Spring sports update 2015

Uniforms to

Perform WE ST H IGH

TROJANS

28

SPORTS

SPORTS

April 27th, 2015

WRITTEN BY PRATEEK RAIKWAR AND JUNHEE LEE RAIKWARPRATEEK9@GMAIL.COM, JHEELEE28@GMAIL.COM

UNIFORMS

“DRESS FOR SUCCESS”.

It’s a motto that students live by at West High. But for the sports teams, being dressed in the green and gold school uniforms is more than a crowd pleaser; it’s the key to victory.

Eye-catching and efficient, uniforms push athletes to soaring heights and draw in massive cheers from the audience. Every sporting event becomes a spirited battleground for victory. And with every victory, West’s uniforms are becoming a symbol of excellence.

The quality of the uniform plays a large role in this tradition of excellence. “[The uniforms] are made to be tighter fitting and also lighter weight, which in many sports can help the athlete’s performances,” said Tyler Meade, a boys track team assis“A lot of times I’ll tant coach.

And with advancsee improvement es in technology, based on people uniforms are becoming more efficheering me on. cient.

“In most sports Max Hill ’17 nowadays, the uniBoys Track forms are more form fitting and less baggy. Football jerseys that used to have sleeves now have elastic bands that keep the fabric tight to the athlete’s body,” Meade said.

With new materials being introduced into the clothes, the uniforms are more durable, moisture absorbent, and comfortable which allows West High teams to set new records and push the limits.

In addition to the physical qualities, uniforms also serve a role in boosting an athlete’s confidence and sense of identity. Max Hill ’17, a varisty track athlete, knows first hand the benefits of his uniform in rallying the support of West High audience members.

“It’s always nice to hear people cheering on “Let’s go West!” or “Let’s go Max!” when [spectators] recognize me. A lot of the time I’ll see improvement based on people cheering me on.”

Along with the physical and confidence-building aspects of the uniforms, the design and colors are important in building an image of the team.

“I really like the socks. They match the uniform well. [The uniform] is so simple but good looking,” said Bennet Luethje ’15.

Over time, uniforms also become a symbol of consistency for the team.

“When certain programs are successful, they will a lot of times stick with their traditional look. Others don’t care about that as much and just like to change things up to more modern designs “My game isn’t every few years.” affected by my Meade said. Either way, West sports uniform. It’s just a continue to proformality [...]. duce the best possible results.

Simran Sarin ’17 While appearance Girls Tennis is a significant part of West athletics, the performance isn’t all about the looks. Simran Sarin ’17, a varsity tennis player, is one of the students who isn’t affected by wearing a uniform. “My game isn’t affected by my uniform. It’s just a formality and makes the team look more professional.” Even so, Sarin feels that uniforms signify her team’s tight-knit support and friendship.

With improved performance, boosted team spirit, and a catchy image, uniforms are a key factor in shaping the sports at West High. And to West High audience members, each green and gold athlete is a symbol of another victory yet to come.

April 27th, 2015 UNIFORMS

3

DESIGNED BY MASON WANG AND JUNHEE LEE

BOYS TRACK

Right : Max Hill ’17 dressed in the boys track uniform: knee-high shorts and a sleeveless golden top. As a sprinter, Max’s clothes are made to be tighter fitting to increase speed.

BOYS SOCCER

Below : Bennet Luethje ’15 dressed in green shorts, a green jersey, and matching knee-high socks.

GIRLS TENNIS

.Above : Simran Sarin ’17 (3rd from right) with her teammates, wearing a sleeveless green top, black shorts or skirt, and of course, holding their individual raquets.

TRACK AND SOCCER PHOTOS FROM MASON WANG TENNIS PHOTO FROM PEC PHOTOGRPAHY

Which is for

By: Bethany Schillinger and Asha Irani

Grab the nearest object to defend yourself.

One of your best traits is...

Your accuracy Your jacked self

Your mad hops

Can you catch?

You’re better with... precision

Boys Golf

Tee up, balanced stance, and pure focus on the ball. To hear what Charlie Code ‘17 has to say about boys golf, visit our multimedia addition on wsspaper. com.

stamina

Football

yeah!

Bright lights, roaring crowds, and helmets crashing together. To hear what Michael Krupp ‘15 and Noah Fletcher ‘15 have to say about football, visit our multimedia addition wsspaper. com.

I prefer hitting the ball.

Volleyball

Squat low, make contact, and swing through. To hear what Anna Mabry ‘16 has to say about volleyball, visit our multimedia addition on wsspaper.com.

Cheer

Stand perf unified, pro voice, and e your moves what Natal ‘17 has to s cheerleadin our multim dition on w com.

Start here:

If being chased by a serial killer, you would...

Keep running as fast as you can!

Are you flexible?

I can’t even touch my toes...

Yup

Would you rather chant or dance?

Let’s go chanting, let’s go!

fectly oject your execute s. To hear lie Trout say about ng, visit media adwsspaper.

Poms

the ability to jump 50 feet high

Dance.

