Winter Sports Update

westsidestory sports update IOWA CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

2901 MELROSE AVE.

IOWA CITY, IA 52246

VOLUME 43, ISSUE 3

DECEMBER 20, 2011

WSSPAPER.COM

CREATED BY THE INTRO TO JOURNALISM CLASS

BASKETBALL

SPIRIT, CHEERLEADING

SWIMMING

ICE SKATING, INJURIES

TRACK

CROSS COUNTRY, DANCE

BOWLING

FENCING, PING-PONG

WRESTLING SHOW CHOIR

SKI WEST HIGH SWIMMING COACH If you go to a West High swim meet, girls or boys, then you will always see him cheering the Trojans on by the poolside. No matter how many yards behind his swimmers are, he will always be cheering.

That is Robert Miecznikowski, fondly known as “Ski”, who has been coaching swimming at West High for 13 years. He started swimming at the age of five, after being inspired by watching the 1972 Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz. Loving water was also another reason he decided to swim. Since then, he has been involved in competitive swimming for 39 years. Currently Miecznikowski has two jobs, a sales rep for eight manufacturers of electrical equipment by day, and swim coach by afternoon.

“I never really wanted to continue swimming my entire life,” Miecznikowski said. However, in his senior year of high school, the girls swimming coach had resigned, and the P.E. teacher who didn’t know anything about swimming was the coach. Miecnikowski then wrote the workouts and coached the team while the teacher simply watched. Liking the

PHOTO WITH PERMISSION FROM//ABBY SPARKS “All the stuff that my coaches taught me, I wanted to pass it on. My job as a coach is to show, tell, and encourage, I felt like that was important but it’s their (the swimmers) job to work hard.” He also said that he would like to create an environment where swimmers would like to improve.

While coaching for the swim team at the University of Iowa, he wasn’t surprised when the swimmers were serious about swimming at practice, but when they left practice, they were completely different people, and also were good at everything else they did. He advises his swimmers to do the same.

Compared to when Miecnikowski began coaching, the statistics and records are increasingly getting better. The girls team placed 6th at the State meet this year. On November 30, 2011, the West High boys swim team won against City High for the first time in eleven years.

Jordan O’Donnell, assistant coach to Miecnikowski for 5 years, says that they have a pro relationship.

“We have each other’s backs, I take care of him, and he takes care of me.”

“YOU

ARE YOUR OWN COACH

“

BY MEGUMI KITAMOTO

coaching job, he decided to continue.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SKI? DO YOU THINK HE MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO WEST’S SWIMMING TEAM?

KAISEN YAO ‘12 “Ski is pretty chill, and he is experienced and in a good adviser. He set the foundation for our team, so in that way I think he made a contribution.”

CHUCK ADOLPH ‘13 “Ski is a cool guy, and he is relatable and funny, and I can tell that he loves coaching, even though he has to put up with us boys.”

MARIAH WESTON ‘15 “Ski’s awesome! But at the same time he pushes us and works really hard to make us better swimmers.”

BEN HARTMAN 12 “I think that Ski’s one of the coolest coaches I’ve ever had, and he pushes us hard. Also, he’s good at motivating, and we hunt together.”

ANTHONY LEHNERTZ 12 “Ski is motivational, and generally optimistic He’s also relaxed and spirited.”

LOGAN GUERRA ‘14 “He (Ski) is funny and is a really good coach. Even though he complains on how much money he loses from us, he always comes back and puts other things second and us first.”

ALEX AABERG ‘15 (DIVER) “He’s funny. Ski throws kickboards at us. There’s no way to describe him. He’s just...Ski!” NEIL WU ‘15 “Ski’s a great coach and is also a good person outside of the pool.

He corrects your technique before it becomes a problem.”

Basketball Through the Ages As the basketball season swings in, we cheer for our classmates for a game we all know about, for a game that’s been around for as long as we can remember. But have you ever wondered what the beginning was like... how it all came to be? Here’s a look at the past: how the sport was born, and then how girls campaigned for the right to play here at West High.

By Lushia Anson

The Beginning Springfield, Massachusetts, 1892: Dr. James Naismith, carrying a beat-up soccer ball under his arm, nails up two peach baskets and instructs a group of 18 YMCA members on the rules of a new game he had created. A confusing 30 minutes passes, as everyone struggles to grasp the concept of this strange new game. Then, one of the players, William Chase, tosses the soccer ball into the air, where it begins its spiraling descent and lands, with a satisfying thunk, right into the basket. He is the first player to ever score in a basketball game.

Countless baskets have been made since then, and with it, that strange sport has evolved into basketball as we know it. Several aspects, including the ball, the uniforms, the shoes, and the baskets have all gone through their own changes; however, most of Dr. Naismith’s original rules remain the same.

The popularity of the game spread quickly after Chase made that first basket. Several other YMCA centers began to build facilities for aspiring basketball players, and amateur and competitive leagues started springing up all over the country. Basketball is one of today’s most well-known sports.

Photo (Right) Obtained from a 1971 edition of the West Side Story.

The Women of Troy Fight to Compete ­In 1972, West High had a budget of at least $2,000 for basketball. But something was missing; something that deserved at least a portion of that two grand set aside for the sport of basketball. There was originally no girls’ basketball team at West High.

The 1970’s, at West, saw a great deal of campaigning from many students to have West High start more girls’ athletic teams. In 1971, Peg Brown ’72 started a petition that campaigned for expanding girls’ athletic programs. “We are disappointed at the progress made here at West towards girls’ athletics,” said Brown in her petition.

Soon, the emphasis on girls’ sports turned to the idea of a girls’ basketball team. “Nothing has caused more campaigning or fervor yet this year,” wrote Wayne Rafferty ’73 in an opinion column in a 1972 edition of the West Side Story. Many felt strongly about this issue, whether in favor or opposition. “It seems pathetic that a girl who has the ability and willingness to participate in sports should be told to go back to her ‘knitting,’” said another student that attended West during this time.

In 1972, Dr. Merlin Ludwig, then superintendent of the Iowa City Schools recommended a proposal to the school board asking for a girls’ basketball program next year in the high school. The board voted unanimously for it, and the Women of Troy held their first basketball practice in 1973.

In its first years, girls’ basketball was a little shaky and didn’t receive as much support due to the fact that the girls weren’t used to being committed to a sport. “If you’re out for basketball, you are committed… and other activities have to be curtailed,” said Coach Harry Dean, the team’s very first coach. However, the 32 girls worked hard to earn the respect they deserved. “[The] attitude on the floor [was] good,” said Dean.

The girls have certainly come very far since the shaky start of ‘73 to 2nd place in 2010. The equality and success of girls’ sports today would have made the class of ’73 proud.

Illustration used with permission from West High School

C

oming this spring, West High’s previous girls tennis coach, Kate DiLeo, is stepping down from her position.

Last year, under DiLeo’s leadership, West’s girls tennis team was able to win the section championship and qualify for the state competition, where they won second place. One of West’s girls doubles teams also earned second place in the state girls doubles competition.

Who will be able to fill the big shoes that DiLeo left behind?

A new face at West, Richard Redfern--West’s next girls tennis coach--is going to try his best.

Currently residing in Miami, Florida, Redfern is employed at the WLRN, a public radio and television station, working as an editor. But even if his current career doesn’t involve playing or coaching, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had plenty of experience as a coach or as a player. In fact, he’s had plenty.

nis team while Redfern was playing on the boys team. “[Redfern] kind of had a never-give-up attitude.

