by Emily Wemhoff

photos by Libby Hyde and Hannah Bredar

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DANCE TEAM

 Competitions to watch: Lee’s Summit North Invitational Jan. 26.“This is where we get to see our competition for State,” junior Katie Daniels said.

Team goals: According to Daniels, one of dance team’s goals is to “place at all of our competitions and get a banner at state, which means third [place] or higher.”

Looking forward to: “Competing with our new pom and jazz routines,” junior Camille Porterfield said. “[The routines] are really different than anything we’ve done before.”

Team captains: Seniors Sara Meurer and Caroline Fiss

# of seniors: 2

# of returning varsity dancers: 6

Last year’s season: Dance Team finished fourth of 16 teams at State earned second in their Hip Hop routine and fourth in their Pom routine.

Fiss, Meurer and Daniels all received the honor of All-American this summer at Universal Dance Association camp.

Rising star: Sophomore Sydney Wimes is looking to make an even bigger impact in her second season. Wimes, who received the Rookie of the Year award last year from her teammates, is ready to help lead her team to a State title.

 SWIMMING

Big meets to watch: Springfield Invitational Jan. 25-26, Independent League Championships (ILCs) Feb. 7-8

Team goals: “Win ILCs for the fourth consecutive year and move up from our place at State last year,” senior Varsity captain Jane Evans said. Sophomore Taran Smith said a major goal is to “beat Sion.”

Looking forward to: “Bonding with the team,” Evans said. “Each year we grow closer and closer.” Smith is looking forward to team sleepovers and “getting back in shape.”

Team captains: Seniors Rose Hutchison and Jane Evans

# of seniors: 9

Last year’s season: Awards-Senior Rose Hutchison received Kansas City Star All-Metro recognition for her performance in the 200 freestyle. Hutchison also set school records in both the 100 yard and 200 yard freestyle. Junior Katie Hornbeck broke the 100 breaststroke school record, while Evans, Hutchison, sophomore Lauren Zastrow and sophomore Haley Baldwin set a new 400-meter relay school record.

The Stars finished 22nd out of 45 teams at State.

Rising star: This season, watch out for sophomore Haley Baldwin, who went to State in the 100 meter backstroke, 200 meter medley relay, 400 meter freestyle relay and 200 meter freestyle relay last year. In the 2012-2013 season, she is ready to break more records and help the team at State competition.

BASKETBALL

Games to watch: Home Jan. 24 vs. Sion, Home Jan. 10 vs. Lee’s Summit

Team goals: Junior Paige Lankford’s goal is to “build new team chemistry and of course win and do well throughout the season.”

Looking forward to: Junior Maggie Herrington is looking forward to improving as a team from the year before. “I know we’ve lost 5 or 6 players, but I’m sure that the new freshmen will be able to work hard,” Herrington said.

Team captains: Seniors Maggie Rellihan and Becca Lueke. “Both are great leaders,” Lankford said.

# of seniors: 2

# of returning starters: 2, Lueke and Rellihan. According to Herrington though, “[Rellihan] is out for the first half of the season with a knee injury.”

Last year’s season: Notable win: Notre Dame de Sion High School Feb. 14, 60-53

Postseason: Lost to Lee’s Summit High School in the District semifinals Feb. 22, 51-31

Coaching changes: “Sadly, we lost our JV coach, Coach Fletcher and our Varsity Assistant Coach Criswell. Our new assistant is Coach Megan,” Herrington said.

According to Lankford, varsity coach Chance Stephen decided to “give us a really hard schedule to make us better.” “I’m interested to see how this season turns out,” Lankford said.

Rising star: Senior Becca Lueke is back for her fourth year on Varsity after a breakout junior season. She is looking to lead the team back to the District final. “We are going to be a young team, but I do not think this will hurt us,” Lueke said. “I am more driven to win districts since it is my last year.”