Northwest Missourian Oct. 28, 2021

H O M EC O M I NG HOMECOMING K I NG S? KINGS?

In the days leading up to Northwest football’s 2019 meeting with Nebraska-Kearney, then-third-year coach

Rich Wright was preparing to face an option-based offense for the second time in as many weeks.

The Bearcats were on the heels of a 38-17 win against Pitt State at Arrowhead Stadium, but Wright knew he was going to be presented with a different challenge when scheming for the Lopers.

“They’ve got two quarterbacks they utilize,” Wright said Oct. 15, 2019. “The redshirt freshman is very talented.”

That redshirt freshman was

No. 8 Northwest eyes

MIAA’s driver seat against No. 17 Nebraska-Kearney

T.J. Davis, a then-first-year player making his debut in the gauntlet of the MIAA.

Davis, who was the backup behind senior Alex McGinnis, threw for 125 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 115 yards and another score en route to the Lopers handing the Bearcats their first loss of the season with a 24-17 defeat.

Following a two-week road trip

— resulting in a 17-16 Week 6 loss to Washburn Oct. 16 and 59-7 win against Northeastern State in response Oct. 23 — Wright is, once again, preparing for Davis, now a sophomore who is perhaps the most explosive player in the MIAA this season.

It’ll be a revenge game two years in the making when the No. 8 Bearcats (6-1) host No. 17

Kearney (7-1) for a homecoming matchup Oct. 30 in Bearcat Stadium with first place in the MIAA hanging in the balance.

“We’re just excited for the opportunity to get back home, play against a great MIAA opponent,” Wright said Tuesday afternoon.

“One of the things we talk about within the process is trying to put yourself in position at the end of the season to play for big things, and we have that opportunity, again.”

Davis, Wright said Oct. 26, had his “coming out party” against the Bearcats two years ago, a performance that foreshadowed the havoc he was set to wreak across the league.

SEE REVENGE | A8

In a file photo from The Missourian, Northwest football senior wideout Alec Tatum celebrates after scoring his second touchdown of the game during the fourth quarter of the Bearcats’ 38-0 win against Central Oklahoma Sept. 25. Tatum finished with 205 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 11 receptions en route to a career-best performance against the Bronchos

JON WALKER | NW MISSOURIAN

JON WALKER Sports Editor | @ByJonWalker

The 4th Judicial Circuit Leadership Team on Mental Health and Criminal Justice proposed a community mental health program to close the gaps in mental health resources in the five counties in the circuit.

This program will serve citizens in Nodaway, Gentry, Atchison, Holt and Worth counties through two phases. Phase one is the implementation of a grant, while phase two is for sustainability.

Nodaway County Associate Circuit Judge Robert Rice led this team and said he wanted to help close the gap between mental health and criminal offenses.

“You see sad stories of how life could just stop at a moment’s notice and how people are tragically affected by that. And being able to create a program that can help individuals who are experiencing trauma or a mental health crisis, to be able to help them and their families is something that’s not only an obligation morally, it’s just the right thing to do,” Rice said.

The team received a $50,000 Missouri Justice Reinvestment Initiative grant. The team was able to use the funds to pay for mental health crisis intervention services.

One of the first problems the team faced was that Nodaway County and the other counties in the 4th Judicial Circuit didn’t have mental health services readily available.

Rice said they do have those services for people, but it could be weeks before they are able to be seen. If a person didn’t want to, or couldn’t, wait that long to see a professional, they would have to drive to St. Joseph or Kansas City, Missouri, to find services.

“It’s not like the home team lost and you’re feeling blue. I mean, it’s kids that have such anxiety that they cannot stop themselves from shaking,” Rice said. “You tell the parent or person involved that you have to wait three weeks before we can see

you. That’s just not an option, not an acceptable one anyway.”

The first step in combating the limited resources on mental health was to supplement an after-hours mobile mental health crisis response service with New Beginnings Counseling Center through counselor Michelle Jones that would run for 24 hours, seven days a week.

ed that it has helped 37 individuals and families.

Another one of the ways the team decided to aid law enforcement was through the implementation of Crisis Intervention Training.

The program was designed to connect law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency service personnel and individuals with mental illnesses.

The training was held between February and April 2021 and was completed successfully by 11 law enforcement officers, two dispatchers and one social worker throughout the five counties.

The second hurdle to overcome was the cost of DWI and drug court.

“We had a backlog of folks wanting to get into drug court. We didn’t have the funds to be able to let them in because it costs money, and we didn’t have enough,” Rice said.

A $12,000 portion of the grant went to help with the cost of these alternative court programs. Spending this money to get people through the DWI and drug court would help eliminate repeat offenders, Rice said.

The line is for mental health counselors to help law enforcement personnel to offer treatment services rather than traditional criminal justice outcomes, like well-being checks and 96-hour holds.

When someone presents harm to themselves or others and gets sent to the hospital by law enforcement, they can hold the person for 96 hours to help deter the potential harm.

Before this hotline, the lack of options led to an increase in those criminal justice outcomes.

Northwest University Police Department had 30 holds in 2020, while Maryville Public Safety had 19 holds. As for well-being checks, UPD has conducted over 1,100 in the past five years.

The majority of the grant money was spent on the hotline, which cost $33,800 for six months of access to the hotline. Since being implemented, New Beginnings report-

Another $200 was allocated to this section to cover the cost of transportation for people to attend the alternative courts.

The remaining $4,000 from the grant was spent on a lawyer to draft up legal documents for the second portion of the project, aimed at sustaining a community mental health project and creating a board of trustees.

On the board would be representation from each of the five counties who would be in charge of continuing mental health services.

After presenting to each of the counties Oct. 20, Rice is waiting to hear back from them about a commitment to the board.

“It’s just an ever-growing issue, and we need to do more. And so instead of just sitting on the sidelines and being frustrated or worried or why can’t something change, we need to get up and start making that change,” Rice said.

Two new positions motioned for Tourism Board

The Maryville City Council passed a motion that allows the city to add two new positions to the Tourism Advisory Board at its Oct. 25 meeting.

Currently there are nine positions on the board. These new positions would allow more people who live outside of Maryville’s city limits to participate on the board.

The committee is in charge of working with the community to bring in new economic opportunities by giving out grants to fund activities, attractions or organizations, with the goal of attracting people to Maryville.

The motion to add more people to the committee does not require that three members must live outside city limits and eight inside of city limits. It is an expansion of the committee to allow more people who live outside of the city limits to be added to the committee.

Holly Cronk lives outside the city limits but has a significant interest in this committee because she owns two businesses, Ferluknat Farm and Bliss Salon, inside of city limits. She also runs Make It Maryville, an organization that promotes Maryville’s small businesses. She has received multiple grants over the years and is in favor of the change to add more spots.

“I think that representation should be leveled out,” Cronk said. “I think that the verbage needs to be changed so that it’s

more in alignment with more progressive cities. Places like Jefferson City, Joplin and Sedalia already welcomed this change, so should Maryville.”

The City Council was split on the issue, with Councilmen John McBride and Dannen Merrill

voting yes and Councilwoman Rachael Martin and Councilman Tye Parsons voting no. Mayor Benjamin Lipiec was the deciding vote. City Manager Greg McDanel and city staff will write up the city ordinance, and it will be voted on at the Nov. 8 meeting.

Lipiec said they will bring this up again at the next meeting, and an ordinance will be written to decide the change on who can join the board.

Martin said her issue with the change comes with having outside influence on how taxpayer money is spent.

“I have a fundamental issue having people on that board to decide the funds of that board without living in city limits and without having a responsibility assigned to them as far as who they are speaking for,” Martin said. “You don’t get to vote, and you don’t get to influence the way that we get to spend our dollars the same way that someone who lives here does.”

The money that is raised for the tourism committee comes from a bed tax. This is a tax on hotels that are within city limits.

Parsons said he does not want to rush into changing a city ordinance.

