice way - just to feel like the best ver- season. We still have practice but her opinions on healthy eating, “I sion of [myself],” Robles said. Her we don’t compete,” Howes said. meal plan included that she eat six “When you are in gymnastics 1 cup dairy = 1 cup milk meals a day three hours apart. Ro- you are fit no matter what but if bles shared a snippet of her daily you eat bad you are going to be plan: “In the beginning I eat three on the thicker side of fit and then scrambled eggs--no butter, no milk, your coach will push you more, no anything--with a slice of super so if you just eat healthy and duper healthy bread. Three hours watch what you are eating while 1oz. protein = 1 later I have three ounces of in gymnastics you’re going protein and a cup of vegetato be skinny and fit and it’s bles. Three hours after that I the best for you,” Howes said. have a cup of fruit, a cup of She started paying close atprotein and a cup of vegetatention to her eating a couple bles. Three hours after that I Emma Howes ’19 of weeks ago. “It is important have a protein shake and 18 to eat healthy...it just sucks at almonds.” Clearly this diet was no first,” Howes admitted. Although easy feat. “The only problem with she has yet to lose weight, she feels 1oz. p the meal plan is probably to find more active. “[Eating healthy does variation because at some points improve my performance] because it was really intense,” Robles said. when I eat junk food I feel really big But all in all it was worth it. “I got and there’s a rock in my stomach 1 cup dairy = 8 fluid oz. yogurt a lot healthier, so I felt a lot better when I am trying to practice. But about myself. I also lost like 15 when I eat healthy I feel a lot bet-

Recommended daily servings of food groups (ages 14 to 18) Fruits

Vegetables

Grains

Protein

Dairy

Oil

Male

2 cups

2.5 cups

8 oz.

6.5 oz.

3 cups

6 tsp.

Female

1.5 cups

3 cups

6 oz.

5 oz.

3 cups

5 tsp.

1 tbsp. veg. oil = 3 tsp. oil 1 cup fruit = 2 4oz. snack cups apple sauce

p. mayonnaise = 2.5 tsp. oil

1 cup fruit = 32 seedless grapes

. grain = 1 “slice of bread 1 cup fruit = 8 large strawberries

1oz. grain = 1 “mini” bagel 1 cup vegitables = 12 medium baby carrots 1oz. protein = 1 egg

1 tbsp. protein

protein = 1 slice sandwhich-turkey

1 cup vegitables = 1 3’’ tomato

1oz. grain = 3 cups popcorn 1 cup vegitables = 4 6’’ celery

DESIGN BY SAMALYA THENUWARA AND HAEJOO YOON

Eman’s Diet

The Experiment For this experiment, we decided to take on the challenge of a healthy diet. We did this by attempting to get all the recommended amounts of the food groups throughout each day. Although because of the stress of school, and extracurriculars we may have at times failed in keeping our diet 100% as we had planned, we tried our best to eat an overall healthier diet.

Day 1: Breakfast: Slice of whole wheat bread with about 1 Tbsp peanut butter. Berry applesauce. Glass of water.

Lunch: Chicken eggroll, breadstick, two apple slices, broccoli.

Dinner: Two mini-tortillas with beef, lettuce, and cheese. A little bit of rice and pico de gallo. Two more tortillas. Two Klondike bars and some cookies Late night snack: Strawberry cheesecake yoghurt.

It’s surprisingly difficult to eat the proper amount of food. I feel so full at the end of the day.

Two Klondike bars count as two servings of dairy, right?

Day 2: Breakfast: Boston Cream pie yoghurt Lunch: Roast beef sandwich

with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and pickles; carrots, chocolate milk Dinner: Orange chicken, Beijing beef, rice, steamed vegetables, apple crisp, around one cup of fruit What’s even more surprising is how hungry I feel throughout the day. I’m not used to eating breakfast, and I’m usually fine until lunch. I assumed that I’d feel full in the mornings after eating something, but what I’ve found is that I’m just waiting until the time that I can get lunch.

Day 3: Breakfast: Strawberries ‘n Bananas yoghurt Lunch: Chicken tenders, fries, two servings of coleslaw, raspberry lemonade, mini cheesecake “Dinner”: Slice of pizza, brownies, bottle of water, ½ cotton candy doughnut I wasn’t able to meet the goal

today. :( I seriously underestimated the sheer amount of food I’m supposed to eat. Eating fruit wasn’t that hard most days.

I JUST FEEL SO FULL AT NIGHT. Day 4: Breakfast/Lunch (woke up late): Pudding Dinner: Rice and cabbage, chicken broth Later: Lemon yoghurt, peach fruit cup, clementine Day 5: Breakfast: Strawberry cheesecake yoghurt Lunch: Frozen chicken alfredo pasta dish Dinner: Toffee Crunch Mocha, salad, mac ’n cheese, a bit of chicken alfredo, ¼ cinnamon crunch bagel with strawberry cream cheese and apple cinnamon cream cheese, roll with cinnamon butter, A LOT of fruit.

I’m fairly certain that I met the fruit and maybe the protein goals for the day. Probably not much else, though.

Day 6

Breakfast: Cinnamon Poptarts, cup of orange juice Lunch: PB&J, sweet and spicy Doritos, Dragon Juice Dinner: Two slices of pizza, fruit, Nutty Caramel Coffee Day 7: Breakfast: Vanilla yoghurt Lunch: Smoked turkey sandwich with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and pickles; chocolate milk, carrots Dinner: Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad bowl, Toffee Crunch Mocha Overall, this was quite a difficult week. Maybe that just speaks to how unhealthily I personally eat. I can’t say enough how surprised I was at how much food I was supposed to eat. We didn’t see any real difference in our running times after a week of (attempted) balanced eating.

Actually, both of us got slower.

I’ve learned that I should actually eat breakfast, and eat a bit more so that the amount of food I eat during the day can be more spread out and I don’t feel too full at the end of the day. It was a fun experiment, and writing the food log really made me think about what I actually eat.

Claire’s Diet

(10-20 minutes exercise each day) Day one Breakfast: Water Lunch: Peanut butter sandwich, cheese stick, and 100% fruit gummies Snack: Cheese stick, ½ oz peanuts, and apple sauce

Dinner: Rice pasta mac n cheese with chicken and V8 mango peach juice

For day one it went pretty well, it was hard to make “good” choices when all I want to do is eat chocolate… I also went on a walk around the neighborhood with my dog which was fun.

It's hard trying to get in all the recommended servings of things because it makes me feel like I have to control everything I eat which is weird.

Day 2 Breakfast: 1 cup special K and 1 cup milk Lunch: Whole grain triscuits and cheese, V8 mango peach juice, and peanuts

Dinner: Chicken with rice and broccoli, water, and chocolate covered strawberries

Today was my sister's birthday, and as hard as it was I was able to resist eating a cupcake. It’s going pretty well, but sometimes it’s hard to get in all the amounts of protein and dairy because I’m already full after everything else I’ve eaten, it’s hard to micro manage what I eat because sometimes I’m hungry and sometimes I’m not.

stuff which was cool!