Kick high, move together, and keep smiling. To hear what Eva Mysnyk ‘15 has to say about poms, visit our multimedia addition on wsspaper.com.

What superpower do you want the most?

the ability to breathe underwater Girls Swimming and Diving

Dive in, push hard all the way, and reach for the wall. To hear what Mackenzie Voigt ‘17 has to say about girls swimming, visit our multimedia addition on wsspaper.com.

superspeed Cross Country

Crack of the gun, pound of the feet, and the open fields.

To hear what Emma Oglesby ‘17 has to say about cross country, visit our multimedia addition on wsspaper.com.

Trojan

Rugby?

DESIGN BY DILLON CROWELL ARTICLE BY HANNAH KRUPP INTERVIEWS BY ABBY JANS

Why is the rugby team in Iowa City called the Trojans if they more coverage, go to aren’t affiliated with West High? wss For wsspaper.com You can feel the sleek surface of the ball on your palms as you sprint down the field trying to avoid the oncoming boys rushing your way. Before you know it, one leg is wrapped, then the other, you can feel the grass on your cheek as you chuck the ball behind you to your teammate. You hear the crowd cheering, you know your team has scored and pure joy rushes in you.

This is rugby, a tough but blissful sport that many around the world enjoy and participate in.

Last year there was a change in the rugby team name, from Iowa City We-st High, to Iowa City WestPHOTO BY MICHELLE SCHUPMANN side. Since all the boys who play on the the school could share the success team go to West, it was publicised as they have achieved. They all feel very the Iowa City West High rugby team. passionately about their team and how The school, however, did not want to much they have accomplished. be affiliated with the rugby team, see “I like being out here with the ing it as a dangerous college sport. As a team, I like playing as a team, working result, the team shed the name of West together, tackling people, running the and bought new jerseys. ball around,” said Ryan Pals ‘15. Pals’

“We had some misinformation teammate Joe Ranard ‘15 appreciates that was communicated, that there was and enjoys the time spent with the a coach who felt it was okay to have a team.

West High rugby team. We don’t have

“My favorite thing is being out a West High rugby team,” said Dr. Arhere with the guys, it’s just team bondganbright, the principal of West High ing, team dinners, it’s just a great time,” School. “Only sports that we sponsor said Ranard. can be considered West High [sports].”

Last year the team was very

However, the Iowa City rugby torn up about not being allowed to be club team feels that West should sponaffiliated with West. They had their sor them in some way. Being last year spirits down, but this year it’s a differbeing state runner up, they all wish ent story, feeling more independent

than before and okay with the separation.

“I think it’s a very poor decision on West’s point, because I teach the boys how to be good sports and good players, we have a lot of consistency and a lot of strength in our seasons,” said Jacob Coble-Frakes, the head coach of the team. He is very proud of the team, and feels like West is really missing out on a great opportunity. Michael Krupp ‘15 agrees with his coach’s opinion.

“Honestly I think the school is kind of missing out, we didn’t really do anything to them or give them any reason why they shouldn’t be associated with us, but I think we are managing by ourselves, and I am looking forward to the season,” Krupp said.

The players don’t understand why there are so many misconceptions surrounding rugby being an extremely dangerous sport. Mason Koch ‘15 believes that there is a misunderstanding regarding injuries and training.

“I think people get the sense that without pads it’s just like football but you don’t have the protection, but that isn’t necessarily true, in rugby they teach you to tackle more safely and in lots of cases the pads don’t really even help in football so it doesn’t make that much of a difference,” said Koch.

Although the team is not allowed to be affiliated with West, that does not mean the West High administration dislike rugby.

“I support it as a sport. I think if kids want to do rugby that’s certainly fine. It’s nothing that I have anything against,” Arganbright said.

The team continues to be successful and proceed on with their current season, whether West High is involved or not. Schools around the state sponsor their teams, Southeast Polk, Marion and Newton are just a few of them. Boy’s contact rugby has grown into a large sport statewide, with 24 teams total in Iowa according to the Iowa Youth Rugby Association.

Hopefully in the future the two, school and club, will be able to unite and make a growing sport into a sport to stay.

PHOTO BY MICHELLE SCHUPMANN

PHOTO BY MICHELLE SCHUPMANN

PHOTO BY ZACH SANDERSON

PHOTO BY ZACH SANDERSON

Strike One, Strike Two, Strike Three...

You’re Out!

Baseball has just began for the players here at West High School.

So, what’s it like to be on varsity?

BY MADI BARTA AND RYLEE PETITGOUT

madi.barta09@gmail.com and r.petitgout@gmail.com

It is the first game of the season. You want to start the year off well, so you have a lot of pressure on you. You take the home plate and tightly grip the bat. The ball comes flying at you and you hit it hard with your bat. Your nerves go away and you race through the bases.

Baseball is a ball game played between two teams on a diamond shaped field with four bases. There are nine players on a team. The goal of the game is to hit the ball with a bat and run around all four of bases without getting out. Baseball is a up-and-coming popular sport for the spring and summer seasons here at West High School.