[He was] very coachable,” DiLeo said.

Coaching Experience In addition to gaining skill by playing tennis himself, Redfern has also had several previous coaching experiences. He has worked with “a variety of age and skill levels” for the University of Iowa Recreational Services, the LKT tennis camp in Amelia Island, Florida, and the University of Miami club team.

Along with experience, Redfern’s determined attitude will help him do well as a coach, according to Gross.

“Athletes that work hard tend to be good coaches,” Gross said. “They know how to be successful.”

Playing Experience Redfern hasn’t always lived in Miami; he attended high school at West, where he played tennis for four years.

In 2005, Redfern’s junior year, the tennis team won the conference champinship and qualified for state. The following year was even more successful--the team was the undefeated state champion, with a win-loss record of 36-0. Redfern also won the third place singles title at the state competition. “[Tennis] was a great experience and a good way to learn things about who you are both as an athlete and a person,” Redfern said.

Mitch Gross, who currently is a teacher at West, was West’s boys tennis coach when Redfern played.

“He was a very hard-working player,” Gross said.

“He was always the calming force [for his team].

He was always very encouraging to his teammates, very responsible.”

Redfern was a “very good competitor” according to DiLeo, who was coaching the girls ten-

Predictions for Next Season In the 2012 season, Redfern predicts that the girls team will perform quite well.

“I expect West to be a strong presence in the Mississippi Valley Conference. We have solid upperclassmen who have a chance to really do something special as well as some underclassmen that I expect to make a strong impact,” Redfern said.

DiLeo also has a positive outlook for the upcoming season.

“I think the girls can continue the winning ways that West High has had in the past,” DiLeo said.

She believes that the girls team has the potential to win both the conference and state chapionships.

So what are Redfern’s words of wisdom for young, aspiring tennis players?

“Have fun on the court, respect the process of trying to improve a little each day, and enjoy competing!” Redfern said.

Richard Redfern

Meet West High’s next girls tennis coach.

by Megan Jans

The Real Ballet The secrets behind the curtain

BY AILEEN NORRIS aileen.m.norris@gmail.com

What does the word ballet mean to you? “Tutus,” said Megumi Kitamoto ‘15. “And little (satin) shoes that you tiptoe on.” There are many misconceptions about the ballet world. “I thought you always got to wear pink tights and tutus,” said Amiela Canin ‘14, who just started dancing last year.

According to Mandy Rosse ’14, a dancer at the University of Iowa Youth Ballet, people rarely ever know what ballet is really like. A few of the common stereotypes include that ballet is easy, no one ever gets hurt, pointe shoes don’t hurt, and all dancers have eating disorders, among other things.

An issue dancers often bring up is whether or not ballet is a sport. No matter your opinion on this, there is no denying the athleticism involved. Ballerinas are constantly holding the abdominal muscles, rotating their legs, holding arms in the way that their back muscles are engaged, and lifting their legs to amazing heights.

Ballet is not only difficult, but comes with the injuries too. Rosse comments that she has had many injuries including a broken ankle, pulled hamstrings, dislocated hips, floor burns, and bruised bones among other things. Rosse has only been dancing for five years. Professional ballerinas that have danced much longer experience much worse.

Pointe shoes, the shoes worn by ballerinas to dance on the very tops of their toes, can hurt, cause feet problems, and wear out easily. They’re not like regular sneakers that last a long time, one has to keep buying them. Professionals usually go through a few pairs a week! Many people don’t realize how much time dancers invest in pointe work, and the injury prevention needed to have the skill to put all of your weight on just your toes.

One of the most common incorrect assumptions about ballet is attire. If you enter Halsey Hall, the home of the University of Iowa Department of Dance, dancers are sprawled out on the floor stretching in various positions. Many of them are wearing black Hawkeye sweats, and the color pink is rarely in sight. Most leotards are black. Sometimes the dancers will go barefoot.

Another myth about ballet is that all dancers turn to an eating disorder in order to stay thin. “Since I’m so skinny, my uncles and aunts have asked many times if it’s from anorexia from dance. I eat more than my 17 year old brother, so that’s a big misconception,” Rosse explains.

The world of ballet might never fully be recognized by society for what it really is. Ballet is more than wearing shiny pointe shoes and pink tutus. It’s the dedication and passion for dance.

Pointe Shoes

A big part of the magic of ballet is when dancers rise to the very tips of their toes, seemingly defying gravity. To do this, dancers use pointe shoes. So what’s so special about these shoes that makes these girls rise to the tallest height possible, reaching for the sky?

Some fun facts about pointe shoes: Pointe shoes are hand crafted by cobblers (people who make shoes for a living) The box encases the tips of the dancers’ toes and provides support for the dancer when she is on pointe.

Despite popular belief, the box is not made of wood, but mostly just paper mache-like materials, layers of fabric, paper, and strong glue.

The shank, which supports the dancers arch when she is pointing her foot, is usually constructed of leather, reinforced burlap, or cardstock.

Many dancers start pointe around the age of 11 or 12 when their growth plates in their ankles finish forming Some professional dancers can go through as many as 3 pointe shoes in one performance Pointe shoes add a minimum of 7 inches of height to a dancer There are over 20 brands of pointe shoes, with each brand having many different styles as well as custommade shoes The dancer credited with being on pointe for the first time was Marie Taglioni. All she had to protect her feet were satin shoes darned at the top

A UIYB company class at Space Place Theater Photo used with permission by the UIYB

Photo used with permission from Katie Johnson

Photo used with permission from Katie Johnson Johnson Katie Johnson at Drake Relays during the shuttle hurdle race

From Champion to Coach

By Alyssa McKeone alyssamckeone@gmail.com

Meet the Coaches

Peggy Steva- Assistant Coach

Favorite food: Wife’s spaghetti Favorite Quote: “Our success is not found in yesterday’s achievements but in today’s effort.”-Mike Parker Favorite track event: 800 Meters Dream place to visit: The Oval Office Favorite Books: The Bible and Running Brave

Phtoto used with permission from Peggy Steva

Photo used with permission from Mike Parker

Mike Parker- Head Coach

Favoite food: Chocolate Advice to athletes: “Always work harder than you have to.”

Favorite track meet: West High Meet and Drake Relays Dream place to visit: Grand Canyon or Montana How long have you been a coach?: 13 years

successful, Peggy Steva, West High assistant track and field coach said, “She’s very competitive.”

After graduating from West High in 2007, Johnson went to The University of Iowa but soon returned to West High to help continue the success of West High Track and Field. She became an assistant coach.

Johnson helps continue her passion for hurdles and sprinting by helping girls who share her same interests. “She takes the time to figure out problems [in running form] and fix them,” said Lauren Bobst ‘13 .

The caring nature of Johnson’s personality is apparent at track and field winter conditioning. She stands to the side of athletes as she offers kind encouragement to athletes as they work through the exercises that will get them where they want to be at the end of the season. Little by little each girl gets closer to their goal: to be the best they can be.

The level of competitiveness is constantly apparent in Johnson. Johnson gives a piece of advice to athletes: “Do whatever it takes to reach your goal,” said Johnson.

Rachel West-Assistant Coach Favorite food:Sushi Favorite quote: ”Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” -Oprah Favorite sports experience: Seeing the incredible work ethic and heart in some of the athletes.