Day 7

Day 5: Breakfast: V8 mango peach juice

Breakfast: V8 mango peach juice

Day 3 Breakfast: Piece of toast with PB

Lunch: Meat and cheese sandwich, applesauce, and peanuts

I love chicken noodle soup so I was really happy to eat it :).

Also I’m less sad about having to eat healthy because I’m finding healthier options of foods that I still enjoy.

Dinner: Chicken alfredo with peppers

Lunch: Chicken noodle soup, apple sauce, cheese stick, and peanuts Dinner: Chicken and broccoli and rice

Late night snack: Special K

I was traveling this day so it was hard to eat as much servings of the food groups as I was supposed to but I ate at a restaurant for dinner and it was soooooo good!!!!!

Day 6: Breakfast: V8 mango peach juice

Day 4 Breakfast: Whole grain waffle w/ bananas and strawberries

Lunch: Grilled cheese, fries, and V8 mango peach juice

Dinner: 2 slices of pepperoni pizza, grapes and carrots, and a chocolate chip cookie

Dinner: Chicken noodle soup, cheese stick, and whole grain crackers My mom went to the store to get foods high in whole grains and protein so I got to try some new

Lunch: Chicken noodle soup, mango applesauce, peanuts, and a cheese stick

Today our English teacher bagels and cake for our class. I didn’t eat any. I’m not sure if I’m happy that I stayed strong and declined the delicious food offering, or sad because I didn't get to eat any cake.

Lunch: Fiber one bar, peanuts, applesauce, and a cheese stick Dinner: Chicken and rice with peppers and onions Today went well, I had a stomach ache so I didn’t feel like eating a lot of food in the morning, but as the day went on it got better.

LAST DAY OF “HEALTHY” EATING YAY

Conclusion Overall I think this was a good experience, I discovered a lot of new healthier food that I didn’t know I liked before. And even if the food I ate wasn’t that healthy it was a step up from what I ate before, which is cool. I also cooked a lot more food, which I really enjoy doing. I think this was a really positive experience, and who know maybe I will keep up with this “healthier” diet.

in the closet.

Written by Ala mohamed Pictures by Leena Taha Design by Yarelle Jaimes

On the third floor of West High School, stands an AP Physiology classroom. However, every Monday after school the class takes an unexpected turn. As I infringed upon room 239, I was met with laughter and a box of donuts. A group of upperclassmen girls stood idly, as they each held a yummy donut varying in color and toppings, and I had the opportunity to enjoy one. I wondered if this was the wrong class, but in a blue and white striped box sitting peacefully on a student desk was a variety of jump ropes and not too far off, were some hula hoops hanging at the side. I was then sure this was the place.

As everyone greeted me warmly, more members came in, and joined the chat. As the meeting began, the jump ropes and hula hoops made their way into their owners’ hands, and the real fun began. The style of jumping I

observed was, one person holding the rope on each end and people jumping in as the jump rope was being turned. I attached a Go-pro to Autumn Svoboda’s ’16 head and I had her jumping and twirling on the jump rope. I attached the GoPro to my own head and laid on the floor as another member started to hula hope.

As busy students, one needs to sit in smell the roses. As I overheard SAT talks and test preparations, knowing members took time off to have fun, shows what matters the most. Svoboda’s one of the founders of Jump Rope club, said,” This club was created for fun, you do not need to be an expert to jump rope.”

Svoboda’s also says,” I thought they were joking about the whole thing, I never took it seriously”. As she tells me this Anna Turquest ‘16 says how they came up with it,” We were talking about Jump In, the Disney

From left to right, Renata Thorny, Autumn Svoboda, Anna Turquest, Cassie Staid and Mary Kariuki.

Channel movie and about how much we enjoyed it”.

Nowadays as teenagers we only jump rope during training or when exercising. The same joy we felt as children when spotting a jump rope in the playground is gone. Svoboda mentioned that, “The reason why many of us don’t jump rope now, is because it is kind of old, and we enjoyed it more as children.” This might be true to some, but who said we cannot bring jump rope back? As as the meeting came to an end,donuts were given up, and the jump ropes and hula hoops were tucked away again, into a dark closet in room 239. Yet not to worry, because next Monday after school they will make their next appearance.

What type of Jump Rope are you?

When

you accidentally like a 34 week old picture on IG do you..

A. Single rope: Pretend like nothing happened and keep lurking B. Long rope: freak out and unlike very fast C. Chinese wheel jumping: Wait and see what your crush does next D. competitive : Send the person a message letting them know what’s up

You are running up the steps and fall, with someone behind you...

A. Single Rope: walk it off B. Long Rope: Stay down and let the person pass C. Chinese Wheel Jumping: say, “****!”

D. Competitive Rope: Turn around and smile before running off

You need a pencil in class you, but your teacher is rude and you know no one you…

A. Single Rope: try to find a homeless one on the floor B. Long Rope: Deal with it and use a pen or color pencil C. Chinese Wheel Jumping: Ask someone close by D. Competitive Rope: Ask the one teacher that will put you on blast

Single Rope: There you are little bird, the world is big and scary so being shy is a blessing. You are very considerate of others and do not like bringing attention to oneself.

A. Single Rope: say nothing B. Long Rope: say, “Hotty at 10 o’clock” C. Chinese Wheel Jumping: cry,because you might only see this person once in a lifetime D. Competitive Rope: Go ask them for their number

A. Single Rope: Ignore it B. Long Rope: Cry for a whole week C. Chinese Wheel Jumping: Wait and upload more on your story D Competitive Rope: Send another photo more hideous than that one

When your friend slips up in front of your parents…

Chinese Wheel Jumping: Hey there Stanely, you are one tough chicken nugget. You come out when you want and go back A. Single Rope: Stay unfazed as if nothing when you are done. Plane and simple you happened and let your parents believe it is a lie are clever as a fox, but a smooth criminal.

B. Long Rope: Apology and make up a lie .

Long Rope: When things get tough do not C. Chinese Wheel Jumping: Pretend to faint or feel like hiding it is the answer. You care change the subject about others, and you are the best at D. Competitive Rope: Admit that it is letting your emotions out not caring what true and take full responsibility others say. You my friend know what is up.

Competitions: Bold and confident, you stand your grounds and face everything coming your way. You have a way of owning the stage without being the owner of the building.

When someone attractive walks by, you

When you send the wrong snapchat photo to the wrong person...

When someone is waving and you think they are waving you, but it is someone else you..

A. Single Rope: Keep waving B. Long Rope: Cry and run away C. Chinese Wheel Jumping: Keep waving because your a boss!

D. Competitive Rope: Yell, “it’s your fault!”

What do you do when your crush follows you on social media?

A. Single Rope: Add them casual as if it doesn’t bother you at all B. Long Rope: Jump on your bed for about 10 minutes C. Chinese Wheel Jumping: Send a follow back or like any of their posts D. Competitive Rope: Play hard to get and not accept it

Breaking the Mold

Mason Cook ‘16, Katie McGrane ‘17, and Regan Steigleder ‘17 all break sterotypes of sports.