“I am not really excited to support this change,” Parsons said. “We should not be bull rushing through an ordinance on something that, quite frankly, does not need to be changed.”

McBride said he wants to expand the board. He said tourism goes further than the city, and if people want to help, they should be able to help.

“There are people here that want to step in and want to make an impact and want to help out Maryville and Nodaway County, and tourism doesn’t end at the city limits,” McBride said.

Senate votes against proposal to test new intercultural competence survey

KENDRICK CALFEE Editor-in-Chief | @calfee_kc

Northwest Student Senate voted against a proposal to pay for the testing of a new Diversity and Inclusion survey on its members Oct. 26.

The proposal, which was struck down in a 14-12-1 vote, would have paid for each member of the Student Senate to take the Intercultural Development Inventory at $12 per student.

Senate Treasurer Jenna LeeJohnson presented on behalf of Northwest’s Senior Coordinator of Diversity Jessie Peter at Tuesday’s meeting. Much like the survey the University already sends out to students at the end of each year, Lee-Johnson said, the IDI aims to gather information about the student body’s intercultural competence.

If the measure had been approved, the funds for the surveys

would have come out of the Senate’s Inclusion Committee budget, which sat at $2,000 at the time of Tuesday’s vote.

Members of Senate who voted against the measure said they were concerned about the cost of the survey, whether students would actually take the time to do it, and if the DI Office ended up not using the system after a test run on Senate members.

Lee-Johnson stepped outside of her executive board role and into the mindset of a DI Office student employee to promote the new survey.

“I really appreciate that this year’s Senate especially is really careful with our money, but also, like, we have it. And if our Inclusion Committee isn’t worried about it, then, why not?”

The Senate Inclusion Committee planned to spread out its budget and spend $1,000 this semester and another $1,000

the following semester. Members on the committee met with Peter prior to the Senate meeting and reached an agreement that the DI Office would refund leftover money back to the Senate Inclusion Committee after the surveys were paid for, as a way to keep on track with their spending plan. After the ‘no’ vote, the DI Office will have to make other plans to test the survey before deciding on whether to use the new IDI system.

READ MORE ONLINE

A full version of this story with a closer look at Student Sentate’s vote on the proposal and new DI survey is available online at NWMISSOURINEWS.COM

Organizational Finance President Brady Fritts heads the discussion over co-curricular money going toward a program directed at first-generation students attending Northwest.

ROSCOE FLINT | NW MISSOURIAN

Council member Rachael Martin discusses adding two positions to the Tourism Advisory Board at the City Council meeting Oct. 25. The Council passed a motion and will proceed to vote on the ordinance once it gets written up at the next meeting Nov. 8.

SILVIA ALBERTI | NW MISSOURIAN

PLEASE RISE FOR JUDGE PROKES

Beyond a secured entrance and up a narrow, creaky staircase, 4th Circuit Judge Roger Prokes began a usual Friday with an unusual phone call.

The phone rang three times before the man on the other line picked up.

“Sorry about that, Roger. Can you hear me now?” the social security man asked.

Roger Prokes sits in his office with his wife, Julie. Approaching a 45-year career in law, it’s the first time in a while he’s had to think deeply about what’s next — not what’s next in the case, but what’s next in his own life.

A week before that unusual phone call, Roger Prokes sent his retirement letter to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Missouri Chief Justice Paul Wilson. The decision came under a Missouri law that requires judges to retire by the age of 70.

Roger Prokes’ last day in the 4th Judicial Circuit is Nov. 9. He turns 70 Nov. 10.

Part of planning for the future means remembering the past, Julie Prokes said. Leaning back in his chair, Roger Prokes did just that.

“Basically, my life has been family and work,” Roger Prokes said.

Roger Prokes was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. After attending a year of junior college, he went on to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for law school, where he graduated with a law degree in 5 1/2 years.

Roger Prokes managed heavy academic loads each year to accomplish that feat, and he was involved with the Air Force ROTC program while pursuing his degree. He was a part of the program at a time when the Vietnam War was winding down, he said, which opened his eyes to a lesson he never forgot.

“All of us need to understand the immense amount of gifts we’ve received from our country and our society,” Prokes said. “The only reason you’re given a gift is because someone gave it to you.”

Roger Prokes had worked odd jobs from a young age, so he found himself in an unusual situation when he was near graduation without a job lined up. He eventually saw Northwest was looking for a business law instructor.

R0ger Prokes replaced former Northwest instructor Glen Dietrich, who at the time also served as an associate judge for the 4th Judicial District.

When Roger Prokes moved to Maryville, Julie Prokes was finishing a teaching contract at a Catholic school in Lincoln, Nebraska. She eventually got a teaching job at St. Gregory Barbarigo School. The two made it to Maryville in 1976 and never considered leaving the area for other work. The local community felt like the home they were looking for.

“We kind of laugh about it, that everybody knew that cute, young Catholic school teacher, and they didn’t know me from Adam,” Roger Prokes said. “So I kind of

came in on her coat tails rather than the other way around.”

Soon after, Roger Prokes began to make a name for himself in private law. It took him about a year to pass the Missouri bar exam, upon which he started working part time at Strong & Strong law firm. After a year and a half, Roger Prokes left the University and became a full time lawyer. He worked at Strong & Strong for about 20 years, then worked at his own private practice for four years. During that time, Roger Prokes was often hired as a guardian ad litem — a court ordered guardianship that represents the client’s best interests for the duration of a case. On occasion, a juvenile officer would have to have a lawyer, so he served in that capacity as well.

The guardian ad litem cases often involved minors or children, and at the time, the circuit judge handled the juvenile docket. Roger Prokes was impressed by his predecessor John Andrews’ handling of juvenile cases and eventually decided he wanted to have a similar impact on people.

“I remember him saying that, you know, ‘Somebody comes through at 13, you can make a difference in their life. If you’re coping with them at 33, there’s not much you can do,’” Roger Prokes said. “I’m not quite that negative, but there’s some truth to that.”

If someone told Roger Prokes while he was in law school that he would become a circuit judge, he’d call them crazy. But, he said, things evolve. He appreciated Andrews’ dedication to

young people, and that’s what piqued his interest in becoming a judge.

In 2000, he won the election against Dietrich for 4th Circuit judge and took his seat for the first time Jan. 1, 2001.

Throughout the two decades Roger Prokes served as judge, the job continued to evolve.

In many ways, Roger Prokes said he served as more of a social worker than the typical televised judge of which most of the public have preconceived notions.

“So much of the work we do has to do with addiction problems, drug problems,” Roger Prokes said. “And then there’s a healthy dose of mental health issues in the community”

- ROGER PROKES

4TH CIRCUIT PRESIDING JUDGE

Roger Prokes said the legal approach shifted to using the law to get people into treatment, obtain the proper resources and help offenders get back to taking care of their families.

In Roger Prokes’ tenure, the Missouri Supreme Court appointed him to several cases outside of the 4th Circuit. Several of those cases were in Jackson County and Clay County. Of the 46 circuits in the state, Roger Prokes has served in 10.

Roger Prokes ended up traveling a lot for the job, too. And through the decades of cases he heard, the faces of the accused reflected a message Roger

Prokes would never forget.

“People come in front of you, and there’s just a perception of society in general — because they don’t have to think about it — that there’s good people, and there’s bad people. And that’s just not the case,” Roger Prokes said.

Of course, people who come in with charges against them have also done great things in their life, Roger Prokes said. Others, still, act like they “walk on water,” he said, when they truly need help.

“Life is just trying to bring the best out of everybody we can, and the fact you make a mistake when you’re young and get a felony conviction doesn’t mean that you should be branded the rest of your life,” Roger Prokes said.

“We need good people in our communities that may have made a mistake back in time but have corrected and understand what they are doing and contribute back,” Roger Prokes said

Although that sentiment doesn’t typically win over voters, Roger Prokes knows it to be true.

“That’s the reality of it,” Roger Prokes said.

