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
Rising out of the water, girls swim and dive co-captain and senior Norah Rutkowski grasps a momentary breath of air as she swims the butterfly stroke. Last week, Rutkowski competed alongside seven of her teammates at the state swim meet, held at St. Peters RecPlex. “This year at state, I got [No. 1 in] the 100-yard [butterfly] and fourth [in] [the 200-yard [individual medley]. [Winning] was a relief because it was something I had been wanting to do again. Freshman year was weird because it was COVID-19, and my time was relatively slow for someone to win state in that event, so I wanted to prove I could do it again,” Rutkowski said.

Waves of wonder

Cindy Phung, Editor-in-Chief • February 23, 2024

Over Feb. 15-16, girls swim and dive co-captain and senior Norah Rutkowski placed first in the state for the 100-yard butterfly — an admirable feat in and of itself. However, the accomplishment was not...

Posing in a picture with her family, senior Megan VanValkenburghsigns her National Letter of Intent to be a part of the swim and dive team at Butler University next fall. VanValkenburg committed and signed in December, but signing day at school occurred on February eighth. “All of the support from everyone on signing day made [committing] feel very real now. I feel like every little step I have taken in this process has led to that moment,” Vanvalkenburg said. “I have always loved the campus and location of the school, but [the girls on the women's swim and dive team at Butler] made me feel a part of their team on my visit, that’s when I knew I wanted to spend my next four years there.”

Photo of the Week- Feb. 11

Tre Bell, Staff Writer • February 11, 2022

With 14 years of experience, junior Dorothy Wunderlich pitches the softball to her opponent. During the season, Wunderlich’s bone hit against her hip labrum and re-tore the muscle. “I played the entire season and had surgery the Tuesday after [the last game]. Loving the sport keeps me going [through the injuries]; I would love to play softball in college,” Wunderlinch said. “I love my teammates, and they are really supportive about me being injured.”

Un-be-leaf-able season: Fall sports recap

Nayeon Ryu, Video Editor • October 29, 2019

Leading their team in their final West spell-out cheer, the seniors jump screaming “Let’s go West.” Before every home meet, the girls cheered in the center of the pool. “It was a bittersweet feeling. I was sad that things were becoming our ‘lasts,’ but I was also really grateful for my swim family,” senior Natalie Butler said.

Swim team seniors make their final splash

Reese Berry and Maria Newton • February 4, 2019

Sophomore Paris Wilken and freshman Ryan Mendonsa swim for the ball as part of their preparation during water polo practice.

Water Polo team welcomes talented freshmen

Chris Bass, STAFF WRITER • March 10, 2017

The boy’s water polo team began preparation the week of Feb. 21, a week earlier than other spring sports teams. “For the first week, it was a lot of basic work, especially for the JV group,” head...

Sink or swim: challenges of being a little fish in a big pond

Sink or swim: challenges of being a little fish in a big pond

Bridget Noonan, STAFF WRITER • February 4, 2016
As students walk past the cork board hanging outside the swimming pool, one name sticks out in particular: freshman Maria Newton.
Girls swim team members discuss new team bonding traditions

Girls swim team members discuss new team bonding traditions

Kathryn Harter, Multimedia Editor • December 15, 2015