CON V ERGING CA MPUS & COMMU NIT Y
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
MARYVILLE, MISSOURI
NWMISSOURINEWS.COM
VOL. 115, NO. 2
@THEMISSOURIAN
NATHAN NODA CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Bearcat dining cook Nick Scott serves a plate during the lunch rush at Bearcat Commons Aug. 24. Elior replaced the University’s last dining provider, Sodexo, over the summer.
NW reflects on dining provider switch ANNA BAILEY Managing Editor | @AMBailey16
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orthwest is two weeks into the new semester; however, Elior Collegiate Dining — the new dining services provider — moved in over a month ago. At the end of the spring 2026 semester, University President Lance Tatum announced Sodexo Operations LLC would be leaving Northwest despite its contract not being complete. Just over one month later, Northwest selected Elior as the new provider. The University’s Elior Resident District Manager Al Smith said the company plans to stay at Northwest
for a long time. He said Elior’s goal for the first semester is to assimilate with the campus’ culture and elevate the hospitality services provided, including food, drink and overall standards. “I think we’re doing a phenomenal job,” Smith said. “The team here is dedicated, they’re committed and they’re passionate.” Most of what students, faculty and staff see with campus dining is new, the exceptions being Starbucks in the B.D. Owens Library and Qdoba in the J.W. Jones Student Union. Fresh on campus are Good Habit — an all American style restaurant — in The Station; Roost Chicken Coop, a chicken restaurant; and Buona Napo-
LOCAL DRUNK DRIVING STATISTICS
li, an Italian cuisine restaurant, both in the J.W. Jones Student Union. Also adjusted is the Bearcat Commons, which now offers more allergen-friendly options and “all-you-care-to-enjoy” food options, according to Northwest Dining. Ideally, Smith said the food will continuously be rotated so diners can get everything they need out of what Elior provides. “They can expect a variety of foods from different cuisines, different cultures; our corporate chef has done a phenomenal job with rotation,” Smith said. “Just the overall experience to where nothing would be stagnant. Everything is forever changing.” Northwest is the first campus to
INFOGRAPHIC BY ANNA CASE DESIGNER
SEE ELIOR | A4
New Missouri law raises penalties for DWI, adds child support clause LEAH COX News Editor | @byleahcox
SOURCE: SAVEMOLIVES
host Roost Chicken Coop. Smith said the goal of any new restaurant is to give consumers what they are missing in the already provided dining options. He said Elior will do this by continuing to adjust the menu so that it best serves the community. Roost Chicken Coop offers many chicken meals on its menu, one of which being the four-piece chicken nuggets. This item costs $6.95, however, at the McDonald’s in Maryville, this same item costs $4.39. Smith said he has not seen this price difference affect the number of students ordering at Roost Chicken Coop.
A cost comes with every decision made behind the wheel. For people convicted of causing a death while driving under the influence, Missouri lawmakers have added another consequence — drivers could potentially pay years of financial support for children orphaned by drunk driving. Missouri House Bill 1740 went into effect Aug. 28, requiring individuals convicted of driv-
ing while intoxicated to pay child support if their offense caused the death of a child’s parent or guardian, according to the Missouri Senate. Missouri Sen. Mike Bernskoetter sponsored the bill, hoping to help victims’ families. “Requiring someone to pay for child support is just another layer of deterrence, it is also a small act of restitution that in no way makes up for the loss of a life but can in a small way help with the aftermath,” Bernskoetter said in an email to the Missourian.
Bently and Mason’s Law, named after two children whose parents and brother died in a DWI-related crash, allows a surviving parent or guardian to petition for the payments, set by the court. If the convicted person is imprisoned, they have up to one year after release to begin making payments — including past due amounts — until the child turns 18 or 21 depending on the age they were when orphaned.
SEE DWI LAWS | A4
University restores 4-year nursing program, starts fall 2027 semester EMILY KRONE Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian
Northwest is relaunching its on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in the fall 2027 semester. Northwest Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rose Marie Ward presented this proposal in the spring. The Northwest Board of Regents approved the proposal June 18. Ward said bringing back the program can help with the current nursing shortage nationwide. “There’s a huge community need in terms of healthcare, and there’s a shortage of nurses in this area,” Ward said. “The statistics, they say, in the state is that on average people are driving about 30 miles to get to a hospital, and then they have to wait months to get doctors, etcetera, and this program helps provide more nurses to meet that need.” With the present nursing program, students attend the University for two years before going to other universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees. With the relaunch,
AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1914.
students will have the chance to complete all four years at Northwest. Ward said there is a difference in the first two and the last two years of a B.S. nursing degree, and the timing of this BSN being brought back can benefit Northwest students. “Those first two years of when you’re prenursing, you’re kind of taking general Northwest core classes, and then your last two years of your bachelor’s degree are those nursing classes, and so, you can’t recruit new students to kind of start at the beginning,” Ward said. “You want to recruit students who have already been here for those pre-nursing programs.” Director of Nursing Programs Brooke McAtee said pre-nursing students can apply for the traditional BSN program ahead of their junior year, and they’ll be allowed to attend Northwest as a nursing student if they meet the requirements. Those stipulations will be released at a later date.
SEE NURSING | A4
NATHAN NODA CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Northwest director of nursing programs Brooke McAtee discusses the relaunching of its on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
PLEASE
RECYCLE
Sept. p 10, 2026 @TheMissourian
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NEWS
FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Simply Joy Homesteading co-owner Barbara Keim prepares a cold lemonade for a customer during the 102 Market Sept. 3. The extreme heat last weekend affected the markets’ vendors, sales and customer turnout.
FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR
102 BBQ owner Eric Couts hands a customer a receipt during the 102 Market Sept. 3. Couts works with the Missouri Grown program to help outdoor vendors take the steps needed to push their products for resale.
