By: Kateryna Hordieieva

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games, held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, officially ended on Sunday, Feb. 22. Athletes from around the world gathered to compete in winter sports like hockey, skiing, snowboarding, and figure skating. One of the most awaited events was the women’s figure skating singles competition, which took place during the final week of the Olympics. America’s representative on figure skating women's solo was Alysa Liu, and she came back with a deserved gold medal. Liu retired from figure skating back in 2022 at age of 16, due to mental health struggles and burnout. Despite all her challenges, she made an amazing comeback at the Olympic games in 2026, winning the gold medal. The first in 24 years in American history of figure skating winners amongst women. Her performance impressed both judges and audiences with elegance, technical difficulty and confidence. Other strong performances came from the silver and bronze medalists. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto earned the silver medal with her powerful routine, and South Korea’s Kim Chae-Yeon got the bronze medal showing control and technical skills on ice. All three candidates demonstrated incredible abilities and the level of dedication that is required to succeed in sport. The history of women's figure skating stretched back to the 20th century, when British skater Madge Syers showed women's strength and dedication on ice by competing against men at the 1902 World Figure Skating Championships, as Encyclopaedia Britannica states. Figure skating was one of the first sports that were added to Olympic games in 1908, women's singles, men’s singles and pairs made their debut that year, stated Olympics.com. Andrii Martsinkovskyi, a junior that played hockey back in his home country, shared his opinion on the Olympic games, “The Olympic games are a very important event where real talents and leaders of sports are discovered.” Another student, Viktoriia Levytska, shared her thoughts even though she didn’t watch the games live. “I didn’t watch the Olympic Games this year, but I heard a lot about it,” she said. Levytska also shared her opinion of Liu’s attitude during the performance, “Alysa Liu is very skilled, and what I like about her the most is that she was calm and didn’t show off. She just came there, showed her skills, and won the medal.” Playing or dancing on ice is a difficult job as well, it requires a lot of effort and desire to achieve perfection at this kind of skill. “That's something that requires so much training, and it's countless hours of practice and dedication and repetition and practicing”, Michael Raher, a PE teacher at Taft shared his experience on ice. In conclusion, the women’s figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics highlighted talent, dedication, and incredible skills. Alysa Liu’s gold medal comeback inspired many fans around the world. Along with strong performances from Kaori Sakamoto and Kim Chae-yeon, the event showed the growing strength of women in international sports.

By: Alauna Sherrod

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the United States made hockey history as both the men’s and women’s teams brought home gold. Their victory over long-time rivals from Canada marked one of the most successful Olympic hockey performances ever for USA hockey. For senior Reese Lackage, watching the Olympics has become a tradition of showing support and cheering on our country. Lackage stated, “This year, everything seemed so organized and was fun to watch. I’ve followed hockey for a while and really appreciated how they honored Johnny Gaudreau by the U.S captains bringing out his jersey and bringing his kids out on the ice for pictures.” The men’s team faced the powerful Canada men’s national ice hockey team in the gold-medal match. Overall, the United States managed to pull ahead late to secure the win. Strong deference and standout goaltending kept Canada from tying the game, allowing the U.S to claim the gold medal and celebrate a major achievement for American hockey. The women’s tournament told a similar story. The United States women’s national ice hockey team met the Canada women’s national ice hockey team in another high-stakes final. The heated rivalry between the  two teams has dominated women’s hockey for years, and the championship game once again came down to the final moments. The U.S. scored the decisive goal late in the game, holding off Canada to capture the gold medal. Taft senior Sophia LeClair’s hockey journey began her eighth grade year, playing on the Skokie Flyers boys team for a year and later playing for the Glenview girls NIHL team as a freshman and sophomore. This carried her into her junior and senior years where she played for the Glenview Stars u19 National team. In addition to her journey, LeClair played for Maine Girls High School hockey throughout her high school career, picking up Junior State Championship and senior year taking second in state for Glenview. In regards to the U.S. women's team taking home the gold, LeClair stated, “I think it’s an amazing accomplishment, they worked very hard and hockey is just as much a mental sport as a physical one, so seeing them take home the win was definitely reassuring.” Winning both tournaments has shown the strength and depth of USA Hockey on the world stage. For both players and fans alike, the double gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics will be remembered as a defining moment and proof that even when competing with some of the best teams in the world, we still come out on top.

