by Georgia Skillings

With the track season underway, there is a lot to look forward to and expectations are high. There are several new participants and returning 8th graders trying new events. I spoke to several of them to find out more about the events they've chosen and what they're focused on to do well this season.

Q. What event did you pick and why?
Holly Schreckengost: Throwing and relay because they seem fun.

Alleigha Hissem: Jumping and sprinting because they're both competitive events!

Nataley Quinn: Throwing. I don't like to run and like getting stronger arms. 

Kennedy Kulik: Jumping because I did it last year. It’s also fun because I feels like I'm flying.

Bella Govern: 400 because Keller made me run it!

Scarlette McClarren: Throwing because I thought it would be fun. 

Destiney Reed: Throwing because I'm strong!

Rebecca Chesla: Distance because I like running.

Q. What is most challenging about your event?

Alleigha Hissem: Getting through conditioning. 

Sarah Schrecongost: Getting a bigger PR.

Aubree Hartshorn: The mile because it’s just a lot! 

Skyla Pallottini: Running because I cough when I run too much.

Sam Hauser: Placing in the top three.

Victor Iscrupe: Not hitting the bar while throwing.

Danielle Marsh: Maintaining a consistent pace.

Lucas Grohal: Being able to keep up with the competition. 

Q. What are you most excited for?

Addison Hood: Running with friends. 

Lucas Grohal: Becoming more athletic. 

Angelina Calabrace: Going to the meets. 

Mackenzie Schubert: Getting out of class early.

Dominic Simoncini: Going to meets with friends.

Maddy Pittman: Getting a PR in discus. 

Destiney Reed: The Pizza Party! 

Michael Buterbaugh: Going to WADA. 

As you can see, this year's team has many goals and tons of excitement! They're off to an incredible start, and we wish them nothing but continued success!

by Coriana Wightman

The NFL Preseason is an important time for Fantasy Football fans so they can make a great team for the upcoming season. This season, in particular, the preseason misled football fans about the upcoming season for their favorite teams.

Some teams are doing better than they did during the preseason—for example, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the preseason, the consecutive Super Bowl champs had a record of 0-3, and the Steelers matched with a record of 0-3 too. Through eight weeks of the season, the Chiefs have a perfect record of 7-0, making some people wonder if their preseason losses were staged. The Steelers record looks strong too, with only two losses out of seven games, the Steelers have a record of 5-2.

Looking at the opposite side of the spectrum, some teams had a perfect record during the preseason, but have struggled during the regular season so far. Two of those AFC teams are the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos with perfect records of 3-0 in the preseason, both teams have been closer to average or below average since the regular season began. As of week 8, the Broncos are 5-3 for the season so far, while the Jets are an embarrassing 2-6.

This goes to show that nerves can work wonders. Some fans assume that teams that did phenomenally during the preseason aren’t doing as well because it’s the real deal now. During preseason, all the games were just practice, a way to get a lay of the land, but now the games could affect a shot at making it to The Super Bowl. Now as for teams who are crushing the regular season that couldn’t win a game during pre-season, some people are wondering if it’s just a coincidence or if the teams that fall under this category were purposely losing their pre-season games to surprise their opponents when the regular season came around, which might be the cause of some of the earlier wins. If that was their plan, it seems to have worked!

by Evan Sanders

NOTE: These were my picks and reasons for the Top NBA Awards in the middle of April, before the Awards were announced.