102 Market sees success, plans for year-round shop LEAH COX News Editor | @byleahcox
By 4 p.m. Thursday, the tables are filling up. Baked goods line the booths. Packages of fresh meat sit ready for customers. Vendors finish arranging products they spent hours — sometimes days — preparing. By 7 p.m., the tents come down and the vendors head home. For three hours a week, the 102 Market gives Maryville residents a place to buy produce directly from the people who make or grow it. Lisa Gibson, co-owner of Faithful Roots Sweet Treats, said the market is the perfect place to purchase home-grown items. “It’s really nice at the 102 Market, to be able to have the options for fresh beef and chicken and know who it’s coming from,” Gibson said. Eric Couts,102 Market owner, said the event averages 16 outdoor vendors each week, with as many as 27 vendors interchangeably participating. He said the market recorded around 1,100 sales since opening in August, with each individual sale averaging $33. Those numbers pushed Couts to think beyond the market’s first season. “When we opened it, I was going to be happy if we did $400 or $500 for the sales,” Couts said. “I didn’t really have any idea, and it has well exceeded any expectation.” He said the outdoor market is planned to continue yearly from May through October. The indoor market is expected to operate yearround on Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. Even with its success, the vendors at the market have had their share of setbacks. Gibson said the shop’s new location, 1647 N. Main St., does not receive the same drive-by traffic as the previous location. She also said vendor responsibilities often inter-
fere with her personal life. Weather is another struggle for some vendors. Trudy Baker, owner of Trudy B’s Gluten Free Goodies, set up at the market last week during the heat advisory, when the heat index reached 105 degrees. The heat deterred visitors and shop owners, with only six vendors setting up. “This new spot, I’ve only been once, and I’m telling you, it was a nightmare last week for heat, for everything,” Baker said. “It did not turn out (to be) the most favorable fair of them all.” Despite her experience with the weather, she said she will return to the 102 Market with more goods for the rest of the season. She said she found the market through Facebook and word of mouth. For Baker, the business is about more than selling food — it’s about providing customers with gluten-free options that do not feel like a replacement for traditional food. “I want things to taste like they did when we could eat gluten…I want them to taste that way, and there are many people I test products out on that do not know the difference,” Baker said. Baker is one of many vendors who sees the market as an opportunity to connect with customers. Ashley Marriott, co-owner of The Pub, said she enjoys attending the market and supporting the people behind the products. “I have a hard time not buying something at every tent,” Marriott said. She has also participated in vendor events through her business, and she said she understands that setting up a booth and selling directly to a customer can be intimidating. Her experience has made her more intentional about supporting vendors who make the trip each week.
“They put their heart into what they do and try to put out a good product, so it gives me a lot of joy to be able to support them,” Marriott said. For Marriott, the market is also an example of businesses and residents working together. The Pub has participated in multiple community events around downtown Maryville, including the Stampede the ’Ville Aug. 29. Although she has only attended the 102 Market once since it opened at its new location, Marriott said she views the market as another way for the city to come together. “I love to see the community come together for projects like this, when you have the city of Maryville and the downtown organization and the small business wonders and the Maryville market all working together toward a goal so that everybody can benefit,” Marriott said. The support could become increasingly important as the 102 Market looks to expand. Couts said he is working with the Missouri Grown program to help outdoor vendors take the steps needed to push their products for resale. The program can help vendors with labeling and nutritional information, allowing some products to move from a weekly booth into the indoor market. For vendors like Gibson, the expansion could be life-changing. She said the possibility of a shared commercial kitchen through the Agricultural Learning Center could make her goal more realistic. “That would be a huge blessing to those of us that went to sell year-round,” Gibson said. Until then, she and other vendors continue to set up weekly booths at the 102 Market, offering customers a chance to buy directly from local producers.
FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Johnny B Goods owner Johnathan Joslin bags a product for a customer during the 102 Market Sept. 3. The market is located at 1647 N. Main St.
10, 2026 NEWS Sept. @TheMissourian
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Card deck showcases local cold cases, sent to prisons LEAH COX News Editor | @byleahcox
NATHAN NODA CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Assistant Professor of geography Jesse Lane balances the Earth on his finger during a classroom lecture Sept. 9. Lane has taken over as the Northwest Honors Program interim director after former director Elyssa Ford moved to Washington State University over the summer.
NW names interim honors director EMILY KRONE Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian
Assistant Professor of geography Jesse Lane has taken over as the interim director of Northwest Honors Program after former director Elyssa Ford moved to Washington State University over the summer. Lane joined the University in 2022. He has taught honors courses for four years and is a part of the Honors Advisory Board, working with Ford in the process. “She accepted a position, a
job at Washington State University, and in the process, she called and asked if I’d like to step in and take over the position since she was stepping down,” Lane said. He credited Ford with building a strong program in her seven years as director. He said he hadn’t really thought of leading it until Ford asked him to. Lane said he took the offer because he enjoys working with students in the program. “I wanted to get a more hands-on role with the students
and be able to create some new programs and make some positive changes in the lives of students and help build the program, so it just seems like a neat job,” Lane said. He said it is important for him to work with the students in the program, rather than separately. Sophomore Honors Program student Janelle Cronin said she thinks Lane will do a good job, and it sounds like he has a lot of the experience needed to take this position. “Whenever I had him for my seminar class, I know he gave us a lot of examples from his time in college, which I found very helpful,” Cronin said. “I think he helped students adjust to living here very well.” Since the interim position goes till the end of the semester, Lane said interviews for the permanent position will likely take place this fall. He said he would like to continue on as the official director if he is chosen for the position. Lane thinks Northwest will hire within the school for the permanent position, because there is no sole full-time position for the director role. “My job is, I have to teach three courses, and I get one course release, so instead of teaching four, I teach three, and it’s expected that by removing that extra course, that I use that time as honors director,” Lane said “So they would need to hire someone as a professor or instructor, and also director, so it’s more than likely going to be internal.” Ford hired Honors Program graduate assistant Grayson Tapp in May. He said he and Lane have hit the ground running since. Regardless of the changes, Tapp said the goals of the pro-
gram remain the same. “Just keep on plugging along really, be able to ensure that all of our students can graduate with the honors badge on their diploma,” Tapp said. While Lane is interim director, he said there will be some changes, but nothing major.
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So all the changes that we have are designed specifically to make it better and easier for students, not more difficult, and also prep them for graduate school or future jobs.”
JESSE LANE
NW HONORS INTERIM DIRECTOR
Lane said one thing the Honors Program is focusing on is alternative methods for honors courses, as few core classes are designated as honors courses. He also wants to make it easier for students to take upper-level honors courses. “So all the changes that we have are designed specifically to make it better and easier for students, not more difficult, and also prep them for graduate school or future jobs,” Lane said.