When did you first begin coaching?

Freshman year of college.

Danica HaightThrowing Coach

Photo used with permission from Danica Haight

Add in the fact that Johnson went to Drake Relays every year of high school. That’s an even greater feat.

Johnson competed in the open 100 meter hurdles, shuttle hurdle, and the 4 x 100 meters senior year.

“It [Drake Relays senior year] was bittersweet,” said Johnson.

The West-City rivalry is always evident during Johnson’s races. Especially during the 100 meter hurdles. “I was so happy to beat City [in the open 100 meter hurdles]. I held 5th place,” said Johnson.

Many factors play into Johnson’s success. “My parents are very supportive and have helped me,” said Johnson.

Johnson ended her senior year on a good note.

West High won the state title. “...she worked very hard to become the best hurdler in our schools history setting a new school record her senior year and leading her team to a state title,” said Mike Parker, the head coach of the West High girls track and field team.

Johnson’s personality has lead to her success in track. When asked what has led Johnson to be so

Photo used with permssion from Rachel West

Basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and dance. Katie Johnson, a West High graduate and assistant West High girls track and field coach did all of these sports during her childhood. She even played basketball freshman and sophomore year at West High.

There was still one sport that she hadn’t done though. Track. This soon became Johnson’s focus.

As Johnson’s freshman track season progressed she quickly began to shine.

Johnson began to become an outstanding sprinter and hurdler. She competed in open sprint races, sprint relays, and hurdle events. At the end of her freshman year she reached every high school athlete’s dream. She was going to Drake Relays.

The Drake Relays are a statewide event that occurs over three days in Des Moines in April. A certain number of relay teams or individuals in open events are accepted at the Drake Relays. In the weeks leading up to the Drake Relays, athletes compete in various track meets throughout Iowa to determine if their running time meets the specific time requirements for Drake.

Going to Drake Relays is a hard feat to accomplish.

Not available for comment

Compliled by Alyssa McKeone

free

“I like skating because I feel and Kathryn Jensma ‘13.

graceful,”

Used with permission Joel Salazar

Blazing on Ice

By Tong Yu

“Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice.” Robert Frost’s words may be terrifying, but for several West High students, the ice is a place of familiarity. Stephanie Engelhardt ’13 started skating at the Coral Ridge Ice Arena when she was in 6th grade. Although she was scared at first, Engelhardt went on to participate in competitive skating with good results: in her very first competition, she snagged first place, bringing home a medal, a trophy, and a stuffed animal. But winning isn’t easy.

Hannah Merrill ’14 has been skating for eleven years. She trains two hours every morning, six days a week. During the summer, she upgrades to three hours. Similarly, Eva Thomas ’13 used to skate an hour a day. Injury is nothing out of the ordinary. Both Engelhardt and Thomas have sprained their ankles before. “The worst was when I was racing with a girl and we turned a corner and she slid into me and gashed my leg,” said Kathryn Jensma, ’13.

Juggling school and the sport also has its challenges. Engelhardt has not been able to ice skate this year due to cheerleading. Similarly, Jensma’s dedication to theater and band in high school has made it harder to fit skating in; she now only goes to the rink on Saturdays, but she tries to squeeze in a lot of off ice practice whenever she can. “Usually around competition time I will practice jumps in the band hallways after school because they are big which makes it harder to crash into walls!” said Jensma. “I knew people who got homeschooled at the ice rink though in order to have both at the same time,” said Ruolu Liu ‘13, who started skating when she was around eight or nine.

Despite the setbacks, their love for the sport shines through. “I like skating because I feel free and graceful. I started when I was young and I loved it, still do,” said Jensma.

All dressed up to win: Kathryn Jensma ‘13.

Photo used with permission from Kathryn Jensma

Little Dreamers: Eva Thomas ‘13 and her former synchronized skating team.

Photo used with permission from Eva Thomas

Figure Skating Tricks Source: Buzzle.com Camel Spin: Skaters move with one leg and the other one horizontal to the surface.

Sit spin: Skater spin in a position similar to sitting, without touching the ice.

Lutz Jump: Skater start from the outer edge of right foot and jump into the air with the help of the toe on the left foot.

(On outer edge of left foot and pick with your right if you’re a rightie.)

THE OFF SEASON

by Lilly Reitz

What do XC runners do in the 9 months without cross country?

photo by//lincoln rozeboom

AUSTIN PARSONS, ‘13

Peer pressure. It’s something adults always tell you not to give into. But sometimes it can be beneficial. Without peer pressure, Austin Parsons, ‘13 would have never started cross country at North Central Junior High 5 seasons ago.

“A couple of my friends were doing [cross country] and they convinced me to go out and I did,” said Parsons.

At first, Parsons was more or less reluctant to running, but as his first season progressed, he learned to love it. Cross country was a change from the sports he had being doing before cross country: baseball and basketball, which he played up until eighth grade.

“At first I didn’t really like [cross country], but once you get used to it, it’s pretty enjoyable,” said Parsons.

Parsons enjoys doing cross country because meets are either really crazy, or they’re a good chance to relax, and you get to know your teammates and yourself better over the course of the season, though he says practices tend to be brutal.

But cross country is only from August to October, leaving the rest of the year for other things, other sports, other clubs. Parsons not only runs cross country, but also participates in track.

“I’m taking a break from running right now, but I’ll start training for track soon,” said Parsons.

Along with doing track in the cross country off season, Parsons enjoys doing the usual teenage boy things: hanging out with his friends, playing other sports with guys from the cross country team, listening to music like The Beatles and The Black Keys, and playing ping pong. Here at West, Parsons participates in Student Senate, Young Democrats and Young Republicans. Parsons plans on continuing with his clubs and track “Anyone who’s thinking about going out for cross country definitely should, it’s a great experience, and you learn a lot about yourself,” Parsons said.

MICHELLE WISE, ‘15

While most teenagers are hitting the snooze button at 6:30am, Michelle Wise, ‘15, has already gone for a run, done ab work, and eaten a protein-full breakfast, only to have the whole day ahead of her still.

Wise has been running since first grade when she started playing soccer. She found her true passion for cross country in the 7th grade when she joined the cross country team at North Central Junior High. She continued to run in 8th grade, and started her high school career strong as a member of the West High XC team.

But cross country isn’t the only thing in Wise’s life - in fact, it’s one of many! Wise also is a member of Student Senate (in 8th grade, she was her class president), in training for track, plays club soccer, sings in the choir and is a voice in Showtime.

“I have, like, no free time,” said Wise, “In my free time, I do ab work!”

Despite not having any free time, taking many advanced classes, running everyday and balancing friends and fun with what she needs to do - Wise makes the best of it, and loves every minute of it.

How long does it take YOU to run a mile?

Austin Parsons ’13: 5.28 Evan Logsdon ’15: 5.25 Claire Shive ’15: 8.00

Michelle Wise ’15: 6.25 Andrew Roskos ’14: 6.30

Showchoir: Is it a sport?

BY GAGE VAN DYKE agvdmaster@gmail.com

Show choir. A proud business of teenagers stretching their time and faces to make their performance as pristine as possible. But the real question is, can show choir join the elite groups of football, soccer, track, and basketball and be labeled a sport?

“I said that show choir is a sport because it involves dancing and moving around which takes a lot of energy and because there’s regular practices and competitions” Kate Thorne ‘14 said.

