SPORTS Sophomore Angela Sandoval performs during the winter pep assembly Nov. 19. (Photo by Laney Ulowetz)
Royals Win, City Wins World Series win brings more than just pride to Kansas City. BY RACHEL DOCTOR REPOTER
Cheer Wins 5th, Prepares for Nationals Two cheer members were named All- everyone really stepped up for the competition.” Freshman Liz Oltjen, sophomores Courtney State Cheerleaders at competition. BY MADISON HEIDE SPORTS EDITOR
After three months of perfecting their routine, the cheer team won fifth place in the 4A Small Division at State on Nov. 7. According to Head Cheer Coach Lisa Lauck, the scores improved 20 points from last year, with no penalties, and ultimately ranked them in the top 45 percent of all teams in the state. “This is only our second year competing, and we are already improving so much,” Lauck said. Only 14 out of the 18 girls on the roster were able to compete because they were on a foreign exchange trip over the summer. Four seniors missed learning the routine because of this six week trip. “It was great to see everything come together,” senior Sarah Faye Helton said. “Especially because we were missing leadership,
Hiatt and Maddi Clark were acknowledged during their performance in Columbia and were named All-State Cheerleaders. “It was just such a great experience competing and watching the other teams perform,” Oltjen said. “Being recognized just made it more special.” But the team isn’t done competing. In January, United Cheer Association Nationals will take place in Dallas, Texas. “Nationals will be exciting not only because we will have more girls performing, but we are in the intermediate non-tumbling category,” Lauck said. “This will really give us a good competitive edge.” Their stunts are prepared in correlation to the category, and practices and cheering at basketball games will also help them improve. “I am really looking forward to Nationals,” Helton said. “Because I know we can only get better from here.”
Coach Prepared for Season, Looks To Seniors The swim team dynamic has changed from last year. BY MADISON HEIDE SPORTS EDITOR
Chemistry teacher Kelly Timson is beginning her second season as head swim coach. Now with a better understanding of what to expect within the season, she looks for leadership among those that learned to respect and trust her last season. Not only will the senior swim captains Kat Qamar and Erin Mills and senior dive captain Margaret Brandmeyer take charge, but according to Timson, all the seniors have the capabilities to lead the team and really bring the swim and dive team together. “This year, I can rely on the girls that know what to expect from me. I also get to see their transition from last year,” Timson said. “I can really see the improvement.” Visit lejournallive.com for the full story
Sophomores Ann Huff and Sarah Schaffer prepare for the meet against Lee’s Summit High School during practice Nov. 30 at the YMCA. (Photo by Sophie Nedelco)
As outfielder Jonny Gomes began his speech at the celebratory parade downtown on Nov. 3., the sea of fans in blue, erupted with cheers and the excitement that had filled the air in Kansas City since the end of the World Series. After 30 years, The Kansas City Royals returned to “Take the Crown” in the 2015 World Series. The Royals defeated the New York Mets 4-1 in the series, claiming their victory at the final game which took place in New York on Nov. 1. “Last year, as a city, we watched the Royals exceed all expectations. No one thought the Royals would go as far as they did. This year we believed in our team,” senior Amelia Bodde said. “I think long term, this has given the city something to be proud of. ” And the city was watching. According to The Kansas City Star, over 75 percent of all Kansas City TVs were tuned into the first game in the series. The national ratings were up 26 percent over the first five games of last year’s series, and overall, there was a six percent increase over the 2014 Royals/Giants seven-game World Series. Comparing the first five games, this year’s World Series was the most-watched since 2009 when the Yankees faced the Phillies, according to RoyalsReview.com. “We were watching. The win was special for me because my mom was
a sophomore at Sion last time they won and I think it’s funny that history is repeating itself with me,” sophomore Meredith Oswald said. Chuck Strom, a vice president at the Easton, Pa., athletic apparel maker who also is general manager for its Major League Baseball business, said the company was surprised at how strong the demand is for Royals apparel, according to The Kansas City Business Journal. The total cost of hosting the city wide celebration on Nov. 3 after the win was approximately $350,000, while sponsors and supporters contributed $300,000. Sponsorships covered costs such as rentals of the barricades, sound system, stage and big screens, according to the City Communications Office. “The spotlight shining on Kansas City during the World Series shares with the nation the story of our beautiful fountains, vibrant downtown and tasty BBQ,” Chris Hernandez, Director of City Communications said. “It makes people think we should visit there, or company leaders to wonder about expanding their business here.” It’s one thing to come together with a near 40 thousand fans at Kauffman chanting “let’s go Ro-yals”, but it’s another to come together with approximately 800,000 more to celebrate history in Kansas City. “People were so proud of KC after the win,” Bodde said. ”I think that when a whole city comes together and is proud of who they are and where they live, there are no words for that.”
Go to lejournallive.com for Royals parade pictures LE JOURNAL
December 2015
11