Law enforcement agencies are dispersing a new statewide deck of playing cards, designed to help generate tips in unsolved cases, throughout prisons and jails in Missouri — featuring two cold cases from the Maryville area. The second edition of the Missouri Cold Case Playing Cards feature 52 cases from across the state, including Branson Kayne Perry and Teresa “Tess” Hilt. The cards are made in collaboration between multiple entities, including the FBI and Missouri Department of Corrections. The deck is given to incarcerated people because they may have information that investigators do not. Nodaway County Sheriff Austin Hann, who submitted Perry’s case to be selected, said it’s an important opportunity for the case. “There’s 52 cards in a deck, so you have 52 cases throughout the entire state of Missouri that were selected to be a part of this…that’s significant for us to be a part of that,” Hann said. Perry’s case appears in the deck as the two of clubs. He disappeared April 11, 2001, from Skidmore, Missouri. He was last seen by his friend Jena Crawford, who told investigators he went outside to put jumper cables in a shed near his father’s home. Perry has not been seen or heard from since. Hilt’s case appears on the ace of clubs. Hilt was a 22-year-old graduate student at Northwest when someone killed her at College Garden Apartments, now known as Campus View Apartments, Aug. 4, 1973. Hilt attended a party the night before her death and returned to her apartment around 1 a.m. Ed Happel, who had plans to meet with Hilt, arrived at the apartment later that morning and found her body. Investigators determined someone had strangled and stabbed her more than 10 times. Maryville Police Department submitted Hilt’s case for consideration in the deck. Detective Sgt. Ryan Glidden said Hilt’s case helped lead the initiative in producing the second deck. “Her case was kind of what led us to do these cards,” Glidden said. “The folks down at Kansas City (FBI) knew that these had been done before, and they decided that they would try it again.” He said Hilt’s case has not received any new tips since the publication of the deck, but other states have seen success with the program. The Connecticut State Department of Corrections has released several editions of the deck, which are dispersed similarly to Missouri’s. Connecticut has solved 20 cases featured in the deck.
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Sept. p 10, 2026 @TheMissourian
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City officials contemplate UTV permits
CRIME LOG
for the week of Sept. 10 Northwest Missouri State University Police Department
Sept. 7 There is a closed investigation for a drug violation in South Complex. There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in South Complex.
DAKOTA OSWALT Editor-in-Chief | @doswalt_NWMSRN
Last month, members of the Maryville City Council began discussions on regulating utility terrain vehicle use on city streets. As of last night’s meeting, the council is still divided on the issue. UTVs, also known as side-by-sides, can only be used on city streets by law enforcement and for agricultural purposes, according to the Revised Statutes of Missouri. While the state allows this by default, local governments can also enforce that UTV drivers register their vehicles with the city and purchase an annual permit to continue operating within town limits. While the council did not vote on anything, City Manager Ryan Heiland created a draft of what these changes and regulations could look like. “It does prohibit ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and recreational off-highway vehicles, except where specifically authorized by Missouri law,” Heiland said. “It does allow golf carts on qualifying residential streets, and it does not authorize operation on state or federal highways.” The UTVs would also only be allowed if they meet proper standards set by the city. These include following proper seating restraints, not modifying the vehicle with lift kits or suspensions and ensuring the driver has a valid driver’s license and insurance. Like other vehicles, open alcoholic containers and alcohol consumption within UTVs would be prohibited, and child restraints must comply with state law. The city may also require the vehicles to go through annual registration and inspection. “Right now, we are proposing an annual permit registration fee of $250,” Heiland said. “That would cover staff time, as well as materials that we need to purchase for this program. Permit expires September 30 of each year and is nontransferable.” On the enforcement side of the issue, if a UTV driver were to violate any of the city’s regulations, the city would have the right to deny, suspend or revoke a UTV permit. Missing safety equipment, fraudulent permit/decal use and serious public safety violations are a few of the reasons why officials may consider taking someone’s permit away. “Revocation may prevent reapplication for up to one year…Right now, a first-time offense would be, depending on the offense, would be between $50 to $100, and then any
DWI LAWS
CONTINUED FROM A1 Another part of the bill, Melanie’s Law, also affects the penalty. An impaired driver who kills someone was previously a Class C felony, this was changed to a Class B felony, changing the sentence from three to 10 years in prison, to five to 15 years. Melanie Wankum, whom the bill is named for, died at the hands of
Sept. 5 There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in Forest Village ApartmentsHawthorn. Sept. 4 There is an open investigation for stealing in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.
Maryville Department of Public Safety
Sept. 6 A summons was issued to Malachi A. Bai, 20, for possession of marijuana and failure to register a motor vehicle. There is an ongoing investigation for harassment on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
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Right now, we are proposing an annual permit registration fee of $250, that would cover staff time, as well as materials that we need to purchase for this program.” RYAN HEILAND
MARYVILLE CITY MANAGER
subsequent offenses would go up in price,” Heiland said. Maryville Police Department Chief Mike Stolte said a main issue he has with this — as a first responder — is safety.
an impaired driver Oct. 22, 2022. Nodaway County and its surrounding communities have experienced 10 fatalities involving substance-impaired drivers between 2020-2024, according to SaveMoLives. Bernskoetter said the increased penalties intend to deter people from driving drunk. “This is a completely unavoidable tragedy,” Bernskoetter said. “Every increased penalty is a smaller nudge for a per-
McAtee said the plan is to take cohorts in August 2027, and then start taking groups of 30 students. “If we have every nursing cohort filled at 30, and they’re
“Dubuque County, Iowa, just had a car versus UTV where a 10-year-old was killed… I don’t want that stuff here,” Stolte said. “That’s where I stand.” Councilwoman Erin Allen said she hasn’t heard of many other towns adding regulations prohibiting lift kits and other modifications to UTVs. Stolte said it’s because raising the vehicle up makes them top-heavy, making them more accident-prone. Allen said regulating every specific would be a headache for the city, to which Stolte agreed. She also said she worries that officials are comparing UTVs too heavily with other vehicles, and she doesn’t want any ordinance the city makes about the issue to be too limiting. “I guess I just think, like, we have citizens that are free to drive cars and motorcycles,” Allen said. “Should we, as an elected body, be restricting that they drive UTVs for that reason?”
son to think twice before drinking and driving.” In 2024 alone, 116 people died in Missouri in crashes involving at least one impaired driver, according to SaveMoLives. This is why Bernskoetter believes the legislation is important. Nodaway County Sheriff Austin Hann said it’s too early to know how the bill will affect the community. “It’s hard to say what impact (of) that’ll be, just because ev-
erything is so new, as far as the changes that are taking place,” Hann said. With new legislation taking place across the nation, DWI fatalities are starting to decrease. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 36,640 traffic fatalities in 2025. This is roughly a 6% decrease from 2024. Although Bernskoetter ends his Senate career in 2026, he
ELIOR
CONTINUED FROM A1
INFOGRAPHIC BY ANNA CASE DESIGNER
CONTINUED FROM A1
FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Maryville City Councilwoman Erin Allen discusses utility terrain vehicle regulations for city streets during the Sept. 8 council meeting. The council is considering requiring a permit for in-town UTV drivers.