By: Alexa Loxas

Sun., Feb. 8 was the 60th annual Super Bowl game. The Super Bowl is the game that decides the champion of the NFL for the year’s football season. This year it was held at Levi’s Stadium located in Santa Clara, California. The two teams that made it to the end in order to compete were the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. The Seahawks earned their victory with a score of 29-13. This is their second time winning a Super Bowl, their first time being in 2014 with an outstanding score of 43-8 against the Denver Broncos. Seattle Seahawk fans are over the moon after their performance and have claimed that this victory has been anticipated for a while. Seahawks fan and Taft junior Nathaniel Ryba exclaimed, “I was so excited to see them earn the victory they deserve, the Patriots are not a good team.” The Seahawks had destroyed their competition from the very beginning. Before halftime, the score was 9-0. The Patriots did not get the chance to score a single time in the first half of the game. They terribly struggled to even move the ball which left them at an unfortunate disadvantage for the rest of the game. In the second half, the Patriots managed to score a total of 13 points, which brought them up a lot but did not stand a chance against the Seahawk’s final total of 29 points. Football enthusiast and Taft junior Derrik Kukla claimed, “The Patriots never stood a chance against the Seahawks.” This Super Bowl faced mixed reactions from the public. The game itself was referred to as unmemorable and boring for others. Taft junior Daniel J. Jackson commented on this by stating, “I found this year’s Super Bowl to be slightly underwhelming compared to the games of recent years.” The reason this year’s game was considered to be anticlimactic was because of the Seahawks' pronounced victory. It was considered to be fairly predictable by viewers, but was also widely celebrated and well anticipated. 

By: Ryleigh Merced

The Taft Girls Basketball team has been going strong this far into the season.On Nov. 18, 2025 we won our first game against Wheeling High School. The team won 50-20, which is a phenomenal beginning for the season. Taft junior Javi Hernandez said, “This year's team has been a wonderful show of sportsmanship. Throughout the season the girls have displayed amazing fights and deserve all the praise.”

Throughout this season basketball games have been both up and down. This was also a big season for Taft's seniors. Taft's Senior Night was celebrated Jan. 26. On this night we got to celebrate all of the team's wonderfully performing seniors. Seniors and their families gathered in celebration for everyone's season on Taft's Girls Basketball team. They ended that night with a win against Niles West with a score of 57-38. Throughout the game both teams displayed wonderful sportsmanship and kindness. In the beginning of the season there was switching of coaches that left the team a little disturbed. But the team stuck together and powered through. For other teams such an abrupt shift could have led to an entire team disconnect but not for Taft. In response to outstanding players this year, Taft High School Basketball Coach Patrick Gallagly said, “No doubt the five seniors, why those girls are the captains because those girls who came from the old coach  and that was the most challenging thing.” Despite all of the confusion and dismay, instead of internal issues and power struggles, the Girls Basketball team worked together with the new coach. Taft Girls Basketball player  Gabiela Gonzalez said, “Even though it was hard to transition at least we were together which is what counts.” In conclusion this year's Girls Basketball team is one of greatest both in athleticism and teamwork! This year will stand for Taft's ability to be flexible and work around any challenges that we can face.

