“He was showing me how to golf and I decided I wanted to play, you know?- during freshman move up day he was there, showing me how to play golf,” said Southall.

This role isn't coming without growing pains though. According to Glynn, adjusting to the new role has been jarring. 

“It’s strange going from the younger guy one year to the older guy the next year,” said Glynn.

Glynn then said this is especially true with some of the incoming freshmen natural talents.

  “I've been in the program for a long time so luckily I kinda know what's going on, but it's also weird that a lot of these younger guys are doing the same if not better, but you still have to be a leader,” said Glynn.

Another older player, Cameron Clubine, junior, has had to take on a leadership role as well. Clubine has high hopes for the upcoming season, hoping to guide the best he can.

“We have a lot of new talent so I think we're gonna do well, we have a lot new people and a lot new dedicated people than in the last couple years, so I’m gonna try my best to help that.”

Even with these jarring shifts in team dynamics, Pingel sees how Clubine and Glynn could still stand to bond the team together.

“They're guys (Cubine & Glynn) I could see being able to help some of the younger guys, show them the ropes and I'm not just talking golf skill you know? Making them feel a part of the team is just as important as the golf skill side,” said Pingel.

Kiley Thomas, junior, explained how the team has been weight lifting and training hard. 

Many players have benefited from joining track. 

Keely Byrd, sophomore, plays softball and basketball and joined track to get better for those sports. 

“I decided to do track because it benefits me in my other sports and the people are fun to be around,” Thomas said.

Brena Rider ,junior, decided to join the track to be with her friends while Palmer joined to try something new. Stewart decided to because he wanted to break the school pole vault record. 

The first track meet of the season went well. 

“Our track season is going okay, but it is still pretty early. Our track athletes are still trying to figure out which events they are most comfortable with doing,” Mark Thomas, track coach, said. 

“It went really well, overall we had great team effort and a lot of high places,” Stewart said.

“I was pretty good, but there is definitely a lot that everyone needs to work on,” Palmer said. 

Track looks to place prominently at the MRVC tournament April 22nd in Warrensburg.

“It's been pretty good. I think I've improved for the most part,” Whitaker said.

Coach Grant Wolfe, head JV boy basketball coach, agrees with the players.  

“The JV season has been going great. We have only lost two games and have made a ton improvements on both sides of the floor,” Wolfe said. “They have exceeded my expectations. We have been playing really well lately.”

Wolfe thinks everyone has improved, but one of them grabs his attention.

“All of our players have improved from last year, but one that sticks out is Brett Peterson,” Wolfe said. 

Peterson agrees with Wolf and thinks he has improved.

“Yeah I think I’ve just become a better player overall,” Peterson said. 

Peterson has been playing since his 8th grade year and his main reason for playing is to stay in shape during the winter. The other players have been in love with the sport since a young age. 

“I’ve been playing for 8 years. I started because my parents put me in basketball when I was little,” Kantner said. 

Whitaker has been playing since he was 8. He thought the sport was enjoyable so he has continued it ever since. 

 “I started in 3rd grade, my mom made me,” Janes said. 

All of these players have different motivations encouraging them to continue to play basketball. 

“I stay motivated because I just love basketball,” Kantner said. 

Whitaker says the games are fun and it encourages me to continue playing. 

Whitaker is Janes’s motivation throughout the season. 

“My teammates motivate me,” Peterson said. 

As they continue throughout the season the players are creating good memories. 

“My favorite memory is the bus rides because they are fun,” Kantner said.

Whitaker and Janes enjoy playing with their friends. 

“Probably just winning the jv games,” Peterson said. 

Coach Wolfe wants players to make improvements in life and basketball before they graduate high school. 

“I want my players to be better basketball players when they leave this program, but most importantly, better human beings. We want to prepare our players to be the best men, husbands, and fathers they can be in life,” Wolfe said. 

“I am looking forward to what this new change will bring. I am also excited for this freshman class which will help fill some holes that we had from losing some players,” Smith said. 

This season the girls are improving their fundamental skills. 

“My plan is to build and improve our athletes’ fundamentals and overall basketball IQ. We are a very young team with a bright future ahead,” Doyle said.

  “One thing I want to work on is being able to handle bigger bodies down low…because it would be helpful to the team if I was bigger down low…,” Stevens said. 

The coaches want to work on the team’s approach to the game.