Beyond his court duties, Roger Prokes is a member of Holy Family Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Although Maryville was home for the two, Julie Prokes moved to Kansas City, Missouri, seven years ago to help with grandchildren who live in the area. They visit each other on the weekends, but they both look forward to his retirement and more time together.

Roger Prokes met Julie

Prokes at an event held by the UNL ROTC. When a hayride stopped for a brief moment, Julie Prokes began flirting with some other guy, she said, who didn’t show the least bit of interest in her or her story.

Stories have always been important to Julie Prokes, who has saved 21 years of newspaper clippings and other artifacts from Roger Prokes’ law career — she’s the historian of the family. For Julie, stories are especially important if they are true, and if they aren’t, they should center around good morals.

Roger Prokes overheard Julie that day on the hayride, and their own story began when he introduced himself. A couple days later, they ran into each other on the UNL campus.

Roger Prokes doesn’t drink coffee, and never has, but that day, he asked Julie Prokes out for a cup of coffee.

“I had to pretend I was grown-up,” Roger Prokes said through a laugh.

The two dated for 3 1/2 years before getting married. Julie Prokes describes her husband as someone who is full of integrity.

“He’s more pro-women than I am,” Julie Prokes said. “He’s very understanding of women, and that drew me to him.”

Of course, every married couple has their differences. Roger Prokes’ courtroom mindset often frustrated Julie Prokes when the two would have casual conversations. She would always have to back information with reliable sources, she said.

The two went on to raise five children. Julie Prokes said her husband was always dedicated — a father who cared deeply about their children’s interests. He coached soccer for several years, made his own baby food and made an effort to eat dinner together every night.

Early in his career, Roger Prokes would frequently come home from a long day at the law office and just “plop down on the floor.” His children would crawl all over him, and Julie Prokes always wondered, ‘Why in the world do we have furniture if he’s just going to be on the floor?’

He didn’t tell Julie, at the time, that the Hot Wheels running all over his back is why he did it. His fatigued figure was a landscape canvas for his children, who pictured the mountains in Colorado or the rocky deserts in Nevada.

In his retirement, Roger Prokes wants to spend more time with his grandchildren, give back to the communities he loves and travel across the U.S. He will stray from the main highways and, instead, take the backroads that lead to experiences he’d otherwise miss.

Roger Prokes said he’s like everyone else; he doesn’t like to be told what to do, but it’s probably time to move on.

“I am a firm believer that every last one of us is put on Earth to help others,” Prokes said. “I hope to be spending a decent amount of time in my retirement doing that.”

After nearly 45 years in law, local judge looks forward to retirement

KENDRICK CALFEE Editor-in-Chief | @calfee_kc

Presiding Judge Roger Prokes sits in the 4th Judicial Circuit courtroom a little over a month before he is set to retire. In his four decades working in law, Roger Prokes has been appointed to hear cases in 10 of Missouri's 46 circuits. He sent a letter of retirement to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Missouri Chief Justice Paul Wilson Oct. 1, outlining his plan to retire Nov. 9.

KENDRICK CALFEE | NW MISSOURIAN

“I am a firm believer that every last one of us is put on Earth to help others. I hope to be spending a decent amount of time in my retirement doing that.”

Roger and Julie Prokes stand outside the Nodaway County Courthouse Oct. 22. After Roger Prokes' retirement Nov. 9, the two will be able to live in the same city as one another for the first time in seven years.

KENDRICK CALFEE | NW MISSOURIAN

Tattoos shouldn’t affect job candidacy

Tattoos are not the end of the world, and if you have a problem with them, I suggest returning to the 19th century.

I grew up in a household where my mother only had one tattoo and didn’t get it until I was 8 years old. Last year, she got one more — bringing her total to two. My father doesn’t have a single tattoo and will never get one. I, on the other hand, am a different story.

I called my mom about a week ago to tell her that only three years into college, I had gotten my 24th tattoo. My mom wasn’t mad or surprised to hear this. Instead, she asked me for the inspiration for my new ink.

I’ve easily spent more than a thousand dollars at tattoo shops, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Although my body modifications make me unique, they don’t make me less of a candidate for employment than someone who has never seen the inside of a tattoo shop.

Roughly 40% of people between the ages of 18-34 have tattoos. However, when I sit in the chair of a tattoo shop, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be able to get a job in a year or two. I shouldn’t have to worry about this.

I remember arriving to an interview in long sleeves because I didn’t want their first impression of me to be about my tattoos. After the manager and I got through the interview and she was talking to me about when I can start, I sat there with fear. I was worried that the moment I showed up to work in short sleeves, I would be back to being unemployed. So I had to ask the dreaded question — are tattoos allowed?

The intolerance of tattoos isn’t the fault of employers — well, not entirely. For generations, people have associated body art with the acts of criminal behavior, when in reality, 10-19% of people in prison have tattoos.

For me, tattoos tell a story — my story. The tattoos on my body aren’t there for show or to fill a blank space. I chose each of my tattoos and their location for a reason. I think twice about what I’m putting on my body and how it will affect my future. It isn’t a last minute decision on a Thursday afternoon, though I’ve thought about doing it.

To be fair, I understand the overall concern with offering a job to someone that has tear drops on their face or a halfnaked woman on their arm. Even as a person with over 20 tattoos, I have questioned people’s character based on their choice of tattoos, even though I know everyone is entitled to their own body art.

We’re nearing the end of 2021, and tattoos are here to stay. I won’t stop getting tattoos in the years to come, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t get a job because of my floral forearm piece. When we apply for jobs, we submit a resume. Employers should care more about the work an employee can do and not the art they’ve chosen to share on their skin.

Everyone should wear face coverings or nobody should

Northwest altered its mask mandate, and the new guidelines came into effect Oct. 25. An email sent to students Oct. 19 explained that face coverings were optional, but recommended, in public, indoor spaces only to fully vaccinated individuals. So, was this change necessary?

The only difference in the face covering policy is the option for vaccinated individuals to walk in common areas without a mask, which many students have done regardless. Every meeting place on campus still requires masks, so making masks optional for the 56% of students who reported they are vaccinated feels insignificant.

While we understand the laxing of rules, choosing this awkward middle ground seems to serve no purpose.

It’s impossible for the University to tell whether a student is vaccinated or not when they’re walking around campus. Although masks would ideally be the way to tell, not everybody follows the rules.

Students can, and will, easily state that they’re vaccinated in order to squeeze their way through the loophole that is Northwest’s updat-

YOUR VIEW:

What are your thoughts regarding the mask mandate?

THE STROLLER:

ed mask policy. The University has a policy to not ask about vaccination status. There’s no way they can enforce mask requirements for unvaccinated individuals.

The new mandate also makes numerous masking decisions a judgement call rather than an easy-to-follow mandate. The altered mandate states that masks aren’t required in areas where social distancing is possible. Does this mean every time someone is within six feet they need to put on a mask? No, then why the social distancing distinction?

The new mandate will inevitably lead to more fights, more arguments and more uncomfortable judgements made by people. It’s simply too gray to be effective. It feels reactionary, like leaders noticed people weren’t following the previous rule, and rather than increasing enforcement, they decided to abolish the rule.

Mask mandates have never been for the vaccinated; they’ve always been for the careless — those who refuse to get the vaccine and spread the virus by not wearing masks. With a way for students to remove masks, the risk of spreading begins

KAILEE BURKHARDT Sophomore Psychology

“I don’t really understand it because if it’s only in classrooms, then we can still spread it in the halls or dorms. We either need to wear them everywhere or just not at all.”

to rise again.

The change in policy will result in a larger population of unmasked students than the number of vaccinated students. If Northwest wanted students to be safe about masks and continue to keep positive cases low, it should’ve kept the mandate the same it has been since the beginning of the semester. If Northwest felt completely comfortable in the safety of its student body, it should have eliminated the mask mandate completely. The middle here serves no real purpose. It creates confusing scenarios and relies largely on the honor system. Additionally, students who were responsibly wearing masks before the mandate are going to continue wearing masks.