NW DINING HOURS
NURSING
NEWS
“I haven’t seen anything affect what I have known that the end consumer they are going to the six-piece nugget, which was my goal for them to go towards the six-piece and not devalue the name and the concept of the Roost,” Smith said. “So when we see things like that happen, then the four-piece would be omitted. When then we go with a six to 12-piece nugget, to enhance that experience. So, we try to look at…what we can give people at a certain cost when we actually do the math within food costs, but when it’s not selling, then we have the ability to get rid of it.” Northwest’s Senior Recruitment Coordinator Hannah Stephens had the opportunity to eat in the Bearcat Commons over the summer as the Elior transition occurred. She said the company did an amazing job of being prepared, even before the semester started. She said she is especially excited to see the allergenfriendly desert options, because that is not something Sodexo provided as prominently. Stephens said the quality of the food was good over the summer. “I know that they are really big on small, like, handcrafted types of meals, so making everything to batch, so that you don’t have to do…a big, like, factory style food,” Stephens said. “That’s one thing that Elior really prides themself is…small and handcrafted, so I think the quality of food should stay the same.” Stephens said she is excited for the rotating restaurant concept Elior is bringing. The spot in the J.W. Jones Student Union that hosts Buona Napoli will not remain Ital-
starting twice a year, we could essentially be 120 students enrolled in the nursing program at one time,” McAtee said. Mosaic Medical CenterMaryville is a partner of Northwest’s nursing program; it’s also where the students will complete their clinical hours. “Every nursing program has
what we call clinical hours embedded in it, where they go out to the hospital and do days where they spend essentially what they would do as a nurse, and so that will actually start their very first semester,” McAtee said She said one of the intentions behind the BSN program is to provide more nurses in the ru-
Sept. 5 A summons was issued to Madison M. Brumley, 20; Gregory L. Brumley, 48; and Khadyn D. Hughes, 21, for assault on the 300 block of North Market Street. Sept. 4 A summons was issued to Jelie D. Flanagan, 19, for driving while impaired, possession of a fake I.D., failure to maintain the right half of roadway and failure to maintain financial responsibility on the 100 block of West Seventh Street. There is an ongoing investigation for harassment on the 400 block of South Charles Street. There was an accident between Michael A. McNish, 37, and Michael W. Coffelt, 45, on North Market Street and East Sixth Street. McNish was issued a citation for failure to yield. Sept. 3 A summons was issued to Hannah E. Rudd, 18, for minor in possession and possession of a fake ID on the 500 block of North Buchanan Street.
said he hopes Missouri continues to protect its residents from drunken drivers. “I am termed out of the Missouri Senate this year, this legislation was one of the final bills I have passed,” Bernskoetter said. “I hope the Missouri General Assembly will continue to monitor drunk driving incidents in our state and…will act to increase penalties to further deter this crime.”
ian cuisine. As the semester continues, Elior will ask students what other food they want to see in that area. Buona Napoli will then transform into what students pick next. This process of rotating will not stop, allowing students to change their options as years proceed. She said she hopes the rest of Elior’s first semester goes smoothly. “It’s definitely quite a transition coming in, and they only had a month to set up before SOAR (Summer Orientation Advisement and Registration), so I think they’re already doing pretty well with that, coming in with a smooth transition,” Stephens said. “I know that they’re bringing other things as well.” Northwest junior Obora Stephen is fond of the options Elior provides. He said his favorite restaurant is Qdoba, but he enjoys everything that is in the Union. “It’s quite different from…the former company that was here before, which is Sodexo, and there is a big difference of food…and it’s quite more better now,” Stephen said. “I mean, if you go into the dining, you can see a lot of people coming in to eat, which is a very big difference.” Smith said Elior has some working plans for Northwest’s future, however, he cannot reveal what they are yet. He said the reviews he has received from the Northwest community show that individuals are taking a liking to Elior. He said the company is changing the status quo for on-campus dining. “Primarily, we’re here, and, you know, we’re here for the students, we’re here for the community, but within everything, within itself, we’re just all Bearcat family,” Smith said.
ral setting and to help support hospitals in the area. Nursing program secretary Andrew Schmidt said by partnering with regional medical facilities such as Mosaic, the focus will be on healthcare in smaller communities. “We see the need in the data we have, that there is a need for
nurses, especially in rural areas and especially in Missouri, and we’re hoping to serve that student population,” Schmidt said. The University also plans to open the Center for Rural Health within the next year, which focuses on providing a space for healthcare training and the BSN program.
Sept. 10, 2026 OPINION @TheMissourian
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Suicide isn’t a laughing matter, take it seriously ANNA BAILEY Managing Editor @AMBailey16
A childhood friend of mine died by suicide last semester. I could write about how this affected me and what I learned from the grief it caused, but that is not what I believe is the most important topic to discuss. Joking about suicide and killing other people is too normalized in our culture. The inappropriate and insensitive manner at which people joke about killing themselves and other people irritates me to no end. Especially when the one-liners “I’m going to kill myself” and “Kill yourself” are thrown out at any minor inconvenience. It’s not funny. This joke needs to stop. I often hear people use these phrases in response to anything from their phone dying, to having to go to class, to someone saying something sarcastic to them — and so many other mundane daily annoyances. I know this is said all the time when discussing sensitive matters, but you truly never know what the person next to you is experiencing or has dealt with. I did not tell most people in my life about my friend, because I was not comfortable discussing it. This, however, made me realize just how often the topic of death comes up in day-to-day banter. It makes me uncomfortable — I can only imagine how much more intense this language is for a person who lost someone to suicide who was much more prominant in their daily life. Suicide was the cause of death for 48,824 people in the U.S. in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another study by the CDC estimated that two in five adults personally know someone who died by suicide in the U.S., and 5.3% of adults have had suicidal thoughts in the last year. I was never someone who felt comfortable joking about suicide and death, but I am almost embarrassed that I had to go through this kind of grief to form this strong of an opinion on the matter. Respect for death should not be so overlooked. The emotional and mental steps I worked through following the death of my friend is something I had never experienced before. Grief is hard and different for everyone. Nobody truly knows what someone else is going through, or how an event will impact another person, even if they have experienced a similar situation. There was a long period of time when a joke about suicide would cause me to emotionally shut down. There is no way to know how these insensitive jokes are going to make someone feel. In respect for the amount of struggle suicide has caused and continues to cause — and for the people around us all who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or grief — let’s all stop making light of this tragedy. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I believe we should not need an excuse to be more considerate of people’s experiences, but let’s use this month as our reason to stop using suicide as a satire reaction for our dayto-day inconveniences.