The technical description or meaning of sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others”. Show choir can sometimes be looked at as an outcast compared to other sports. Many sports, especially football, require grueling, long sessions of work out and fortitude, but even if someone is physically built for football, that doesn’t automatically make them the next Peyton Manning. What really makes someone good at a sport is their talent. If you remove the sweaty garbs, protein drinks, plastic helmets, and thousands of pounds of muscle, could the talent aspect of both sports compare equally?

Do you think show choir is a sport? (out of 103 9th-12th grade West High students)

It depends.

16%

Yes.

No.

38%

51%

Show choir includes the members to dance and sing, have great expressions, and dance at their best ability under the lights during competitions.

“I voted yes, because I think anything active is a sport! If dance team is a sport then so is show choir, you know?” Anna Mondanero ‘14 said.

Show choir even has national rankings, just like any other sport, such as tennis.

However, you don’t need to be physically dominate to participate in show choir, which is perceived by many to be a very freeing aspect of show choir. Anybody with the talent can join it. But then again, does the lack of need for conditioning of show choir holding it back from becoming a sport?

“Although I don’t consider it a “sport,” it definitely involves physical activity and it deserves credit as being exercise, but that’s just it, it’s exercise..not a sport.” Velarchana Santana ‘14 said.

Or maybe the case is that West might not be the prime example for show choir. West High’s show choir ethics and schedule is pretty tame compared to other show choirs. West show choir practices every week but it is only during one of the week, for 2 hours.

The show choir Clinton Attache of Mississippi practice after school on Tuesday, but have a class for show choir. And the fact that Attache went undefeated for 4 years in national show choir competitions doesn’t hurt their reputation either.

The sweat and grueling exercises and practices for many athletes molds them into the best player they can be. Show choir students perfect their vophotos courtesy of//Hannah Muellerleile cals and use their unity as a team to make their choreography is clean (uniform) as possible, just like a basketball team and football team calculate their stratagems and plays.

Top left: ‘Showtime’ pose during their opening number.

Bottom right: Shirley Wang ‘14 and Maya Bassuk ‘14 reach for the lights during their opener, along with the rest of ‘Showtime’’s cast

BowL Me For many members of the JV teams, it’s time to start taking the laid-back sport a bit more seriously.

Y

over!

by Fiona Armstrong-Pavlik

es, it’s the same game you played at your sixth birthday party. Yes, they get cool shirts. Yes, they get to leave school during seventh period. But the girls and boys bowling teams are not all just for fun.

High school bowling has long been a way for seniors to get out of taking P.E., but for some members of the boys and girls junior varsity teams, bowling has gotten a little more “grown up.”

At practice, the teams do hand warm ups, stretches, and practice throws. Then, they bowl a few games.

Overall, there are about 30 girls and 30 boys involved in all of West’s bowling teams.

No freshmen are on the girls bowling team, but there are three or four sophomore girls who regularly bowl on the junior varsity team at meets.

Katelyn Kelly ‘14 is Katelyn Kelly ‘14 one of them. She first joined bowling as a joke, but has grown to like it and intends to play for the rest of high school.

Overall, Kelly thinks the team has been improving, and more people have started to take bowling seriously. “More people are starting to commit to it and not think of it as just a way to get out of P.E,” Kelly said.

The rest of the JV girls team is made up of mostly juniors, like Quinn Steigleder ‘13. She tried bowling “for fun, the experience, and to see what it’s like.” Being on the bowling team givers her the chance to be with her friends and have fun competing at the Quinn Steigleder ‘13 same time.

This year, the boys varsity bowling team came close to beating City in the Battle for the King Pin, a traditional City-West bowling match. The girls varsity team also lost in their version, the Battle for the Queen Pin. As of press time, the girls JV team has not

Alli Peterson ‘14 bowls for West’s JV girls team on Dec. 9 against Ceder Falls at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City.

Photo by Fiona Armstrong-Pavlik

won a meet yet; however, there have only been two, and Kelly thinks that the team has begun to show real improvement in their technique.

So far, he boys JV team has lost one of their meets, but they won the meet against City because City did not have enough bowlers to participate.

Matt Murry ‘14 is a member of the junior varsity boys bowling team. When asked why he chose to join the bowling team, Murry said that, without any after-school activities, “My parents were going to make me get a job, and bowling sounded fun. But mainly [beMatt Murry ‘14 cause of] the job.” Now that he is a bona fide West High bowler, he enjoys being on the team and participating in meets. Plus, as he put it, “The shirts are pretty rockin’.”

Bowling Dictionary We all know strike, spare, and gutter ball, but here are a few bowling terms you might not be as familiar with.

BAGGER: Bowling consecutive strikes. For example, five bagger is five strikes in a row.

BEAK: The center of the headpin.

CLEAN GAME: A game with no open frames (gutter balls).

DEUCE: A game with a score off 200 or more.

FILL BALL: The ball bowled after a spare in the tenth frame.

TURKEY: Three strikes in a row.

SIX PACK: Six strikes in a row.

PERFECT GAME: Twelve strikes in a row; results in bowling’s maximum score of 300.

Not all fun and games

“...It’s like your own little moment,” says Amber Erickson, a

flyer on West High’s Cheerleading team, about being tossed high into the air. But is that moment really worth it when there’s a chance of paralyzation or even death? Catastrophic injuries are on the rise in on of the most popular activities for girls: cheerleading.

by Hannah Muellerleile

“Normally, it’s just, like, you hold ice on your head for 20 minutes and then you’re back up,” said Amber. “The ice machine becomes your best friend,” said Ashley.

Sounds of giggling, loud laughter and talk permeate Allison Clements ’14 was lucky, but for some, it’s a lot the air during practice for the West High Cheerleading team. worse. She dislocated her tendon last year during a stunt.

You hear over the din others counting off: “One and two and “At first it hurt and I was freaked out, but I taped my wrist three and four...” as timing for a stunt. All this is happening and did the routine again. As the months progressed it started in addition to girls being launched 15 feet in the air and comhurting more.”Allison said. ing down just as quickly. Though the room is filled with high She ended up having to get surgery on her wrist earlier this energy, this is not child’s play. year, but is slowly making a full recovery.

These girls and boys work hard. They spend hours after “It was a long recovery, three months before surgery then school to perfect their cheers, their jumps, their stunts.These 11 weeks with a cast and then [a] brace. Now it’s just physical are honed athletes who work hard to accomplish what they therapy,” Allison said.

How many males do.

It’s taking long time to get the range of motion and the musand females participate in Cheerleading is not just girls in short skirts waving pom cheerleading annually. cle strength she had before back, but she’s recovering. poms anymore. They combine gymnastics, strength and flexOne of the things she remembers while having her cast was ibility to fire up the crowd and to comthat “I had to have help doing everyday acpete and win. tivities like putting my hair up or simple But this hard work comes with a price. stuff,” Allison said, “[And] playing the violin,” In the last 25 years, cheerleading has Clements was not injured badly, but others The number of catastrophic accounted for 65.1% of fatal or paralyzhave been not so fortunate. Cheerleading, a injuries per 100,000 female ing injuries among high school females, sport some call more dangerous than foothigh school cheerleaders. reported a study in Pediatrics. But those ball, can lead to life-altering injuries. There who cheerlead are well aware of the danare about three catastrophic injuries such as gers of the sport. head or spine trauma, permanent disabil“You’ve heard all the injuries that are ity or even death per 100,000 high school possible from cheerleading,” said Ashley cheerleaders. Injuries happen because of Erickson ’13, a flyer on the team. “You the lack of regulation since, in many places, know that something so serious can cheerleading is not even considered a sport.