The idea of sitting next to someone who could be carrying COVID-19 and not being equipped to protect yourself doesn’t sound ideal. So, it doesn’t truly change anything for students who are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

Those who have been the poster children for wearing masks like a chin-strap, or finding any excuse to not wear them, will continue to do so.

TYTIANA GATES Freshman Human Services

“I feel like we should still have the mandate because the pandemic is still going on, to be better safe than sorry.”

“We should keep wearing them until COVID-19 blows over so we won’t be going back to virtual classes. And I don’t mind wearing masks for now.”

Your Bearcat loves Homecoming spirit

Today’s college sophomores are essentially freshmen with darker bags under their eyes. The pandemic robbed them of the “college experience” and indoctrinated them into the ways of online finals and no football games. With Homecoming this week, approximately half of the undergraduates — well, actually less because there are way fewer freshmen this year; I guess Bobby Bearcat isn’t doing the kind of numbers he

used to in rural Nebraska — have no clue what to expect. Well, let this anonymous person tell you.

Expect disappointment. Halloween and Homecoming falling on the same weekend seems like a recipe for epicness, but in reality, you will be showing up to the exact same parties in more uncomfortable clothing.

Also, whoever planned this Homecoming utterly biffed the theme decision. You have the opportunity to host Homecom-

ing weekend on Halloween, and you choose to do a nonHalloween-related theme? Oh goody, I can’t wait to see how every decade-inspired float in the parade will be the same Volkswagen design from the late ‘60s. So cool.

The one possible bright spot could be the actual reason for Homecoming — the volleyball team. Oh, you thought I was going to say football. Well, seeing as how the football game will take place when many of

you are facedown in the grass lot, I figured volleyball may be a better option.

It happens at night. It’s indoors and another excuse to pay for concession nachos. It’s also an easier sport to follow, as essentially it’s just a super competitive version of not letting the balloon hit the ground that you played as a child.

The Stroller has been a tradition since 1918 and does not reflect the views of The Northwest Missourian.

OUR VIEW:

ALEXANDRIA MESZ | NW MISSOURIAN

TYRIK GATES Freshman Criminology

MAKAYLA POLAK Design Editor @kaypolak

Flag Raising Ceremony to recognize international students

Northwest international students from all over the world will come together to recognize the diversity of cultures and countries on campus during the annual Flag Raising Ceremony.

This year, the event will take place at 1 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Joyce and Harvey White International Flag Plaza.

The Flag Plaza has held flags of current students and alumni of Northwest since 1998. It’s a constant reminder of the diversity of the world, and the parade and Flag Raising Ceremony brings special attention to this during Homecoming week.

During this event, students will join together in a parade of flags beginning at 12:45 p.m. and walk to the Flag Plaza for the Flag Raising Ceremony. Each student will represent their country by raising their flag during the ceremony.

This year, Northwest has international students from 38 countries who are enrolled in the University. A total of 54

flags are present in the Flag Plaza, which represent countries of current students and recent alumni, in addition to other sponsored flags.

International Involvement Center Assistant Director Erika Lees said this event allows students at Northwest the opportunity to see where their fellow classmates are from and to understand a little bit about their culture, while allowing students that are raising their flag to show pride for their home country.

International student enrollment has grown over the past few years, and their enrollment makes up 9% of the total student enrollment at Northwest this year

“The parade of flags and Flag Raising Ceremony brings the campus community together in celebration of the international students enrolled at Northwest and all they bring to the campus community,” Lees said. “Especially over the last year when we cannot travel, international students bring the world to Northwest Missouri State University.”

Canned art becomes donation creation with addition of boxed food

Donation Creation, formerly known as canned art, is a competition for students to test out their creativity while giving back to the community. The sculptures will be displayed on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union all of Homecoming week.

The name change is in response to one of the rule changes for this year’s event. Students will now be allowed to use boxed nonperishable food items — in the past, only canned food was allowed.

The Homecoming bylaws lay out rules for all of the competitions that occur during Homecoming week, including Donation Creation. The participants had four hours to build their structures Oct. 24. There is a 150-piece minimum, and the sculptures must fit on a four feet by four feet wood platform. There cannot be more than five of one item in a structure. All of the items are covered in construction paper and placed onto their scene at the time of construction. If any of these rules are broken, there would be a point deduction added to the final tally.

All of the structures are based on the Homecoming theme Bearcats Remember When. The theme had students building structures based on past decades.

Organizations took many different directions on what they decided to build. Student Senate built a scene from Nintendo’s Mario, Phi Mu built a replica of an old-fashioned diner, and Alpha Sigma Alpha’s sculpture references the movie “Back to the Future.”

The competition has two different judging processes. One will involve a panel of students, staff and community members. The second judging process is the people’s choice. This is a way for students to support their favorite creation and give back to the community.

Students can vote by donating their own non-perishable food items inside of a bucket next to each creation. Once the structures have been taken down, all of the food will be donated to either the Bearcat Food Pantry or the Ministry Center.

The judging panel voted Oct. 25. However, students will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite creation all week long. The winner will be announced on Nov. 1. First place will receive a plaque and $130, second place will get $110 and third will get $90.

University to honor two classes at Golden Years Society Reunion

The Golden Years Society Reunion was among the many traditions that didn’t happen in 2020 due to COVID-19. It, like many other events, will make a return at the 2021 Homecoming celebration and will celebrate the graduating classes of 1970 and 1971.

Northwest alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago will return to campus for a bus tour, VIP seats for the parade, a pre-game barbecue and the game itself, among other events. All of these treats and events will be courtesy of Northwest. Director of Alumni Relations Duane Havard said there are 52 registered

alumni from the classes of 1970 and 1971 planning to attend.

“The event will include social time for those attending to talk about the history of the University, some time to reminisce about their years at the University, and allow them to catch up with some friends they have not seen in a few years,” Havard said.

“There will be stories shared from the ‘70s that may have been forgotten as our visitors get the chance to talk of their time on campus as a student,” he said.

“This is also a fun opportunity to hear how their life may have been directed due to a class, a professor or another person they associated with while on campus.”

Constituent and Alumni Relations Specialist Carma Kinman said she is looking forward to having this annual tradition back.

“We always enjoy having the alumni on campus, and it’s really special to have those alumni that have been with us for 50 years or more,” Kinman said. “A lot of them are very supportive of Northwest, and this is our chance to host them and make them feel welcome again and let them see how the campus has and has not changed.”

The reunion begins Oct. 29 with a welcome reception and class pictures, and then a bus tour of the campus and town. This is followed by lunch and a flag raising ceremo-

ny. Later in the day, there’s a social banquet and the Homecoming Variety Show.

On Saturday, Alumni can watch the parade, tailgate, barbecue and watch the game, all from reserved spots and seats.

“Students are still students, even if they were a student 50 years ago. It’s amazing to listen to them talk about their days on campus,” Kinman said.

“It is important to honor those that came before us, as this University is built on the history of former students,” Havard said. “Having generations sharing their experiences is wonderful for Northwest Missouri State University as we honor those that were here before our current generation.”

In a file photo, an international student represents her country by raising the flag of Sri Lanka in the annual Homecoming Flag Raising Ceremony. Northwest hosted 290 international students from 39 different countries last year.

ADDALYNN BRADBURY | NW MISSOURIAN

A tower of cans, donated by Sigma Phi Epsilon, sits among other artworks for the Homecoming event Donation Creation displayed on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Donation Creation, formerly known as canned art, is a competition for students to test out their creativity while giving back to the community.

ADDALYNN BRADBURY | NW MISSOURIAN

JAKE PRATER Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian

Homecoming Variety Show awards skits, student performances

After not taking place during last year’s Homecoming due to COVID-19, the Variety Show is back with multiple skits, olio acts and a guest performance from the Bearcat Steppers.