By: Jena Shaver

Multi Media by: Chideraa Okeoma

Mason Cook ‘16 Photo By: Jenny Vest

Jocks are dumb. Dancing isn’t a real sport. Athletes only wear sweatpants and t-shirts. Girls aren’t allowed to play “masculine” sports. All of these statements have one thing in common; they’re stereotypes. Just like anything else, sports have stereotypes that everyone tacks on to them, but, just like anything else, there are those who stand out for contradicting these entirely.

Getting a 36 on the ACT is rare. So rare, in fact that only 0.076% of students who take the ACT get a 36. Mason Cook ‘16, got this score, and is a steady opposition to the stereotype of jocks being dumb. He avidly plays football and rugby, and used to wrestle and play baseball for West High School. “When I hear the word jock I think of a meathead guy, a bully.” This may be the stereotype, but Cook is far from a meathead. “I think sports are a fun way to put effort into something, to achieve your goals, and a way to improve yourself... rugby players are thought of as people who don’t take things seriously and who party all the time. I like the game though.” He knows people who don’t fit this stereotype, but he knows some people who do, saying “any self-respecting athlete doesn’t take things lightly.” Cook is able to combat these stereotypes with his grades. “Stereotypes don’t make me mad, but I do think of them as big motivators. Whenever anyone says I’m dumb, I can just show them my transcripts.”

Katie McGrane ‘17 hates when people say that girls can’t play sports as well as guys can. As an active basketball player, McGrane says that boys will say “play me one v. one” and says that “...when I say yes they

Designed by: Alexis Samaniego are totally shocked...they think that they are just going to destroy me because they are stronger and bigger than me.” Not only the boys’ team players underestimate her, but so do her coaches. “...because they are men and know that when they were our age, they would’ve beaten any girl...they don’t realize that times have changed...If the coach is a girl, I think they underestimate us because they too were told...they couldn’t handle playing the boys…” McGrane is completely convinced that the stigma behind women being weak is a difference between eras, saying that in today’s society the idea of “girl power” is being brought back; to a new peak even. Even though she’s not playing due to an injured leg, she still has plenty of wisdom to give out to young girls. “Don’t let people tell you how it is, go out and show them”, she’s quoted saying to young girls hoping to play a sport.

Regan Steigleder ‘17 is another girl who avidly plays sports, right now playing on the Hawks ECNL soccer team. Most people think of Steigleder as a fairly popular girl, known for definitely breaking the “athletic wear” stereotype. “I would say athletes tend to dress differently than people outside of a sport...I wear athletic clothing [but mostly] during a season.” She, like McGrane, thinks that girls don’t get enough credit as boys for their sports, but is very happy that the team is gathering more support. “This year...we have gotten more fans because people are recognizing that our girls soccer team is fun too watch.” Steigleder has been playing sports for about fifteen years, and still manages to never succumb to the wild stereotypes that plague girls sports.

All of these people have one thing in common, and it’s the fact that they break the stereotypes that surround them due to their athletics. Yes, some people fit them, and no, that’s not a bad thing, but standing out in a sea of people is always a benefit, especially if you dream of being big.

Katie McGrane ‘17 Photo by: Katie McGrane

Regan Steigleder ‘17 Photo By: Jenny Vest

PRESSURE: it’s not just a word.

BY SHARON AMOUZOU, JANAYA BUNS, AND PARIONNA ROBY

SPORTS There was a moment when he just wanted to quit.

“At first, when I was a freshman, I came back from practice and said to my mom that I didn’t want to play tennis but then she told me that I should play tennis so I would have something to do after school,” Brad DiLeo ‘18 said, “I felt like I took the right path down the road so then I could see what it felt like to be on a team because I’ve never been on a team before besides basketball.”

It was either tennis or basketball, and his mother Kay DiLeo, told him to go for tennis. “Our family loves tennis, it’s like a really good sport and it helps you get exercise,” says DiLeo. Brad DiLeo ’18 DiLeo’s parents, although care about his school work, priorities are focused more on sports. His mother is a tennis coach herself for 6 years now and knowing her son well, wanted the both of them to try something different.

DiLeo is probably going to continue this sport in college, though finds it might difficult considering his dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. However, DiLeo seems more in favor with tennis because it gives him the choice to make that decision for himself if he wants to play on the team. DiLeo won’t have to rely on coaches on recruiting him onto the team, not like basketball. Though with that being said, DiLeo might just end up going into the college tennis club. “I just have to work a few things out,” DiLeo said.

With twelve hours a week, practice from Monday to Friday, and some-Brad DiLeo‘18 times even Saturday, DiLeo dedicates three hours of his Sunday teaching children tennis himself.

DiLeo does, at times, get frustrated in tennis. Like when he misses shots, Dileo says, “I kinda get mad at myself and push myself to play better.”

West High’s tennis ranking went up from 8th last year to 1st place this year, though DiLeo doesn’t care about any of it. “It doesn’t matter what we get, it won’t affect my playing, I’ll just be myself and just go out there and play.”

Right now, I’m trying not to get mad at myself and that’s my main goal for this season.

W

hether it be the lanes of a swimming pool or the halls of West High School, Drew Graves 18’ is one to travel both. Having been born into a sports happy family Graves is a naturally athletic person. And even though Graves has participated in various sports over the years, when asked if he himself picked the sport and why he chose swimming he replied, “swimming just kind of clicked with me.”

As one would expect with a competitive team sport such as swimming there is pressure from not only parents and coaches, but Drew Graves ’18 from teammates as well. This is best stated by Graves when asked about peer pressure.

“I mean yeah there’s definitely some peer pressure but it’s more friendly like hey they want us to do good too because swimming is a team sport and it’s not like one individual can achieve things. It’s very important to have your peers help you and sometimes there’s some peer pressure involved in that and that’s just how it is.”

Most, if not every, student at West High that participates in a sport can not only understand the pressure from working school, sports, and sometimes work but can also relate. It’s understandable that students that participate in a sport work so hard to get a scholarship within their sport given that getting a job in high school is impossible because their sports’ schedule doesn’t allow it.

“I balance school and sports however sports gives it to me, ‘cause the swim team is really hard to get a schedule for so you If I’m doing a sluggish 500 I won’t push myself kinda just gotta roll with it,” said Graves. many cases the pressure from peers, coaches, parents, added too hard but if I’m doing something I should onInwith the stress from balancing school with sports gets to be be good at and I know that I am good at too much and athletes consider giving up on their sports.

When asked about this complex matter Graves’ reply was, “I I’m gonna definitely push myself to do better mean at times yeah but I know that I can, it’s just not an option for me to disappoint my classmates so I just have to push as far and go faster.

-Drew Graves ’18 as I can. One of our coaches says if she has to pull you out of the water that means that you’re doing it right or work till you don’t have any energy left and that’s kind of our motto, we wanna work as hard as we can and for as long as we can, we wanna be in the best shape possible to win at the event’s and get better.”