The increase come out of something fun.”

The combination with under trained coachin the number of cheerleadAnd what causes most injuries? Inexes and the hard grass, gym or dirt cheerleading injuries from 1990 to perience. ers practice and perform on has led to a dou2002.

“Doing something that you haven’t fully bling of injuries from 1990 to 2002. learned [because] you’re kind of winging But this harm can and should be avoided. it a little bit (causes most injuries),” AshInjuries can chiefly be avoided by having ley said. trained, knowledgeable coaches that know Team relationship contributes to injuwhat they are doing to supervise, in addiOf catastrophic ries as well. If the flyers, the people who tion to planned routines and practices. Evevents for high school girls are thrown, and the bases, the people at Kailey Barber ’12 at cheer practice erything that can be done should be done to were caused by cheerleading. the bottom who catch the flyers, haven’t protect these girls and boys from injury. worked together before or aren’t compatible, injury can ocThe days of cheerleading consisting of girls looking cute in cur. short skirts on the “If no one is getting along, [...] everyone has negative enYou lose a little sidelines has long

ergy and then we just don’t perform as well, no one works passed and has been

well,” said Amber Erickson ’14. replaced with a bruwhen you The number And this can lead to miscommunication, or worse, being tal combination of of fatal, disabling dropped, which can cause tension as well. gymnastics, stunts or serious cheerleading inju“You lose a little bit of trust when you get dropped ... But . and athleticism. ries that occurred between you just have to learn to get back up and do to it again,” said -Ashley Erickson ’13 These high-flying 1982 to 2007.

Ashley. girls and boys are not stats//www.sciencedaily.com Injuries are a risk in this highly competitive sport where just faced with the embarrassing danger of getting the words falls, nosebleeds, bruises and scratches are commonplace. wrong to the school fight song anymore, but are also faced “There will be at least one minor injury for every practice,” with the danger of hitting the ground and being hurt permasaid Greta Doucette ’14. nently.

Most of the time, these injuries are not serious.

by the numbers

hmuellerleile@gmail.com

cheerleading

injuries 97,350 2.68

12,000 65.1% 67

[ ] bit of trust get

dropped

Sport or Not? Should dance team, cheerleading, and studio dance count?

by Audrey Hopewell Is this a sports article? Some may say yes, but others might disagree. Why? Some don’t believe dance and cheerleading are sports.

For years, there has been debate over whether cheerleading, studio dance, and dance team count as sports. It has been focused mostly on whether schools should acknowledge these activities as sports and give participating students the benefits that come with playing a sport, like exemption from P.E. On West High’s website, cheerleading and dance team are listed on the sports schedule, instead of on the activities page. This could be because they are considered a sport at West or because it is more convenient to put them with the sports teams they cheer on. Studio dance, however, is not acknowledged as a sport and participants do not receive benefits of athletes.

Most students who participate in these activities believe they are sports. Miriam Miller ‘15, a ballet dancer at City Ballet, said “being a good dancer involves a lot of work, hours of training to improve your stamina, technique, and overall ability to dance.” Miller believes that dance team is also a sport, because “it takes just as much effort.”

However, she thinks that cheerleading is not necessarily a sport, because “it is more for entertainment, and you don’t have to be as committed in order to perform well.” But, “it also depends on how hard you push yourself.”

Brooke Lofgren ‘14, who is on Poms, agrees. She said “for studio dance you are putting your own time and money into it and you dance to get better.”

Former dancer Frannie Rizzo ‘15 also believes that dance is a sport. “Dance takes just as much training, ability, endurance, and skill (as other sports),” Rizzo said that taking care of yourself is important, and committing a lot of time if you’re serious is necessary, just like other sports.

It is not likely that the controversy over this issue will end soon. Those defending that cheerleading and dance team are not sports often say that they require less work and are a chance for young girls to wear short skirts and show off.

So will this issue be resolved anytime soon? Not likely. But decide for yourself. Should dance team, studio dance, and cheer leading be considered sports?

?

The debate is still strong over whether cheerleading requires enough athleticism to be a sport

{What do YOU Think?} Is studio dance a sport?

Yes: 54% No: 46%

Is dance team a sport?

Yes: 85% No: 15%

Is cheerleading a sport?

Yes: 15% No: 85%

What are your thoughts on regionals?

“It will be really fun and exciting” -Allye Boardman ‘15 “We get to represent west and get West’s name out there since we have never had a competitive JV team before.”

-Mckenzie Fairfield ‘15 “I’m excited because regionals is giving us a chance to travel as a team, compete, and meet other dancers.” -Haley Steffan ‘15

Regionals

January 7th @Mall of America

2 2 7

The number of days each week JV practices.

The number of hours JV spends at each practice.

The number of months JV has been practicing their routine.

The 2011- 2012 members of West High’s Junior Varsity Dance Team. Photo courtesy of Holly Manternach.

Dancing to Regionals

By Frannie Rizzo

West High’s Junior Varsity dance team is coming out of the woodwork Two days a week after classes are over, West High’s junior varsity dance team troops to the cafeteria to practice their routine for regionals for two hours. Their coaches- head coach Katie and assistant coach Lindsey- drill them endlessly, picking apart their routine, section by section, move by move, beat by beat.

This year is the first year JV poms will be competing at regionals. In previous years, the JV dance team has never competed. The ten girls have worked for seven months learning, practicing, and perfecting their dance, but, even with less than a month until regionals, they still have a long way to go.

“It can be exhausting,” said Megan Donahoe ‘15.

“Our schedules are school, dance, eat, dance, sleep and then we do it all again.”

This summer, JV poms qualified for nationals at the elite dance camp they attended but due to budget constraints, they unfortunately cannot attend the competition. This doesn’t deter the team though, regionals is good enough for them.

“Going to regionals is great for us, since our JV dance team is the first to ever compete. It is exciting-- we get to bring up West High’s name because we are not well known in the Midwest,” said McKenzie Fairfield ‘15 Despite being excited for regionals, after a long day of school, dance team can be the last thing on

the girls’ minds.

“I go to dance team after school and then I have studio dance... I dance up to six hours some days,” said Haley Steffan ‘15.

Despite having loaded schedules, the closeness of the group helps everyone keep going.

“It is really frustrating to keep going when you are tired but the team’s energy helps you move forward,” said Gretchen Elmer ‘15.

“The thing that keeps me motivated is the fact that if we don’t keep going, we are letting the team down,” said McKenzie Fairfield ‘15.

Their practices start with warm ups which include turns and jumps. Next, they run through sections of their dance in thirds and then put the dance together. They also do endurance which includes repeating the dance multiple times without stopping.

To keep a productive environment, Holly Manternach ‘15 said the girls do partner corrections.

“It is interesting to see what other people notice, not just our coaches. It helps you see the routine from a new point of view and remember corrections.”

However, the girls all agree that they couldn’t achieve what they have so far without their coaches.

“We are really glad and thankful for them. They are a big part of our support base,” said Manternach.

Who They

Cheer For...

Go Team!