This year, the show will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Charles Johnson Theatre in the Fine Arts Building, due to construction in the Ron Houston Performing Arts Building.

Royalty and Variety Show

Executive Chair Rylie Goeders said all of the performances are meant to encompass the theme of this year’s Homecoming: Bearcats Remember When. Skits are open to every organization to sign up for, but Greek Life chapters are the only ones participating in the skit portion of the show.

Olio acts can be anything from playing an instrument or singing a song, to any talent that someone can think of.

“The skits all compete against each other for supremacy points and a cash prize, and the olio acts all compete against each other for a cash prize,” Goede-

Homecoming parade returns after 700 plus day hiatus

rs said.

The top three skits will all get an award after judging. The first place prize is $450, second place will earn $375 and the third place winner will receive $300.

The top three olio acts will also get a prize, first place with $100, second with $75 and third with $50.

The winners from the Variety Show will be announced at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Charles Johnson Theatre.

To become an emcee for the show, students had to go through an audition process and were chosen by Homecoming executives. The emcees this year, Peytan Schulte and Peyton Young, will also receive a prize of $100 for being chosen for the event.

After all of the performances take place, Homecoming royalty will be crowned at the end of the show.

“It’s one of the favorite Homecoming traditions that we’ve had for decades,” Goeders said. “It brings a lot of school spirit, and you can really see how much people care about Northwest in their skits and olio acts.”

KESTON OLTMAN Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian

After COVID-19 drastically changed the 2020 Homecoming parade, the 2021 parade makes its return to normalcy.

The Homecoming parade has always been one of the Maryville communities’ most celebrated traditions of Northwest’s homecoming week and executive chair for the parade Bailee Urban is ready for the return of a normal one.

“Personally, I am beyond excited to have a more normal parade this year,” Urban said. “Homecoming is one of my favorite parts of the year and I’m lucky to be the one planning the

parade for everyone.”

While COVID-19 didn’t shut down the parade last year, it diminished it. Greek life traditions like large floats and jalopies for example, were not allowed in 2020’s parade. This year, those floats and jalopies make their return.

“Greek life has gotten back into their normal routines of working together to continue to show these traditions,” Urban said. “Everyone is excited to be back together and be able to show Maryville that Greek life is proud to be on the Northwest campus.”

The parade starts on Oct. 30 at 9 a.m. and features the classic aspects of a parade, bands, dancing, floats

The parade last year was held within Northwest’s campus, and restricted to University participants only, with the return to normalcy, the parade returns to Maryville’s fourth street, invoking a sense of community between Northwest and Maryville that was lost last year.

“I think it is important for the parade to go through town because it unites the campus, students and Maryville community,” Urban said. “It’s important that all of us are supporting each other and this is one day that really shows that. I love seeing all of the Maryville residents lined up with Northwest students watching the parade together.”

In a file photo, Tubias Johnson and Taylor Felz are crowned Homecoming King and Queen of 2019 at the Variety Show. Ten students run for the honor this year.

FILE | NW MISSOURIAN

SIDNEY LOWRY News Editor | @sidney_lowry

CRIME LOG

for the week of Oct. 28

Oct. 27

There is a closed investigation for property damage in Parking Lot 11.

Oct. 24

There is a closed investigation for a liquor law violation in Lamkin Gym.

Northwest Missouri State University Police Department Maryville Police Department

Oct. 26

There is an ongoing investigation for trespassing on the 400 block of West Second Street.

Oct. 25

There is an ongoing investigation for disorderly conduct on the 600 block of East Seventh Street.

There is an ongoing investigation for larceny on the 1600 block of North Clayton Avenue.

There is an ongoing investigation for property damage on the 1200 block of South Main Street.

There was an accident between Annette C. Mullins 59, and Jacob L. Ashford, 22, on West First Street and North Munn Avenue. A citation was issued to Ashford for careless and imprudent driving.

Oct. 23

A summons was issued to Jordan E. Brady, 18, for resisting arrest and being in a city park after hours on the 500 block of North Laura Street.

A summons was issued to Alexis M. Goff, 22, for driving while intoxicated, failure to illuminate headlamps and failure to maintain financial responsibility on the 100 block of West Seventh Street.

There is an ongoing investigation for larceny on the 1200 block of South Main Street.

Oct. 22

There is an ongoing investigation for a lost or stolen license plate on the 800 block of University Drive.

He’s expanded on the things that made him so dynamic then, and they’ve led to him being one of Division II’s most effective quarterbacks.

The sophomore will enter the matchup with the highest passer efficiency rating in the country (201.4), the secondmost rushing yards in the MIAA (830) and 28 total touchdowns. It’s a secondyear campaign that’s been good enough for an average of 196.6 yards passing and 103 yards rushing per contest.

“The X-factor is the quarterback. He’s an outstanding football player,” Wright said. “He does a lot to make (Kearney) go.”

The Bearcats know what’s on the line when they take the field this weekend, but that doesn’t matter to them, Wright said.

It doesn’t matter that they’ll have a chance at the program’s 31st MIAA title, including the seventh in the last eight seasons. It doesn’t matter that they’ll have a chance to add an in-region win to their playoff-hopeful resume. And it doesn’t matter that they’ll have a chance at taking sole possession of first place in the conference with only two weeks remaining in the regular season.

They’ve prepared for an opponent seven times prior to Kearney, successfully executing the plan six of those weeks. The preparation for the biggest matchup of

the season isn’t going to be any different.

“It’s a big game. I mean, I don’t ever try and shy away from those, but, again, we had to win a lot of big games to get to this big game,” Wright said. “I think the thing that we try to do is lean on our experience in those situations. We’ve got a lot of guys that run around the complex that have played in these situations. It really doesn’t change your approach — it’s still the same stuff.”

One of those experienced players is junior linebacker Sam Phillips.

Phillips played against the Lopers in 2019, recording seven total tackles and a tackle for loss. He played the year before that, too, aiding Northwest in a 27-13 win over Kearney.

Northwest has won by no more than 14 points during the last three meetings between the programs, and despite currently trailing the Lopers in the conference standings, Phillips said the Bearcats are still expecting to be the ones with the target on their backs.

“They’ve always played us well, you know?” Phillips said. “They’re always gonna give us their best shot. And again this year, they have the weapons that they do, so, again, we’re just going to have to focus during practice this week and hopefully go give them our best shot.”

The ’Cats are aware it’s Homecoming week on campus, but that’s not something they’re going to let distract them from preparing to slow down an offense that aver-

ages an MIAA-best 483.5 yards per game.

They’ll enter the contest with the fourth-best scoring defense in the country, allowing a meager 9.1 points per contest. Northwest will also bring in the second-best run defense in the country, limiting opposing offenses to an average of 42.1 yards a game.

They’re ready to do what they’ve hoped to do for the entirety of the season leading up to this point, and that’s to take the next step on the proverbial staircase on the way to the pinnacle of Division II.

A win against the Lopers would be their biggest yet.

“It’s just one of those weeks where — is there a lot of extra bustle with homecoming and Kearney and all this stuff? Yes,” Wright said. “At the same time, we’re pretty good at filtering out the noise. When you’ve had as much playoff experience as our junior and senior class has, and you’ve been in conference championship-type games, you just have to take that as part of the status quo at Northwest.”

“You come to Northwest to play in these types of games,” Phillips said. “You come here to win these types of games, too, so hopefully we can do that.”

GRAPHIC BY MAKAYLA POLAK DESIGN EDITOR

CHAMPS CONTINUED FROM A12

These upcoming district tournaments mean a lot more to some players than others. To some, this is the final ride, the grand finale, the final act. Senior midfielder Andrew Cronk is one of those players.

“(District games) are everything. They are kind of our main focus right now as a team. As a senior, I’m looking forward to them,” Cronk said following the loss against LeBlond. “Because we’ve never played these teams, we don’t really know what we are going into. Could be our last game, could not. It’s a lot of pressure.”

