Parkway West loses to rival Parkway South 2-1 at Queeny Recreational complex on Jan. 11. Senior Hasan Baig gave the Longhorns an early lead in the first period on a breakaway goal.
“The atmosphere was exciting and very loud. It really was a moment I will never forget. The fans always play a huge part in motivating the team on the ice and that is a big thing I am going too miss. We owe it all to the fans that came out to support us last night,” Baig said.
Four seniors were honored before the game for senior night, including forward Baig, forward Nick Balestra, defenseman Jacob Ransom and goalie Jordan Wojak.
“Two quality teams really competed all night, it is too bad we couldn’t pull out the win on senior night. Tough games like these are only going to help prepare us moving forward into playoffs,” Ransom said.
After an early lead for West, South came storming back with goals in the second and third period to clinch the victory.
“Our game against Parkway South are the biggest, most anticipated games of the year. Being a senior and a four year varsity player, myself along with other seniors really developed that animosity towards South. Regardless of the score, the rivalry and the atmosphere of the fans made it an amazing game to play in,” Balestra said.
South entered the game as the number two ranked team in the suburban south west conference while West trailed at the number three spot. Both teams look to prepare for the playoffs now.
“I think going into playoffs we just need to improve on little details throughout our game and to get into better habits with the puck. If we can play and work as a unit then this team will be able to accomplish special things moving forward,” Wojtak said.
With a record of 6-5-6 this season, the Longhorns success can be credited by the seniors.
“The seniors have been great this year. They have helped me with all phases of the game and I owe it to them for making me a more mature player. I am really going to miss them next season which is why I hope we make a strong run in the playoffs,” sophomore Austin Gast said.
Freshman Tarek Baig, younger brother of Hasan Baig, looks to help the Longhorns continue their run into the playoffs.
“It has been awesome being able to play with my brother. Hasan has made me a better player and I hope I can follow in his footsteps. He is someone I have always looked up to and we will both remember this season for the rest of our lives,” Tarek Baig said.
![Holding the disc, senior Nathan Thompson waits for an opportunity to pass to senior Timmy Fry. Parkway United’s ultimate frisbee team is made up of students from each of the four Parkway schools. “The one thing I really like about ultimate [frisbee] is the community because it’s so different from any other sport I've been a part of. [My] national teammates are people who we play against in the regular season, so we see each other all the time. It's always fun hanging out with [them],” Thompson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/C96A6823-1200x800.jpg)
![Senior Josie Grunzinger watches the football game intently from the sidelines on Oct. 18. Grunzinger stood out to the crowd as the only girl on the football team, encouraging other girls who want to play football to take a chance and go for a sport outside of their comfort zone. “If you think you could [play football] and you want to do it, just try it, because all it takes is to actually try it out,” Grunzinger said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design-1200x675.png)
![With her arms held high, junior Jenna Rickelman throws the ball across the pool during a girls water polo practice. With hours of practice after school and over the summer, Rickelman saw many improvements in her water polo skills. “When I look at [my] stats, I'm so much better than I was last year,” Rickelman said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-2-.png)
![Putting on his helmet, catcher and senior Tommy Eschbach prepares to get in his primary stance. Despite losing 6-1 against Eureka on April 16, Eschbach didn’t let the tough loss affect his playing or mental health. “It's [so] easy to get caught up in the sport and what you're doing that [after] one bad game or a stretch of games it is hard to remind yourself that your worth as a person isn't directly related to your performance on the field,” Eschbach said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0415-1-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Sports organizations have changed lives on and off the field, improving athletes’ muscle strength, reducing their risk of diseases and building energetic work capacity worldwide. However, many student-athletes struggle to balance schoolwork and athletic commitments, hoping to seek more understanding and support from their teachers and coaches. “To lessen mental strain student-athletes [face] and create a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle, there shouldn’t be any homework. I'm already [at school] for eight hours and [homework] creates a bigger load for student-athletes in AP or honors classes,” track and field sprinter and sophomore Lucy Penton said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0095-1-e1713883278514-1200x847.jpg)
![At the Spring Pep Rally on March 8, boys varsity water poloist and junior Jack Brau stands with the boys water polo team. The group, hoping to include everyone — whether boy or girl, varsity or JV — cheered on the girls water polo team during the sports team runouts. “Even though we all play separate games and have different practices, we like to see ourselves as one big group who represent one water polo [team],” Brau said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_8810-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Looking for an open teammate, freshman Patrick May passes the ball across the court at the Nov. 28 game against Parkway Central. May started in the game against the Colts. ”Growing up, [my parents] always gave me a basketball, [and] we had a basketball hoop outside. I grew up playing [all the time], playing on the [driveway] and shooting hoops with my dad.” May said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image2-1-1200x801.jpg)