By: Abigail Wozniak, Ryan Harrity, and Tajh Rawls

On Dec. 7, 2025 the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers played in Lambeau Field. The Packers were standing on top with a game winning interception. However, on Dec. 20, 2025, The Chicago Bears won 22-16 against the Wisconsin Green Bay Packers in Soldier Field, allowing them to move on to the Playoffs on Jan. 10. Overall the Bears’ past season has been shocking to Bears and NFL fans alike. At the beginning of the season, the Bears lost their first two games which disappointed many, then the Bears went on a hot streak, winning the next nine out of ten games, beating teams like the Bengals, Vikings and the 2025 Super Bowl Champions, Philadelphia Eagles. With the top offensive players being Quarterback Caleb Williams, Running Backs, D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monongai, and Tight End Colston Loveland. According to NFL.com, 5,812 yards were covered from impeccable teamwork presented by Williams, Swift, and Manongai. The running back duo made the Bears the third best rushing team in the league with 144.5 yards rushed per game. Our defensive players are Free Safety Kevin Byard III and Defensive-Lineman Montez Sweat. Byard got 61 tackles and locking up the defense with 10 interceptions, and Sweat led the Lineman charge with 10 sacks with a collective 22 turnovers by this defense. The Bears got a big comeback win against the Packers in the NFL Wild Card Round. The Bears were ranked the #2 seed in the NFC Conference and the Packers were ranked #7, which gave Chicago the home field advantage in Soldier Field. The fourth quarter was the starting point of the comeback, The Bears were losing 27-6 and came back to score 25 points. Head Coach for the Taft team, Zachary Elder, said, “The biggest issue this offense has is, is that they’re slow starters. That’s why they need so many of these comebacks because their first drive usually goes well, but then they fall behind. If they’re able to start out hot as well, then that would be a big factor in the later games.” Taft senior and Linebacker/Running Back for the Football team, Davion Ellis, talked about the mentality of the team, “This team never gives up hope, Caleb Williams is always finding a way to scramble and extend plays. Especially with that motivational speech he gave in the 4th quarter, he makes sure to motivate his guys and get clutch.” Jordan Sanchez, A Rugby player and Chicago Bears fan had some gripes with the current team, “Our defense has been getting a lot of injuries but we let up too many deep plays, as well as not making enough tackles. If we didn’t get as many turnovers as we did, then we probably would have a bottom five defense in the league.”  Unfortunately, The Chicago Bears got eliminated on Jan. 18 in the divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams. After a spectacular throw to Cole Kmet to send the game to Overtime, an interception by LA’s Safety Kam Curl and a drive that resulted in a field goal would end the Bears season. This season for the Chicago Bears was a wild ride that no one expected, with rookie stars like Coston Loveland and Kyle Monangai and an incredible sophomore season from Caleb Williams with fans dubbing him “The Iceman” gives Bears fans a future to look forward to.

By: Ethan Simball

The Chicago Bears are finally giving their fans something to cheer about this season. After years of having negative seasons the team is on a good run, They are currently sitting at the top of the NFC North, which hasn't happened since 2010. Their offense and defense along with the new head coach, Ben Johnson, has created excitement all across Chicago. This is very surprising, although many fans speculated it would happen knowing the reputation tied to Ben Johnson and his coaching in the 2016–2024 stretch. The Bears only went positive in one season which was 2018. For many fans, those numbers were a testament to a curse that some thought they would never shake. David Aguilar, Taft senior, said what many Chicago Bears fans feel, “Thanks to Ben Johnson and his coaching it looks like we're heading in the right direction.” Aguilar continued,  “Every season felt like the same losing season over and over. But watching it now feels like we have a chance to win a couple playoff games." Logan Roman, the starting quarterback at Taft said, “I used to go into games hoping we’d keep it close. Now I’m actually hoping for wins. That’s not a feeling Bears have had in a long time.” This has been the unfortunate culture of The Bears, just them and their fans being used to them losing constantly. Malik Mohammed, the starting defensive end at Taft said that he recently went to a Bears game and said, “The energy in the stadium is totally different. You can hear it as well as feel that fans aren’t just showing up, they're actually excited to see them play again.” The Bears turning their organization around isn’t just about winning games anymore. If the team continues with this momentum, this season could turn out to be something great for the first time in years. They might even have a chance at the Super Bowl.

