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The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

Standing on the practice field after an intense scrimmage, new football coach Mario Patton is adjusting to the new playing style at West. Patton energizes the team everyday with his personality. “ I want our kids to think of me as one of the most passionate coaches that they have been around, also someone who truly cares about the best interests of kids,” Patton said. “When it is business time I think the kids know the difference.”

New football coach and alumnus Mario Patton, despite strict COVID-19 rules, still makes connections with athletes

Tre Bell, Staff Writer September 18, 2020

Handing off his knowledge to football athletes, coach Mario Patton is the new running back coach. Patton has coached for 16 years, but this year is more meaningful than others. “I had an opportunity...

Senior Lauren Beard finishes her last lap at a swim meet. Beard plans to continue swimming at the collegiate level. “It’s such an escape from life’s craziness,” Beard said. “It allows me to take a step back and get out all of the anger and frustration I have built up. The community is so supportive and it’s like a second family.”

Spring Edition: Seniors commit to their school for collegiate sports

Zoe DeYoung, Ridwan Oyebamiji, and Lydia Roseman May 28, 2020

Tia Reed-Basketball Senior Tia Reed couldn’t imagine the idea of playing collegiate basketball, but that changed when she began to hear offers from Missouri Baptist University, Lyon College, Fontbonne...

Holding their third place medals from districts, senior Robert McKnight stands alongside his teammate Matt Boyd and tennis coach Katelyn Arenos after a practice during their junior year. They spent most of their season playing doubles matches with each other. “Playing tennis has taught me a lot. Staying committed to my training has taught me discipline. Struggling through back injuries has taught me how to always find the silver lining. Most importantly, my tennis career has taught me a lot about humility and respect,” McKnight said. “Respect is earned in many ways. It’s about correcting your mistakes and putting others first, and improving the lives of those around you, because you [can] personally have an impact.”

A time to remember: Inside senior Robert McKnight’s tennis career

Jacob Stanton, Staff Writer May 12, 2020

After placing third in the district doubles tournament his junior year, team captain and senior Robert McKnight is poised to become a tennis star. Even though his final season has been postponed due to...

Junior varsity baseball coach Andrew Jett swings his arms while coaching third base telling senior Jason Reilly to run to home plate.  Jett feels at home when coaching baseball. “ I hope that in 10 years I meant so much to them that they invite me to their weddings,” Jett said.

Meet the new “Jett-setting” softball coach

Gabi Badami, Staff Writer April 16, 2020

It is safe to say that Math teacher Andrew Jett will be coaching the varsity softball in the 2020 season. Social Studies teacher Jeff Chazen has coached the softball team for 11 years and recently stepped...

Between all the sports, the average cost to play and to buy equipment is $275. Athletes have to spend  not only their health and time but also their money or their families money.

The underlying price of high school sports

Michael Lolley, Staff Writer March 3, 2020

Whether it is fees for a club team, equipment, travel, event admission or other sports costs, families can spend thousands of dollars on athletics. In addition to the cost of club sports, when kids reach...

Scarcity of striped shirts: Why there is a lack of referees

Drew Boone, Staff Writer February 25, 2020

In recent years, it has become a far too frequent sight that sporting events turn into two teams versus the officials. While these events are meant to be a safe and competitive environment for the student-athletes...

Getting ready for the state championship, seniors James Griffin and Brayden Eddy finish their practice as they stand with their friends, holding a poster of the competition bracket. On Feb. 15, they practiced at St. Charles High School. “As soon as I found out that I was going to state, I instantly knew that all my hard work had paid off to this moment,” Griffin said. “It felt awesome to be able to represent our school at the state-level competition.”

Seniors place top 10 in state wrestling championship

Jacob Stanton, Staff Writer February 25, 2020

As loud cheering echoes throughout the stadium and cameras flash to capture the perfect image, seniors Brayden Eddy and James Griffin celebrate their victories at the state wrestling championship, completing...

With an effort to finish, senior Lydia Roseman swims 100 yard backstroke at the end of the Yellow Pool Conference Finals. Between the preliminary swim Tuesday, Feb. 4 and finals Thursday, Feb. 6, Roseman dropped a combined 3.44 seconds in this event. “It was just a really great way for me to finish off my season because I accomplished way more than I thought I would. I was hoping for just a small time drop, but then I ended up dropping a significant amount,” Roseman said.

Swim, Swam, Swum, Score

Quinn Berry, Staff Writer February 11, 2020

Girls Swim and Dive take on one of the fastest conferences in the state of Missouri, placing 6th overall at Kirkwood High School Feb. 6. 

Watching teammates wrestle from the bleachers, sophomore Paige Wehrmeister and teammate Emma Cole bond through their common interests. Following the trip to Fargo, Wehrmeister continued to spend time with the friends she made during her trip to Fargo. “We were all representing the same state, and after all that time together, I developed close friendships with some of the girls,” Wehrmeister said.

Sophomore Paige Wehrmeister develops wrestling skills at National Championships

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief August 22, 2019

The stadium seats rise up around her with the capacity to seat 19,000. On the mat wrestling at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals, also known as Fargo, is sophomore Paige Wehrmeister. Wehrmeister...

Sophomore Emma Carter and freshman Paige Wehrmeister pose together after the Mehlville Women’s Invitational Dec. 21. The tournament was the first girls tournament that either one had been to; Carter took third place in the 167 pound weight class, and Wehrmeister took fifth in the 121 pound weight class.

#WrestleLikeAGirl: breaking boundaries and winning medals

Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR February 1, 2019

This wrestling season, #WrestleLikeAGirl has trended across Missouri. Girls have turned out in record numbers for the sport, more than doubling the number that the Missouri State High School Activities...