4 SECTION MONTH 2015 WSSPAPER.COM

When she was younger, her parents wanted her to do the same type of sports they had done. Soccer though, was a choice she chose for her own.

“I did them,” Carlin Morsch 18’ said, “but I chose a different sport they haven’t done so they don’t know much about it.”

She doesn’t get much pressure from her parents. They support her for joining soccer, though they just want her to get playing time. Nine hours each week of soccer, Morsch does believe that school is more important than sports, “you have to keep your Carlin Morsch’18 grades up to play in sports.”

The way Morsch balances school and sports is that she tries to get a study hall near her sport’s season, so that she is able to do her homework, study, go to soccer, and afterwards, finish the rest of her work.

Soccer does though, gets in the way of her acquiring a job. “I wanted to work somewhere and get money to buy a car, but I can’t ‘cause I have to focus on soccer,” Morsch said.

Morsch definitely gets upset when she messes up in soccer. When something else is badly affected by what she did wrong, Morsch feels like it’s her fault. Moreover, Morsch finds it hard to spend time with her friends more because of soccer. She has to somehow squeeze hanging out with her friends in into her schedule. “It’s just a balance between the both of them,” says Morsch.

Morsch has yet to decide if she wants to continue once she gets into college, or not. “I don’t know yet,” she says, “it depends on the college.”

Though she never wants to quit it. Morsch loves soccer, and finds it fun being in an activity. She does not regret joining the sport because in other sports, she feels shortened, but in soccer, Morsch feels like the average height. Though she does feels pressure from West High’s reputation in sports.

“I just don’t want to let anyone down, and they’re so good I just want to get better with them.”

Kia Noibi 18’, a track runner and former gymnastics player tends to feel pressure from herself, coaches, school, and her parents. Noibi’s parents priorities between sports and school is “kind of balance between both” as stated by Noibi. After a long day of practice or track game, Noibi’s father is in charge of how healthy she eats and tends to push her to eat healthy everyday.

Noibi’s mother pushes her to be the best she can be when it comes to sports and makes sure she practices to become the best. When asked, how do you balance sports and school, Noibi replied with “I just wing it.” After sports she feels exhausted and Student Name ’17 doesn’t have the energy to do anything when she gets home. Noibi plans to do track after high school if she is accepted by any colleges.

Noibi didn’t choose the sports life at first. Her mother put her in several sports as a young kid and she ended up doing gymnastics for the longest.

Noibi didn’t have much free time when doing gymnastics. She didn’t have a lot of time to do her school work and would sometimes stay up late at night to get her homework done, until recently, when she almost tore her ACL causing her to just call it quits and end gymnastics.

In team sports, everyone wants everybody to do their best and you tend to depend on each other and push each other, as with a sport like gymnastics, you worry about yourself more than others. You worry about getting to the top by yourself. ”...there can be pressure especially when it’s a school team sport but, with gymnastics there wasn’t a whole lot of pressure.” Noibi feels there is pressure from the school because West is one of the best schools to have great sportsmanship. With school sports you have to think about other team players, school, coaches, and yourself. The pressure comes from everyone. Coaches want fast athletes, teams from other schools might have better athletes, there’s pressure from yourself with trying to be at the top in track events, even at practice.

DESIGN BY SHARON AMOUZOU

WSSPAPER.COM MONTH 2015 SECTION 5

The Next Level

By Emily Jetton

It all starts with a little kid and his teammates running for a ball, surrounded by a group of screaming parents. A few years later, they are playing for their local club or school, and a much larger audience is watching them. This is certainly a big change. But what is that change like for the athletes?

Taylor Grider ‘18 is a sprinter who competes in the 100, 200, and 400 events, as well as long jump.

She started perhaps as many current runners do--on her junior high team in seventh grade. When she started, it was more for the social experience, “just to do something outside of school,” and she admits she “didn’t really try that hard.”. However, when she realized track was something she wanted to do in high school, she knew she would have to step it up. And at this level, it is certainly more competitive, with the coach pushing the team hard.

Grider’s ninth grade season went well; however, something prevented her from doing it again this year. She fractured her sesamoid bones, and might not be able to run this season. Perhaps there is a heightened risk for injuries as the game gets more competitive? Grider thinks so. With more physically demanding days, athletes involved in multiple sports (such as members of the track team also doing cross country), and offseason practices, there are certainly more opportunities for accidents.

However, this does not take away from the players’ love of the game. Often, they have a drive to get better. “My goal is just to be able to run this season,” Grider said.

Peyton Steva ‘19, also a sprinter (this year, she has focused on the 100 and 400 meter hurdles), has a slightly different story. She has been doing track since she was six years old. With her mom as a track coach at West, it seemed obvious which sport she would do. Steva recalls how her dad made her “run a mile after school every day for two years, and he made hurdles out of PVC pipe that I would practice on….”. All that effort was certainly needed. Steva has always enjoyed winning. This year, however, as a freshman on the varsity team running against juniors and seniors, “winning is a little bit more difficult than it was before”. However, that does not deter her; she keeps up the hard work. “I have to push myself harder to get into shape and I really have to focus, “ she said.

Over the years, Steva’s goals have grown larger as she achieves more. Currently, she has her sights set on the national level. These involve qualifying AAU Nationals for the third consecutive year (placing 8th in seventh grade and 15th in eighth grade.). “It’s definitely been an eye-opener to all the types of competition,” she said of the experience.

As a freshman, Steva is just starting her track career at West High. She has high hopes for this season, especially in regards to state. “I definitely believe we could win a majority of our meets this year,” she said of her team.

Taylor Grider ‘18 running.

A picture taken from an ISC soccer game on 4/2/16

Picture by Anna Staib

SPORTS

On the rink of greatness

BY JESSICA DOYLE While many of us spent summer 2k13 grooving to Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and Bruno Mars’ “Treasure”, Frances Dai ‘19 was just beginning to lace up her leather-layered figure skates and inch her way out onto the frosty, rock-hard surface at the Coral Ridge Ice Arena.

“I think originally when I started [I] was [in] an ice skating camp that my mom found…[my friend’s] family introduced it to us because they knew private coaches as well, and they suggested the camp because it helped us improve before we take lessons.”

It seems as though the camp might have done the trick, as Dai was over the moon with the results of her first session.

“After my first lesson, I remember just being super thrilled to not have to hold the wall after getting on the ice…[before] I’d have to go at least two times around on the wall before I could actually skate.”

Just two and a half years later, Dai is continuing to make strides in the sport. She currently stands at a “freestyle level,” and is working to improve her “jumps and spins.”

However, Dai doesn’t consider herself to be a natural skater. “[I’m] probably not a natural ice skater because [my brother and I] don’t skate as often as I would like to. It’s kind of hard to improve at a dramatic rate if you don’t practice as much. We do pretty well for the time that we’ve been skating.”

As for how often she practices, Dai said she practices at least once a week for an hour, but aims for two times a week. Her practice routine starts out similar to that of many other sports, with stretching, but then spins into something called “stroking.”