By: Fintan O'Shea 

Now that it's December Taft Basketball is starting back up for another eventful year of basketball. With tryouts over, we have our varsity team that's filled with seniors, juniors and even 2 sophomores. With the first tipoff approaching, the students are excited to see another year of Taft Basketball. Players on the team have come from various backgrounds and different paths to get to this team and this stage of basketball in their lives. Assistant Coach, Jeremiah Horton said that, “The main preparations are finding the ways to relate to this specific group, this is a very fresh team with new players so finding ways that we can specifically maximize their talent and mannerisms is the main preparation. We emphasize getting 1% better each day, it's a push that can seem very difficult sometimes but we encourage them not to be static or satisfied even when up, and not to be discouraged when it seems like things are negative.” Coaching is a huge part of succeeding in basketball. Knowing what to do as a coach in important parts of a game is vital. Coaches need to know how to get their players hyped up before, during and after games. For the seniors on the team, this is their last year playing with the team. Senior forward Isaiah Nelson said that, “I've been on the team since I was a freshman. Over the past four years, basketball has become a part of my identity and I'm excited to play another year, even though it's my last.” This shows the seriousness of how basketball can impact people's lives. For pre-season preparations, Nelson said, “I do conditioning in the morning, and I stopped going out to fast food places and I'm on a strict diet so I can perform the best on the court. I expect to have a great year with a lot of wins.” Junior guard Ismail Mellal played in Serbia for the past two years and his dad plays professional basketball. Mellal said that, “My dad has had a huge impact on my love for basketball. I've lived around it my whole life and I want to be just like him. Coming here after playing basketball in Serbia for the past two years is a fun and cool experience. I'm happy wherever as long as I'm playing basketball.” With these words from members of our basketball team, we can expect to see yet another action packed season with a lot of fun and great moments. 

By: Emma Anguiano

The mats are rolled out, the lights are on, and the whistle is about to blow! Wrestling season has officially arrived bringing sweat, strength, and a whole lot of determination. Wrestling consists of two people trying to pin each other to the mat or score points by controlling their opponent. Their goal is to use strategies, strength, and balance in order to keep the opponent down. Coaches are setting the tone for this season, emphasizing consistency and teamwork. The wrestling manager, senior Ami Alvarado, has been managing for two years. “This year we are focusing on improving not just individually but as a team and making sure that we have a team that uplifts each person who steps onto the mats,”  Alvarado said. Although wrestling is a one on one sport, the team helps motivate each other by practicing with each other to become better and stronger. The team is setting team goals, as well as personal goals throughout the season. There is excitement this season to beat their rivalries. Taft junior Elijah Pagan said, "I'm excited for team city because last year we lost to Lane Tech.” He continued, “Beating them will be something I've wanted to do since freshman year.” Pagan is not only looking forward to the city as a team, but he’s ready to fire up and accomplish his own personal goals this season. Taft senior Jonathan Ramirez said, “The team is looking much stronger than previous years since everyone is motivated to be the best of the best and because we have a lot of new talent in the room.” Pagan and Ramirez aren’t the only ones improving this season. Taft senior Oussama Taje is taking the floor and setting his own personal goals, and team goals, to make this season his. Taje  said, “I’d get better at wrestling by working hard every day, drilling my moves, and fixing my mistakes.” There are a lot of outstanding wrestlers this season who are bringing fresh energy and a competitive spirit to the mats. As the Taft wrestling season begins, the team is stepping onto the mats with focus, hunger, and expectations of success. Athletes like Pagan, Ramirez, Taje, and a manager like Alvarado, set high expectations for both themselves and their teammates. Every practice, every drill, and every match brings them closer to their goals. This season won't just be about wins and loses, but about growth, resilience, and the dedication each wrestler brings to the mat.

