Issue 1, Edition 16

the free press the

FP issue one issue edition sixteen

COLLEGE PICKED 5.0 WEIGHTED GPA the press of stress TEAM CAPTAIN 36 ACT SCORE 5 AP CLASSES AWESOME JOB HONOR ROLL MISS POPULAR STRAIGHT A’S COLLEGE PICKED GREAT HOME PERFECT BODY TEAM CAPTAIN 36 ACT SCORE we reinvented the lawrence guide page 3

beauty isn’t everything, according to hannah moran

page 6

it’s easy to be jealous of a perfectionist, but is it really worth the extra stress? pages 4-5

FP

august 23, 2012

news

page by sarah whipple

global gab

2

>current events guaranteed to impress

jayhawks raise the bar

4 5 2

>admission to KU and other state universities to become more selective by katie guyot

Underclassmen, start hitting those ACT prep books.

Beginning with the class of 2015, Kansas regents universities will be tightening their admissions standards, and for the class of 2016, admission to the University of Kansas will be even tougher.

“These new standards will let students and parents know what sort of preparation is needed to be successful at a flagship research university,” Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said in a statement. “They’ll encourage students to strive for excellence in high school so that they’re ready when they arrive at KU.” All six state universities will start using revised admissions standards for current high school sophomores.

Under these, applicants must complete the Kansas Scholars Curriculum and any college credits taken in high school with at least a 2.0 GPA, AND: >earn an ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 980 (critical reading plus math); OR >graduate in the top third of their class.

In June, the Kansas Board of Regents approved KU’s proposal to further heighten its admissions standards for the school year of 2016-2017. The new criteria for KU’s automatic admissions system will require applicants earn: >a 3.0 GPA in the Kansas Scholars Curriculum AND a 24 on the ACT (1090 SAT);

OR >a 3.25 GPA in the Kansas Scholars Curriculum AND a 21 on the ACT (980 SAT).

The university hopes that by raising admissions standards, it can also raise retention and graduation rates. At present, approximately 80 percent of freshmen return to KU the next year, and only 60 percent of students graduate within six years. “[W]e want to improve our retention and graduation rates,” Director of Admissions Lisa Kress said, “and the academic preparedness of the student.”

Currently, applicants to all Kansas regents universities qualify for automatic admission if they fulfill one or more of the following requirements: >earn at minimum, a 2.0 GPA in the Kansas Scholars Curriculum; OR >score at least 21 on the ACT (980 SAT); OR >rank in the top third of their graduating class.

“It’s both good and bad,” guidance counselor Joel Frederick said of the new standards.

“I think it’s good in that students will be better prepared for the rigors of KU. In other words, they’ll understand that when you get to KU it’s gonna be tough to be successful...

“Now, of course, the bad side of this is that there are some kids who don’t test particularly well and may have gotten motivated later on in their high school career, and they may have

follow the bubbles to find out which admissions standards apply to you

yes yes

I am a... freshman

no I am a...

junior or senior sophomore

>complete the Kansas precollege curriculum with at least a 3.0 GPA and a 24 ACT (1080 SAT, CR + M); OR >complete the precollege curriculum with at least a 3.25 GPA and a 21 ACT (980 SAT)

START I am applying to a Kansas regents university no

I am applying to KU

done fine at KU, but they won’t be able to.”

According to Kress, students who do not qualify for automatic admission may still be admitted by a special committee that will review other factors yet to be determined.

“There could be circumstances that prevented you from meeting an admission requirement,” Kress said. “So, let’s say in four years you don’t quite meet them: we still encourage you to apply. You may be admitted through that second path by review of the committee, and if you don’t, if you’re denied, you can still appeal the decision.”

If a student is not admitted by appeal, Kress and Frederick both suggest pursuing alternative education options, such as junior colleges, private state schools and other regents universities.