“Basically it’s strong skating--it’s where you try to hold one foot up for a length of time, it doesn’t have to be super long, but it’s supposed to be smooth, it’s kind of just to get warmed

DESIGN BY LEXI GOODALE

up for practice,” she said. “Then we go into whatever we’re learning for the day. Usually after stroking, we’ll do some cross-overs to warm up, and then we’ll go into jumps or spins that we’re practicing.”

As she’s continuing to polish her jumps and spins, the thought of competition doesn’t sit too far in the back of her mind.

“I don’t participate in competitions, but I’m hoping to soon. I’ve been seeing some of the other [ice skating] students participate, and I’m just waiting until after I [master] some of the jumps that I’m doing. Maybe then I can participate in competition[s],” Dai said. “I just got new

SPORTS APRIL 2016 WSSPAPER.COM

skates that are a lot better than the ones that I was using before. [These] are competitive level skates [and] I’m hoping to be able to use them soon.”

Competing isn’t Dai’s only aspiration, though.

“My goals for ice skating are probably just to do my best, be able to learn jumps and spins,” she said, “and be able to perform them for an audience.”

Even though she isn’t currently competing, Dai still faces the horror that many athletes face--nerves.

“At this point, the thing that makes me most nervous is probably my mom, because she kind of wants to see me do certain movements that [I’m] not quite capable of. So when I’m working at them, she kind of

Now while Dai’s persistence pressures me to practice them and she pressures me to get them more and attitude allow her to suc[accurate]. So it’s kind of satisfy- ceed, she also accredits some ing when I get them right...I can’t of her success to other sports. really do anything but practice.”

“I did volleyball this year, and the Although her mother funny thing is, is the move for volisn’t an ice skater, Dai said leyball is really similar to falling, it doesn’t change her abili- because we have to dive, and the ty to judge one’s technique. dive should do as little damage as “You don’t really have to know possible. When I learned how to how to [do the moves] to know dive better, my coach was kind of whether somebody is doing impressed, because I had this really scary mo[them] right or whether it ment where I looks good fell trying to “...I’ve learned to try over and or bad. Ice do a spin or a over and kind of not give up.” skating is jump--I can’t -Frances Dai’19 just kind of even rememwhatever apber--but inpeals to the audience.” stead of actually falling, I kind of As for Dai’s biggest skating strug- did like a volleyball slide, and it was gle she said, “Ice skating’s kind of safe. It was actually really funny.”

Dai also participates in tenfrustrating because you can do it over and over, but if you don’t nis, but said skating helps tennis have the concept right, you can’t more than tennis helps skating. really do the movement or the “[Skating] kind of gives jump/spin that you want to do.” you the postures that you But she has learned would use in tennis.” to overcome this.

Dai also gives credit to her “I guess what I’ve learned is to coaches for much of her success. try over and over and kind of “My coaches kind of help me not give up. Stuff comes with understand and feel ice skattime. You have to practice and ing. They’re also really encourit’s really satisfying when you can aging. I guess they’re more complete a move,” she continued. like mental coaches than actual And at the end of the physical coaches, in the sense day, Dai isn’t a quitter. that they tell you things like “I don’t really ever feel like giving ‘I know you can do it because up, because I know it’s possible. you’re doing this correctly.’”

It’s just kind of frustrating when Dai’s current coach, Caryou ask to see how it’s done, you los Vic Walker has been with see it done, but you just can’t seem her for about one and a half to like actually make the move... years, and can see her dedibefore [I took lessons], I couldn’t cation and hard work ethic. even get off the wall. Now I can “She usually is very careful do so many things. Like I can eas- about her safety, and that’s good. ily lift my leg higher [on ice] than She takes care of herself well and I probably can on land. I can also makes me feel that she is not only do spins and jumps that were real- learning to be an athlete, but also ly frustrating around a year ago.” she’s learning to be a coach. I

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have noticed she likes to teach.”

As for Dai’s strengths in the sport, [her coach] offers much appraisal.

“Everything she does is very difficult. When [other coaches and I] coach the kids, we push them as far as they can respond. She’s [a] good listener, she’s [a] good

learner, and since she responds well, of course the challenge is higher. So we’re teaching her constantly more and more difficult elements. So, we keep her pushing and she keeps learning, and that’s exactly the way it has to be done.” Walker said.

FIGURE SKATING FRANCES She started skating when she was 12 years old.

She’s had two different coaches.

She takes lessons with her younger brother, but she started taking them first.

She also plays tennis and volleyball.

She is also interested in art, sewing, and piano Compiled by Jessica Doyle

WSSPAPER.COM APRIL 2016 SPORTS

Get your

Grip How Jonah Marcussen ‘18 skated his way through tough times.

BY MADDIE MOLINA AND CAROLINE YOUNG

It makes me feel great, it makes me feel worth something. It’s the reason I’m still here today.

A

pproaching a massive railing down a flight of eight stairs, he skids to a halt just before attempting the biggest rail he has ever skated. Contemplating the possible outcomes of this stunt, Jonah Marcussen ‘18 is filled with fear. With determination in his eyes, he advances to the daunting obstacle. Every aspiring skater at the park has their eyes on him as he flies into the air and lands with the front of his board grinding down the railing. He falls short of success and lands in a harrowing crash. “Wow, that was scary,” Marcussen said. Not phased by his overwhelming feeling of angst, Marcussen runs back up the stairs to take another shot. Still, after countless wipeouts, he is determined not to give up. Another attempt, landing beautifully on the rail and executing a flawless finish, Marcussen is greeted by a round of applause and fist bumps all around. His drive and dedication inspires the young boys ogling at his performance. Marcussen, filled with the sense of determination, had overcome his fears once again and his day at the park ended in an invigorating sense of pride.

Marcussen has been skateboarding for

around 4 years. Despite being introduced to it at the young age of 6 by his father, he got into it at the age of 12 after seeing his stepbrother and his friends skating. Marcussen explained that he loves skateboarding so much because it never fails to put him in a better mood, “It makes me feel great, it makes me feel worth something. It’s the reason I’m still here today.”

Although Marcussen skateboards now out of passion, he first got into it for another reason. He started having family problems at home during junior high and used skating as an escape. “No other sport or anyone or anything in my life at that time was really an escape for me, I kinda used skateboarding as an escape from my family and something that could make me happy, because I wasn’t a happy kid,” he said. He also says that he really started progressing when he was at his lowest state of depression, and it really helped to better his mental state. Once he even ran away from home to the skatepark for a weekend, slept there overnight and skated the whole time. “I was dedicated.”

Now, two years later it’s taken over Marcussen’s life. “I’m constantly wanting to

Below: Jonah Marcussen ‘19 skates at Venice Skate Park in California.

I’m constantly wanting to learn more and more tricks. It’s kind of an obsession, I’m addicted

learn more and more tricks. It’s kind of an obsession, I’m addicted,” he says. He spends 8 to 12 hours every weekend dedicating his time into practicing and learning new tricks. Some tricks can be harder to get down than others, “There’s not really a hard trick but there’s a hard category of tricks, [Like a] switch-front heel. It really depends on the obstacle you’re doing or if you’re doing a flip.”

