Girls Tennis in Topeka
The girls tennis team went to the State tournament in Topeka on Oct. 13, marking a new high for the team.
In previous years, the team fought hard, but only managed to make it to the Regional competitions in 2010 and 2011.
Senior Kelsi Kirwin and her doubles partner freshman Melisa Capan both played well at Regionals and made it to the state competition.
“We were a lot closer to winning this year,” Kirwin said. “None of us placed in state, but it was a good experience for all of us.”
Kirwin and Capan said they both made great progress compared to previous years, especially at regionals.
“I, throughout the last two years, didn’t get to State,” Kirwin said. “We played well and placed 5th at regionals.”
The tennis team may not have placed at sState, but in years to come the team will improve even more, which Kirwin believes can lead to state placement.
“We have more spirit this year,” she said. “We’ve bonded more as a team.”
Girls golf heads to state
On Oct. 15, the girls golf team went to the state tournament in Emporia, KS. The competition was fierce, but the girls managed to proform with their usual expertise.
At regionals, on Oct. 8, they qualified as a team to go to the state tournament. Only the top three teams in the region go to state.
Senior Laura Vanderheiden is a varsity golf player who had a total score of 99 at regionals.
“Regionals was my best tournament of the year,” Vanderheiden said. ”I think the state tournament is on a pretty easy course. We’ll do pretty well at state.”
Sophomore Nicole McCurdy had the most impressive preformance at regionals,
having an individual score of 78. The bar was set high for both her and the rest of the girls golf team to preform well at the state tournament.
Football team tackles the rest of the district
The football team has a chance for greatness this season. The team has had a solid reputation so far, having won 4 games and lost 3. Recently, the team defeated Blue Valley Northwest.
The match was difficult for both sides. In the end, however, the Timberwolves took home the victory with a score of 48 to 25.
Senior Dylan O’Dell is a varsity football player who said he will step up his game, just like the rest of the team, as the season comes to a close.
“We always expect to go in and win, no matter what,” O’Dell said. “If we can win the next 3 games, we will win district and go to state.”
Considering the past success of the team, winning district is in the realm of possibility. It’s just a matter of having the determination.
“It’s been a good season for us,” O’Dell said. “We’ve all been working really hard.”
Volleyball team sets new heights
The varsity volleyball team is a heading to substate on Oct. 20, currently having a solid 18 wins and 12 losses overall, as of Oct. 10.
Freshman Jenna Phelps is a varsity volleyball player, and said the team had their best preformance in Southwest history this year.
“I think we should finish pretty strong,” Phelps said. “Substate is coming up on the twentieth[Oct. 20]. That tournament determines if we go to state.”
The girls fought Olathe East on Oct. 9, and once again had a tough fight.
“We went to 3 with Olathe East and lost,” Phelps said. “I think we expected it to be a good game.”
On Oct. 13, the team fought hard all day against many different schools. Among these were Olathe Northwest, Mill Valley, Olathe East, Shawnee Mission North, and Shawnee Mission South.
As the fall season comes to close, the team has grown in strength, and could bring us home the state title.
Boys soccer team has its final push this season
Like the volleyball team, the soccer team has improved greatly compared to previous years. As of Oct. 11, the team has had six wins, six losses and two ties.
Even still, winning the district is a possibility. If they can win the district, the team will head to the state tournament.
On Oct. 18, the team will face Blue Valley High School, and how they do will also determine who they will face on Oct. 25.
Junior David Hu is a varsity soccer player who has high hopes for the rest of his team this year.
“I think we’ve had a good season as a team so far,” Hu said. “We need to stay focused together and keep working at it.”
Compared to last year, the team has made great progress. Before, they had more losses than wins, but this year they have the same number of wins and losses.
“We’re working hard and putting a lot of effort into playing,” Hu said. “Hopefully, we can get wins in the next two games.”
Cross country to compete at Regionals
The cross country team hosted EKL at Lone Elm Park on Oct. 11. This race marked the end of the season for all junior-varsity runners, but varsity teams have one, potentially two more races.
The boys varsity team finished 2nd overall. Freshman Tristan Eastham and sophomore Justin Hicklin are All-League runners by finishing in the top 10. On the girls team, senior Maleigh Pagenkopf and sophomore Alyssa Yarbrough are All-League runners.
On Oct. 20 the varsity teams will go to Regionals at Shawnee Mission Park. The top three finishing teams go to State, though individuals can still qualify.
“Our goal ultimately is to qualify as many people and/or teams to state,” assistant coach Aaron Ballew said. “They both have a very tough region, but I think they’ll do well.”