By: Alauna Sherrod

Even though the football season has ended, for the Varsity Girls POMS team, the work never stops. With only one week in between the football and basketball seasons, POMS members keep up the energy throughout. POMS has represented Taft as a spirit squad for over 50 years, consisting of dedicated young women who bring spirit and pride year-round. The hard work of this team has not been overlooked, as they are 6 time city champions and are working hard everyday to deliver the energy and support needed to motivate our players and crowds during the football and basketball seasons where they perform. During competition season, they focus on two routines that are presented at various competitions that will eventually lead them to city, and perhaps state. Football season is more lenient, but when it comes to competition season, some girls are more committed to their studios to ensure greatness. The tryouts in between seasons welcome new people to expand talent and skill. There is no break for the team from June to February. Because of this, the team is constantly working to form a reliable and supportive team that’s the overall backbone of victory. Senior captain Victoria Krysciak stated, "I'm so grateful for all of the opportunities I've been given since my first performance sophomore year, to become a junior captain to now, being a senior captain…I can't wait to see what happens this season.” Honorably, the stories of dedicated members such as Krysciak do not end at Taft, head varsity coach Jacquelyn Alunan stated, “A lot of my girls that’ve danced on POMS continue in college, I had a girl dance at DePaul University for three years, recently my assistant coach Kaitlyn was a captain at North Park University and is now the assistant coach there, and a couple of my girls dance for Loyola now.” The POMS community is undeniably close-knit, even new manager, senior Naly Ortiz-Menjivar claimed, “I came in thinking it would be a different environment, but just after one month when I’m sitting there watching them they are so close, they interact like a family.” Even during the most stressful times, the security and the mutual drive between members makes a safe space for all that makes players, coaches, and fans want to return. Coach Alunan said it best, “I keep trying to leave but I keep coming back because I love watching the girls grow.” The absolute dedication and work ethic that this team has will continue to be the core of our school spirit and it’s only going to get better.

By: Ryleigh Merced and Alexa Loxas

UFC 320 recently took place on Saturday, Oct. 4. The main headliner was a rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. In the first fight Ankalaev won by decision after five rounds. Alex Pereira won by TKO in the first round. This win allowed Pereira to reclaim the Light Heavyweight Championship. The fight lasted a mere eighty seconds. Most fights in the UFC last around five minutes.  Pereira is making a comeback after the first fight between them in UFC 313. In UFC 313, Pereira was hesitant and slow when compared to his performance in 320. He has improved immensely and shows that Pereira is ready to hold the title Light Heavyweight Champion once more. Taft junior Daniel J. Jackson observed, “Perreira focused on boxing him into the corner.” A change in Pereira’s fighting style this early into his career could indicate a longer championship run. With this transformation in style he has shifted his focus to grappling and using wrestling to round out his kickboxing and striking skills. These adjustments to his fighting methods have immensely improved his performance and have brought his career to a new height. Taft junior Nathaniel Ryba noted, "Perreira is rising to fame and so early on in his career.” So far out of Pereira twelve official UFC fights eight of those have been title fights. Could this be UFC putting their most formidable fighter into the spotlight, or is it a lack of starpower? A couple years ago the heavyweight division was full of some of the biggest names. But as of recently the UFC seems to be in dire need of a star. Taft junior Javier Hernandez argued, "Pereira has to really work more on showboating.” Pereira's  personality is stoic and calm. But when compared to some of the UFC's most popular fighters who have to perform and put on a persona he is perceived as a more collected and sophisticated person. Jackson continued, “The future of the UFC is dependent on star power. If the UFC does not have another let’s say Conor McGregor it is doomed.” In conclusion, UFC 320 may be a signifier of how the UFC continues looking into the future. We have come to a fork in the road. The choices are UFC comes up with more stars or the UFC fades into the background of MMA. What's most likely is that it will keep putting unknown fighters until eventually the fans decide they are one of the greats. For now we will wait to see if Pereira will continue to grow in popularity or if he will fade into the background.

