Broken, But not Finished.

This time last year Hannah Pugh had just been notified that her swim season was over due to a torn right biceps.

Today, Hannah is less then a week away from competing at State in the 100 meter backstroke.

"Its an unreal feeling. To come back from an injury like that is incredible." Pugh said.

She had two options to get back to swim as soon as possible. Have surgery, which had a shorter rehab assignment, but could have a stronger chance of re-injury. Her second option was to remove all physical activity and do 8 weeks of physical therapy.

Pugh said, "Since i didn't do surgery the time table was just a little bit longer. I choose to heal it on its own so I can come back stronger. But I've had physical therapy four days a week for the past eight weeks. So i was able to get back to the team just before the start of the season."

Throughout this season, Pugh was been working non-stop to rehabilitate her arm and drop time to qualify for state.

"I have been really happy with all of my meets so far this season. Especially at regionals were i had the lowest time of my career. Which was my state qualifying time." Pugh said.

Pugh placed 6th overall in 100 Meter backstroke at regionals. Because she had the best performance so far this season, she has her mind set on Topeka. Which puts nothing but a smile on her face.

Track continues its record breaking season at Shawnee Mission North Relays

The ONW Track and Field team had another fantastic performance last Friday at the Shawnee Mission North Relays. The girls team tied for first out of over 30 teams while the boys placed fourth. 

Sam Thomas broke the 200 meter school record with a time of 22.06. 
"It was awesome. The feeling when coach told me when I broke the record was just pure joy," Thomas said.

Other notable performances include Cameron Gueldner in the mile running at 5:15.10 and two mile running at 11:16.72, Deanna Dougherty and Audrey fisher taking first and second in the triple jump, Brendan Watkins taking first in the triple jump with a jump of 43-09.00, and Delaney Schaffer in 100 and 200 with the times of 12.52 and 25.95. 

Schaffer has had an improbable season this year at track, she is only a freshman and is already regarded as one of the fastest girl sprinters in state.
"It's crazy to think of it that way. I just go out there and compete at the best I can do, I love track," Shaffer said 

The track season is winding down with only one meet left before Regionals and State. This week's meet is at Lawrence High on Friday, while Regionals is at ODAC next friday and State is May 29-30.

Flip, twist, and dive

Flip, Twist, and Dive

One outstanding individual many people don’t know about at ONW is Maddie Fentiman.

Maddie is involved with the ONW Cheerleading team and a new member to the ONW Diving team.

A new beginning

This being Maddie’s first year doing diving, she has had some difficulties transitioning from cheerleading to diving.

“It was definitely easy doing flips, however my main struggle was learning the approach,” Fentiman said.

Even though these challenges have created set backs, she has found her favorite dives to preform.

“My favorite dives would have to be front one and a half pike and reverse dives,” Fentiman said.

State

Even though Fentiman is just a freshman, through her hard work and dedication she has managed to qualify for state.

“Honestly I didn't think I would qualify for state. Sure, it was always a goal of mine, I just didn't want to get my hopes up,” Fentiman said.

On top of qualifying to state she also placed 8^th at the league championships last Saturday.

Having league behind her she has her hopes and her fears for the rest of the season.

“League wasn't my best meet I'd have to say. T have high hopes of getting to the top 16 at state. I'm pushing myself to learn one more difficult dive, so that is very nerve wrecking,” Fentiman said.

Future

Because Fentiman preformed so well her first year she’s planning on continuing this by rejoining the team next season for her sophomore year.

“I am so excited for next year because I'll keep pushing myself and get better and better,” Fentiman said.

With all of this positivity, she looks forward to another fantastic season with the returning girls.

"I am very pumped to compete with most of the same girls next season. We will all definitely kick some butt!" Fentiman said.

For more about amazing individuals at Olathe Northwest High school go to People of ONW blog at blogspot.

For more info about more ONW Sports go to the Olathe Northwest Athletic Website.

Life of a Twin

Jesus and Fidel Mascote are one of the few twins we have here at Olathe Northwest. Being born only seconds apart, their lives basically revolve around each other. The Mascote twins are both currently on the Raven Track team, running in the 4x800 relay and the 800 meter run. There are plenty of positive aspects about being a twin including getting a lot of attention, relating to each other feelings, etc.  Though sometimes being a twin might be seen as being cool, Jesus and Fidel say there can be some annoying aspects to it;

Jesus in first during a 800 meter run

"We always get asked if we're twins and we always respond with yes obviously we are," Fidel said. 

Being a twin means a lot of sharing for necessities for example, they will have to share their first car with each other, same bedroom and bathroom, etc. One of the biggest issues they said that involves being a twin is jealousy and competition;

"The main issue for being a twin is that there is constant competition on almost everything we do, it wears us out, we always want to be the better one at what we do," Jesus said. 