Nate Disterhoft ‘17 just recently made varsity baseball as a sophomore. This is a new experience for him.

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was just a little guy, I have been playing since about the age of four,” Disterhoft said. “[The coolest experience I’ve had playing baseball was] when I was 13 years old, in the state tournament semifinals, I hit a walk off grand slam to send us to the finals.”

The varsity team practices up to 12 hours a week if they have no games. Aside from that, they lift weights three times a week after school.

“It takes a lot of hard work [to be on varsity], like hitting everyday and also just a little bit of luck,” Disterhoft said.

Disterhoft was inspired to start playing baseball by his mom.

“She inspired me to start doing sports in general, and she was a two sport athlete at Drake University and loved softball, so she had me start playing baseball,” Disterhoft said. Disterhoft’s favorite professional baseball player is Joc Pederson. “He’s my favorite because he’s left handed, and he plays for the Dodgers and hits the way I hit,” Disterhoft said.

Disterhoft plays the position of first base and sometimes plays a little bit of outfield.

“Practice usually consists of a lot of fielding drills, hitting in the cages and on the field, and a lot of throwing,” Disterhoft said.

The first away game for the varsity team is May 26 in Bettendorf, and their first home game is the following night against Davenport West.

“I’m excited for our first game because any first game in a season is exciting but nerve racking,” Disterhoft said.

Disterhoft said, “Baseball is a game of failure, you can fail to get a hit seven out of 10 times at the plate and be considered great. It also takes a lot of patience and endurance. You have to stay focused the entire game or [your distraction] could swing the momentum of the game.”

DATES OF HOME GAMES

Wed. May 27 Davenport West (JV/V) HOME 5:00 PM Fri. May 29 Davenport North (10/V) HOME 7:00 PM Tue. June 2 Solon (10/V) HOME 7:30 PM Mon. June 8 Linn-Mar (DH) HOME 5:00 PM Fri. June 12 Xavier (DH) HOME 5:00 PM Tue. June 16 Regina (JV/V) HOME 5:00 PM Fri. June 19 Kennedy (DH) HOME 5:00 PM Mon. June 22 Waterloo East (DH) HOME 5:00 PM Wed. June 24 Senior (DH) HOME 5:00 PM Wed. July 1 Muscatine (JV/V) HOME 5:00 PM Tue. July 7 City High (10/V) HOME 7:00 PM Fri. July 10 Hempstead (DH HOME 5:00 PM Tue. July 14 Davenport Central (DH) HOME 5:00 PM

Fast Facts The boys team have the longest current winning streak in the state of Iowa, the last time they lost was in the 2011 State Finals The boys team made history last year, being the first team ever in boys 2A history to win three state titles back to back to back Of the eight man team from last year, only three members are returning to the team

Stepping Up to the Line

PHOTOS BY STEFAN SCHMIDT

by Stefan Schmidt and Christian Zirbes s.n.schmidt14@gmail.com czirbes89@gmail.com DESIGN BY STEFAN SCHMIDT

Three bounces: Thump thump thump. A delicate toss, and a violent smack. The sounds of racquets twanging, the squeak of shoes, and intermittent grunts leak out of the tennis courts during Boys Varsity tennis practice.

The last three years the team won state, making history in the state of Iowa as the first team in 2-A history to three peat.

This year is another chance to make history. However, with the graduation of five seniors from the team, there are lots of fresh faces. But there’s still a record length win streak on the line, and the newcomers feel the pressure.

“There’s a lot of pressure because everyone on the team graduated with the exception of Jiung and David and Cole so we have to step

08 Sports April 2015 wsspaper.com

up our game from junior varsity” says Yuxuan Zheng, ’16, currently the number six player for the team. But the team has their top players returning.

Sophomore Jiung Jung has stepped up to fill the number one spot. His co-captain David Dileo has stepped up to the number two position and is ready to face challenging new opponents. The final returning member, sopho-

more Cole Schneider now fills the number three spot..

Junior Quinn Dawson, a new member of the squad, has confidence in the team, “We have a really strong top several players, but then it kinda dwindles down a little bit at the bottom.” says Dawson, ’16.

Building up the strength at the

bottom is vital for victory at meets. “You gotta put more time into it, more dedication, there’s more practice, team night, we have to bond with our team members” says Zheng, ’16.

Quinn Dawson, ’16, agrees, “The practices are longer, so thats one thing, and also I guess that it becomes more of a focus, tennis becomes more of a focus [...] than on JV” says Dawson. But a state championship team needs more than just skills, it needs a strong team dynamic as well.

“We want to develop good team setting. During matches you want to cheer on your teammates and you don’t want to seem awkward. [...] You want to have good relations with your partners, especially if you play doubles” says Zheng, ’16.

chill but with varisty the intensity is revved up to a whole new level, everyone has to be on time for practice, and much more is expected out of you.” says Zheng, ’16.