Marcussen is also hoping to continue to skate in the future, “My biggest goals for the future is to definitely get noticed and to do something in skateboarding.” He is making progress with his first goal, as he has accepted a sponsorship. He is sponsored by a skate shop in Cedar Rapids called Eduskate. When you get sponsored the company pays you commercially, for example they would give you a skateboard to use to promote their business. He also explained that to get a sponsor, you film yourself skateboarding and send out the tape to various companies. “It’s pretty much like auditioning for choir and if you’re good enough, you’ll get sponsored.”

Skateboarding has also introduced Marcussen to new people, such as Kaylub Ripperton ‘17. They’ve known each other for about a year and a half and skateboarding is a big part of their friendship. “He’s helped spark my joy for skateboarding, I started to [skateboard] a while ago, but never really got into it until I started hanging out with Jonah. From then on

it really took off,” Ripperton said. He also said it’s really entertaining to watch Marcussen because he is really good.

Marcussen’s mother, Kim Schulz, is also a big supporter of his skateboarding. “It makes him happy so it’s definitely something I encourage, like I’ll say I want you to come home from school and why don’t you get some skateboarding in.” She recalls watching Marcussen as a young boy and seeing him do tricks she never thought could be possible, “He wanted to do things that very challenging and he developed an incredible perseverance to want to get a trick and just keep going and going. It has been amazing to watch him progress over the years to which now he’s doing things I would’ve never imagined.” Schulz said that skateboarding is a great source of self confidence for him.

“It helps him get a better outlook on life and where he fits into that.” Schulz also supports his skateboarding because it’s a good way for him to cope, “It helps him to quiet his mind, all of the chaos in the world, the stress of school, whatever might be weighing on him, he’s got to set that aside to focus. It’s an outlet that allows him to process and sort through his feelings. If he’s had a hard day, he finds escape in that quiet of the mind.”

PHOTOS BY CAROLINE YOUNG DESIGN BY CAROLINE YOUNG

We’re flipping out Kendall Hemmer and Shane Snap share their experiences with these alternative sports.

by Stormy Snyder and Jared Kula

All Across the Board (Skateboarding) Kendall Hemmer ’19 has been skateboarding since he was eight years old, he started skating in fourth grade. Although he originally started skateboarding to overcome bullying, Hemmer now skates to relive high school stress. Hemmer said it makes him feel free but close to the earth.

“I love how I can feel more connected to the world, and feel the wind blow through my hair.” Although Hemmer’s been skating for seven years, he doesn’t plan on skating for a career. Kendall wants to go to college for astronomy, or be in a band with his friends.

Hemmer rides goofy mongo on a skateboard, which means to keep you right foot on the back of the board as you push with your left foot, then he puts his left foot in front of his right to ride. Riding mongo makes it harder for Hemmer to do tricks because you have to scrap your foot backwards just to get your board to ollie, which is to do standard jump.

Since Hemmer’s destined to mess up because of his footing he doesn’t like skating at skateparks “My least favorite thing about skating is when you try a new trick and fall in front of people’. Also he said he doesn’t like when his board stops moving and he can’t get it to move, because the wheels are stuck.

Leaps and Bounds (Parkour) If you see Shane Snapp ’19 in the hall, you may take a step back. Snapp is super dramatic and not afraid to show people his fun side by running round and making noise. However his energy is not fully used at school.

Snapp does parkour, which is the art of looking at a random object and thinking “I should do some cool flips over that.”

Snapp parkours because it makes him feel alive“it just gives me a huge thrill, and a burst of exhilaration” he also said he loves when he tries a new trick, and lands it. Than he puts some of his parkour moves together to create a combo.

Whenever Snapp goes “parkouring” he wears his tight black and green fingerless gloves, to not cut up his hands. Shane lives in North Liberty, Iowa, where there aren’t many places to parkour. However shane doesn’t give up and makes something out of nothing, he may be walking around town and find a broken down train, and climb it. Just to look around and to run from car to car, to feel like a vigilante.

Snapp has been doing parkour for about six month and usually does it with his friend Tyler White, who can do his own crazy tricks like performing a backflip then as soon as he lands doing another. Since Snapp has the access of learning from a master he’s not afraid to try new things, Snapp may ask how to do a backflip and White will grab his back so Shane can try flipping but White could catch him if he fell. Shane may spend weekends climbing stuff, and even if he can’t do a triple backflip he can still do a lot of cool stuff. Like running on FOR VIDEO COVERAGE, GO TO WSSPAPER.COM walls and doing twist jumps.

SPORTS

A POIN

TE

TO PRO VE

BY SAM SAYLOR AND MARY VANDER WEG Ten years ago, Maria Fleischman ’19 went to her first dance class. Today, she’s getting ready to attend a prestigious performing arts school, the University of North Carolina, at age 15. Fleischman recalls her mother signing her up for her first class, and how her attitude towards dancing has changed drastically since then. “When you’re little, it’s just something fun,” Fleischman said, “but now it’s different.”

Though Fleischman has been dancing for over a decade, she just recently decided to pursue it more seriously and as a future career. “I was in class two to three years ago,” Fleishman said. “I was zoning out, thinking of a dance combo, and I thought ‘do I really have to stop this when I get older?’ And then I realized I don’t.” Fleishman smiles at the memory.

In addition to many years of dancing, Fleishman also does many different styles of dance. These currently include ballet, modern dance, jazz, and contemporary.. “Contemporary is my favorite because it breaks away from the traditional ballet line, and it allows for more expression.”

“Maria is a gorgeous dancer,” said Marah Fuller’ 19, whom met Maria when they were performing a show together in September. “Everyone loves her.”

Coupled with multiple hours a week at dance class, Fleishman also dedicates herself to multiple intensives in the summer. A summer intensive is an extreme focus dance program, where you have several dance classes over a period of time in the summer, and is somewhat of an audition. “Because she puts in her all, she will be able to take another step towards her goals next year.” Fuller said. Fleischman auditioned in nine summer intensives, and got into four schools: Ballet Austin, Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet School, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, which Fleishman plans to pursue in the next year.

“I was one of two tenth graders who got accepted into University of North Carolina School of the Arts.”

Fleischman said. She will be moving to North Carolina later in the year to attend this school as a sophomore.

“It will be like boarding school,” explains Fleischman. She describes the typical school day as consisting of “regular school” from eight in the morning to noon, and then dance class from noon until five.

Fleishman dedicates a little over 13 hours a week to dance. “Maria’s always focused on what she can do better,” said Kristin Asa, ’19 has a strict schedule to adhere to, which can make other obligations tough. “It is very hard to balance dance and homework,” confesses Fleischman, “and I don’t get to hang out with friends very often,” Fleischman’s daily routine includes getting up and ready for school, usually not having enough time to eat breakfast, going to school, coming home to eat, getting ready for dance class, dancing until ten, and then quickly finishing up homework before bed. “School is crazy because of all the homework,” Fleischman said, “sometimes I feel like I just can’t do it anymore.”