The competition is what drives them to try the hardest and be the best at whatever they are trying to accomplish.

Jesus in the 4x800 relay

 "Yeah, I would say that our jealously and competition is what brings us closer and makes us a better athlete and student," Jesus said.

Not only do they try their hardest to impress their teacher or coach at school, there is also competition trying to be the 'better' twin at home in front of their parents;

Fidel in the 4x800 relay

"Yes, the competition at home is the hardest because you always want to be the favorite, I try to do chores own my own to make my case for the better twin," Fidel said.

"I would say the best thing about being a twin are the bragging rights, we always brag on each other if we get the better score on a test, the better times in our race, or even the little things like being the first one in the shower on school mornings," Fidel said.

After all, what would a twin be like without some bragging rights?

Obese to O-Beast

Luis Ruiz with his team

Luis Ruiz in the 5th grade

In 5th grade Luis Ruiz was a horrendous 165 pounds. Now playing Varsity soccer for the Division 1 soccer club, the KCSC Blackstars. For his club team, Ruiz plays central defender, outside midfielder, and center defensive midfielder. For the Olathe Northwest Ravens Boys Varsity soccer team Ruiz plays center back.  

Ruiz struggled throughout his childhood with his weight. But was still inspired to play soccer. 

"I started to do as much cardio as I could take. And slowly and steadily my energy increased and I started losing weight." 

As Ruiz was tormented for his weight, his confidence started to plummet.

Ruiz dribbling through traffic 

"Kids weren't ever quick to choose me for stuff like kickball or soccer, because of my weight. But it never held me back, it just made me want to keep going."

His weight continued to decrease, his confidence grew. Drawing more and more inspiration from professional players. 

"Cristiano Ronaldo and and Ronaldinho really boosted my confidence into losing weight. I wanted to be just like them." 

Now Ruiz is a junior at Olathe Northwest, playing Division 1 soccer. Not only that but he is also on the Varsity Boys soccer team. 

"Im very glad that i can push that period in my life to the side and focus on improving my skills, and staying healthy. If I can do that, I really hope to play college ball, and even look to go pro."

  

Just Keep Swimming

Kaitlin Polasik a senior here at ONW, has been swimming the Olathe Northwest Swimming team since she was a freshman.

This year she is headed to state as an alternate but she is hoping to get qualified for state in the next three meets (JV League, Varsity League, and Last chance).

"I really hope to get consideration time for state in the 100 backstroke," Polasik said.

Remember

Even if she doesn't qualify for state she remembers her favorite moment over the past four years.

"I really love my teammates and my coaches there all really, really supportive and we all cheer for each other at meets and its a really family like environment,"said Polasik.

On top of her teammates and coaches being her support system she also has her most embarrassing moments with her coaches and teammates during morning practice.

"My most embarrassing moment was this year at morning practice. I found one of the life preservers on the deck and I wanted to see if I could fit into it still, so I put it on and then I got stuck in it for about 20 minutes and I had to have about three girls help me get it off," Polasik said.

Teammates and Coaches

Throughout her time on the swim team Polasik had one person really push her and support her every step of the way.

"Coach Krusen is just so supportive and he's really pushed me to try to do my best and get that state cut and he just pushes me to do what ever I can and I'm really grateful to have someone who will do that for me, " said Polasik

Because her time is coming to an end, Kaitlin has one thing she wishes to say to her teammates during the rest of their time here at ONW.

"Stick with it and just try your hardest because its just so important, the friendships you make will last throughout all four years and probably longer and the work ethic you learn from our coaches is just so important for your future goals," Polasik said.

For more on the ONW swimming team go to Olathe Northwest's Website or for more about one of a kind people here at ONW go to People of ONW's blog.

Traveling Across Continents

The life of contestant traveling from different places and homes can be stressful for a student to handle, facing challenges to keeping friendship and not having that permanent home to go to everyday after school, especially when you have lived in five different states and not to mention, on a different continent.

That has been exactly Rich Raynor's life.

"When you move constantly, you have to be outgoing and friendly with everybody you know because you don't want to leave a bad reputation because you know you won't live in that certain place for long" Rich said.

Being born in Idaho, his dad was stationed in the Air Force in England when he was only three years old. The Raynor family lived in England for about five years before going back to the United States in South Dakota for military reasons. His journey continued to Florida where he lived for three years, than to Colorado for another three years, and than finally he reached to Kansas where he is currently living. He has been attending Olathe Northwest for about six months now and is currently in Boys Scouts and was also the student team manager for the ONW basketball team.

"Out of the states I lived in, Colorado was my favorite because our family's lifestyle, we are outside oriented and the people were nice."

"Living in multiple states and across the country gives you more perspectives of the world you live in."

"You see and interact with a lot of different types of people and and encounter new places completely different from what you have ever seen before." Rich said.

From England to Kansas, Rich has always been the same person.