“My biggest goal is to get our girls to find their love for the game of basketball. Once we have found some love and excitement for the game, the success will quickly follow,” Doyle said. 

“We plan on improving how the girls approach each game, which is to play hard, scrappy, and always go down fighting,” Smith said. 

The boys’ basketball team is in a similar situation. They lost a lot of seniors last year and are looking for the younger players to step up.

“I don’t know what to expect. All of our previous varsity players have graduated, so it

feels like a new team. All I can expect is to not expect anything,” Nathanael Begemann, senior, said.

The team is run by head coach, Micah Lewis, JV coach, Grant Wolfe, and C team coach, Barry Blank. 

The team had a great season last year and wants to start where they left off.

“I think the thing I’m most excited about this year is continuing on the product that we’ve been building as a program. We have set ourselves in a great position to be very successful once again and I think we are going to capitalize on that opportunity,” Lewis said. 

Blank is excited to see this group’s progress while learning the fundamentals of basketball and competing every day.

Lewis wants the team to be more competitive. 

“Our plan for this year is to maximize our competitiveness. We have a very difficult nonconference schedule which will lead us to some much needed adversity. Said adversity is necessary for the level of success that we are wanting to see when we get into conference and district play…People around us are going to focus on all that we lost with that year’s senior class. What they don’t realize is we have a bunch of hungry and capable athletes waiting behind them ready to pick-up and carry that mantle,” Lewis said. 

This year the practices are going to be more intense and competitive. That way it can still be enjoyable, but also allows growth.

“Our coaches help me become a better athlete by giving feedback on what I can change to make myself and the team better,” Adams said. 

When deciding teams and rotations, the coaches look for the main things they need in a player while staying unbiased. 

“Some of my favorite players have had an infectious positive attitude and were never rattled by what was happening in the game. They also put the team and their needs first, and were the biggest supporters of each of their teammates,” Distler said. “I love the curious players, the ones who are willing to ask questions to understand and get better as they play, and the players who are willing to put the effort in. Being a great player requires a lot of sacrifice and a lot of extra work, and the best ones sacrifice without question or complaint every single day. Most of all, though, the players that are having fun and constantly giving 100% of themselves often turn out to be some of the best players over time.”

“I look for a good attitude, athleticism, the willingness to learn and listen, and positivity,” Makings said.

The coaches have good and big expectations for their teams.

“I expect my team to give their best each and every day, in their effort, their attitude, and their energy. I expect that they work every day to get better for themselves and for their team. I expect that they will be excellent teammates,supporting each other as we work together to achieve our goals,” Distler said. 

“I always expect my team to be hard working, coachable, and great teammates on and off the court,” Makings said. 

Since the players are succeeding the expectations, the team culture is thriving. 

“We are mostly supportive of each other. We are also inclusive with one another, and we have found great success from this team dynamic,” Sisk said. 

“I think that the team culture is super positive and everyone wants the best for the team,” Adams said. 

The team helps build a positive atmosphere by doing team bonding. At the beginning of the season, the big sisters, upperclassmen, chose their little sisters, underclassmen. Before every game, the big sisters take their little sisters to go get something to eat. Sometimes the team meets and eats together as a team. The team also has team dinners in the commons almost every Monday. 

Their record this year is 20-4-1, with their most recent win against Clinton. They start districts on Wednesday at Oak Grove, hopefully advancing to state.

Secret Gift Giving with Footballers and Cheerleaders

By Claire Fieth 

The OHS cheer team has given secret gifts to the senior football players every home game since the beginning of the season.

“Getting free candy and drinks is amazing,” Hunter Nye, senior football player, said.

Emma Hunter, senior cheerleader, loves giving gifts  “I think the secret gift giving is something exciting and something both the senior football players and the cheerleaders look forward to each home game. I think it makes the seniors feel appreciated and recognized in a sweet way that also gets them excited for the game that night,” Hunter said. 

“It’s definitely an experience to gift someone something when they do know it’s you and it’s fun to give gifts for people,” Kayla Hesterberg, junior, said. 

The Players receive their gifts after their first hour.

“Cheerleaders drop bags of candy or something by the office and [the] office call[s] you down after 1st hour,” Nye said.

“Each football player receives their gift Friday morning after 1st hour. They all get called down to the office and given their gifts as well as the senior cheerleaders,” Hunter said. 