A Diary on the Importance of the Student Section By: Alyssa Hancock

The West High student section erupted in a chorus of cheers and whistles as the ball was brought in for yet another Trojan touchdown. The bleachers rock back and forth, sending the familiar rumble of students, stomping their feet, into the air. Green and gold litter the stands. The enthusiasm of the student section is only amplified by the beloved drum line. The adult spectators watch in awe as the students of West come together to sing ‘Sweet Caroline’, their hearts growing warm. Not even the frigid cold, rain, or blistering heat can keep these devoted students away. The cheerleaders can hardly be heard over the thunder that is, the student section.

}

}

“West football games are super fun,

Football is a sport that draws a lot of attention even if I’m not paying attention to for the West High student body. The same goes the game. Everyone is always really for basketball, volleyball, swimming, and the energetic,” list goes on and on. Friday brings many inventive outfits and increased spirit to the halls, all to Velarchana Santhana ‘14 support West High’s players.School spirit can be measured by the amount of green and gold attire a student can sport with out any other color. The crazier, the better. Building up a persons school spirit over four years could even lead to being voted “most spirited” during the week of homecoming. Just ask this year’s most spirited, Luke Crimmins ‘12.

Football isn’t the only sport with fans. Live Like Line t-shirts can be found just about anywhere at a West High volleyball game. Basketball is just getting going and the school spirit is starting up again as well.

}

“I guess i like to go to football games

because it’s nice to see friends and watch

West kick...butt. And sall the cheers we

and the seniors do a great job of keeping

up our moral,”

Bailey Banks ‘15

long way.

The importance of school spirit is an opinion that is spread wildly through out the students of West High.You have the all out, face paint, capes, and green hair spray student Spirit all the way to the students that sport the traditional Trojan sweatshirt.

Any support is appreciated. Simply being proud to stand in the bleachers is school spirit. A little goes a

}

Having school spirit is a life-style, found in the most devoted students. Be sure to give every Trojan their props during their season. Bring your A-game to the stands and support your peers. Sporting events are a great way to meet people and have fun with friends, all while you give your team that extra boost to victory.

“I don’t know,

I just like screaming,” Abby Hellem `14

“[I cheer for] the Packers and the Hawkeyes,” Chase Briddle `13

“I cheer

for my dance

team,” Kelsey Schmitt `15

“[I cheer for] My Nona, because she is fighting off breast cancer,” Sofia Mendoza `14

“[I cheer for] Iowa City and West, and the Jets” Juba Merkviladze `12

No Turf for TableTennis

“

YOU CAN PERSONALIZE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. THE BALLS,

THE PADDLES, THE WAY YOU HIT THE BALL, TRICK SHOTS, THE GRIP, THE TABLE. IT’S AWESOME. -GRAHAM BLY ’13

“

Club Founder’s Dreams Smashed WRITTEN BY JORDAN ROSSEN

Gil Phelps ’13, in his garage, showing off his Ping-Pong skills

Gil Phelps ’13, co-founder of the Ping-Pong club, lets out an earsplitting scream, what he calls an “eagle cry,” as he smashes the ball across the table and through Graham Bly’s ’13 well-practiced defenses.

This is the scene almost every weekend in Phelps’s garage. He aspires to have this same experience at an after-school club, but his hopes were recently slammed after being unable to find a location to store the Ping-Pong tables at West High.

Kevin Chin ’13, one of the three co-founders of the club, explains that at the club fair there was tremendous support for the club. “Initially, we had 126 sign-ups and we think more will come once it starts.”

Third club co-founder, Bly elaborates on plans for the future. “Ms. Peters said we could use the prop loft to store tables, after the play.”

Chin takes a similar optimistic tone, “We plan on bringing the club up to

Meet the Founders Gil Phelps ’13

Co-Founder of the Ping-Pong Club

“My favorite move is a tweener,

because you can do it in PingPong, but not in tennis. It’s when you hit through your legs.”

speed as soon as humanly possible.”

Bly agrees the club has massive potential and tries to explain what about Ping-Pong makes it so addicting and what would make it such a popular club. “You can personalize everything about it. The balls, the paddles, the way you hit the ball, trick shots, the grip, the table. It’s awesome.”

Phelps explains what got him hooked; “I was inspired to play Ping-Pong when my friends and I were too lazy to play tennis, so we just played in my garage.”

Kasra Zarei ’13, head of intramural activities, explainse is doing all he can to find a location for the tables as soon as possible, “I have talked to numerous people and am very close to finding a place. I am going to talk to the head custodian.”

Without an after-school club, Phelps plans on continuing to practice in his garage. He spills his deepest ambitions, “I’m really feeling the 2012 Olympics, I mean... How hard could it be?”

Compiled by//Jordan Rossen Graham Bly ’13

Co-Founder of the Ping-Pong Club “I usually play with the shakehands grip, but my favorite grip is the death grip. I wish I could do the chinese pen hold, but its tricky.”

Kevin Chin ’13

Co-Founder of the Ping-Pong Club

“My favorite grip is China hold

grip. I have a firm grip with it and am able to return a ball with enough spin to create a black hole.”

Concussions: Brain Decay from Sports?

By Velarchana Santhana Velarch9123@gmail.com Bruises, blood, and brain damage? Every sport comes with some risk, but all too often the brain carries the brunt of it.

Last year, at West, 19 concussions were reported during different sports. According to athletic trainer, Sheila Stiles, concussions are brain injuries that occur when the head is shaken. Often, a concussion occurs when the head, or body, is hit, rattling the brain. Once exterior impact is made, the brain continues to move forward until it hits the inside of the skull. In the words of Issac Newton, an object in motion stays in motion, until its energy can be transferred to another object, in this case, the skull. Although concussions seem to occur more with strong forces, in reality, even a relatively weak hit can result in a concussion.

At West, sport-related concussions are tested with a program called imPACT. At the beginning of a season, those involved with contact sports such as football and soccer take a test that measures their reaction time. Once a concussion or head injury occurs, the player retakes the test. Their results can be compared to see if there is any difference and to evaluate how a player heals.

Of the students with reported concussions, only five were girls. As far as the reason why the injuries affected mostly boys, there are more boy athletes at West. Although the number of concussions may seem like a small number compared to the total number of students at West, not all concussions get reported and others go undiagnosed. Currently, imPACT is not being used to test those involved with some sports, like cheerleading. Alarmingly, there have already been 13 reported concussions this year, all from football.

A concussion may result in many different symptoms, both short and long term. The most common short term symptoms include headaches, dizziness, amnesia, and distorted vision. Long term effects, with severe or several concussions, include permanent memory loss or chronic headaches. The best way for relieving symptoms and healing concussions is rest.

Studies are currently being done on whether or not concussions cause brain disease, brain decay, or depression. There has not been enough evidence to prove that these effects occur and if they do, how or why they occur. There is some evidence, but not enough to support severe effects of concussions. As awareness and education about concussions increase, hopefully new safety techniques can be developed in order to decrease the overall number of concussions and other head injuries.

Art by Kate Thorne

In a concussion, both the head and the brain move forward until impact is made, in this case with a wall.

Concussion Memoirs

Tatum Klein ’12

Photo by Velarchana Santhana

During basketball, Tatum Klein ’12, suffered a concussion. “ I don’t remember anything about it,” Klein said.