“They mean the world to me right now,” said DiStephano, fellow senior and teammate of Cronk. “Soccer is really the only thing I put my mind to for

the past four years. Knowing that this is the last run that I’ll have in my high school career, it means everything to me right now. All my focus is on it, all my energy, all my everything is on this district run. And, hopefully, we can make a good run.”

Also in the Spoofhounds’ district is No. 4-ranked and No. 1-seeded Summit Christian (12-5), which will most likely be Maryville’s toughest matchup should the two teams meet.

“We’re trying to take it one game at a time, but you can’t help not to look. I think that that’ll be one of the better games,” DiStephano said.

DiStephano and Cronk have established themselves as prominent leaders on this year’s team, along with fellow seniors defender Tegan Haer — who’s looking to make a return from an ankle injury in the district opener — and forward Jacob Ferris, the team’s lead-

can to sneak that victory away.”

ing scorer. Being the No. 2 team in the state, the ‘Hounds know the target is on their back, and their title hopes are high.

“It’s been a pleasure for me to get to coach these four seniors over the last couple of years; Jesus and I have really enjoyed them,” Tolson said. “They’re a very important part of what we do, obviously. All four of them are starters, good leaders, guys that are really kind of the glue of the team. And in other ways, they bring the other guys in and make them feel like their part of the team as well. They’re a really good group of guys.”

“It would mean a lot to win districts, but we’re looking even further than that,” DiStephano said. “Until we get to state is when I’ll really feel like we made something happen because that would be the furthest we’ve ever gone. So winning districts would mean a lot, but we’re always looking for that next step.”

SHOWDOWN CONTINUED FROM A12

UP NEXT

With the momentum of four straight conference titles and a new team-low score for the conference championship, the Maryville cross country team is looking to continue building on a dominant season by sending multiple athletes to state and securing a district title at the upcoming meet.

The Spoofhounds will compete in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 4 meet Oct. 30 in St. Joseph at Missouri Western.

Coach Rodney Bade and the boys team are feeling confident ahead of the district meet after winning their fourth straight conference title at the MEC Championships Oct. 19.

“We feel really confident; four conference titles is great, a new low score for conference championship with almost a perfect score,” Bade said. “So that’s great, but districts are a little bit of a different level of competition — bigger schools and a bigger race — but we are optimistic and confident.”

The Class 3 District 4 meet features 21 teams from the northwest corner of Missouri, including three teams from the Midland Empire Conference: Savannah, Chillicothe and Cameron.

Although the ‘Hounds have conference competition in the district meet, Bade knows that the real competition will come from St. Michael the Archangel.

“We will have quite the challenge from St. Michael. … We are really evenly matched up with St. Michael, as far as team scores go. And after that, it falls off quite a bit,” Bade said. “We only have to be in the top four to qualify for state as a team, but our goal is No. 1. We want to do whatever we

The ‘Hounds saw St. Michael Oct. 2 at the Bishop LeBlond Invitational, where the teams finished first and second, respectively, with the ‘Hounds taking first by 4 points.

“We are looking pretty good,” senior Jag Galapin said about the team’s preparation. “Competition is going to be pretty tight. We are going to be either winning by 1 point or even tying, so to prepare, I have been drinking more water and sleeping more.”

initely have to push myself. But I know I can do it,” Pohern said.

For sophomore Kenndy Strauch, Bade’s goal is to be able to end the season with a solid performance.

“For Strauch, our goal is a good last race this season and try to set a personal record,” Bade said. “She has made a lot of progress but has had a couple races that were a bit off, so our goal is to finish the season off on a high note.”

For both the boys and girls teams, the upcoming course for the district meet will be familiar territory, as they have visited Western’s course twice this year.

“Trusting each other,” redshirt freshman Kristen Ford said of the driving force behind the Bearcats’ unwavering resilience. “Trusting that we will all do our system and all do our jobs.”

The Bearcats started the fifth set with a 5-2 lead, but once the Jennies took an 8-7 lead, Northwest couldn’t find an answer to stop them and lost the set 15-9.

“Our ball control into our offensive production could’ve been better,” Woerth said. Redshirt freshman outside hitter Payton Kirchhoefer led the teams with a new matchhigh 23 kills, hitting .283%, junior outside hitter Kelsey Havel notched a team-high 23 diggs and 22 kills, hitting .140%, and junior middle hitter Rachel Sturdevant had 14 kills while hitting .345%.

The 1-0 score held there, and the Bearcats earned their 10th win of the season for the first time in 10 years.

“It’s very exciting scoring, but it’s also fun when the team celebrates you,” Stirling said.

“Just happy for the girls,” Gordon said. “As players, they want to perform and do well and up-bring a little consistency and recognition to the program that they’re working to build.”

Stirling said the Jets were a good defensive team and applied a lot of pressure. She was just able to take advantage of a good opportunity, she said.

After completing the milestone, the Bearcats still have opportunities to add onto those 10 wins, with one more weekend of matches left in the regular season.

It will be a weekend of rematches, with Northwest’s opponents — Missouri Western and Missouri Southern — looking to avenge losses given by the Bearcats earlier in the year.

First up are the Griffons.

Western sits at No. 5 in the MIAA with a 9-5-2 record. The Griffons have won five of their last seven matches.

“I think they’re going to have a plan coming into the match,” Gordon said. “I think they’re one of the top-three teams in the league in moving the ball.”

The Bearcats’ Sept. 19 matchup with the Griffons, their first meeting of the season, ended in a nail-biting 2-1 victory against the then-No. 13 team in Division II. The loss against Northwest dropped them out of the rankings entirely.

“I think every time we play each other, we definitely go at each other hard, but this time, I think they’ll come out really ready,” Stirling said.

A possible big difference between the first matchup and this one: Northwest will make the 45-minute trip south instead of the Griffons heading north to Maryville.

The second matchup of the weekend, and last of the regular season, is against Missouri Southern.

Roles will also be reversed for this match for the Bearcats, and they will trek south to Joplin, Missouri, to take on the Lions. Southern, similar to Western, was handed a loss by Northwest (4-1).

Southern is 3-11-2 so far this season, but going into the weekend, the Lions have postseason hopes alive. If they win both games this weekend, and Rogers State and Fort Hays State lose all of their remaining games, the Lions will secure the final spot in the MIAA Tournament.

“They’re going to be really excited to perform well and try to get the results against us on Sunday on their home field,” Gordon said. “Expecting a tough match from them.”

Earning their 10th win is not the only milestone the Bearcats completed last weekend. In their first matchup of the weekend, they played against Central Oklahoma, a team that entered the contest already at 10 wins on the season.

As the ‘Hounds boys team prepares for a run at the district title, the girls have their eyes set on personal goals due to the lack of roster spots.

“For Caroline (Pohern), her goal is to qualify for state, so top 30, which is going to take a big race from her, as there are going to be a whole lot of girls around that 25 to 35, 40 maybe, that could qualify. So we are really working to get her through,” Bade said.

Pohern’s own goal is to set a personal record at the district meet.

“For districts, I want to get a sub 23:30, which the district course is very hilly, so I will def-

“It’s a tough one. It’s hilly; there is a big hill just past two and a half miles that is quite the challenge,” Bade said. “They have as much experience on it as the vast majority of any of the other runners. We should know it better than most of the other runners, except for someone who lives in St. Joseph. We have run on it two times this season, so they should feel comfortable with it.”

In preparation for the district meet, Bade has reworked the team’s practice schedule to include less mileage and more coursework while also encouraging the ‘Hounds to rest and hydrate.

“We are trying to get them to rest more, and we have backed off our mileages just a bit,” Bade said.

“We are also trying to sharpen up a bit, as this week’s workouts are geared more towards the state course, as last week’s were geared more towards the district course.”

Despite those three performances, it wasn’t enough to amass the Bearcats’ struggles throughout the entirety of five sets.

