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by John Unrein The confidence on display by the Lady Eagles soccer team in their Suburban Conference matchup against the Truman Patriots was perhaps best summarized by midfielder Raena Childers. The senior paused briefly before remarking, “We are pretty legit I would say,” when asked to reflect on the best thing about being 12-1. The statement drew an immediate smile from teammate Emma Thiessen who nodded in agreement. The duo combined for eight of Grain Valley’s goals in their 11-0 victory over the Truman Patriots on April 27th. Both Childers and Thiessen had a plethora of break away chances that resulted in each putting four goals in the net. Clearing all defenders and getting into open space raises the pulse of both the charging player and opposing goalie as this is one of the rarest instances in a soccer game. Someone is going to be ecstatic, and the other party equal in discontentment. Childers and Thiessen each shared their perspective of what this moment is like for them. “My first thought is that I have to get it done. If I do all the work to be one on one with the goalie and miss, then it was a waste,” Childers said. “This team is strong, young, and passionate. We love the game, and we work hard for each other.” Thiessen added, “You do peek at the location of the goalie in those instances as you are processing the coming shot. We work on those situations in practice, so your mindset is about finishing when it occurs during a game.” “We enjoy a fast tempo of play. The respect we have for each other permits us to work well as a team.” The Eagles were indeed fast in surmounting a lead that allowed the spread rule of an eight goal lead or more be invoked at half time. Grain Valley spent much of the first forty minutes on Truman’s side of the field. Executing well placed throws from out of bounds aided the Lady Eagles in executing their offense. Defender/Midfielder Lexie Arreguin continues to excel in this role for Grain Valley. The junior would also score a goal twelve minutes into the first half. “It has been two years since I scored a goal, so that was pretty crazy tonight when it occurred. I really enjoy defense, but it is always fun to have the chance to score,” Arreguin said. “I pick a spot in my mind after surveying the field and lob the ball (on throw-ins). Coach (Tyler) Nichol encourages me to throw the ball long with the nods he gives me if I am on our sideline.” Arreguin finished, “It is so cool to have the record we have, and I am looking forward to seeing how far we get as the season continues.” Lady Eagles head coach Tyler Nichol is not surprised by the level of confidence on display by his team. Nichol points to the tough non-conference schedule Grain Valley played early on against opponents like Kearney, Park Hill South, and Notre Dame de Sion. That level of competition has bolstered his team as they prepare for the month of May and postseason soccer. “It is for sure better to be where we are at than to have to build it there,” Nichol said. “Good sportsmanship and character are the most important things that we want to show. At the same time, we have goals on the field that we are working towards and getting some of our players more than ten minutes on the field matters. At what point do you make rotational changes with your players? You have to find balance and we tried to do that tonight.” Nichol continued, “Manny (Tovar) is a great coach (for Truman) and he understands. We have a good relationship and his team pushed hard tonight the best they could. With everything that has gone on in the last year, the most important thing is that we are all happy to be playing soccer. We are blessed that we have not lost a game yet due to quarantine.” The Lady Eagles remain undefeated in their conference schedule. A young Grain Valley varsity squad with eight freshmen, including goalkeeper Morgan Solomon, who recorded the shutout in net against the Patriots, will next face Fort Osage, Incarnate Word Academy, and William Chrisman in the coming week. Emma Thiessen prepares to put the ball in play. Photo credit: John Overstreet Lexi Arreguin battles for control of the soccer ball. Photo credit: John Overstreet Raena Childers breaks into the clear.
Photo credit: John Overstreet by John Unrein Strong spring wind gusts often accompany the onset of warm weather in the Midwest. The outfield flags were blowing from right field to left field with up to 40 mph wind gusts as the Grain Valley Eagles paid a visit to the Fort Osage Indians on April 26th. The conditions made fielding fly balls and pop ups an adventure at times during the contest. Grain Valley middle infielders Avery Garmon and Parker Bosserman used the wind to their advantage in securing key runs batted in for the Eagles in their 4-3 comeback win against the Indians. Garmon was the first to deliver in the top of the third inning. The Eagles second baseman selected a pitch he could elevate to score Alex Snyder from third base on the sacrifice fly, providing Grain Valley an early lead. Bosserman would follow suit in the top of the sixth inning with the bases loaded. The Eagles shortstop would jump on the first pitch he saw and lifted a fly ball a mile high that twisted in the wind to land safely between third base and left field. The base hit was Bosserman’s third of the