“There is certainly nothing wrong with starting at [ junior college] and transferring to KU later,” Frederick said. “In fact, as expensive as the state universities are getting, the jucos are actually quite a bit more inexpensive, so that could actually help you in the long run financially.”

Frederick predicts that neither set of upcoming admissions standards will strongly affect the number of Free State students who are admitted to KU. “Traditionally, if a student comes to Free State and takes the regents requirements and scores well on the ACT, they’ll probably be ready to go to KU,” he said.

>complete the Kansas precollege curriculum and any college credits taken in high school with at least a 2.0 GPA; AND >achieve a 21 on the ACT or 980 on the SAT (CR + M); OR >graduate in the top third of your class

this flow chart is not for you. check out the global gab for worldwide news

freshman or junior or senior sophomore

>complete the Kansas precollege curriculum with at least a 2.0 GPA; OR >achieve a 21 on the ACT or 980 on the SAT (CR + M); OR >graduate in the top third of your class

1 3

London- Michael Phelps retires with 22 medals, 18 gold United States- Midwest drought to raise food prices Syria- Rebel uprising continues, UN remains split Wisconsin- Gunman kills 6, then self at Sikh temple California- NASA lands “Curiosity” rover on Mars

2012-13

free press staff sam boatright- editor-in-chief katie guyot- editor-in-chief hannah moran- copy editor sarah whipple- design editor kimberly messineosports manager jacob hood- cartoonist maria carrasco- reporter cheyenne culley- reporter adam gowen- reporter kyra haas- reporter sarah lieberman- reporter

ryan liston- reporter rosemary newsome- reporter grace oliver- reporter catherine prestoy- reporter hannah reussner- reporter ciara sayler- reporter logan brown- designer kristina foster- designer darian koenig- designer john mccain- designer maria mckee- designer riley buller- photographer

our mission The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writings. They must include the writer’s name and telephone numbers. Articles may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. Letters may be submitted to Room 115 or sent in care of Free Press to Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66049.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration, nor that of the USD 497 Board of Education.

page by sarah whipple

hometown

FP hometown hub

august 23, 2012

3

hub

showing off what Lawrence does best

by sam boatright

Lawrence Athletic Club

La Prima Tazza

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courtesy of lululemon athletica

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estled between Liberty Hall and Free State Brewery, La Prima Tazza would seem to be a stressful, noisy coffee joint.

However, the opposite is true. With its marble tables, cozy atmosphere, >best drink: caffeinated drinks and Iced wonderful people watching opportuniGrasshopper, ties, La Prima Tazza $3.50 stands strong as a true Lawrence gem. It is a comfortable, interesting and relaxing place to catch up on all that Advanced Algebra that you have probably been putting off.

ntroduced in India circa 400 BC, yoga originated as a religious exercise intended to help worshippers reach the “supreme state.” Although this meditative practice has evolved from an exclusively religious practice to a form of exercise through mediation and focus, yoga retains its roots in >$8 per class physical, mental and spiritual focus, and doubles as >also offers an effective way to relieve gentle and stress. The vinyasa class at LAC offers a healthy balance power yoga between an intensive exercise format and a meditative, slowerpaced format.

“hubsessions” flaunting the hall’s latest fads

>what helps you get through a stressful day?

“I sleep excessively.” >steven ozaki, 10

“[I] watch ESPN, [and I] watch softball.”

>kate stanwix, 9

“Knowing that I get to go home.”

“[I] take a step back and re-evaluate.”

>amy oelschlaeger, 10

>abby olker, 12

Editors’ Picks “Chai tea lattes are the best study buddies. To save money, I skip Starbucks and make my own: ½ chai tea, ¼ milk and ¼ sugar.”

katie guyot “When I’m stressed out, I listen to the Lumineers, Norah Jones or Jack Johnson and I’ll play along on my drum set.”

Schedule a campus tour today and receive a complimentary salon/spa service!* *Bring this ad with you to redeem offer.