During a game, Klein was running to a hoop during a fast break, she lost her balance, was bumped by a defender, and hit the wall. Unfortunately, it was not covered by mats, offering no protection to her and she passed out. Waking up, Klein was unable to remember who everyone was, only recognizing her coach. Her head was bleeding as well. “Sheila [Stiles] really helped, if she hadn’t been there I would have had to take an ambulance,” she said. Although Klein doesn’t remember anything, her doctors say that she may regain some of her memories of that day.

Klein said that sometimes, “It still feels like it didn’t happen.”

During a football game, Brock Hatzky ’14, got a concussion. “I actually don’t remember the game...or the entire day,” Hatzky said.

After the game, Hatzky was told that he seemed confused and dizzy, unable to remember the game score, or even who had won the game. “It was kind of scary,” Hatzky said. From his concussion, it was difficult for Hatzky to concentrate or remember things in school. He was also sensitive to light and sound. These symptoms lasted for roughly 3 weeks. Even when Hatzky viewed a video of the game, he couldn’t pinpoint an exact time or play that resulted in his concussion. With good doctors, Hatzky was able to recover and even play the last 2 games of the season.

Brock Hatzky ’14

Photo used with permission from Brock Hatzky

SOFIA MENDOZA

The sophomore shows how motivation, dedication, and passion can overcome any obstacle.

BY KAITLYN MCCURDY

“She’s always positive no matter what kind of day it is, and she always tries her best.”

- Ashlynn Yokom ’14

Wake up at 5 AM and finish homework. Go to school. After school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, go to track practice from 3:15 to 6 PM. On Tuesdays, attend guitar lessons. On Wednesdays, attend piano practice. Start homework after any and all practices and go to bed at 11. Is there a physical therapy appointment soon? Is there a Best Buddies meeting Friday morning at 7:30? Are any other clubs meeting this week?

Between all of this and countless other things, how does Sofia Mendoza ’14 manage to continue fully participating in West High track and cross country?

“People always ask me that,” said Mendoza, as she has no clear answer to the question.

“She has the urge to run, and when you love to do something, you don’t want to stop,” said Ashlynn Yokom ’14, one of Mendoza’s cross country teammates.

Taking AP European History, two science classes, AP Spanish IV, and English 10 Honors, on top of all her extracurriculars, Mendoza doesn’t know how she copes with her busy schedule.

“I don’t want to give any of them up,” Mendoza said.

“I think that they are all equally important in my life. I just do it. I know that doing a lot of things I like to do means a lot of sacrifices.”

On top of her schedule, Mendoza has also sustained injuries from participating in track and cross country.

The most serious was a torn tendon that had doctors convinced Mendoza would not be able to run again.

“It (the torn tendon) was [because of] a combination of overuse, a minor fall, and then I ran on it for 2 months,” Mendoza said. “I was in a boot and crutches for 6 months.”

After months of physical therapy, doctors were comfortable enough to allow Sofia to run again. “[I could run,] but on the underwater treadmill at the physical therapy [center]. That was one of the

FAST FACTS

ABOUT

SOFIA

MENDOZA

THE AFTERMATH

Sofia Mendoza ’14 colmost amazing things,” said Mendoza.

So with all these obstacles, why does she lects her belongings after a cross country meet. continue to run?

Photo courtesy of Liliana “I don’t know what to do with myself if Agrell.

I’m not running. I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t run. It’s just a part of who I am,” said Mendoza.

With her doctor’s permission to fully invest in running again, Mendoza’s dedication shines through. She is back to running competitively and placing at West High meets. That, in itself, is an accomplishment to Mendoza.

“She motivates the team by always showing that you can push through injuries, and she always helps everyone do their best,” said Emily Starman ’14, a cross country runner.

Even though Mendoza is still attending physical therapy sessions and spends most of her nights doing homework, one thing is for sure: Mendoza’s sheer dedication and motivation to succeed will take her far.

Events: Work-Out Song: Gotta Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammer Superstition: I eat pasta the night before every meet, and a granola bar right before.

Favorite Drink: Propel Running in Heat or Cold: Heat Cross-Country or Track: Cross-Country, the longer the distance the better.

Photo used with permission from Sophie Shoultz

Swimming Through Life

BY HANNH MERRILL hannah.merrillwss@gmail.com

She dives into the pool and is off. There is no turning back—she is ready, after endless hours of practicing her strokes, on a diet filled with carbohydrates. She glides gracefully through the water, like a mermaid swimming through the ocean. No fears, no insecurities.

Just herself and the water. Lap after lap she swims as fast as she can,taking a break from the chlorine filled water with an occasional breath. After no time at all, Sophie Shoultz ’14 has finished the race.

For Shoultz, swimming is not a new interest. She has been swimming ever since she was seven years old, when her parents signed her up for lessons.

“My parents said I had to do a sport,” said Shoultz.

She tried gymnastics and cross-country, however she quit these sports, but not swimming.

From a little girl learning to swim to a high school student helping West High to become nearly undefeated this year, she has come a long way. Shoultz practices six days a week for two and a half hours, as well as “dry-land” or strength training once a week.

Shoultz was a member of West High School girls varsity swimming her freshman year, and continued with it this year. She spends the rest of the year swimming for the Iowa Flyers Swim Club (IFLY).

Last year, IFLY won the state championship and West High was undefeated—quite an accomplishment. But swimming is hard work, leading to Shoultz occasionally wanting to quit.

“Swimming is really intense right now, and I don’t always want to go to practice, but I just think of my goals,” Shoultz said, something her fellow swimmers can agree with.

Photo to the left: Shoultz in the middle of swimming at a meet.

Above: Shoultz at a swim meet.

Photos used with permission from Sophie Shoultz.

“I think the hardest part (of swimming),” said Jasmine Roghair ’14, “is trying to motivate yourself to do the best you can every day or just going to practice on some days. My favorite part about swimming is meeting everybody and seeing so many awesome people at swim practice every day.”

Tereysa Lehnertz ’14 can also point out the good and bad in swimming, although her ideas are a bit different from those of Roghair.

“My favorite part (of swimming) is competing,” said Lehnertz, “I love the adrenaline rush I get at the end of my races. And the most difficult part (of swimming) would be mentally pushing yourself to go faster, no matter how much pain you are in, because you know you can go faster.”

Shoultz’s teammates also help keep her going, even when she does not feel up to it.

“I like going to practice and seeing everyone,” she said, “Teammates are supportive and they challenge you”—something she likes the best about being on a team.

With all the time and effort Shoultz has put into swimming, it has not only allowed her to improve as a swimmer, but also grow as a person.

“I have seen Sophie grow in her ability to handle adversity and pressure over the time I have worked with her,” said Megan Oesting, IFLY’s coach. “Her real improvement has been the growing ability to trust herself, trust her body, and stay present when challenged.”

Oesting prepares her swimmers not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally—pushing them outside of their comfort zones and giving them harder sets to become better swimmers overall.

“In a race, you never know what is going to happen so you have to be flexible and confident in your ability to handle all three areas,” Oesting said of the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of swimming.

Shoultz’s greatest accomplishment, according to Oesting, came at an event last summer, when she did not do as well in one of her more important meets as she had hoped. Instead of pulling out of the race the next day, Shoultz decided to try again.

“She not only got back on the horse, but she performed beautifully and with a great deal of poise,” Oesting said.