day and scored outfielders Snyder and Parker Stone. Bosserman continues to show a knack for connecting with fastballs in at-bats. “I adjusted my hands (on the bat) at the plate and looked for something I could lift. The ball took off enough to score Alex (Snyder). It was great to see the smiles on the faces of my teammates afterwards,” Garmon said. Bosserman added, “I was looking to be selective and possibly walk in my final at-bat. Instead, I went after the first pitch I saw, and the wind helped me with the rest. The baseball landed in a perfect spot and we got to continue our rally. Yep, I seem to be pulling everything at the plate right now.” Accompanying the Eagles offensive success was the starting pitching of Cole Keller on the mound. The senior hurler would give up two earned runs across five innings while striking out six and walking three. Keller would lean on his fastball when he needed to throw strikes and challenge hitters. Equally as impressive was the pick off of a Fort Osage baserunner at second base in the bottom of the first inning by Keller. “The strike zone was tight today and that made me focus on where I placed my pitches. It worked out well in that I threw strikes. I was impressed with the way Kaden (Jeffries) pitched in relief. The catch that Alex (Snyder) made at the end of the game was big for us as well. He is a young guy on this team that is stepping up to help his team win,” Keller said. Grain Valley third baseman Riley Bown would support Keller on the mound with a nifty defensive play in the bottom of the second inning. Bown would get his body in front of a hard hit grounder only to have it bounce off his forearm before picking up the ball and firing it to first base to record the out. Bown would not be alone in providing defensive gems for the Eagles. Snyder would record the last out of the game on a dead sprint towards the fence in right center field. The sophomore would put his outstretched glove on the ball just in time. Snyder took the correct route towards the baseball from the first step of his read while battling the sun and wind. Both Bown and Snyder drew loud applause from Grain Valley fans in attendance for their efforts. Eagles head baseball coach Brian Driskell admitted he did not know what to expect heading into the final inning as the energy level did not feel at high level amongst his team. The calm demeanor of Driskell’s team turned out to be a business like approach of finishing out the ball game. One that moved the Eagles record to 14-6 on the season and left Driskell happy with the outcome. “I did not think that Cole was at his best from start to finish, but he was really, really good there for three to four innings before he got tired near the end of his outing. He competed well with the tighter strike zone. Kaden (Jeffries) came in and threw hard late in the game to close things out as well,” Driskell said. “I think I may have cost us a few runs today at third base in my judgment of sending runners. Both Avery (Garmon) and Parker (Bosserman) picked me up, so that was big. Garmon saw the ball well today. Bosserman is a case of where the rich keep getting richer. He has a high average that will continue after his bloop hit that followed two scorchers.” Driskell concluded, “That was an outstanding play by Alex Snyder there at the end of the game. We talk a lot about if you cannot help yourself offensively, then you help yourself defensively. That saved the game and was as big as hitting a grand slam. That was a massive play.” Right fielder Alex Snyder makes a well timed catch for the last out of the game. Photo credit: John Overstreet Starting pitcher Cole Keller delivers the ball from the mound. Photo credit: John Overstreet Second baseman Avery Garmon advances to third base.
Photo credit: John Overstreet The Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association (GKCFCA) has traditionally let the All-Star game coaching staffs select players (with input from the association’s board of directors) for the summer classic clash between the best that Missouri and Kansas have to offer at the high school level. The 45 man All-Star roster for Missouri was announced via Twitter by GKCFCA on April 21st.
The Grain Valley Eagles football program was fortunate to have three players selected to represent the Show-Me State on June 10th for the contest at North Kansas City High School. The first day of All-Star game practice is scheduled to start on June 1st. Missouri currently leads the series with a 14-13 record against Kansas. The All-Star game was cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19. Kansas won the last matchup by a score of 35-21 on June 13th of 2019. More details may be found at www.kcprepfootball.org Cole Keller Quarterback Donovan McBride Defensive Tackle Hunter Newsom Linebacker by John Unrein A rainy day on April 16th pushed Lady Eagles track practice indoors. Head coach Brian Winckler assembled his squad in the commons of the high school prior to start of practice. Winckler is mindful of the balance between giving the needed instructions and the willing attention span of student athletes eager to complete their workouts. The pride on Winckler’s face in the form a smile from ear to ear is unmistakable as he requested that seniors Abby Castle and Jordyn Weems provide an interview before they start training.