Good for one person, one service only. All services performed by advanced students under the supervision of an instructor.

WE DON’T JUST FOLLOW TRENDS.

WE SET THEM. NOW ENROLLING

“Talking to my friends and listening to music.” >noelle olson, 12

“I should exercise but I tend to eat a lot and take a nap.”

877.216.0692 Lawrence Campus 1601 West 23rd Street, Suite 204 Defining Beauty Education Since 1905

>katie conard, 12

www.marinello.com

sarah whipple

“When I get stressed, I eat Life Cereal with frozen blueberries. It’s a nice pick-me-up...Cereal almost makes it feel like morning again.”

hannah moran

“For me, there’s nothing else like listening to comedians to make you laugh a little and forget any problems, at least for a chuckle or so.

Some of my faves are Louis C.K. and Patrice O’Neal.”

sam boatright

feature

page by sarah whipple and john mccain

4

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the pressure to be perfec N >teens grapple with the modern perception of perfection

august 23, 2012

page by sarah whipple and john mccain

FP feature

FP

august 23, 2012

by ciara sayler and catherine prestoy

>stressed out statistics According to the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment (Fall 2011), which includes the responses of 29,939 students at 52 postsecondary institutions:

54%

of the students reported feeling overwhelmed by their tasks in the last two weeks

almost ½ of the students had experienced “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year 22.6% rated personal appearance as “traumatic [or] very difficult...to handle” in the last 12 months

Take the Quiz >>> Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

I need not only to do my best, but also to do better than everyone else.

Anything less than an A is equal to an F.

perfectionists, it’s even harder. anorexic and two in 100 to be bulimic. “[Perfectionism] leads to obsessive thoughts and behaviors >perfectionism in athletes and mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive comAnother aspect of many teenagers’ lives is athletics, in which pulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety,” Bloch said. they sometimes push for perfection.

Many students, for instance, could score 89 percent on a Rita Wieber, mother of United States women’s gymnastics test and be satisfied, but to certain perfectionists, 89 percent is gold medalist Jordyn Wieber, recently told Charlene Prince Birkecloser to 50 percent than to 100. Anything less than perfection is land of Shine magazine about her daughter’s drive for perfecmarked down to failure. tion in and out of the gym.

“It’s a good idea to be humble and accept that you are not “We did notice that Jordyn had kind of an unusual intensity perfect,” McManus said. “In any way, shape or form a person canabout her or an ability to focus at a very young age,” Wieber said. not be perfect.”

“She always puts so much pressure on herself.”

Many teenagers want to succeed; however, there is a differ“I’m kind of a perfectionist,”Jordyn Wieber said. “I always ence between the pursuit of excellence and perfectionism. The want to go to the gym, I want to practice hard every single day. pursuit of excellence typically means It’s always been a part of my personality.” that teenagers try their best, and realFree State senior John Corbett is a successful athlete, but he >behaviors of a perfectionist rated ize that it won’t be perfect.

A teenage brain undergoes a is not a perfectionist.

“Perfectionism is the extreme, as “traumatic [or] very difficult...to rooted complete change when a person is “I wouldn’t describe myself as a perfectionist, but rather as a in uncontrollable energies to maturing from a child to an adult. hard worker,” Corbett said. “A kid who just finds a way to suchandle” in the last 12 months meet irrational expectations,” Bloch A perfectionist may feel the need ceed.” said. to be perfect due to his or her early childhood.

Corbett is an athlete on the Free State track team, and also Perfectionism can sometimes lead to low self-esteem and “There are many factors [which can cause perfectionism,] tries his hardest to balance other aspects in his life. even foster eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia.

“Running has been a very large part of me since my freshfrom brain imbalances, to early childhood conditioning related, man year,” he said. “At the same time I have been taking large to traumatic experiences,” Bloch said. “Parental behaviors and >a flawless figure expectations may also play a part.” amounts of advanced and AP classes that produce large amounts While many teenagers strive for perfect grades, others strive of homework. I found that falling into a routine helped me find a for perfect bodies. >benefits of perfectionism way.”

