Sports “Just like a family...” Men’s swim team logs countless hours during season Ian Fischer Staff Writer When late-night comedian Conan O’Brien was born, the Warrior men’s swim team began their streak of championships at districts. Conan O’Brien is now forty-six years old, and that winning streak continues today. “No one wants to be on the team that loses districts, and that thought only makes us work harder,” said Mo Green, ’11. Winning against six to eight teams is not easy. The teams in districts change annually. Last year Washington’s district held seven of the eleven eventual State champions, and yet for the last forty-six years, it has been the same result for the Warriors: victory. The swim team requires a lot of hard work, but it pays off. “Pain is only temporary. It’s worth it in the end,” said Sam Gray, ’10. Every weekday morning Morgan Barnes, ’12,
wakes up at 5:00 a.m. and heads to Wash for a 5:45 a.m. practice. He then goes through the school day and finishes his evening with another three hour practice. After this, Morgan heads home to do homework and ends his day by going to bed at 8:30. Though he spends approximately four and a half hours each day practicing, Barnes still enjoys the “killer” ones. Being on the Washington men’s swim team comes with a cost. “During swim season I become friendless and never get to spend anytime with my family, because in my time off all I do is sleep. My whole life is run by swimming,” said Gray. Losing time with family, the swim team has developed into a sort of “brotherhood.” “There is tension on the team, but we are just like a family,” said Barnes. Traditions throughout the program have become popular with the swimmers. Activities such as bleaching hair, running in speedos, rookie cuts, team parties and Christmas trees on the pool deck increase team chemistry. “Team traditions make us that much stronger,” said Green. As Conan O’Brien continues to crank out jokes, the Warrior men’s swim team continues to grind out practices, and hopefully, more victories.
Photo By: Gabby Lisinski
Beyond the regular challenge of 5:45 A.M. practices and afternoon practices lasting up to three hours, the men’s swim team was forced to deal with high chlorine levels in the pool earlier this season, causing many athletes to feel sick.
Weighty decisions for Warrior wrestlers Jill Broghammer Staff Writer Imagine having to lose over thirteen pounds in two weeks. This is what junior wrestler Justin Cole did in order to wrestle at the 152-pound weight class. Weight cutting is notorious for the long term health effects it has on young athletes, but there has been major improvement in the last five years. There are now national rules and regulations about how much weight each wrestler can lose per week. Each wrestler takes an initial body fat, weight and hydration test. These results are then plugged into a national website determining how much weight each wrestler can lose per week based on losing one half percent. “The long term health effects have greatly improved in past years,” said wrestling coach J.P. Graham. “The new
Photo by: Sky Smith
Tyler Burrell, ’12, handles an opponent at a meet against Xavier on December 15.
12-21-2009
Warrior Athlete of the Month: Quincy Bruce 1. When did you start bowling? I started bowlng when I was four years old. 2. Are you a member of a bowling league? Yes, I’m a member of Lancer Jr./Sr. 3. Do you prefer to bowl recreationally or competitively? It doesn’t really matter because it’s bowling. If I had to pick one it would be recreational, though. 4. How do you prepare for a big meet? I listen to my iPod. 5. What do you do between turns at a bowling meet? I talk to the team. 6. Do you throw spin balls or straight balls? I throw a hook ball. 7. When was your best game ever, and what happened? My best game ever was a 289 this past summer. I strung the first nine frames in a row. On the tenth frame I left a solid ten pin. I picked it up, and the last ball was a strike! 8. What’s the best part of bowling for Washington? Bowling with different and new people. 9. How do you wind down after a meet? Talking to team members about the meet. 10. Do you ever bowl during Laser Bowl nights? Yes, I go all the time. Almost every Saturday.
rules that have been implemented have eliminated some of the long term health effects from cutting weight.” Once wrestlers find out how much weight they can lose per week they decide which weight class they would like to compete in and make a goal to lose as much weight as needed. Wrestlers do not have to cut weight, but wrestling a smaller and lighter person gives wrestlers a mental advantage. When trying to cut weight for wrestling, diet intake is crucial. Wres-Justin Cole ’11 tlers need to eat five to six times a day and each meal needs to contain very small portions. Wrestlers need to eat pasta for carbohydrates and fish or chicken for protein. Other essentials include water, fruits and vegetables. Most of a person’s weight doesn’t come from food, but rather from liquid. Therefore, not only does food intake need to be limited but liquid intake does, too. “It is really difficult to cut weight because you have to stop eating your normal routine. You are hungry most of the day and when you do get to eat it is all healthy food,” said Cole. In addition to regular practice, running or lifting is something that wrestlers can choose to do on their own if they are trying to cut weight. “When cutting weight, it’s important to try and get more workouts in a day. Running in the morning or after practice helps burn more calories when cutting weight,” said Graham.
“It is really difficult to cut weight... you are hungry most of the day.”
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Quincy Bruce ’13 Varsity Bowling 11. Do you play any other sports? Yes, I play basketball and football. 12. What’s your favorite sports movie? “Grid Iron Gang.” 13. Who is your favorite professional athlete? Michael Jordan. 14. What are your hopes for the season? My hope is to make it to State. 15. What is your greatest sports accomplishment? My greatest sports accomplishment is bowling my 757 series. 16. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football. 17. What is a typical bowling practice like? We get there, bowl, and leave. 18. What is your favorite pump-up song? “Put Me in the Game” by Lil Wayne. 19. Who has been your all-time favorite coach? My dad and John Staub, the owner of Lancer Lanes.
Warrior Numbers
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Last-second three-pointers by junior basketball player Alissa Oney. Oney sank one at the third quarter buzzer in the Warrior’s 48-40 victory over Waterloo West and another 35-footer at the end of the first quarter against Prairie in a 68-43 win.
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Place by the Warrior women’s dance team at the state meet. The team won in Division 12, the second largest, on December 4. The team placed first with their pom routine and sixth in jazz.
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Pins by Warrior wrestlers in their meet against Xavier on December 15. Jordin Eicher, ’12, Kaiser Herz, ’12, Will Hart, ’10, and Zach Pilcher, ’10, all pinned their opponents, leading the Warriors to a 45-20 victory over the Saints.