9-2

Northwest volleyball’s record when the Bearcats lose the first set

The Jennies gave Northwest its third loss of the regular season, snapping the 11-game win streak the Bearcats carried into the matchup. The defeat puts the Bearcats at 18-3 before their meetings with Fort Hays Oct. 29 and No. 15 NebraskaKearney Oct. 30.

“We just have to remember to keep our mind focused on the next game,” Ford said.

It took double overtime, but courtesy of a game-winning goal by sophomore forward Kaylie Rock, Northwest secured its first win against the Bronchos in program history.

“I think, on the day, it shows that if we come with the right mindset, attitude and focus, we can compete,” Gordon said.

Gordon said the win against Central is part of the process in showing the players they are capable of being a top team, too.

There’s one last weekend in the regular season for the Bearcats. Then, they will prepare for the MIAA Tournament. Their first-round opponent will be announced by the MIAA following the conclusion of all regular-season games Oct. 31.

“To see their excitement and enthusiasm — to know that the things they’re doing are working, and the work they’re putting in is meaningful — that’s the part I feel good about,” Gordon said. “They’re getting to enjoy this and establish, hopefully, a continuing standard and expectation to build on.”

TRISTAN LYNCH Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports

Defender Lane Hazen drives the ball upfield after successfully blocking a shot on goal. The Spoofhounds head to the varsity district tournament Nov. 1 to take on Lutheran.

ROSCOE FLINT | NW MISSOURIAN

“We want to do whatever we can to sneak that victory away.”

-RODNEY BADE

MARYVILLE CROSS COUNTRY COACH

’Hounds enter district meet on heels of fourth MEC title

Maryville defense hopes slashed by host Dragons

KESTON OLTMAN Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian

Maryville volleyball’s statechampionship defense ended after taking a loss to the Cameron Dragons in the Class 3 District 16 Championship Monday night.

The Spoofhounds (11-18) and Dragons (28-4) met last season in the district title game as well, resulting in a 3-1 Maryville win. However, this season, Cameron handled the Spoofhounds with a 3-0 sweep.

Before districts, Maryville was on a four-game losing streak, playing stout competition in the last four games of the regular season. Despite the four losses, the Spoofhounds were ready for the postseason.

Maryville swept the Northland Christian Trailblazers (1114-2) in dominant fashion Oct. 23, securing the Spoofhounds’ spot in the district champion-

ship game for the third meeting of the season between Cameron and Maryville.

“You could see the motivation in their eyes,” Maryville coach Bailey Cook said. “They wanted it more than anything; they were prepared, they were ready and they were hyped about it.”

Maryville did look ready, and the Spoofhounds kept it close in the first set. At one point, the ‘Hounds got as close as 22-20, but the Dragons didn’t bend and took set one 25-21.

Cameron controlled the second set with the help of standout senior hitter Avery McVicker, cruising to a 25-13 set-two win.

There was little separation

between the two teams in set three, but the Dragons pulled away, winning the set 25-22 and ending Maryville’s season.

“(McVicker) is an amazing player,” Cook said. “The team itself is also an amazing team. When you have a strong hitter that the opposing team can’t seem to stop, you’re gonna keep giving the ball to her.”

Finishing the season with a loss hurts, but Cook wants her team to be proud of how it played this season.

“We knew coming into the season it was gonna be a tough season. A new group of girls, a new rotation — it was going to be a growing season,” Cook said. “They did

women’s basketball leaves last year in the past with new season on horizon

MILLER Sports Reporter | @wesleymiller360

As the seconds winded down, the team looked straight in the face of its fifth straight loss to end the season. It may have

been against the No. 5 team in the nation, but a loss is never easy, especially with four more preceding it.

Now, eight months later, there’s just one mission for the Northwest women’s basketball

team: prepare for next season. Even though they might be on a break, the Bearcats have been busy all offseason trying to improve on the court.

“We’ve got a group of gym rats, more than ever this year,” fourth-

just that; they grew so much. I told them to be proud of themselves. They made it to another district championship. We still brought home some hardware.”

Five Spoofhound seniors played their final match Monday night, including Addie Arnold, Sloane McAdams, Jillian Ternus, Avery Baker and Grace Wright. Those players ended their Spoofhound careers with two district championships and the 2020 Class 3 title.

The Spoofhounds had a young team this season, and with a new head coach, the leadership that those five seniors provided was significant.

“I don’t think that I could

year coach Austin Meyer said.

As with any sport, the more the players want to play, the better it is for the team. From a coaching standpoint, it makes things that much easier, Meyer said.

Meyer said finding players who want to be on the court is a huge part of their recruitment process. They want kids who love the game, he said.

“The real players are made in the offseason,” Meyer said. “It’s been fun to watch because, in my time here, we haven’t had a group get in as much as this.”

Sophomore guard Molly Hartnett said the entire team has been working hard. The reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year said the players are in the weight room at least three times a week for up to two hours, with conditioning afterwards.

Throughout the offseason, coaches usually could not personally work or practice with players. Because of COVID-19, the rules have changed to allow

have survived as well in my first year as a head coach without those five seniors,” Cook said. “Their leadership, their vocals, their encouragement, their motivation, literally everything you look for in a leader on the athletic side. That group of five seniors had it all.”

Maryville faced an uphill battle all season long, as the Spoofhounds lost seven seniors and welcomed in a new head coach.

The struggles of an almost completely new team were easy to see in the early season, as teams were able to get Maryville out of system. As the season progressed, Maryville’s growth as a team was measurable.

“With only three returning varsity players, nobody else had even dressed or played with the varsity outside of practices, they grew so much,” Cook said. “We have sophomores and freshmen who have been playing at the varsity level, and just seeing them grow from this summer into the season – it’s amazing.”

Next season, the Spoofhounds will look to cash in on that growth with returning killleader Rylee Vierthaler, assistleader Anastyn Pettlon and digleader Kennedy Kurz.

With the season in the books, the Spoofhounds want this year’s growth to continue into next season.

“They took this year as a growing and learning year, and they did just that,” Cook said. “I hope that they take that and then learn and grow some more next year. There’s always room to grow. Even if you’re the best player in the world, there’s always room to grow. I hope they are hungry for more.”

the extra time between players and coaches.

“It was really big for us because we feel like we have one of the best player-development coaches out there, Coach (Addae) Houston, and he does a great job with the kids, individually,” Meyer said.

Off the court, Hartnett said, the players are constantly hanging out together.

The Maryville High School volleyball team celebrates during a first-set win over East Buchanan Sept. 2. Maryville volleyball’s state championship defense ended after taking a loss to the Cameron Dragons in the Class 3 District 16

ADDALYNN BRADBURY | NW MISSOURIAN

“We’ve got a group of gym rats, more than ever this year.”

-AUSTIN MEYER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

Maryville to use off week to prep for district semis

In early August, 61 high schoolers came together on a summer day for a singular purpose: to play football. Now, nine games are in the record books, and the 2021 regular season is a thing of the past.

The only thing left in front of Maryville football is the postseason. After a rollercoaster of a regular season, which the team ended with a 5-4 record, the Spoofhounds hold the No. 1 seed in Class 2 District 7.

With a six-team district, Maryville’s No. 1 seed was accompanied by a first-round bye.

“We’ll focus on the bye week to make ourselves a better football team,” Maryville coach Matt Webb said.

Webb said the team will take time to evaluate all areas of the game, then use the extra time to polish up techniques.

A week off in any sport can sometimes cause players to be rusty or to not be in the same rhythm they were in. This is the first bye week in Webb’s tenure as the football coach for Maryville, but he is aware of the risk.

“The disadvantage is you don’t get to play,” Webb said.

“You sign up for high school football to play games, and, you know, while you’ve earned a bye week, you don’t get to play.”

Webb said the team can turn the disadvantage into an advantage, though, as long as the players continue to work.

Class 2 District 7 is one of the tighter districts, with the six

teams having a combined record of 23-31, including eight losses from No. 6-seeded Clark County. Three teams have a 4-5 record.