“I would say she is definitely one of the best dancers in my class because of how committed and hardworking she is,” said Lauren Dreusicke’ 19 While dance may only seem like a hobby or pastime for some, for Fleischman it’s so much more than that. It has played an important role in shaping her life and personality for the past decade. “If I didn’t have dance, I don’t know what I’d be,” says Fleischman, “I have nothing without dance.” It is obvious how passionate she is, and she definitely does not try to hide it.

Fleischman is persistent of how happy it makes her, and how creative she is because of it.

Since dance is responsible for building Fleishman’s creative side, it’s no surprise she wants to put that creativity right back into dance. Fleischman is giddy about her passion for choreographing, and hopes to pursue it as a career one day. “Maria works for what she wants,” says Fuller.

“When you’re choreographing it’s basically taking this piece from your head and putting it into someone else,” Fleischman explains, “you definitely have to think more.” Fleischman also loves choreographing because of the way it makes her feel. “I can relax, and focus on myself, it’s very therapeutic.”

It’s no doubt Fleischman is destined for great things when it comes to her passion and dedication for dance. From Iowa, to North Carolina, to perhaps Broadway one day, she hopes to never give up on her dream.

DESIGN BY MARY VANDER WEG

“It’s literally a game of inches” said Jarrett Beireis ‘16 when talking about the Iowa City West Side rugby team. The West Side Story delved in to find out what rugby is all about.

I

BY TAYLOR SHELFO n South Africa, rugby is not just a sport. “Rugby basically saved the nation,” said De Dieu Tshiondo Wabwende ‘17.

Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first black president and used rugby to keep peace and unify the black and white people. Though rugby at West isn’t saving the nation, it’s still a huge part in these athletes’ lives.

“Rugby is a team effort, without your teammates you’re nothing,” Wabwende said. “One man can’t win the game for the whole team.”

The team consists of fifteen players, but only seven play in a game. There are seven seniors, three freshman and five juniors.

On this team is Mason Koch ‘16, playing his third year of rugby.

He and Wabwende both play the position of fly half (much like a quarterback), but Wabwende has played rugby for six years, five in South Africa and this is his first year on West’s team. Beireis is also in his first year and plays the position scrum half.

Rugby is a blend of soccer and football - you kick the ball to advance, throw it and you move backwards. If a player is tackled, the teams engage in a contest for the ball called a “ruck.” The ruck is where the brutality in the game comes in, pushing everyone around to get the ball to the “try” zone - equivalent to the end zone in football. Once survived out of the ruck, the goal is to touch the ball to the ground in the try zone for five points.

Not only is rugby tough on the body, but on the mind as well.

“Not many people can hit someone, get up while the play is still going and do it again over and over,” said Beireis, “There’s a reason why we only have 15 guys going out, [it’s] because it’s a brutal sport, but it’s so much fun.”

The brutality of it is the main reason why it isn’t a club sponsored

by West High. In an interview with Dr. Schoultz, he explained the legality of the sport puts the school in an awkward position with injuries and who is to blame for them. Rugby isn’t the only sport

Above: Jarrett Beireis ‘16 tackling Mason Koch ‘16

that isn’t West sponsored - trap shooting and ultimate frisbee are not either.

Not only is rugby intense on the body, but with great athletes going out for clubs instead of sports like football and track, those coaches get irritated and look to the administration to blame.

“We’ve been trying to find ways to sponsor our clubs without officially sponsoring them,” said Shoultz.

Though the players understand the administration’s argument, they still hold with their own. “[West should sponsor] because I think we have the chance to create a new tradition and we are good enough to bring home state championships year after year. I think more people would play rugby by having it sponsored by West and it would build a name for ourselves,” said Beireis.

Mason Koch ‘16 says they have been in the state championships for two out of the four years since rugby started, and they are well on their way to winning this year’s championship. “I think a lot of people would love to play [rugby] if there was more recognition. I don’t see why the school wouldn’t want to endorse something that has made such a big impact on its athletes,” said Koch.

Though West doesn’t sponsor rugby, their games across the street near the Hawk Lot are flooded with West students.

“When we get crowds at home games people tend to leave pretty excited and will stop me in the halls [to] tell me how fun it was to watch,” said Koch.

“There’s a place for everyone on a rugby team no matter your shape or size,” said Koch.

From far left: Jordan Bibby ‘16 tackling Gavin Luze ‘19 PHOTOS BY EVAN CAMERON

DESIGN BY SAM SUNDERLAND

Right above: De Dieu Tshiondo Wabwende ‘17 and visitor Clayton from Muscatine are pictured playing with the rest of the Iowa City West Side

SPORTS

Suns Out, Guns Out Trap shooting, it’s a relatively unknown activity.

Although the club was discontinued at West, some students still continue to participate. Noah Meints ’19 and Shaye Shelton ’17 are two members of the Iowa City Trap Club of the participants in trap shooting.

Trap shooting is a sport that includes the participants to shoot clay targets which are cast out of the device from the trap house.

The competitions consist of the participants to shoot as many clay targets out of twenty-five as they can.

Participants also go to competitions around Iowa and compete against other schools. Teams consist of four members and are ranked as a team during the competitions. If there is a tie between two teams then there is a tie breaker round. This also goes for individual shooters as well. There are also awards for the best team and best male and female shooter.

Noah Meints 19’ explains why he started to participate in trap. “I started wanting to do trap shooting because I like shooting guns. It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends,” Meints says.

Tom Knapp is Meints inspiration for trap, “[He] inspired me because many people thought he could really shoot 10 clay pigeons out of the air and he did.”

Many people don’t really know what trap shooting was. It’s not surprising due to the fact that it has been discontinued at West. In fact, 32 people didn’t know what trap was before the survey, and and 25 do know what this sport is, according to a survey posted online. Trap shooting takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays.

“They [competitions] can be an all day thing so they are on Saturdays,” said Shaye Shelton ‘17. Shelton also explains how she started with trap, “I grew up around hunting and began myself when I was 13, and [I] started trap shooting my sophomore year.” Shelton says that she enjoys trap shooting very much and regrets not joining sooner.

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The Girl Who Does It

All

By Katie Havel, Madison Floss, and Josie Anderson

Lauren Zacharias ‘19 has done more sports then you could ever imagine. But, there are priorities and she could not do them all. Zacharias ‘19 decided to make a switch from softball to soccer and this is her story on how she went through it.