They now think that the size zero model on the cover of SevTrying to be perfect may not be such a bad thing at times; in Perfectionism isn’t enteen Magazine is who they need to resemble. fact, perfection in small doses can be healthy. always negative. SomeOnce the goal of being perfect is planted in “Perfectionist traits may lead to a greater excellence or higher times, it provides an a person’s mind, it can often result in intentional approximately of the achievement,” Bloch said. “But this is a slippery slope.” extra push to achieve stress on the body. It may become a personal Keeping busy with healthy activities can help perfectionists students had “felt things were hopeless” one’s goal. competition to be the skinniest person in the focus on something that can benefit them. room, and that goal can overshadow mental and Overcoming perat least once in the last 12 months “I always say a lot of exercise can help,” Dr. Shelia McManus physical health concerns. fectionism can mean said. “It maximizes the endorphins in the brain indefinitely. Read“A person gets in their head a feeling of controlling somechallenging oneself, but it also means learning to accept flaws. ing helps as well so that when they cook up ideas, it comes from thing,” McManus said. “They weigh every ounce they eat and get “Living in America I can see that I by no means have a very an informed place instead of a made up one.” so concentrated to the point of starving themselves.” tough life,” Corbett said. “When I get stressed out I just remind In a recent study done by the National Institute of Mental myself of where I am, what I have done in my life and what my >consequences of the climb Health, 2.8 percent of adolescents are affected by eating disorgoals are. After that I’m ready to go out and find a way. I’m a Being a teenager is hard for anyone. Trying to fit in while ders. Roughly one in 200 American women are forecast to be happy kid living the only way I know how to.” balancing schoolwork and social image can be stressful, but for obody is perfect. However, in today’s world, millions of teenagers choose to disregard these old words of wisdom and push for perfection. Whether it’s in athletics, appearance or even schoolwork, many teens strive to be what society calls “perfect.”

They strive to be first-rate throughout their everyday lives, but in becoming what, in their eyes, a teenager should be, they create impractical goals.

“Perfectionism is viewed as having unrealistic expectations of performance, physical attributes or social status,” Ed Bloch, licensed specialized clinical social worker, said. Bloch is the coowner of the Life Enrichment Center in Lawrence.

Often, perfectionism can be the starting point of many other challenges in a teenager’s life.

44%

academics

“There really is no pressure on me to be perfect. It doesn’t bother me that much that I’m not perfect.” >tanner mccune, 9

“To deal with the pressure of being perfect, I realize there is no such thing as perfect[ion].” >aspen brunner, 10

“I do get stressed out easily, so I actually work out more. I find that’s the way I relieve the stress.” >corrie mclean, 11

“I don’t deal with the pressure at all. I’m not a perfectionist. I really don’t care if I make mistakes or not.” >michael darnall, 12

45%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

I am distressed by anything less than success.

The more I succeed, the more I fear failure.

I never do a sloppy job on even the most miniscule assignment.

I fear people will lose respect for me if I don’t fulfill their high expectations.

It embarrasses me to admit my faults.

My organizational mantra is, “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

how do you deal with the pressure to be perfect?

I feel uncomfortable and/or unworthy when people praise me.

If I miss a single question on a test, I’m disappointed with myself.

Disclaimer: This quiz was made by perfectionists, not professionals. The Free Press cannot accurately diagnose perfectionism in a specific individual.

Score Yourself Just add up your answers: strongly agree=4, agree=3, neutral=2, disagree=1, strongly disagree=0

29-40: You are probably a perfectionist, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just keep an eye out for your physical and mental well-being, and don’t let perfectionism get in the way of your appreciation for yourself as a person.