By: Emma Anguiano

It's that time of the year where the lights shine bright and the crowd gets excited for the start of a new season of soccer. The Varsity boys soccer team season started off with an away game against Libertyville winning with a score of 4-1. Then on Saturday, Aug. 30, the boys soccer team had their Saturday Night Light game playing Loyola Academy at Taft High school. The game ended with a final score of 4-2. A soccer game consists of individual skills that come together to make a team. Saturday Night Lights showed the team’s improvement, communication between the players on the field, and their work rate has sufficiently improved by already winning their first two games of the season. The first half ended with a tie of 1-1 with a goal from junior Bryan Mendez. Immediately going into the second half, senior Andres Garcia-Gallo who plays forward, scored, creating tension and excitement throughout the game. The head coach, Jeffery Lucco said, “I think that was the big moment because the game was still tied 1-1 at that point and once he scored I think it was kind of ‘that was it.’” Last soccer season the Varsity boys had an overall winning score of 8 games with a loss of 10 games. The team seemed to have a hard season last year, but this year they are already showing improvement in teamwork by motivating each other and starting to bring each of their own skills together to perform. A returning player on the varsity team, senior Karim Ziyat (Mid-fielder), said, “Our work rate improved because we’re always pushing each other and we motivate each other.” Ziyat continued, “It's kind of nerve wrecking but it’s also exciting because I played last year and we didn’t do very well and were trying to see how we will do this year and improve upon last year.” The soccer team is putting their best foot forward this season by working together as a team this year, which is seen through Saturday Night Lights game. The team is excited to see what this season will bring for them.

By: Alauna Sherrod and Fintan O'Shea

The crowd roared, the band played loud, and cheerleaders on the sidelines chanted their aspirations into the cool Friday night air. But it wasn’t for us. On Friday, Aug. 29 the Taft Eagles took the 45 minute journey to Bremen Community High school with good music and the heart of champions. Conditions were wet and players slipped on the puddled turf as soon as the ball was snapped. Fans on both sides of the field winced as players were tackled and slid several feet under the lights. As the Varsity Football team manager, Emma Gonzalez tried to keep up with the harsh conditions and was, “Making sure they stay hydrated.” However, the slippery conditions proved a disadvantage even when walking. For the first half of the game, the score was tied up 0-0 at the break. That was until the start of the third quarter where Bremen kicked off to Taft and running back Diesel McFadden made the possession at our own twenty-five yard line, making a seventy-five yard rushing touchdown and scoring Taft's first points of the night, taking the lead 7-0. Varsity Football coach Zach Elder stated that during halftime “Coaches gather everyone together and see where we can make some improvements and get a good gameplan for the second half.” And let's just say, whatever he said worked. When speaking with senior quarterback Logan Roman just hours before the game regarding any fears about the upcoming event, he expressed that, “The most common injury is definitely sprained ankles.” A phrase of which would pose as dramatic irony in the coming moments of the second half. After an extraordinary demonstration of both athleticism and determination, at the bottom of the third quarter, McFadden injured his left ankle. When interviewing Coach Elder post-game, he claimed, “Ankle sprains will get them everytime.” But despite these conditions, Roman threw a seven yard pass completed for the touchdown by wide receiver Ellian Torres, a Taft senior. The Eagles took home the victory with seven points in the third quarter and thirteen points in the fourth, starting the season off strong 1-0, the Taft Eagles took home the victory in a landslide of 20-0... 

…A loss which continues the Bremen football team losing streak that began last season, marking ten consecutive losses in a row. However, we recognize Kaeden Pettis, the 2027 graduating junior quarterback who’s ranked top 44 in Illinois. Pettis threw for 205 yards on 16 of 29 attempts. An impressive arm that was no match for the Eagles defence. With a dominant season opener in the books, the message is clear. They’re not just here to play, they’re here to win. The foundation has been set and the momentum is real. They left it all on the field and are ready to take on any opponent that they face.