Everyone has something they want to be good attitude toward everything.” at, for Lauren Zacharias ‘19 being good at just Zacharias plans on playing soccer all through one thing isn’t enough. Zacharias of Iowa City high school as it helps her in speed and agility for West High School is an all star athlete. She startbasketball.“It was really challenging to switch and ed playing sports when she was four years old. adapt to the changes. I went from using mainly She mentions that she has too many awards and my hands to using only my feet. It helps that I trophies to count. She plays basketball, soccer, played soccer when I was younger.” She added, and was one of the best girls on her junior high “and my teammates and coaches helped me get track team. Katie Severt ‘19, a former softball better at things like changes in technique and teammate to Zacharias says, “Lauren is extremely stuff.” Zacharias mentions that her parents are competitive, determined, focused and she picks a big part of her sports. “My parents wanted me up the team when their all down.” She also plays to keep playing softball. I’m guessing they didn’t on the varsity basketball team and played for want to see all my hard work go to waste, but West High’s varsity softball team. “Being a freshthey were supportive of me switching to soccer.” man, I was really intimidated by the girls on each Although she has an interest in soccer, her fateam at first but vorite sport is basketIt was hard to manage all they were all really ball. “I’ve been playing nice and supportmy time with practices and basketball for as long ive of me. They as I can remember.” games and still getting my taught me a lot and She played on the I’m glad I got the varsity team for West school work done but it all chance to play with High School, and bethem.” fore that, she was worked out in the end.

Zacharias started on the competitive -Lauren Zacharias ’19 playing softball and team Barnstormers. basketball 10 years ago. She has recently quit She hopes to get a scholarship for basketball at softball and decided to pick up on soccer techKentucky State University.She looks up to the UNI nique to play for her school. “Softball was taking women’s basketball player Melissa Dixon. “She’s up too much time and it took time away from exactly what I want to be when I get into colbasketball practice, soccer takes up time too, lege.” but it helps me in speed and other abilities I need Cailyn Morgan ‘19, basketball teammate to to get better at for basketball.” For Zacharias Zacharias says, “She picks up on anything that’s adapting to soccer was tough and not as easy handed to her almost immediately. She works reas she thought, she adds that it was nothing she ally hard to get her skills.” She is hardworking and couldn’t do as long as she practiced. Madi Barta strives for her goals. Zacharias says, “It’s not like I ‘18, one of Zacharias’s soccer teammates says, see something and I’m able to do it right away, I “She works extremely hard at everything she does, practice until it’s perfect.” she doesn’t just quit, she always has a positive

Basketball Timeline

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THE MATH OF THE GAME

WSS interns take a look at how student athletes at West are affected by stereotypes

T

BY ANJALI HUYNH

hrowing it back to 2004: a new girl smitten with the popular high school jock asks him for the answer to a math problem.

Although he gives her the wrong answer, she thanks him profusely, her enthralled face beaming. This particular jock’s intellectual ability, or lack thereof, is not something to be concerned about.

Mean Girls may not be the best example of what a realistic high school is like, but there is some truth behind the exaggerated scenes.

From dumb jocks to clumsy nerds, the high school environment is overwhelmed with stereotype after stereotype regarding athletics and academics. West High is no exception.

Varsity swimmer Rachel Ding ’19 has observed this unspoken categorization.

Rachel Ding ‘19 “At first glance, [others] wouldn’t think that I was particularly athletic,” Ding said.

“I think they see that I’m Asian and automatically think, ‘Oh, she’s really smart.’”

Other students have noticed different stereotypes present relating the two categories. Track athlete and baseball player Logan Sims ’17 believes that athletes are not considered as intelligent as others due to involvement with a sport.

“I feel like some people may generalize athletes as maybe not doing as well in academics,” Sims said.

This may be due to an athlete’s division of Logan Sims ‘17 focus between school and sports instead of 100 percent attention on school, according to basketball player Brianna Faulkner ’18.

“The more athletic people get told that they’re not as smart as less athletic people just because they’re focusing more on working on their sport. [Others] assume that [athletes] are average at school,” Faulkner said.

Pressure from parents and coaches also divides student attention between the two categories.

Spanish teacher and former student-athlete Dave McNair said, “There was pressure from [both] my coaches [and] my parents. My parents pressured me more on the academic side to spend more time with academics.

While the coaches didn’t necessarily say, ‘You shouldn’t study,’ there was a lot of pressure to practice longer, harder, more often, and in doing so, I [wasn’t] going to be performing on the academic side.”

Although stereotypes like ‘dumb jock’ Brianna Faulkner ‘18 may seem harmless, those linking athletic performance and academic ability have been proven to be detrimental to the teenage brain. This brings the “stereotype threat” issue to light. Research from Stanford University shows if a student-athlete believes he or she is viewed as a “dumb jock,” this stereotype may grow to become truth: student-athletes reminded of their jock personas scored 12 percent lower on Graduate Record Examination tests in comparison to non-athletes.

However, despite the existing jock stereotype, student athletes may not be any more academically challenged than their fellow non-athletic classmates.

PHOTOS BY PAREEN MHATRE

“As a teacher, I see these kids’ [grades] so I know what their academic performance is, and they’re no different,” McNair said.

“Athletes don’t necessarily perform any better or any worse than anybody else that is not an athlete.”

In addition to common stereotype trends, preconceived notions about certain athletic groups exist within the halls of West. The West High POMS team faces discrimination from fellow students due to misconceptions about what they do.

“Every single year, the new girls that are part of the team are automatically put into that [stereotype] and because this is my first year, [others have said] ‘You’re going to Dave McNair ‘37 change, you’re going to be like them,’” said varsity dancer Belle Parker ’18. “But what’s ‘them,’ like what’s wrong with being one of them?”

Teammate Elle Bode ’18 agreed, saying, “I guess with dance team, not everybody’s into it. We always get made fun of and with other sports, people go to their games. They just get more appreciation than us.”

Significant steps have been taken to eradicate the presence of stereotype threats. Such steps include ensuring that athletic and academic performances remain high. West High requires any students involved in a school-related activity must maintain a C- or higher throughout all their classes in order to continue participation, ensuring that athletes maintain academic standards in addition to athletic performance.

“A lot of our coaches and people we work out with always tell us that we’re stuElle Bode ‘18 dent-athletes, not athletic students, so always put your school work first,” Faulkner said. “I think that’s always important to remember.”

So-called nerds are also branching out to become rising sports stars as well. Ivy League teams in various sports were once dismissed as easy-to-beat, unathletic nerds, but are now upsetting powerhouse athletic programs--most recently when Yale dominated Baylor in the NCAA tournament.

There are several methods that can be used to halt stereotypes.

Varsity swimmer Amy Yan ’17 believes that working together as a team has helped defeat any potential stereotype threats.

“I've never felt judged by my classmates and friends who are strong academically for doing a sport, nor have I ever felt judged by my teammates for sometimes prioritizing other things above swimming,” Yan said. “We help each other out and in a way, we’re a team inside and outside of the pool.”

Overall, West seems to have a positive influence on the elimination of stereotype threats.

“I think that [stereotypes] are going away more just because of how talented West High [students are],” Faulkner said. “I can’t say for other high schools…[but] I think it’s going away just as West High goes because there’s a lot of smart people that are able to do both [athletics and academics].”

BY THE NUMBERS COMPILED BY ANJALI HUYNH

7.8

million high school athletes in the United States

10

percent better performance in school of high school athletes versus nonathletes

62

percent of senior student athletes plan to go to college

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