15-28: You aren’t a severe perfectionist, but you might have perfectionist tendencies. As long as you can maintain a healthy balance between expectations and satisfaction, you should be just fine.

0-14: Take a deep breath of relief and thank your lucky stars, because you don’t seem to suffer from the perfectionist bug.

5

FP

august 23, 2012

opinion

page by sarah whipple

6

eye of the beau-holder >examining beauty, from botox to biology

by hannah moran

The woman looked inhuman.

Wide blue eyes and overinflated lips sat on a face of tightly stretched tan skin. Her tattooed eyebrows were thin, giving her a look of constant surprise. Coarse, bleach blonde hair completed “human barbie” Jenny Lee’s appearance.

I was bewildered at the image on the TV screen. I figured she may have once been pretty, “Beauty is but now her feawhatever tures were enlarged, shrunken, makes you lengthened, or comfortable simply plastic.

This woman and whatever had undergone makes you feel something like 40 cosmetic surgeries, beautiful.” all to achieve her goal of being beautiful.

She failed.

If beauty is the goal, looking like a real person is always a good place to start.

After some quality time on Google Images, I found a surprising number of women have abandoned this “looking like a real person” notion. To some, resembling a child’s toy doll is the epitome of beauty.

Later that evening, with Jenny Lee’s plastic face burned into my memory, I realized how easy it was to cross the line between looking beautiful and looking inhuman. Bulging

lips, breasts the size of watermelons--I do not with this person?” consider these extreme forms of beauty to be On the most primordial, basic level, somebeautiful. one who is beautiful has features that indicate But then again, there’s the cultural thing. reproductive success.

In 2010, Jessica Simpson (and a reality TV For women, a crew) decided to travel the globe to learn of low waist-hip beauty in different cultures. I was riveted, ratio is a key of course, but I kept thinking of how an feature.

“It isn’t necessarily entire show was based on something Various how someone is put so subjective. studies For example, a plethora of tanreport together but more how ning products occupy drugstore that they present themself. shelves in the United States while men skin whitening services are offered generSomeone could be in Japan. I watch people roast, purally naturally beautiful, but posely un-sunscreened, slaves to their prefer tan. Around the KU campus, I’ll also women unattractive if they didn’t see people who protect their skin by with a present themself.” toting parasols 24/7. small waist No one can affirmatively say if tanning and curvier makes an individual more or less attractive, hips. because even within the same culture, every Facial symmetry individual maintains his or her own definition and clear skin are two other universal benchof beauty. marks of beauty.

Universally, we all want to look good.

Oh, the lengths people will go to create an For some, a face lift and tummy tuck conappearance of clear skin. Clear skin is considstitute beauty. For others, a nice smile suffices. ered attractive, layer upon layer of foundation If we channel our inner caveman, we’ll find is not. that reproductive success is the basis for all The mask-face is most prominent in junior attraction. Genetically, human beings’ goal is to high schools. Thirteen-year-olds are suddenly reproduce. exposed to the vast, multi-billion dollar cosIf someone notices a potential love intermetics industry and they believe its products est’s smile, his or her head thinks, “What a dazare essential to being beautiful. zling tooth-to-gum ratio!” While their instincts Liposuction, nose jobs, botox--it’s all are really saying, “Do you want to mix DNA cheating. In a way, makeup is as well. Beauty

write your life. in six words.

doesn’t come in syringes or little lipstick tubes labelled “Hot Mama.” Biologically, beauty is the arrangement of cells into ways which attract mates.

If someone missed out on the attractiveness genes, spend more time with them. The longer you spend with someone, the more attractive to you they become.

Beauty can be silicone breasts, bound feet, or septum piercings. Beauty can be being railthin or a size 10--women of both sizes have won the “America’s Next Top Model” competition. The fact that various-sized women have won this contest is a testament to beauty’s aesthetic subjectivity. “America’s Next Top Model” exists because we want to know what famous people think is “beautiful.” But their opinion does not matter. The most beautiful women don’t always win this competition--the winner is usually whoever the judges find most striking. A new season of the show premieres on August 24, “Beauty is offering 13 episodes of the essence pure “beauty.”