“There’s a lot of pressure but I feel like it’s not as bad as people imagine because even though we lost a lot of great members, the team is still pretty solid and I think we just need to work hard to realize the dream.” of upholding West’s win streak, says Zheng, ’16. But will this new team be able to go toe-to-toe with older, more seasoned teams?

Only time will tell.

Head Coach Mitch Gross has been coaching at West for 13 years

Cole Schneider, number 3 for the team, didn’t lose a single point in his second set against Jefferson, a golden set Collected by Christian Zirbes

The boy’s varsity team is stepping up their game, but so is the competition. “ The whole atmosphere is different [...] JV practice is pretty relaxed and

wsspaper.com April 2015 Sports 09

SWINGIN’ INTO SUCCESS

According to ESPN, approximately 2.07 million 14 year olds participate in a sport. Here is just one their stories.

WSSPAPER.COM APRIL 2015 SECTION 13

By Kiera Dudley, Crystal Flanscha, Sierra Frost, and Shati Cooper

“I don’t know, I just naturally fell in love Berns plays first base, third base, left with the game,” said Blake Berns ‘18. He field, right field, and he’s a pitcher, but fell in love with the game of baseball, the pressure of playing all these posiand the game fell in love with him. tions never really gets to him.

He started off playing baseball at the “In baseball I can’t really say I’m presyoung age of four. He started playing to sured because when you get out on that become a mirror image of his father. field it’s a whole new world, no worries, “I’ve always wanted to be like my dad. just fun.” said Berns.

He played college ball and, he showed Even though he has been playing for me the sport, and I ended up loving it. I most of his life, which gives him a subwant to follow his footsteps.” said Berns. stantial amount of experience receiving He’s being playing for 10 years, and is numerous awards, he does have a plethcurrently playing for the Iowa City Troora of things he could get better at. For jans Gold baseball instance, Berns is exteam. “We all need ceptional at power hiteach other.” said Ber- “I’ve always wanted to be like ting but, he’s still workns. He talks of his team my dad. He played college ball ing on throwing to his like they’re all family, full body potential and and, he showed me the sport, brothers who love to becoming more consisplay the game of base- and I ended up loving it. I want tent in pitching. ball.

But, with committing to follow his footsteps.”

In the offseason, he so much of his time to tries to practice at sports (he also plays least three out of the five weekdays and, basketball), how does he still manage to one day of the weekend. He’s been esget good grades? pecially motivated by one of his best “It’s easy to still have good grades if friends, Austin Schroeder ‘18, who was you’re in a sport, you just have to be diagnosed with cancer. Berns dedicates responsible with it. Some nights you’ll every strike,every hit, and every play to have to stay up late to finish studying or Austin, to make his best friend proud. doing homework.” said Berns. AccordBerns plays first base, third base, left ing to an article on Dailymail.com, high field, right field, and he’s a pitcher, but school students who play a team sport the pressure of playing all these posiare more likely to get better grades than tions never really gets to him. joining a club like speech and debate.

“Blake is a great kid that can turn any situation into a fun one. He’s very fun to be around. He also works hard at sports which makes him the athlete that he is today.”

Dillon Doyle ‘18

14 SECTION APRIL 2015 WSSPAPER.COM

“Blake is always there to pick you up when you’re down. He never lets his mistakes get the best of him. His personality get everyone pumped up during the games, he’s always optimistic.”

Austin Curtiss ‘18

“Blake’s one of my best friends. He’s always there for me, on and off the field.

And anytime I’m down, I know he’s there to try to keep my head up and keep me goin’.”

Aiden Crowley ‘18

“I just know Blake for his positive attitude. You know, he’s always there for his teammates. He’s a pretty good athlete also, and, I’m just gonna remember him for always being there for all of us.”

Austin West ‘18

COMPILED BY SHATI COOPER

Berns may not know where he’ll be within these next 5-10 years, but he says that he’ll give it his all. Not only in baseball, but in life, hoping for the best outcome.

He sees baseball as a potential career and he’s planning on playing throughout the rest of his high school years and in college.

Aside from all of the achievements and accomplishments, the most important lesson Blake Berns has learned from playing baseball is that you may win some and lose some but you should always appreciate everyday you have.

RANK THIS:

We asked Blake where he would place the four most important aspects of his life in order, here are the results: 1- God: Blake believes that no matter what, God comes first.

2- Family: He feels that without his family’s guidance he wouldn’t be where he is in life.

3- Friends: His friends are pratically his family because they are always there for him.

4- Sports: Although Blake is an athlete at heart, playing the sports isn’t as important as the people and factors that put him there in the first place.

Words from the Wise: “Give it all you got, don’t give up. Enjoy every day you have because you never know what can happen.”

* 1 ranked as most important *4 ranked as least important

wss

FOR MORE COVERAGE, GO TO WSSPAPER.COM DESIGN BY SHATI COOPER

WSSPAPER.COM APRIL 2015 SECTION 15

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Making all sports simple and easy to understand!

Sports FOR

DUMMIES DESIGN BY ELLE BODE

By: Elle Bode and Taylor Fridrich

Learn the rules of: tennis, poms, golf, basketball, track, cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, softball, football and cross country

Soccer

A dummies guide to sports: A quick description of the following sports by our west high students...