To pick items in the gift bags the players send them a list of things they like. 

“I do have certain snacks, candies, drinks, and personal items that the seniors choose,” Hunter said. 

“They gave us a paper of the things that they like and we get it for them and drop it off in the office on Friday mornings,” Hesterberg said.

When picking the football players, the cheerleaders get to choose. 

“We get a list of the footballers and the cheerleaders choose which one," Hesterberg said.

“We got to choose our players. the seniors choose first then so on then so on and so forth,” Hunter said. 

The cheerleaders have favorite gifts that they have given the players.

“The best gift I've gotten my football player was for homecoming; it was a giant bag with everything he likes but recently I got him a Lego set for a really nice car,” Hesterberg said.

“My favorite gift so far that I have given would probably be any of them just because I know I'm putting a smile on my senior football player's face and making him feel appreciated before he goes and plays an important game,” Hunter said. 

  “My favorite gift so far was my senior night gift last year. It was a gift basket full of everything the color blue,” Riley Jerome, senior cheerleader, said.

Season-Ending with Record Breaks 

By Claire Fieth

The OHS softball season is coming to an end. The players and coaches have had an amazing season.

One of those players is Jaden Brewe, senior, who ended with breaking a record. 

“I broke the single-season triple record. The previous record was 8 triples and I amassed 10,” Brewe said.

  At the beginning of the season, Brewe wasn’t planning to break a record. 

“I didn’t plan on breaking the record when the season started, although I did joke about it with my coaches. Once it became apparent that there was a possibility for me to actually break the record, I started to put a little bit of effort towards it,” Brewe said. 

When Brewe broke the record her feelings were excitement and joy.

“I was elated. Britney Afolter, the previous holder of the record, has been my friend for several years and my teammate for 2 years prior. Therefore, I was happy to have beaten my friend. Moreover, with this record my batting average was high which, along with my fielding stats, resulted in me obtaining All-State 2nd Team,” Brewe said. 

She wanted to break another record but didn't have the time.  

 “I would like to break the career triple record, however with the little time I have left with this season being my last as a senior, I’m not focusing on breaking it,” Brewe said.

Randy Florence head softball coach was proud of Brewe breaking this record.

“Any time you see a kid break a record it does your heart good because you know that they are doing something right,” Florence said. 

Amanda Smith assistant coach was also proud of Brewe for breaking her record. 

 “I was extremely proud of her. Some of those records have not been broken for ten years, so it was awesome knowing that girls I coached have been able to put their names on the record board,” Smith said.

The triple record was not the only record broken. Keely Byrd, sophomore, broke the RBI season record with 38 total RBIs this season. Kiley Thomas, sophomore, broke the season stolen bases record with a total of 33 stolen bases. Brewe also tied the walks in a season with 27.

Season Ending with Getting Better 

By Claire Fieth

The OHS softball season is coming to an end. The players and coaches have had much improvement throughout the season. 

“I think this season is going really well and we have played some good softball at times and have beaten some good teams,” Randy Florence, head coach, said. 

“I feel this season has gone pretty good. We have a great group of girls who are very talented and I am looking forward to districts next week,” Amanda Smith, assistant coach, said.

  “I feel like this season has been going good and has shown a lot of improvement,” Abigail Bainbridge, junior, said. 

“I feel really good about this season and am really excited to see how we do in districts,” Madison Lockhart, senior, said. 

Both of these players have been playing before high school.

“I have played it sport since t-ball, so a long time ago,” Lockhart said.

  “I have played for the school all three years but I've been playing for 8 years now,” Bainbridge said. “I started playing because my mom made me, but I continue to play because I've grown to love the sport.”

“My mom played when she was younger so I get my hunger from her and softball bring me excitement and happiness,” Lockhart said.

The coaches and players have made good memories this season, and seasons past. 

“My favorite memory is just being in the dugout with the energy and the cheering it's always so hyped,” Bainbridge said. 

“My favorite memory for this season was beating Clinton. Our second game against Clinton was a big one for us and we spread them in the 6th inning. The girls played a great game all around defensively and offensively,” Smith said. 

Lockhart said her favorite memory from softball was winning districts her freshman year. 

Florence’s favorite memory from this season has been the joy of seeing the team work hard and accomplish a lot. 