Beauty can be of someresembling Barbie; it’s all thing.” specific to an individual’s preference.

But beauty is all about the person. Beauty is confident posture. Beauty is the willingness to smile.

Beauty is giving the plastic surgery and cosmetic industries the finger and winking at the mirror.

>submit your six-word stories and your name to Room 115, fsfreepress@gmail.com, @fsfreepress on Twitter, or to a Free Press staff member

>kristina foster, 10

>adam gowen, 11

>kim messineo, 12 >catherine prestoy, 10

>kyra haas, 10

august 23, 2012

FP columns

page by sarah whipple

dear free state

7

from: katie guyot re: sports fanatics Dear coaches, athletes and devoted sports fans: I don’t often move (or run, kick, throw, or bat) within the world of sports, so many of you probably don’t know me. Those of you who do know me might also know that if I tried my hand at one of Free State’s many sports, that hand would end up in a cast before the score advanced from 0-0.

However, my startling lack of athletic prowess doesn’t keep me from appreciating the role sports play in our school. No school-sponsored event can rally Free State’s green-and-silver spirit like a homecoming football game, a whirlwind track meet, or a basketball victory over Lawrence High. Pep assemblies can try to compete, but the bleachers are always at their liveliest after the school lets out.

That’s why we at the Free Press want to revamp our sports coverage, from content to communication and readability to design.

As both student reporters and plain old students, we realize that there’s more to athletics than scores and trophies. Of course, those honors are always nice, but they aren’t the fuel to an athlete’s fire. We’re aiming to report on the bones and muscles of Firebird sports--both figuratively and,

perhaps in our health and nutrition issue, literally.

To make sure we aren’t ignoring those scores and trophies I mentioned earlier, we are also including a sidebar in the design of the sports page that will tell readers all the quick facts they need to know about past and upcoming sporting events.

What we need from readers is support in our quest to make our sports coverage meet the standards of the school’s impressive sports program.

Senior Kimberly Messineo was recently appointed sports manager of the Free Press, which means she’ll be in contact with coaches and athletes to get the latest news from the field, the court, the pool, the track and the mat.

If readers have any tips or suggestions for the sports page, or for the newspaper in general, the Free Press would be ecstatic to hear them.

Tweet at us at @fsfreepress, email us at fsfreepress@gmail.com, write us a post on fsfreepressonline.com, message us on Facebook, or tap us on the shoulder in person (you’ll usually find us in Room 115).

We want to hear your stories. We hope you’ll stick around this year to hear ours, too.

Thanks for reading, Free State.

Katie

under the hood by jacob hood

blissful thinking I do not know if any you readers are followers of the brilliantly witty and kooky NBC show “Parks and Recreation,” but recently I watched a particularly moving episode. On a spur-of-the-moment decision, Andy and April throw a dinner party, and surprise everyone by turning it into a wedding ceremony. All of this occurs after having only been dating for two episodes (which is about a month in “TV time,”right?).

While most dinner guests are delighted and warmly surprised, Leslie Knope--played by Amy Poehler-opposes the decision, befuddled and, ultimately, worried about the young couple.

In a toast, Andy explains that the two just “did what [made them]

happy,” later adding that “[they] can’t stress enough how little [they] thought about [it].”

Andy’s toast stands as the most moving part of the episode, possibly of the season. In a world where people are only as prepared for life as their smart phone apps allow them to be, April and Andy act, probably unknowingly, as rebels.

In their accidental act of defiance, the newlyweds go against all that is set in stone regarding modern lifestyle, modern anything.

Society has become so set on becoming happy--on figuring out what makes us happy--that we are simultaneously making ourselves stressed and unhappy. Anyone who watches an episode of “Bridezillas”

can attest to the notion that people spending $20,000 on the “perfect” wedding only leads to stress, chaos and the most awkward weddings ever.