Soccer

It is a contact sport and the objective is to get the ball in the opponents goal. An attacker must be behind the half line or the last defender (not including the goalie) at the time the ball is passed to be considered onside. You can’t be offside while you’re in your own half.

Each team starts out with eleven players. If a foul occurs then a referee can play on, stop play, or stop play and give out a booking/talk to the player who committed the foul.

-Jacob Mentz ‘15 Poms

Dance is a combination of movements strung together to create a routine performed to music. Usually being a group thing, dance is often performed alone also. It’s seen as an art form in many cultures. -Eva Mysnyk ‘15

Golf

It is a very mental game but it’s super fun once you get it down. Basically you hit the ball as few times as possible from the tees to the hole and the lowest score wins. But you have to avoid the water and sand because those will steal your balls. Also it’s a cool sport because you get to look cute and classy and play with friends. -Maddie Whitehead ‘17

Basketball

It is about two teams that have ten plays on each team and five players play at once. The object is to score as many points as possible by shooting a two pointer or a three pointer and sometimes you have to stop your opponent from scoring. -Devontae Lane ‘17

Cheerleading

It is a mix of stunting, tumbling, jumps, dance, motions, personality, and performance. It’s as much about athletic skills and technique as it is facials and entertaining a crowd. The rules are mostly safety-based, making sure stunting is taught and executed correctly to reduce the risk of injury. It’s a hard sport to be a part of, but performing in front of the school is worth it. -Aileen Weeks ‘15

Track

It is about running as fast as you can over a certain distance around a track and turning left (unless you are running shorter distances). You have to stay in your lane and on the track at all times in the 100, 110 hurdles, 200, 400, 400 low hurdles. When you get to the 800 meter run and up (1600 and 3200) you can run in lane one which is the lane farthest inside. There’s also throwing events too. -Jeff Garbutt ‘18

Tennis

It is just a fun sport. You have to hit the ball and make good calls. If you win the first point 15-0, if you win the second point 30-0, and the third point 40-0 and you have won. -Brad

Dileo ‘18 Volleyball

It is where you basically have six players on the court. Three hitters in the front, a setter, and two back row players. The goal is to not let the ball touch the ground and to hit it hard so the other team can’t get it back up. -Jenna Mott ‘16

Wrestling

It is an individual sport that involves two people, usually men, who try to outscore the other.

Wrestling consists of a three minute period and two of the two minute periods. A takedown is worth two points and if an opponent gets out from under the other one, then they are back for two seconds and get two points if they hold them for five seconds and three points if they hold them for five. Finally if the man or woman forces his or her shoulders both to the mat then that is a pin and the match is over. -Nelson Brands ‘18

Softball

It is like baseball, on offense you the ball, you run if you don’t get out, and try to score. On defense you field the ball when the other team hits it and try to keep them from scoring by getting three outs. -Shea Lewis ‘17

Football

There are two teams that are playing each other. One team is offense and they will try to score the all. The other team is defense and they try to stop the offense from scoring the ball. The game starts with a kickoff any time a team scores. There is a kick off at half time too. The game has four quarters and the clock can be stopped with things like timeout, incomplete passes, etc. -Clay Warren ‘18

Cross Country

It is when you run for 3.2 miles on grass on a long course. It has hills and around 100 people in each in each race. Training begins in June an dgoes until October. You run in the hottest weather and the coldest. -Kasey Baller ‘17

DESIGN BY TAYLOR FRIDRICH

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FOR MORE COVERAGE, GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

wsspaper.com APRIL 2015 aDS 7

As the Iowa City Westside Youth Rugby Club starts their 2015 season they are excited to see what it has in store for them.

BY CHARLIE CODE, LEAH DUSTERHOFT, & ACE HOLST

ccode04@gmail.com, duster298@gmail.com, aceofspadesholst@gmail.com

PHOTO BY ACE HOLST

It’s game time A ICWYC home games are played at the Hawkeye Rugby fields across from West High.

Friday, April 24th- in Altoona

vs Des Moines Hoover & Mason City

Friday May 1st- in Waterloo

vs Waterloo East & Marion

Friday May 8th- at home

vs CR Jefferson

Wolfe Creek

State Tournament

Friday May 16th- at Williams Stadium in Des Moines

vs TBD COMPILED BY LEAH DUSTERHOFT

22 SPORTS APRIL 2015 WSSPAPER.COM

s the Iowa City members of the Iowa City Westside Youth Rugby Club (ICWYRC) run onto the field, the crowd surrounding dims to a quiet whisper. The team huddles, and after a suspenseful silence say aloud, “Day by Day, we get better and better!

Till’ we can’t be beat- Won’t be beat!” With that, the team is ready. The seven starters take the field, and soon the first game against Cedar Rapids Jefferson commences.

The ICWYRC was established in 2012.That first year the club never won a single game. Two years later, the team only lost two times and scored 483 points, while their opponents only scored 154 points against them. The team went on to face Southeast Polk in the State Championship finals, where they lost by a score of 21 to 35.