EDITORIAL BOARD Dakota Oswalt Anna Bailey Leah Cox Olivia Wallace Nathan Noda Fletcher Proctor Madysen Thompson Lilly Hallmon
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Co-Photo Editor Co-Photo Editor Copy Editor Digital Media Editor
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(660) 562-1635 nwmadv@nwmissouri.edu
ANNA CASE CARTOONIST
It is unacceptable to drive while drunk; don’t risk lives OUR VIEW:
Drunken driving is not a harmless mistake, it is a choice that can put the lives of everyone on the road at risk. There is no excuse for getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. If someone has been drinking, they need to find another way home — call a friend, order a Safe Ride, walk if it’s safe, Uber or simply make arrangements before the night begins. A selfish decision is never worth taking someone’s life. It might be more convenient than walking or calling somebody, but driving while impaired is never justified. Northwest offers multiple services for students who partake in nightlife. The Safe Ride Home program is available for any student on Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The phone number, 660-562-1245, is printed on the back of your Bearcat Card. There is absolutely no shame in using Safe Ride. In fact, asking for a ride is one of the simplest ways students can look out for themselves and their friends. Not everyone in your group has to be a student to use Safe Ride — just one person has to be enrolled for the group to use it. You can also call it on behalf of someone who needs a ride.
If you’re a part of Fraternity and Sorority Life, you can utilize their designated driver programs, too. Multiple FSL organizations on campus participate in transportation programs, where a responsible peer provides a ride to and from social events. These programs give students another option to make sure their friends arrive home safely. The need for these services is clear. Nodaway County and its surrounding areas have experienced 10 fatalities involving impaired drivers between 2020-2024, according to SaveMoLives. Looking through the local crime logs, reports involving drinking and driving continue to appear as recent as last week. Since the beginning of the school year, Maryville has seen at over 15 charges relating to impaired driving and alcohol violations. We also do not need to look far for a reminder of how devastating one decision can be. In 2018, during her sophomore year at Northwest, Morgan McCoy died after a drunk driver crashed into The Palms Bar. Alex Catterson, who drove the truck that crashed, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a DWI involving the death of another person.
McCoy’s death is a reminder that drunken driving does not only impact the person who chooses to drive. It can affect passengers, pedestrians, families and entire communities. One person’s decision can have consequences that last a lifetime. She is just one of many Northwest students who has died this way. Lawmakers also take drunk driving seriously; they updated Missouri’s DWI laws, which took effect Aug. 28, reinforcing that driving under the influence is not something society can afford to treat casually. But laws alone cannot prevent every tragedy. We have to make responsible choices before the keys are in the ignition. The Maryville community needs to take care of each other. If a friend has been drinking, do not let them drive. Offer them a ride, help them call someone or point them toward one of the resources available to them. If you are the one who has been drinking, make the responsible choice and find another way home. Let’s make sure getting home safely is not just an individual responsibility, but a community commitment.
YOUR VIEW:
Have you been impacted by drunk driving? How?
RENAE LAMMERS Sophomore Art Education
ELENA JOHNSTON Sophomore Public Accounting
EMMA WILSON Sophomore Elementary Education
“My boyfriend claims that he’s perfectly fine at driving when he is inebriated, and it freaks me out every single time, because I tell him not to do it… I’m always afraid that I’m going to get a call from someone.”
“I had a friend…her stepdad was coming home from work at a really busy intersection...he got t-boned by a drunk driver and passed away that night…I saw how much it affected my friend…I felt her pain.”
“My great aunt got in a car accident when I was really little, and she was unable to use her left arm for the rest of her life, and it affected her very badly... she ended up passing away fairly recently due to substance abuse.”
THE STROLLER:
Your Bearcat is tired of local fart water After spending the summer soaking up sunshine, drinking plenty of water and pretending I have my life together, I returned to Maryville expecting to ease gracefully back into college life. Instead, I took a shower. Nothing ruins a summer glow faster than college water. It takes roughly one shower in the ’Ville to absolutely obliterate my 10-step skincare routine. No matter how many pimple patches I slap on, Mount Everest still erupts on my forehead. My hair? There is something
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about the water that makes it simultaneously greasy and dry. I can wash my hair twice, condition it, use a leave-in treatment and somehow, I still look like I haven’t showered since last finals week. While this is all horrible, the real crime is having to drink it. It tastes like someone farted in a glass, swirled it around and said “Mmm, that’s good.” My poor Owala is definitely scarred from whatever microorganisms are swimming around in it.
No amount of water treatment can help get rid of the taste of fish poop and moss from Mozingo Lake. Maybe that’s why the city might want to give its water to the data centers. Perhaps it’s just a part of being a Bearcat. Maybe the acne, dandruff and horrid tap water are all hidden requirements on my degree audit. I’m not sure if I can take it — if I have to live through another year of this, I might die of dehydration. I’m already paying tuition; I
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should not also have to pay for new shampoo, a dermatologist and the therapy session I used to discuss the emotional damages I experience every single time I turn on a faucet in the ’Ville. After all, college is supposed to build character. I guess Maryville water is just taking that job a little too seriously. The Stroller has been a tradition since 1918 and does not reflect the views of the Northwest Missourian.