Shoultz’s best stroke is freestyle; however, backstroke is her favorite, because it is “more challenging.” Swimming has taken Shoultz many places like Indiana and Missouri. Wherever she goes from here, she will commit to trying her best and will hopefully swim in college.

A Swimming Timeline Sophie Shoultz ‘14 and her swimming career

The West Side Story reflects the views Age 7: Begins swimming of the staff and does not represent the school administration, faculty, or student Age 7:Guest Starts with articles may be accepted to body.

ICE represent an additional point of view or as part of a collection ofAgereader contribu7: First meet tions. The staff will carefully scrutinize all reader Eigthsubmissions.

Grade: Switches to IFLY All ads are subject to approval by the Freshmen Year: Starts business staff. Those that are libelous, with WHS Varsity Girls Swimming obscene or plainly offensive may be reFreshmenattempts Year: IFLY gets ato jected. The West Side Story new coach, Megan Oesting publish all letters, which must be signed, to the Editors, but may reject submissions Freshmen Year: dueWHStoundefeated space limitations, inaccuracy or poorFreshmen quality.

Year:It is the responsibility of the IFLY wins state opinion editor to verify authorship. Editors championships Year: WHS almost can make minor edits forSophmore the sake of clarundefeated Photos used with permission from Sophie Shoultz

The Iowa City Fencing Center

By Brittani Langland

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Fencing 1. The term for the starting

position in fencing is ‘En Garde’.

2. A lame is the electronic

jacket you wear over your uniform when playing.

3. In a match that does not

use a lame takes four judges‘ to watch.

4. The tip of the fencing

weapon is the second fastest moving object in sport. The fastest is the bullet.

5. Fencing outfits are white

because before the lame and electronic scoring were invented fencers kept score by putting black ink on the end of the weapon, so the black would show up on the white.

6. Fencing is the only contact

sport that doesn’t have a weight class.

7. The New York Fencers Club,

was founded in 1883, and is the oldest continuously running fencing club in the U.S.

8.Barren Pieres de Coubertin was the founder of the modern day Olympics., and he was a fencer.

9. Fencing was in the ancient

Greek Olympics and is one of four sports that has been in all the modern Olympics.

10. There are three different types of weapons you can use while fencing.

The Iowa City Fencing Center’s junior team, which consists of junior high and high school students, practices friday December 9 to prepare for their upcoming torurnament. West student Schylar Cantrell’15 practices in the upper left corner.

“En garde!” followed by the clanging of swords, is what you hear at the Iowa City Fencing Center (ICFC). The ICFC is run by Judy O’Donnel, and has been open for a year. The new facility is a great place for veteran and new fencers to come togather and enjoy the sport. Even though fencing is one of the least known Olympic sports, the ICFC encourages all to learn about it.

Fencing is thought to be a confusing and dangerous sport, but is it? Mae Stoks, who is on the junior team at the ICFC, says no, “At first it is confusing but it gets easier to understand really quickly” O’Donnel offers uniforms to help protect the body, and she teaches the right technique so that injury isn’t an option.

There are three types of fencing in the Olympic sport and the ICFC offers all three types: foil, epee, and saber. Each one looks, and is used differently. The foil is a small and fast weapon. When using it, the goal is to poke the person in the torso. The epee is a longer weapon that is not as fast. The goal with the epee is to poke the person anywhere; there is no exact target. The saber is completely different from the other two, because the shape of the handle is different. The goal for the saber is to wip the side of the torso. You can practice with any of these methods at the ICFC. The ICFC also has a junior team for teenagers who enjoy it and want to pursue it.

West High’s own Schylar Cantrell’15 is on the team and is having a good experience with it.

“Fencing has given me a lot more confidence in myself,” said Cantrell. Cantrell and his teammates are able to participate in tournaments monthy, because the season is year round.

In these tournaments the players are able to get ranked and move up in ranks. The ICFC even has a nationally ranked player named Aarron Stroppel.

O’Donnel coaches at the ICFC and has had her own experience playing professionaly. She has been fencing for 30 years internationally and nationally.

O’Donnel has been on the Olympic team and has played for Germany. “It is a lot different in Europe because it is more popular there. They even have play by play radio announcers Schylar Cantrell’15 at the fencing tournaments,” O’Donnel said. Even though she loved her experience in fencing all over the world, O’Donnel has retired from her fencing career and now coaches.

O’Donnel has coached nationally ranked players, and beginners who are looking for something to do. “She is really nice and supportive,” said Cantrell.

In Fencing it is really important to stay focused. “Unlike basketball or volleyball, where if you lose focus you might lose just a point. When fencing, if you lose focus you will lose the match,” said O’Donnel. Fencing has a lot to offer mentally and physically.

So if fencing sounds like something you want to get into Judy O’Donnel owner go to http://iowacityfencingcenter.com/ for more information. of ICFC

FRI. JAN.13 CITY HIGH (V G/B) HOME 7:30 PM

THU. JAN.12 CITY HIGH (10 G/B) HOME 7:30 PM

TUE. JAN.10 DUBUQUE WAHLERT AWAY 6:00 PM

FRI. JAN. 6 C.R. JEFFERSON AWAY 6:00 PM

TUE. JAN. 3 C.R. WASHINGTON HOME 6:00 PM

West Varsity Schedule TUE. DEC.20 CEDAR FALLS AWAY 6:00 PM

Basket ball at west has long since been a public phenomenon. With the high octane high energy games, and spirited fans who are always there home, or away games are all the same. This year with all the returning Veterans and some new heat added to the team Varsity is expected to do some big things. Their roster includes players such as Jacob Glyten, Jeremy Morgan, Dandre Alexander, Wyatt Lohaus, and many others that are pushing for state. the pressures on ,and not only on the team but also on the man behind the team.

Steve Bergmen is the West Varsity Basketball coach. He keeps the team up to bar with the rest of the state and set’s goals for the players to live up to “I’ve challenged [the team] to treat every game the same this year, and I know that hasn’t been happening, so hopefully they’ll be as focused as they were with Linn Mar in all of our other games.” says Bergman.

If you’ve been to any of the prior games, such as Linn Mar you’d know that we’ve only gotten better with each game. You can attribute that to the intense 2 to 3 hour practices.

By Stephon Berry

Waterloo hanger: our team in action

Blow out score in West High Vs. Waterloo east game on 12/13/11. 4th quarter.

The cheers and jeers of the crowd as the teams emerge from there seperate corners, the squeaky sound of rubber sliding against varnished wood, the genuine sportmanship of the two teams.

So it begans with a trojan war cry from the crowd. West shoots out on the defensive, accosting the opponent with uniform play precision and agility.

An offensive play goes awry and Jeremy morgan recovers it and hands it off to Jacob for the first shot in the game, putting us in the lead and creating a point gap that’ll only be furthered as the game continues.

Great team work and individual player effort results in a half time score of 49-23 and an end score of 8537.

So much can be said to describe the game of basketball, but so little can be said to portray it as well as seeing the pumped up teams in action, so stop by, and see our team in action as the body count rises.

What do you think the next game against Waterloo East will be like? We’ve been talking about preping and playing each opponent the same way, regardless of what their record is.

I just want us to come out sharp and ready to play, with a lot of focus.

What was it like knocking

off Linn Mar Friday? It

was a great feel because

they were #1 and they’re a great team. It was also a pretty big game and we came out and played well.

West high V.s Waterloo east