But 2015 is a new year for ICWYRC. The team has grown since it’s start in 2012. This year’s squad has 00 people, returning 00 seniors from last year.

So far this year the team has two wins, one loss, and has tied twice. One of these ties, a score of 21-21 broke the three year winning streak of rival Southeast Polk.

“We should have beat them, but it was nice to do something no team for three years has been able to do,” says ICWYRC player Harrison Fairfield `17.

But the club isn’t planning on that being the highlight of the season. The team is hungry to capture the team title in early May. Cheer on the team at their last home game on May 8th at 5:30 PM and 6:50 PM.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE CODE DESIGN BY LEAH DUSTERHOFT & ACE HOLST

Rugby Fast Facts

COMPILED BY LEAH DUSTERHOFT & ACE HOLST

32

high school boy rugby teams in the state of Iowa in2015.

7

minute continous halves in high school rugby.

On April 10 the Westside team tied Southeast Polk, 21-21, breaking SEP’s three year winning streak.

O BY PHOT

ICWRC out scored their opponents 483 to 154 in the 2014 season.

CHAR LIE C ODE

FOR MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO COVERAGE, GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

WSSPAPER.COM APRIL 2015 SPORTS 23

SNACK ON THE RUN Sometimes we just need a little something to get us through the practice. Here are some of the best choices.

Cheerios Cheerios are a great source of iron. Iron is easily lost through sweating, it’s important because without it, you can become tired very quickly. “Right before games, eat high sugar and protein items for energy,” Khushi Kapoor ’18

Bananas “They help my muscles from cramping in the middle of a game,” Abigail Zimmerman ’17. This is because they contain lots of potassium which is lost when you sweat. Another bonus, bananas contain a chemical that causes the body to release hormones that makes you feel happy and calm, so hey why

Spaghetti A meal of spaghetti contains lots of carbs which regulates the amount of sugar circulating the body and gets cells the energy they need. It’s great for a dinner the night before the big game.

Dried Cranberries

Cranberries have lots of fiber in them and this often causes cramps when running.

But fiber also slows digestion which helps spread nutrients more evenly. So it’s all about the timing. It would be best to eat the cranberries for breakfast or lunch because they will have been digested by the time you have practice or a game.

Eggs Eggs often get a bad reputation in sports and dieting because the yolk is high in cholesterol, but they actually contain a lot of essential vitamins and minerals. Eggs also include high-quality proteins that can help sustain you for longer.

Granola “I like to eat granola before every race because it cleans out my system and doesn’t feel heavy like other foods,” Micah Smith ‘17. Granola is high in fiber and iron, which is essential for red blood cell growth to keep you going. It is also high in calories though, so don’t go crazy with it.

Chocolate Milk

“Chocolate milk is good for recovery,” Robert Walling ‘18. This is a great postworkout drink that can help to recover lost nutrients. But also, who doesn’t love some good chocolate milk?

Compiled by Catherine Ju, Sarah Longmire, Tessa MaxeyKinney, and Kayla Shader

The West Side Story explores the differences in atheletes’ behavior on and off the court, discovering what causes this shift, and why players develop these different personalities

COURT PERSONALITIES PHOTOS BY COLIN WALDRON, DESIGN BY WINGEL XUE, MULTIMEDIA BY SHAWN THACKER

BY COLIN WALDRON

colin.waldron@gmail.com

What causes the drive that you see in the most professional tennis players? The desire to win? A cause? Are they the same person off the court as they are on the court?

In many cases, the strongest tennis players are completely different people when they play.

Aggression, strategy, and the flow of tennis run through their systems.

Tennis players without a court personality find themselves hitting a plateau in skill level- taking it to the next level means developing strategy and a mindset while playing.

Chirag Jain ‘18 experienced this revelation two Josh Chen ‘18 years ago when he recognized that for him to get better at tennis he needed to become more competitive challenging himself by entering in more tournaments. As he pressured himself eventually it all just clicked for him, his mind took over and he focused solely on tennis.

Where is the bright line between playing casual tennis and tournament worthy games? It depends almost entirely on the player and why they play tennis. Is it for fun?

Do they want to get better? Do they want to win? Personal drive dictates playstyle, dedi-

cation, and strength on the courts. When the game isn’t going well do you give up or do you go hard? Tennis is called a mental game because of the individuality of the sport along with the length games can last. If a player doesn’t have the right mindset at the beginning through to the end of the game they will not be able to battle through an entire set.

Some of the best players in the world use court personalities to help them gain confidence and to increase their performance.

The third best women’s tennis player in the world Agnieszka Radwanska is known for her cooly calm court personality. She isn’t the strongest and she hardly ever finishes points by hitting an unreturnable shot, she relies on the mistake of her opponents. This calmness and coolness that she accesses on the tennis court allows her to be successful in an extremely competitive atmosphere.