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Sept. p 10, 2026 @NWMSports
A6
SPORTS
UPCOMING GAMES NW FB vs. Washburn 1:35 p.m. Sept. 12 Bearcat Stadium vs. Missouri Southern 1:30 p.m. Sept. 19 Bearcat Stadium @ Central Oklahoma 7 p.m. Sept. 26 Edmond, Oklahoma
NW VB @ Rockhurst 6 p.m. Sept. 11 Kansas City, Missouri @ Rockhurst 2 p.m. Sept. 12 Kansas City, Missouri vs. Central Oklahoma 6 p.m. Sept. 17 Bearcat Arena
NW SOC vs. Pittsburg State 11 a.m. Sept. 12 Bearcat Pitch vs. Northeastern State 3 p.m. Sept. 18 Bearcat Pitch @ Central Oklahoma 1 p.m. Sept. 20 Edmond, Oklahoma
NW GOLF @ MSSU Women’s Fall Invite Sept. 14-15 Joplin, Missouri @ Newman Women’s Fall Invite/ MIAA Preview Sept. 21-22 Andover, Kansas
MHS FB @ Chillicothe 7 p.m. Sept. 11 Chillicothe High School @ Excelsior Springs 7 p.m. Sept. 18 Excelsior Springs High School @ Cameron 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Cameron High School
MHS VBALL @ Atchison 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 Atchison High School @ Plattsburg 6 p.m. Sept. 22 Plattsburg High School
HEAT WAVE
CONTINUED FROM A8 Gordon said teams try to avoid scheduling conference matchups before MIAA play begins, but both squads will have grown into different teams by the time they meet for conference play. “It helps in a sense that Pitt is a very good team,” Gordon said. “They reached out, wanting (to play)…it’s a good match up to grow our teams to work on maybe something different than we haven’t done in the past, so we might play it a little different on Saturday than what will be in later in October.” Along with playing against a ranked opponent at home, the Pittsburg State game will be Greek Life day out on Bearcat Pitch, allowing the Fraternity and Sorority Life to come out and support Bearcat soccer. Shaw is a member of Northwest’s Alpha Sigma Alpha - Phi Phi Chapter, and she said having her sorority sisters, friends and peers come out provides energy to push through the whole game. “Having their support always means a lot,” Shaw said. “I know our last home meet had a few girls come, and I didn’t know they were in the crowd until after…I hope that just the students in the crowd that night give us a little extra push and little extra drive to like make the last extra sprint towards the ball or get that big clearance out of the box.”
OLIVIA WALLACE SPORTS EDITOR
Maryville Volleyball senior hitter Claire Walter celebrates with the team after a point is scored in the Spoofhounds’ win in five sets over Bishop Leblond High School Sept. 8. The ’Hounds only have three home games this season, winning the first one.
MHS volleyball fights for home win OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Editor | @_oliviawallace_
In her first year taking on the position, Spoofhound head coach Hailey Sandfort notched her first home win in the newly renovated Maryville high school gym. The road to becoming head coach fell into Sandfort’s lap. She went to school at Northwest, graduating in 2024. She stayed in Maryville with her now fiancé and took a teaching job at Maryville High School. When the coaching job opened, she knew she had to take it — she had been on the court, playing since the third grade, and she knew some of the players. “I just always loved volleyball,” Sandfort said. “I was the baby in the volleyball cart, it’s always been a part of my life, and I just honestly cannot think of my life without coaching.” From a coaching standpoint, Sandfort has seen growth on the team and notices how everyone stands behind one another. Coming in, Sandfort saw a different Spoofhound volleyball squad and knew she had to change the narrative and shape how the community saw the beloved team. “We’ve been working on our culture a lot this year, and I think we’ve already taken great strides,” Sandfort said. “We still have room to grow, as everyone does as rebuilding a culture, but I hope that they walk away knowing that they will always have a family here.”
“
I have my total faith in every single one of them, beginning of the year, like I said, we’re building that culture, so it may have not been like that at the beginning of the year, but now everyone is in it. Every single girl is in it to win it. They’re here for a good culture and they’re here to fight.”
HAILEY SANDFORT MHS VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH
The 2025-26 Spoofhound volleyball roster features three seniors. Middle hitter Claire Walter, outside and right side hitter Addison Bowe and right side Grace Stiens have been the three seniors Sandfort can count on to lead on and off the court. Looking at the roster, Sandfort said all of the Spoofhound players stand out in their own ways. Whether that’s helping cheer during an ace or running off the court to keep a ball in play, everyone on the ’Hound team makes their mark. “I have my total faith in every single one of them,” Sandfort said. “Beginning of the year, like I said, we’re building that culture, so it
TWINS
CONTINUED FROM A7 “We’re familiar (with) leading a group together, because we did the same thing our senior year of high school,” Gabrielle Gartner said. “We were able to turn around our high school program. I’m just optimistic and hoping that we can do the same, and every decision we make is for the betterment of the team so that we can be more successful than we were any other year.” Maryville is a small town; it rallies behind Northwest Athletics and is there for every team despite win or loss. “I think wearing ’Cats on our jerseys and defending the paw every night that we are home is just a special feeling to recognize that we’re doing it for not only our teammates around us, but our alumni, our other programs — our school in general,”
may have not been like that at the beginning of the year, but now everyone is in it. Every single girl is in it to win it. They’re here for a good culture and they’re here to fight.” Sandfort and the rest of the coaching staff saw the fight each girl on the team is putting in, whether on the bench or on the court. During the ’Hounds’ match against the Bishop LeBlond Golden Eagles, the match extended to five sets, with the Spoofhounds defending their home territory. In the newly renovated Maryville gym, a brand new scoreboard hangs on the right wall — where new graphics are shown. From a big kill to a block or an ace, it’s shown on the big screen with the corresponding sound to add to the ambience. The new renovations came this season, and so did a new floor. In the center of the court lies a big Spoofhound — a reminder of who they are and what they are playing for. “I’ve gotten a little bit lucky,” Sandfort said. “I’ve gotten to take the sports photos you see on the video board, so just seeing all of that come together. Personally, it’s amazing. I know the girls really appreciate it. It’s so much brighter in here, fun colors, fun atmosphere. The gym floor is amazing, the paint is amazing — we just love it so much.” For Claire Walter, she has also gotten a little lucky. She has known Sandfort all her life, from working at the Maryville pool to also swimming for the local team together — she knew she was a good fit to lead the Spoofhounds. “She has just really fulfilled that role of head coach,” Walter said. “I’ve known her for a long time, so just her being that head coach just means a lot to me. Just getting to know her more in that coaching role and in the head coaching role. She’s just put a lot of confidence in me and just speaks so highly of us, but gives us constructive criticism that it really helps us just get in the groove of things and see where we need to fix so that we can come out on top.” Sandfort’s new coaching methods have helped the team see the positive side of being down two to three points in a set, as well as stay optimistic about keeping it close. The six players on the court have each other’s back, and the shift was noticeable against the Golden Eagles. The Spoofhounds were down by four points, but the team knew what to do. “I love that we would come out from not our greatest moments, and we shook it off,” Sandfort said. “I would literally see girls come off the court and say ‘It’s OK, no big deal, let’s get the next one, who cares?’” During the matchup against the Golden Eagles, every Spoofhound saw the court. After each point, a loud cheer could be heard for whoever made the score— the team celebrated every tally like it was match point. This season, the Spoofhounds have only three home games — so Sandfort notching her first home win means more than just a letter in the column. For Walter, the last three home games of her volleyball career means leaving her mark on the program better than she found it. “It means a lot, especially because we have three home games,” Walter said. “Just winning every home game we can just means a lot — especially because it’s my last season here. We all fight for each other for that, and we know how much it means to each other.” The Spoofhounds are on the road for their next match against the Atchison High School Phoenix 6:30 p.m. at Atchison High School gym. Gabrielle Gartner said. The sisters graduate in a few months, but Sophia and Gabrielle Gartner have one goal before they hang up their shoes and take off their kneepads one last time — reminding the team what it truly means to be play as a Bearcat. “I want to walk from this season with a sense of pride and being proud of the season where we have either turned the script and really shown our true colors of this volleyball team and what we’re capable of — accomplishing within the conference,” Gabrielle Gartner said. “Our goal is to have a 20-win season, and if we can walk away with that, I will be so proud of this team and just how far we’ve come after years of hard work — blood, sweat and tears.” The twins and the rest of the Bearcat team will be back in action 6 p.m. Sept. 11 in Kansas City, Missouri against the Rockhurst University Hawks. The teams have a two-day tournament before the Bearcats come back to Maryville for their home opener Sept. 17.