Andy and April’s marriage overlooks society’s mindset. The couple made no invitations, had only been dating for a short time and acted on an impulse--albeit a romantic and genuine impulse of love. However, they did what made them happy. So, why does society call that weird?

We live in a world of constant contact, perpetual stimulation and stiff economic and occupational competition.

Because of this, we tend to alienate the idea of true happiness being key, replacing that idea with material

goods and rewards, i.e. purchasing happiness. But does this makes us happy? Does it really make us happy?

Or should we all be more like April and Andy, finding happiness within themselves and others and nonmaterial things?

April and Andy are heroes, champions of genuineness and following their hearts, because they so clearly and obviously know what makes them happy, and they would be damned if anyone told them otherwise.

Has society lost sight of what truly makes us happy? No, obviously not. But maybe we are starting to over-think happiness. Maybe we aren’t as lucky as April and Andy, to be unaffected by constant

stimulation. However, maybe we put ourselves here, blindfolded by what we think happiness is, instead of just knowing that we’ve had happiness all along.

Often times, television reflects the world in which we live--which is ironic that we use it as an escape from our daily routine. I ask of all you readers to be more like Andy and April--which does not mean you should all get married by the time Winter Formal rolls around--but to seek out what makes you happy.

You’d be happy to know that the couple is still together, going strong and soon to enter a fifth season.

uncovering sam boatright

FP

august 23, 2012

sports

page by sarah whipple

Various freshmen showed up for the soccer tryouts on August 13.

The first soccer game is August 28.

8

Sophomore girls prepare to hit the courts at volleyball tryouts

pre-existing conditioning

Sophomores Alyssa Raye and Megan McReynolds ready themselves for the next serve at the tennis tryouts on August 13.

>teams prepare for season over summer break by kim messineo

Summer has drawn to an end, but the fall sports season has already begun. Late night games and celebrations haven’t started, but the preparation has.

Athletes have been preparing for the season since the beginning of summer. Each sport has been conditioning to get in shape.

Conditioning consists of exercises decided by coaches to better the athletes. Exercises might include weight training, running and other workouts.

Seniors Michael Omon and Alex Heath are part of the soccer team, and have been taking part in conditioning throughout the summer.

upcoming games

8/28

varsity LFS vs. BVN 5 p.m. @ home

“It is a lot of self weight training, sprints, and agility based workouts,” Omon said.

“Conditioning is extremely intense,” Heath said. “You’re going as hard as you can the whole time.”

Although the workouts are intense, the hard work is worth it.

“It makes me more optimistic about the season,” Omon said.

“Because I know my teammates and myself have worked so hard to be where we are.”

Some sports have unique workouts to better themselves. Soccer is a game of constant running. One of the workouts used in conditioning is sand sprints. Coach Kelly Barah had a sand

8/29 freshmen LFS vs. BVW 5 p.m.

on August 13.

Football players stretch before their first tryout. The football team has been conditioning all summer in preparation for the season.

pit put in next to the field specially for the team.

“They were fun, but it sucked having all of that sand all over you and your clothes,” Omon said.

Another running exercise that was a part of conditioning were suicides, in which they run back and forth along the field touching each line along the way.

“We were doing suicides on the field one day, and it was really hot,” Heath said. “After one of the suicides, Butters [a player] went and threw up and everybody started cheering. It shows that you’re giving it your all and everybody appreciates that because it’s making the team better.”

9/14

8/30

8/30

freshmen and sophomores LFS vs. ONW

varsity FS vs. Spring Hill HS 4 p.m. @ home

Senior Michael Omon stretches before participating in soccer tryouts on August 13.

9/1

varsity coed meet @ JCCC 8 a.m.

jv/varsity FS vs. ONW 5 p.m. @ home

sports t cker