The No. 2 seed in the district, which will also benefit with a bye week, is Palmyra (4-5). The rest of the teams are Macon (54), Brookfield (4-5), Trenton (4-5) and, as aforementioned, Clark County (1-8).

Following the week off, the Spoofhounds will play against the winner of the TrentonBrookfield game. When Trenton and Brookfield met for a Week 1 matchup Aug. 27, Brookfield walked off its home field with an 18-12 victory in overtime.

Regardless of who the ‘Hounds play next, Webb said, they should play like the No. 1 seed in the district.

“We’re focused on the sec-

ond season, which is the playoffs,” Webb said. “Our program is very accustomed to making deep runs in the playoffs. We’re the No. 1 seed in our district, and we need to act and play like the No. 1 seed.”

For senior quarterback Connor Drake, he knows this experience all too well after helping lead the team to the 2020 Class 3 title game.

“Last year, it was kind of like — I didn’t know what to expect,” Drake said. “I’ve never really been a part of playoff football as a starter. So this year, knowing what it takes to get to the state game, it’s just a boost of confidence knowing we can make it there.”

Despite being the quarterback of a playoff team, Drake said he doesn’t feel any pres-

sure. He said he believes in his teammates to help him out and give him the best opportunities. There is some unfamiliarity in this area for Maryville, with this being the second time in 10 years the Spoofhounds are in Class 2. The first time was in 2019, when the team made it to the district title game before ultimately losing to Lathrop 29-28. Despite the newness, Webb said he’s very happy with where the team is at.

“You take the games we lost — we’ve lost four games — two by 1 point and one by a touchdown,” Webb said. “So, you know, we feel like we can make a run against anybody in the playoffs, and that’s what we’re here for.”

WESLEY MILER

Sports Reporter | @WesleyMiller360

Maryville football senior running back Tyler Siemer stiff-arms a defender during the Spoofhounds’ 36-6 win against MEC foe Lafayette Oct. 22. Siemer finished with 101 yards rushing and a touchdown on 12 carries. The win against the Fight Irish clinched a second-place finish in the conference, along with the No. 1 seed in Class 2 District 16.

WESLEY MILLER | NW MISSOURIAN

Soccer nabs first MEC title since 2001, eyes district tournament

GAGE KAHLER Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian

Twenty years. Twenty strungout, dreadful years.

That’s how long it has taken the No. 2 Maryville boys soccer team to capture that coveted MEC title. It hadn’t happened since 2001. The Spoofhounds (12-5-1) marched into a matchup with conference foe Lafayette (2-18) and walked away with the title in an 8-0 blowout Oct. 21.

The shutout marked the fourth clean sheet in a row, and seventh of the season, for sophomore goalkeeper Jaxson Staples.

“To all the sacrifices that were made to finally be able to win conference,to finally be able to get soccer some notice in the school is nice, and to be able to win it for the first time in almost 20 years means a lot. We’ve just grown as a team so much,” senior midfielder James DiStephano said.

The ‘Hounds traveled to St. Joseph to face LeBlond (15-2) Oct. 26, but with the conference wrapped up and Maryville locked in at the No. 2 seed in districts, Maryville coach Jesus Gonzales made the decision to bench his starters.

Bearcats reach milestone mark, secure tourney spot

The 2011 Northwest soccer team still had 20 minutes left on the clock. The Bearcats were up 3-1, and Emporia State had scored seven minutes before. The team was in need of one final goal to put the game away. That’s when, in the 72nd minute, Anna Calgaard scored her second goal of the match to give Northwest a 4-1 lead, a final score the ’Cats clung to for their 10th win of the season.

Fast forward 10 years, this year’s squad had a little extra time than the 2011 team did — 25 minutes. The 2021 Northwest team was also in a more dire situation than the team was

a decade ago.

The Bearcats were tied with Newman at zero during a matchup with the Jets Oct. 24. They were fighting to win two games in a weekend for the third straight time this season, and the Jets were aiming for their second win of the year. “Very, very gritty team,” Northwest coach Marc Gordon said of Newman’s players. “That’s a great word (to describe them) — gritty.”

Then, in the 67th minute, the Bearcats did what they’ve done a lot all season: got an open opportunity.

Redshirt freshman Hannah Stirling received the ball, and as the midfielder moved through the middle of

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the field, she saw the opening she needed. She didn’t waste the opportunity, and as the net stretched behind the goal, it was evident to everyone that she had just scored her second goal of the season.

’Cats fall to No. 2 Jennies on road, look ahead to pair of MIAA foes

The No. 3-ranked Northwest volleyball team made the twoand-a-half-hour trip Tuesday night to face No. 2 Central Missouri, looking for retribution after the then-No. 12 Jennies swept the Bearcats in Maryville Sept. 17. A battle between two of the top-three teams, and a matchup that was in the Bearcats’ peripheral, was a game that lived up to its hype. It was a contest the Bearcats had on their minds for over a month.

“It’s never fun losing 3-0, so there has been some conversation about the next matchup,” Northwest volleyball coach Amy Woerth said after the loss Sept. 17.

In the first set, the Bearcats

hit .286% to Central’s .270%, trading points back and forth until the Jennies took an authoritative 16-11 lead over Northwest and set themselves up to take the first set with an eventual 24-22 advantage.

Then coach Woerth called her first timeout.

For the season, Northwest is 9-2 when it drops the first set, one of the losses being the aforementioned one from the Jennies. But Woerth knew something could be said to bring hope to the first set, or at least she thought. Central came out of the timeout and scored the next point, taking

the first set 25-22.

But whatever was said during Woerth’s timeout carried over to the second set. Despite Central jumping out to an 11-4 lead, the Bearcats were able to dig deep and rally to tie the game at 15.

Northwest rode this momentum to the latter half of the set, and after an unsuccessful challenge by Central on the potential set-winning point, the Bearcats went on to take a 25-22 win. The third started with both teams going point for point, with neither team getting a lead higher than five. The score disparity held as the Jennies eventually won the set 25-20.

The fourth set began with Northwest taking a quick 10-7 lead before the Jennies surged back to take a 13-12 lead. The intensity in the building was palpa-

ble as the set became closer and closer before the two teams found themselves knotted in a 24-24 tie. The Bearcats successfully challenged a ball that was called out, which was overturned, to take a 27-25 win in the fourth. The overwhelming Central crowd helped lead the Bearcats to 34 errors compared with the Jennies’ 18. To combat the hostile home crowd, the ‘Cats kept the energy up on the sidelines just as much on the court,

With the backups in, the Fighting Irish went on to win the game in a 7-0 blowout.

With a bye week, Maryville hopes to come in with fresh legs for the opening match of districts against the district host, Lutheran (6-9), Nov. 1.

“We’ve looked at their schedule to see some of their results. We have a couple of common opponents with them,” Maryville assistant coach Chase Tolson said. “Comparing games, it’s really hard to see anything. I think that high school is a little bit more complicated than that. I don’t know a lot about them; I think they’re going to be a solid team, though.”

which gave them the energy they needed to force a fifth set.

WESLEY MILLER Sports Reporter | @wesleymiller360

Northwest sophomore Kaylie Rock fights for the ball against a Central Oklahoma player during the second half of the game Oct. 24 at the Bearcat Pitch. The Bearcats won the game 1-0.

SILVIA ALBERTI | NW MISSOURIAN

JAYVON MCKINNEY Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports

In their 3-0 sweep of the visiting Missouri Western Griffons Oct. 12, Northwest outside hitter Kelsey Havel and libero Hannah Koechl both dive for the ball. The Bearcats dropped their first road match of the season as the Central Missouri Jennies won three of the five sets Oct. 26.

ADDALYNN BRADBURY | NW MISSOURIAN

“We just have to remember to keep our mind focused on the next game.”

-KRISTEN FORD

NORTHWEST VOLLEYBALL REDSHIRT FRESHMAN LIBERO