Josh Chen ‘15 plays on the West Boys JV tennis team and he can attest to the presence of court personalities and how it has helped him in critical matches, “When playing in a tennis match, I become more mean. I develop a mindset of wanting to mentally break my opponent by doing really annoying repetitive shots.”

“My court personality has helped me by making my playstyle more aggressive,” Without this competitive edge a much more timid player will not be able to compete at the same level. Josh can is visually a different person on the courts and that is truly an important distinction between a truly competitive tennis player and a casual player.

BY THE NUMBERS

2.5

hours in an average tennis match

Grand Slam tennis tournaments- The Australian Open, French Open, Wimbleton Open, and US Open

4

tons of strawberries ordered for the Wimbleton Open tennis competition each year.

24

665

minutes in the longest tennis match ever played statistics from Express

Josh Chen ‘15 and Chirag Jain ‘18 face off in a challenge match to determine team ranking. Jain wins 6-4.

wss

FOR MORE COVERAGE, GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

“ I love the game. It is such a rush going up and down the field “ - Beth Lynch 15’

Soccer:

Beyond the Goal

BY IRENA CHARLES

irena.charles21@gmail.com

DESIGN BY DE’JA BUNYAN

Ball? Check. Goal? Check. Team? Check. Adrenaline? Check. When thinking about soccer, what is the first thing that runs through your mind? If you ask a random person who knows very little about the game, they would say the goalie. This is true.

The goalie is a very important part of the team.

What about the other 10? Just like football, soccer consist of 11 players. Unlike other sports, soccer is the number one sport in the world that is the most played. Of the 11 players on the field, there are 4 forwards. 4 midfielders, 2 defenders and 1 goalie.

Each player has a very important role to do on the field. Every action on the field has a reaction.

The history of Soccer is one that can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. There have been some significant changes to the game since the beginning when it was first introduced. Like the fact that soccer is less violent. Sports back in the Athenian area were a lot more violent. Later it was adapted by the French. It wasn’t until 1863 when the English came up with rules to make the great game of soccer more enjoyable and less violent for everyone to enjoy.

The first ever game of soccer that was played was in 1872 between England and Scotland. From this match up, the FIFA World Cup was established in 1930 that included people from all over the world to come and show their soccer skills. This has been a running traditions that has been going on for the past 85 years with a total of 22 of 24 world cups held with Brazil winning 5 titles and Germany winning the most FIFA World Cup. Soccer has captured the hearts of many people all over the world. “Soccer is a good cardio workout for you,” Mackenzie Bonner 17’. The longest time a soccer game can go for is 90 minutes. Each half is about 45 minutes each that includes stopping points throughout the game.

Each of the players on the team need to have certain qualities. The qualities have to pertain to the position that they are playing. “ I love the game. It is such a rush going up and down the field, “ says varsity soccer player Beth Lynch 15’.

All the moves in soccer are very specific. They all build on top of one another. Footwork is such a key aspect to the soccer world. To be able to dribble pass, kick and score all with your feet is very impressive. To perfect each one of these skills it re-

quires much attention. Your physique has to be at its best. “Soccer is just as physically demanding as basketball. It just differs by what you’re playing with. In particularly the use of your feet,” Katie McGrane 17’.

Not a lot of people would know about soccer and they tend to judge it. The biggest issue that people have with soccer is the running. Running is a great endurance for the body and mind. Running is a great way to think things through and get into get shape.

The next time that you are outside or inside with some friends, grab a soccer ball or any time of ball and kick it, pass it shoot it or come up with a creative way to have fun. You might realize how much fun you will with it. Soccer may not be for everyone, but it’s a great way to hang with friends and have fun in the process.

Check the Stats!

.08% Percantage of highschool students that will play profesional soccer after highschool in the U.S.

SOCCER LINGO Back Healing- A pass to a

teammate made with the heel of the foot Journeyman- A player who has represented many different clubs over their career Lolipop-To move the foot quickly round the ball without touching it

Trapping-The ability of a player to control the ball after it has been passed to him or her

One man wolfpack-know as a ball hog

http://slangsoccer.com/

By Fenna Semken

semken.fenna@gmail.com COMPILED BY FENNA SEMKEN, MEG MORELAND, AND HIBA IBRAHIM

32

ARE YOUR EVERYDAY SNACKS THE RIGHT CHOICE?

COMPILED BY FENNA SEMKEN

1. Cheese and crackers

4. Ketchup

2. Starbucks tall skinny latte

5. Dark chocolate

3. String cheese

6. Pancakes

7. “Light” foods and beverages

Top: Left to right- Abby Jans, ‘17, Avery Kout, ‘16, Haley Shook, ‘18 Bottom: Taylor Grider, ‘18

Answers: 1. Good, 2. Good, add a shot of protein and you’re set, 3. Good, 4. Bad, 5. Good, 6. Bad, 7. Bad

GOOD OR BAD?

What do you eat before a sports practice, or just an after school snack to get you through homework? Is it really the right decision? Decide which snacks are healthy and which are not- flip page upside down for answers:

33

is west really

The Best?