By: Ethan Simball and Tajh Rawls

The Taft High School Girls Flag Football team has had a promising start to their season, showing great potential on the field. Their teamwork and quick adaptability have led to two early victories, boosting their confidence early on. With talented players and strong leadership, the team is poised for an exciting season ahead. With a current record of 2-4, they have faced very challenging opponents including Glenbrook South (Ranked 84 in the Nation). During the Glenbrook South game, Taft showed great flashes of talent with two interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. Taft scored a touchdown on the offensive side. The game ended in a score of 6-7, showing that Taft can compete at the elite level. Led by Coach Germain Padilla, the team’s commitment is unmatched. Practice sessions are intense, focusing on strategy and skill-building. Players support each other, fostering a strong sense of unity. Their perseverance has helped secure important wins and boosted team morale. The Taft Flag Football team enjoys strong support from the school community. Fans gather at games to cheer on the Eagles, creating an energetic and encouraging atmosphere. The team’s dedication and sportsmanship have fostered a sense of pride within the school and the broader community. Some of the notable players on the team include Niah Reyes who has led the team to notable victories including getting two touchdowns and securing a dominant win over Von Steuben. Reyes isn’t new to the sport having played it since her youth. Reyes stated, “I’ve been doing it since I was little, I came to Taft to play Flag Football.’’ Reyes spoke on the challenges of the game, “Probably [the] defence, I think big runs and flag pulling.” The Taft Flag Football team has something that sets them apart from the competition, Reyes said, “Our athleticism.” During pregame Reyes enjoys a very relaxed environment. She said, “I like a calm space, quiet, enjoying being alone.” When asked about her performance in the Glenbrook South game she said, “I feel good, I feel like I could've made some more catches but overall I feel like I could've made more catches.” The team prepares in multiple ways before the game. Reyes said, “The team starts off with conditioning, running laps, and ends with a dynamic warmup along with a couple of light route running.’’ The team is prepared to play and eager to make an impact this season. The Taft High School Girls Flag Football team has made a remarkable impact this season. With dedication and teamwork, they’ve quickly become a force to watch on the field. Their passion for the game is evident in every play, inspiring the school community and fans alike.

By: Haley Venzke and Abigail Wozniak 

Everyone knows that the Chicago Cubs last won the World Series in 2016. Their first victory since 1908. So what’s their downfall? According to SPORTSNET “The Curse of the Billy Goat.” The “curse” began in the 1945 World Series when, in Game 4, William Sianis, who owned “The Billy Goat Tavern,” was forced to exit Wrigley Field after fans complained about his pet goat's odor. The Cubs lost the 1945 World Series and didn’t play in another World Series until they won it all in 2016. Who’s the wild card trio of the season? According to the standings on MLB.com, as of September, the Chicago Cubs are 2.5 games ahead of the San Diego Padres. A definite flash of hope for our current season. Such was this flash hope in 2003 when playing against the Florida Marlins, and the team lost their strong lead, missing their chance at the World Series with the infamous foul ball incident involving a fan, Steve Bartman. Let's not forget their short-lived Wild Card loss, the last time they played in the postseason, when they faced the Miami Marlins. The Loveable Losers are hoping to make history yet again, and with their current power hitters and seasoned players, the Cubs are making their comeback. As Cubs fans anticipate another World Series win, there's a concern that the 2016 victory may be seen as a one-time event. The pressure from fans could either motivate the players or negatively impact their performance. Wrigley Field fans are gathering once more as the “Loveable Losers” fight to turn brief moments into everlasting success. Both players and coaches know consistency will be key to achieving that.

Voices from “The Clubhouse”