10, 2026 SPORTS Sept. @NWMSports
A7
FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Northwest volleyball senior Gabrielle Gartner prepares to serve a ball during practice Sept. 3. She leads the Bearcats with 80 kills on the season.
Twin volleyball players make mark on court OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Editor | @_oliviawallace_
For some athletes, playing with your sibling can feel constricting, but for Bearcat volleyball players Sophia and Gabrielle Gartner — playing with each other has given them more than just memories they can look back on.
The road to Bearcat Arena wasn’t always on the volleyball court. Both women ran in track and field and participated in gymnastics before, ultimately, dusting off the chalk and trading the spikes for kneepads and tennis shoes in high school.
“I guess in middle school, my older sister had started volleyball, I think roughly around the same time as we did — she was a couple years older than us,” Sophia Gartner said. “But I originally wanted to run because my friends were running. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll do cross country,’ and then a few of my other friends started volleyball — so I started volleyball for the school.” For both women, their friends highly influenced them on the volleyball court, but even when they stopped playing, the Gartner pair stuck it out. During high school, their varsity coach’s daughter helped shape
the pair into the players they are today, said Sophia Gartner.
“We grew a really good connection with the varsity coach and his daughter, who was playing with us at the time,” Sophia Gartner said. “We became invested into volleyball with their family a lot. They loved volleyball, they taught us everything we know”
The pair took another leap of faith by signing with a club team an hour and 15 minutes away from their home — this opportunity gave them the exposure they needed to be recruited. The option to play at the collegiate level became a real goal for the Gartner twins during their sophomore year of high school. They reached out to many colleges — they followed up with coaches daily and wanted to stay close to home. “It was insane,” Sophia Gartner said. “Just emailing schools daily. We were really interested in the Northern Sun (Intercollegiate) Conference, and that’s a lot of the schools that are located by us. We were interested in Sioux Falls and did other visits at multiple schools in the NSIC, but Gabby actually got looked at in a tournament while we were in Kansas City, our junior year — and then I kind of wanted to get looked at, too.”
“
They just do the right things, there’s one ball left in the gym — they’re going to find it, and they’re going to pick it up.”
AMY WOERTH
NW VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH
Northwest was one of the last schools Sophia Gartner reached out to. Then-assistant volleyball coach Jacquie Cason reached back out and not only wanted Sophia Gartner on campus, but also Gabrielle Gartner.
“We came to campus, had a tryout, it went pretty well,” Sophia Gartner said. “We loved how competitive it was; it was way different than any other program we had visited…We loved the girls, and then about a week later, we got the offer for both of us. We ultimately knew we wanted to be together.”
Former ‘Hound stays home, becomes Bearcat athlete RIPKEN KIESLING Missourian Reporter | @_NWMSports
Will Sheil grew up in Maryville, playing tennis and football for the Spoofhounds. He progressed as an athlete by earning a tennis state title with them in May — but this upcoming season, he is making a big leap into the next phase of his tennis career. The Northwest freshman will not travel far to kickstart his collegiate career, but he will enter an environment with a new coaching staff, an international roster and a higher level of competition. Sheil is the only American on the Bearcats men’s tennis roster this season. His teammates come from all over the world, giving him a unique experience during his first year. “I’m really enjoying (it) right now, just learning about their life and how it’s just kind of different than mine…I’m learning some new language, too, so that’s pretty cool,” Sheil said. The group has only been
together for a short amount of time, but he is already developing new skills from his teammates. He has learned how to hit with more power and is improving his technique and control. Head coach Mark Rosewell said he has seen the noticeable presence Sheil brings to the team. “First week of practice, he’s hanging in there and doing well,” Rosewell said. “He’s doing a really good job, and all the guys like him.” Sheil finished his high school career with a Class 1 State Doubles Championship at Maryville High School. The championship marked the first boys tennis win in the school’s history — an accomplishment to end his senior year, showing he can handle the pressure at a high level. Sheil said the championship helped him understand what he needs to bring to the court — especially when playing alongside someone else. “I played doubles,” Sheil said. “I won first in Class 1, and we’re
FLETCHER PROCTOR CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Northwest volleyball senior Sophia Gartner prepares her spike during a drill at practice Sept. 3. The Bearcats will travel to Kansas City to play Rockhurst University Sept. 11-12.
finding my new doubles partner right now…so staying energetic, loud and just playing with a little bit of smartness is the key for me.” Rosewell said he will take every aspect into consideration when deciding Sheil’s partner, but pin-pointed chemistry is one of the most important determinants in the process. Sheil will compete in both singles and doubles in the fall season. The schedule is made up of mostly tournaments in the fall, followed by practice in the winter. Springtime marks the start of conference play, where there will be more oneon-one action. Sheil makes his college debut at the Drake Tournament Sept. 12 in Des Moines, Iowa. This is the freshman’s first test of how well he can adjust to college competition. Sheil has the support of his new coaching staff, doubles partner and teammates who come from all over the world.
Since joining the team, head coach Amy Woerth saw the pair grow into leaders. “I kind of call them the golden children,” Woerth said. “They just do the right things, there’s one ball left in the gym — they’re going to find it, and they’re going to pick it up. It’s just (those) type of character things that they do that make them a joy to coach.” Fast-forward three and a half years, the twins and senior transfer setter Mya Karrick are leading the Bearcat volleyball squad. Compared to past seasons, Gabrielle Gartner said she feels a noticeable motivational shift on the court — the team has a mission to end this season better than the last.