“What made me play was not only the sport itself but the players and the energy of the team as well,” Bainbridge said. 

Running to the Top

By Gracie Harget

The OHS cross-country team has been working to boost their skills. Coaches Zachary Meler and Heather Meler are doing everything in their power to help them. With districts coming up, they are really focusing on this. 

“As we prepare for districts we maximize our mileage first and then let up on the distance while keep the paces up. Usually we more PRs as we back off and we are hoping for that to happen again,” Z. Meler said. 

“We have been preparing for weeks. We have a couple phases to our season where we build volume (distances) and intensity (speed) in waves to (hopefully) peak at the right time during the season,” H. Meler said. 

John Kuntze, junior, is putting in a lot of work preparing for districts. He’s running more hills to get ready for the hilly courses at districts. 

“Through all of my activities, I am putting cross country first. I am pushing at all of my practice whether or not the other runners are trying their best,” Natalie Doney, freshman, said.

Before districts came along, the season was going great.

“The season has been going great. Our boys and girls teams have won plaques at multiple meets. The girls' team has been the best I have had as a coach, and the boys' team was supposed to have a building year after losing some important seniors last year but instead, we are right back in the hunt,” Z. Meler said. 

H. Meler believes the season is going well also.

“We have a very fun group of runners out and they are great to be around which makes practice enjoyable,” H. Meler said. 

“The season is going great. As far as I know, both the boys’ and girls’ team have taken home 2 plaques out of the 7 meets we have ran at. Plus we have several individual medals to add to that,” Blake Sullivan, senior, said. 

Nathan Begemann feels the season is going well and has improved a lot over the season. 

This year's team has bettered their PR, or personal record, during the season. 

“...nearly everyone on our team has achieved a PR this season, and Natalie Doney is less than 20 seconds from beating the girls' school record that is over 20 years old,” Z. Meler said. 

“The school record is 20:04 and Natalie ran a 20:44 this year. She still has a long way to go but it is exciting because Natalie is only a freshman and will undoubtedly improve throughout her high school career,” H. Meler said. 

The team has made excellent accomplishments.

“Being a great team leader for my team which helps my teammates push themselves to their limits,” Kuntze said are his accomplishments this season. 

“My biggest accomplishment happened at our very first meet of the season at St. Michael. I shattered my PR of 20:33 by running a 19:44 that day,” Sullivan said. 

The cross-country season is coming to an end with districts coming up. They’re hoping to end it with a bang. 

The OHS girls tennis team’s season is swinging by.  This year they have a new head coach, Paul Klene, and their former JV coach, Jason Rathert.

“Coach Klene encourages everyone as much as possible, gives critical feedback so we can improve, and gives the team new drills to practice to help us focus on from,” said Kaylee Robinson, sophomore. 

“He is very kind and understanding. Coach Klene is flexible especially with students who are participating in other school activities. His patience is very appreciated,” said Yasamine Carter, junior.

“He is super nice and friendly. He is super encouraging and makes it a good time,” said Haley Burke, junior. 

Tennis is very busy every season. They have tournaments almost every week, mostly on Wednesdays. 

“It is a short season, we have to get in so many matches in a season to qualify to play in districts and state,” said Rathert. This is Rather's second year of coaching girls tennis.

The tennis season is a crazy time for tennis players. On their tournament days, each girl plays a minimum or 1-2 games. Some girls can advance to 5-8 games, each game going for around an hour each. Not only do they have tournaments on Wednesdays, but they also have matches everyday weekday after school, except for Fridays. 

The team finds it challenging sometimes to keep up with their school work during their season. They all come up with ways they make it work. 

“I try very hard to make every second and minute count for me. I study between game breaks, as soon as I get home, and even on the bus and car,” Carter said.

“It can be very stressful, but I usually try to get my school work done early and make sure I’m on top of it at school, so I don’t have as much to worry about with matches,” Burke said. 

The team tries to utilize bulldog block. They make sure their school work comes first. 

“Tennis has its time to shine, every other time is devoted as necessary to schoolwork,” Robinson said. 

The coaches give the player advice also.

“...breathe, don't overload yourself by not doing something early or procrastinating. Use your time wisely and make the most of your time for school, matches, practice and yourself…and have fun,” Rathert said. 

The girls tennis team’s season is coming to an end soon, but they are working hard to make it memorable.