After the 7-3 win on Sat. Sep. 27, Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised the team, saying, “Our guys stayed focused and executed every inning.” Pitcher Colin Rea added, “We kept our composure and made them work for every out.” Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong reflected, “Getting key hits when it mattered made all the difference.” On Sunday, Sep. 28, the Chicago Cubs secured a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, clinching home-field advantage for the upcoming National Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres. As of Tuesday, Sep. 30, the Chicago Cubs won the first of three games against the San Diego Padres. Securing one game lead. With the standings of the total number of wins and losses being 97 to 70, and a PCT. of.568 I sure have high hopes, and I bet others do too. The standings prove what we all knew in our hearts: that the Cubs can execute being an amazing team once again. Cubs fans are buzzing after the Wild Card victory. Hiwatha Softball Coach Steve LaPointe, a lifelong fan, shared, “I think the Cubs won because they finally found their rhythm at the right time. The bullpen held strong, the hitters came through in the clutch, and the energy just felt different.” Reflecting on playoff runs, the fan added, “It reminds me of 2015… this feels exciting again.” Another fan and Hiwatha Coach, Andy Barganski, pointed to a key highlight, “The clutch home run in the late innings that was the turning point. Everyone jumped out of their seats. That moment felt like the Cubs were saying, ‘We’re not done yet.’” Looking ahead, the fan said, “I’d love to see another magical run, like 2016. Even if not, just fearless baseball.” 

By: Kateryna Hordieieva 

The fall soccer season is coming to an end, and it’s been a strong one for our varsity and JV teams. They picked up a lot of wins, worked hard every game, and showed improvement from the start of the season. Whether at home or on the road, the teams stayed focused and competitive, and the results showed it. The JV team had a strong season by winning 7 out of their 11 games. Their hard work and teamwork paid off, and they always showed up ready to compete. A midfielder from the JV team, Arsenii Peleshok, shared his thoughts on the season, “I am very happy and proud to play this season. In my opinion this season is going very well so far.” Peleshok also shared that the games were easy for the players during this season. The varsity team is not lagging behind the JV team, Denys Smaliuha, the midfielder of the varsity team shared, “We won 17 out of 17 games this season and made a final which makes me feel very proud and confident.” The team's improvements were seen from the start and their confidence and skills took the team to the finals. Senior Dmytro Karpets who attended the games said, “It was a great way of showing what our students [what we] are capable of.” Karpets also shared, “It is also very entertaining to always support the players, I like to do the posters. It seems like they make the team play better.” About the finals, the final game of the season took place at Rockne Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Taft won with a score of 1-1, Taft’s winning penalty took the final step towards victory. The crowd on the bleachers were supporting the players throughout the game and jumping with joy after the victory. Overall, the season went amazing and even better than expected. The teams worked hard and gave it all every game. Winning every match and the final showed how strong they are together. Hopefully, the teams will look ahead with confidence, knowing that with this spirit there’s no limit to what they can achieve together.

By: Penelope Shannon 

The evolution of women's sports in recent years has been revolutionary. Important moments, like the passing of Title IX in 1972 played a huge role in equality in sports. Title IX was put in place to prohibit same sex discrimination in education. This gives women the opportunities to participate in sports programs offered at schools and universities. This has opened up a road leading to more women's sports teams and given more young women the chance to become successful athletes. In 1960, Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals for her performance in the Olympics. This helped pave the way and inspire the future female athletes of our generation. Senior Andrianna Bahriy said, “As someone who's been doing Ice skating for a long time, I get inspired to try better and stay motivated because of the female athletes I have to look up to.” The Women's Sports Foundation was founded in 1974 to inspire female athletes and advance the lives of women in sports. This helps to inspire girls everywhere to pursue sports. Senior Alyssa Kalisz shared, “Seeing empowering women so normalized in T.V and media really inspires me to go out and be active. The coverage of women's sports in the media grows more every year.” The launch of the WNBA in 1997 became a benchmark in the evolution of women's sports. Even though it has become so popular and revenue keeps growing, there are still differences in pay, media coverage, and sponsorship deals compared to the NBA. WNBA players earn an average of a hundred and sixteen thousand dollars annually, while NBA players earn seven and a half million dollars annually. Senior Vincent Rodriguez said, “I enjoy watching both the NBA and the WNBA but there is a very noticeable difference in coverage and media.” Although the representation of women in sports has become more popular in recent years, there are still problems that need to be solved. If the influence is growing, so should the inclusion. We want to inspire female athletes, not act like they're not as important as other athletes.