Students at West High and City High love nothing more than to vouch for their school as the more superior. But what is the truth?

Talk is cheap and while acions may speak for themselves, statistics speak much louder.

BY ELLIE GRETTER eesgretter@gmail.com

DESIGNED BY MADDIE MORIYAMA maddiemoriyama21@gmail.com

MULTIMEDIA BY MADELINE SILVA mad.silva.ic@gmail.com

In 1968 a rivalry was born. This was the year that popular opinion that West High has better athletic West High was established and City High and West programs than City. started competing for the best high school in “I think it’s the talent we continue to bring in from Iowa City. This competition is especially our two junior highs. There’s tradition in all apparent in athletics. Currently there are of our sports so even if a bunch of seniors fans on either side protesting the equality leave you have a group of guys and girls who of both schools. have been waiting two to three years to be a “I think schools can get different amounts leader,” said Taylor West ‘16. of representation as long as no bias is It is definitely a different story for soccer.

Taylor West ’15 used in the actual writing. If both schools West boy’s soccer have won five state titles win a game both and three of those were from the last three should get that covered or not years. On the other hand both boys and girls soccer at all,” said Taylor West ‘16 a from City have won zero state championships. girls cross country and track But City has also received the award from Sports participant.

Illustrated of Best Sports High School in Iowa in The question is, is West side really 2005. best side? Or is east-side really The West versus City rivalry will Elisa Abram ‘17 beast side? probably live on as long as they exist.

Currently City has won more The question is whether or not to try state titles in girl’s track than West. and stop it or continue on with this “I personally know that the girls are currently better heated rivalry. at track then the City girls,” said Elisa Maureen Head, a boys track Maureen Head Abram ‘17. and field coach said, “I However, it is a different story for boys feel like City High is always track and field. City High has won 11 complaining that West has something that state titles and West has won two. they don’t and West is always complaining “I think that West is better[this year] at that City has something that they don’t. So Derek Nugent ’17 track than City” said Derek Nugent ‘17. people are always going to be unhappy. The Throughout the years it has became grass is always greener on the other side.”

36 SPORTS APRIL 2015 WSSPAPER.COM

Other Sports Records *Due to the inability of this season’s records, last years have been used

Boys Baseball 2013-2014 West 34-10-0

City 12-29-0

Boys Soccer 2013-2014 West

City

18-1-0

15-2-0

Girls Softball 2013-2014 West 29-10-0

City 9-28-0

Girls Soccer 2013-2014 West

City

16-3-0

7-11-0 WSSPAPER.COM APRIL 2015 SPORTS 37

Ice vs Heat Does the temperture really matter?

BY CONOR ZIELINKSI cjzielinski14@gmail.com

DESIGNED BY KAVIR RAMOS kavirramos42@gmail.com

Photo source, Clipart

Ice or Heat

During sports seasons players often have many games/ matches to play is a small amount of time. If a player gets a knock or a weak strain in a game and then has to play another game only a couple games afterword, how can they get back to full health in that small of a time span? By using ice and heat.

Ice and heat it seems, are thought of as opposites, but if used together can work wonders. When an athlete hurts a muscle, universally people know that that means that they need to give it rest. But what some people don’t know, is that by using heat and ice one can shorten the recovery time. Heat is relaxing. That’s why overworked muscles respond best to heat.

Heat stimulates blood flow, relaxes spasms, and soothes sore muscles.

Studies suggest that low-level, long-term heat applied directly on the skin can significantly reduce stiffness and tension and increase flexibility. Positive effects can last for 48 hours or longer. Overworked muscles become sore because of a chemical called lactic acid. Lactic acid accumulates when the muscles are put under stress and deprived of oxygen. When there is decreased blood flow to a damaged area, the lactic acid gets stuck. This build-up creates painful muscle ache. Heat therapy can help to restore blood flow and speed the removal of lactic acid from muscles.

Ice is used with new injuries. Ice numbs the pain. The cold narrows blood vessels and slows down blood flow. This can reduce fluid buildup in the affected area. Cold is best for small pain caused by recent tissue damage. Ice is used when the injury is recent, red, inflamed, or sensitive.

Cold therapy can also help relieve any inflammation or pain after exercise; this is a form of small inflammation. However, unlike heat, you should apply ice after going for a run. Cold treatment can reduce post-exercise inflammation.

Ice

Heat Christian Zirbes ’16 1. Use tongs to grap heat pack.

“I usually get really bad cramps in the quad so I usually use heat, but when I have a sore muscle I use ice.”

1. Use scoopeer to grab ice.

Abby Jans ’15

2. Place heat pack in cloth pocket.

“Before practice I like to use heat pads to relax my muscles.”

“After practice I use ice for my pain.”

3. Apply to injured area

When should athletes use ice?

“When muscles are warm, sore, inflamed”

2. Place ice in plastic bag. Make sure to tie plastic bag at the top.

3. Apply to injured area

When should athletes use heat?

“Heat is used before to warm up the muscles”

~Anna Manterrnach, Athletic Trainer