Coming into the 2026-27 season, the Bearcats were ranked number nine in the MIAA coaches poll. Gabrielle Gartner said despite having a few losses on the team’s record, it doesn’t define the rest of the season.
“I would say that this season has already felt different, in a way that we have made sacrifices and just our academic life, our social life and athletic life — putting in more time and taking practice seriously and understanding that this season is already upon us.” Gabrielle Gartner said.
This past weekend, the ’Cats traveled down Highway-71 to St. Joseph for the Fairfield Inn & Suites Griffon Volleyball Classic. They went 0-3 on the weekend, despite going to five sets against Oklahoma Christian University. The Gartner pair make up two-thirds of the senior class, which to them, is a familiar feeling. They have been a part of four teams since joining the squad in 2023 — different seniors, different energy, different leadership.
SEE TWINS | A6
SPORTS
Servin’ Spoofhounds Maryville volleyball rallies in head coach’s inaugural home win. see A6
Sept. 10, 2026
@NWMSports
Family stays together Bearcat twins make mark during final season as volleyball players. see A7
Bearcats finish regional play against Gorillas
I
HANNAH TATE Sports Reporter | @ht_playbook
n the midst of the end of the Midwest summer heat, Northwest soccer athletes are practicing and playing in temperatures in the upper 90s for hours at a time. During the beginning of the fall season, Bearcat soccer (0-31) faced more challenges than playing the game on the pitch. The summer heat can still be felt in early September, causing precautions to be put in place to protect the athletes. Head coach Marc Gordon said the high heat requires the soccer and athletic training staff to monitor the wet bulb thermometer installed in the field, which allows the trainers to know if the athletes sweat will evaporate to cool their bodies. A wet bulb thermometer is a tool with a moist fabric wrapped around the mercury that measures the coolest temperature possible with evaporation. “If it gets to a certain level, we’re limited on the time frame we can be outside and required water breaks,” Gordon said. “We kind of manage the things we’re doing, too, so sometimes it’s just about them getting used to the temperatures, the body acclimates to it a little bit…we just kind of manage it through some guidance through our athletic training staff and just making good decisions, so I know we have to play in it so it’s good to get out and training in it.” In the home opener against the Maryville University Saints (03-1), Northwest tied the Saints 1-1, with junior forward Lillie Shaw scoring the lone goal — her first of the season. The Bearcats then hit the road for a matchup against the Augustana University Vikings (2-0-1), dropping the game 1-0. Shaw said it’s always special for someone to get their first goal of the season, but for it to happen at home in front of friends and family makes it even better. “I knew my dad was there, so I knew he was there cheering for me…My roommate was on the bench, at the time, and I could see her,” Shaw said. “She was really just, like, jumping up and down… and then also makes you feel like ‘OK wow, I was in the game for 20 minutes, and we scored, and I can keep going, let’s do it again.’” Northwest finishes its regional schedule with a matchup against a conference foe — the No. #14 Pittsburg State University Gorillas (4-0) 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at Bearcat Pitch.
SEE HEAT WAVE | A6
NATHAN NODA CO-PHOTO EDITOR
Northwest soccer junior midfielder Lillie Shaw dribbles into open field in the Bearcats’ 1-1 tie to Maryville University Sept. 3. The Bearcats take the field again against No. 14 Pittsburg State University 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at Bearcat Pitch.
Football opens at home, honors 2026 senior class OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Editor | @_oliviawallace_
FILE
Northwest football head coach John McMenamin celebrates during a 38-16 win over the University of Central Oklahoma Sept. 27, 2025.
For the first time this season, the No.7 Bearcat football (1-0) team opens its home campaign against MIAA foe — the Washburn Ichabods (1-0-1). Initially in his career, head coach John McMenamin is facing an opponent who tied in their previous match. In week two, Washburn faced the Colorado School of Mines — ending the game early in a tie due to the hot weather. The heat has struck the northwest Missouri area hard, with many teams moving their kickoff and start times earlier or later to beat the heat. “It doesn’t really matter win or loss, you kind of look at the talent level,” McMenamin said. “Unfortunately, they’re better than they were last year, and (Washburn head) Coach (first name) Watkins is doing a job with them and they’re building it the right way.” The last time the pair played each other was Sept. 6, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas, where the Bearcats held the Ichabods by seven points — the ’Cats have also won 19 of the last 20 meetings. Looking at this matchup, not only will it mark three years since Northwest has hosted Washburn, but it will also be a test for the Bearcat defensive line. The Bearcats are coming off a bye week prior to the match. McMenamin said the practice the team puts in before stepping on the field will tell how the game will play out. He told the team not to treat the week off as a break, but to treat it like any other week. “We’re gonna go out, and we’re gonna beat each other up a little more, that’s for sure,” McMenamin said. “Play hard and fix what we did wrong to get ready for Washburn, because it’s still a young group, and now you’re gonna start playing games, or if you’re not playing good, you’re gonna lose, so,
that’s trying to get their confidence up.” Junior defensive back Holden Zigmant is trying to keep the momentum high despite the bye week. He is also keeping the pack of ’Cats’ energy high to prepare for any new schemes Topeka might throw their way. Not only is Zigmant holding down the line, but he said he is excited to get back on the field in front of the Maryville community — and he is proud to represent the paw. “The environment, the crowd, you know that when you’re stepping on the field at a home game, they’re going to be the whole city behind you,” Zigmant said. “That’s always exciting. Sometimes you go to away games, and it’s not so much like that. There’s that comfort level of being in your own locker room, stepping on the field you’ve been practicing on for weeks and months.” Being at home, no matter the opponent, brings a sense of comfort and the close-knit community cheering on a team for four quarters — regardless of the score. The Bearcats have their first conference game this weekend, and many teams in the MIAA can’t doubt anything that’s coming. “If you don’t play good, you’re going to lose, you have a chance to lose,” McMenamin said. “The mantra’s been how we got to practice and how we have to attack each week is, you know, if you’re not playing good Bearcat style football, you’re going to have an opportunity where you may lose this game, so for us, that falls into the standards and how we do things.” This weekend, the 2025 MIAA conference team will also be honored before kickoff — 20 of last year’s seniors will have another moment in Bearcat Stadium. Kickoff against the Ichabods will be 1:35 p.m. Sept. 12 at Bearcat Stadium.