IMAC athlete of the month, a team effort

do it. I’ve seen you improve even if you haven’t felt like you’ve improved,’” Kempcke said.

But beyond skills and strategy lies two arguably more important components: confidence and encouragement. As a captain, Kempcke acknowledges the importance of being there for others, no matter what the scoreboard reads.

“We’re not going to be mad at anyone. We’re not going to blame each other,” she said. “We can be frustrated, but we’re not going to put that down other people.”

For the rest of the season, GVB is focusing on building their confidence and enjoying the game.

NOTHING BUT

JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

Boys Varsity Basketball has stormed into the season with a strong record, winning five out of their first six games in December and triumphing over conference rivals such as Mounds Park Academy. This 75-41 victory was a season highlight for player Ezra Cunningham.

“...We as a team played very well together, and it was very fun,” he said.

Such a strong start to the season led to captain Ethan Carter being named December IMAC Athlete of the Month.

“All of the work put in during the off-season feels like it paid off. Our conference also has a lot of great athletes and to be recognized for that month out of the male athletes feels great,” Carter said.

Averaging 21.5 points per game during the month of December, Carter has helped lead his team to numerous wins, as well as encouraging the team’s discipline in practice.

An average practice for BVB begins with full-court layups as a warmup. Afterward, the team moves into conditioning and then runs 17s, a drill that requires them to run from sideline to sideline 17 times in just over a minute.

Whether that conditioning brings a win or loss come game time, the team celebreates.

“After every game, we go out to get food as a team, and win or lose we just make sure to continue to build our chemistry off the court because that heavily impacts chemistry on the court,” Carter said. “We all really enjoy being around each other.”

From Olympians to novices, talent is all around

JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

To an outsider, it may seem that fencing had nothing left to prove going into the ‘22-23 season. The group carried a strong record from the Minnesota State High School Fencing Championships, where the women’s and men’s teams finished second and third overall in addition to several individual accomplishments.

“I had no idea what I was doing the first day. I had to have the saber coach, Ryan, explain to me the stance, how to advance, and how to go backward and stuff,” they said.

But for a team boasting an impressive record and roster, fencing is one of the teams that tend to fly under the radar in terms of recognition.

PHOTO: SPA SmugMug ILLUSTRATION: Orion Kim

PLANT

But the group isn’t done just yet. Mobilized from these earlier wins and armed with two Olympic coaches, the team returned with a combination of veterans, novices and hopes of another terrific season.

Moore eventually ended up taking first in women’s foil at the Blake Novice Tournament, an unexpected victory for them: “The girl I faced in the semifinals was the hardest person I went against there. I didn’t think I was going to make it to the finals,” Moore said.

And as a novice, Moore has taken note of the high skill level possessed by the team’s top fencers.

“I don’t think we’re crazy underrepresented... but I think it would be cool to get some more recognition… the fencers at SPA are definitely the best in the Minnesota division,” captain Milan Mishra said. “I think our team is very, very skilled and I would love to see some recognition for our hard work.”

Moore said.

Freshman Rowan Moore is brandnew to the team and joined after being encouraged by a teammate.

“I think it’s been a good number of the people on the team who’ve been there for years. I can definitely… see how good they are,” they said.