“Jordyn and Abby have both been very successful in our program for many reasons. They are great kids, great athletes, and are both tremendous leaders. Jordyn and Abby both showed that they were tremendous athletes early on in their freshman year, but they way have both grown as leaders and people in what has helped propel them to the next level,” Winckler said. “Both of these young ladies have been great to coach because they understand when it is time to have fun and when it is time to dig deep and compete. A lot of kids struggle with the ability of when to ‘turn it on’ in competition. However, both young ladies do a tremendous job of this. This attribute, along with their dedication to practice and the classroom is the primary reason why I know they will be very successful at the next level.” April 14th witnessed both Castle and Weems sign their letters of intent to continue their careers as student athletes at Missouri Southern University and Ottawa University, respectively. Castle has excelled as a pole vaulter, recently taking first place in the event at the Fort Osage Invitational. Furthermore, Castle has shattered the previous school record this season of 9’ 9” set in 2019 by pole vaulting an eye popping 10’ 6” at the Gary Parker Blue Springs Invitational. An impressive feat as Castle achieved full extension while narrowly clearing her feet, back, and head while only nudging the bar. Castle also uses her legs as springs to compete in the high jump. The event is usually filled with contestants that are strong, fast, and flexible. Castle has been able to successfully convert her speed into ankle flexion and leaping from her toes to represent Grain Valley. Both the pole vault and high jump are field events that require extreme focus and a short memory. “Being a student athlete has led me to be more responsible in knowing that I have people counting on me. I do not like letting people down, even it means more work on my end. More importantly, I do not want to let myself down. I have worked really hard to get where I am right now. I do not know if everyone is aware of what is needed in being a student athlete. I want respect and I am willing to do the work needed for that,” Castle said. “Pole vault is scary to learn at first. You are propelling yourself into the air with a stick and trusting that you will land on the mat. Track and field requires you to be mentally tough.” Castle continued, “I was terrified the first time I pole vaulted. Falling has not kept me from doing what I love. The point at which you know the pole is going to lift you over is super thrilling. You look down and see the ground pass by you at a high rate of speed. It is so fun.” “I am going to miss seeing my teammates the most every day as I reflect on my career here. They are the ones who helped me get to where I am today, even when I wanted to give up or needed encouragement.” Weems competes in a host of events for the Lady Eagles on the track. The 100 meter, the 200 meter, the 4 x 200 meter relay, the 4 x 400 meter relay, and long jump are the five events Weems is familiar with in the spring. A focus on fundamentals is a nuance that Weems commits to in supporting her team. Weems has joined teammates Huffman, Ogle, and Rogers to form an impressive 4 x 200 meter relay team. The anchor leg has often been given to Weems to hold a lead or make up needed ground at the end of the race. The quartet received third place medals at the Gary Parker Invitational in the event. Being called on to run the end of one of the most competitive events in track and field is something that Weems takes in stride. “Being a student athlete leaves you with a lot of responsibilities. You must focus on so much more than just school. It makes you mature fast in that you have to learn time management,” Weems said. “Sprinting is more than just the natural ability to run fast. You have to learn how to move your arms for example. Steps for a successful baton hand off during a relay race is another. Judging how fast another person is coming in is a big part of that.” “Maddie Rogers typically hands off to me. The read is on the person getting the baton. The person handing off says ‘ice’ when they extend the baton and the person receiving says ‘stick’ once they have secured the baton.” Weems finished, “I am going to miss the environment at Grain Valley. I also know I am headed to a good one as well (at Ottawa University). This is where I first started running track and I have been pushed to get better.” Sean M. Crosetti, MBA PharmD, and co-owner B. Michelle Crosetti, celebrated the grand opening of Crosetti Health and Wellness last week with the Grain Valley Partnership.
The full-service pharmacy offers a variety of services, including the ability to create compounded topical medications, and is available for after hours fulfillment of prescriptions or over-the-counter emergency needs. The business also offers a lactation support area, and is the first non-hospital in the nation to offer Ni-Q human donor milk. Crosetti is also working with Dr. Justin Meier (consulting), and Betty Stowell (Nutrition Health Coach). Crosetti Health and Wellness is located at 510 N. Main in Grain Valley, is open 9:00am—7:00pm Monday—Friday, and 9:00am—1:00pm on Saturday, and can be reached by phone at 816-847-6930 or online at www.crosettis.com. An accident, resulting in the death of a Blue Springs man, on the afternoon of Sunday, April 18th in the area of R. D. Mize & Stillhouse Rd in eastern Jackson County is being investigated by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives and troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Richard Allen Hearn, Jr., 20, of Blue Springs was killed in the crash. According to a spokesman for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle was said to have lost control in the area of the accident. There were four occupants, and one subsequently was killed as a result. The investigation is yet ongoing and details will be made available by the department as they are uncovered. The USDA announced April 20th it would extend universal free lunch through the 2021-22 school year to reach more than 12 million children at risk of food insecurity. Grain Valley Schools will continue providing free lunches next school year as a result of this decision.
Dr. Brad Welle, Grain Valley Schools Deputy Superintendent, Student and Community Services, reported that in March 2021 the school nutrition services department served more than 75,000 meals, the highest volume ever served in one month in the district. “We would expect that any continuation of the USDA program through the next school year would lead to similar participation by our students,” Welle said. “States and districts wanted waivers extended to plan for safe reopening in the fall. USDA answered the call to help America’s schools and childcare institutions serve high quality meals while being responsive to their local needs as children safely return to their regular routines,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “This action also increases the reimbursement rate to school meal operators so they can serve healthy foods to our kids. It’s a win-win for kids, parents and schools.” The Grain Valley Police Department will host a Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 24th as a part of the national Drug Take Back effort.
This annual event is a great reason to clean out your medicine cabinet and keep loved ones safe. Unused prescription drugs can often find their way into the wrong hands, resulting in dangerous and often tragic situations. Residents are encouraged to come to this free event in the parking lot of the Grain Valley Police Department on Saturday, April 24th from 10:00am—2:00pm to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications. No syringes will be accepted. Swope Park, at 1,805 acres, is more than twice the size of Central Park in New York City. Created in 1896, the land was donated to Kansas City by Thomas H. Swope, a real estate magnate.
The park is home to Starlight Theater, the Soccer Village Sports Complex, the Swope Park Golf Course and the Kansas City Zoo. The 202-acre zoo was founded in 1909. It is home to more than 1,300 animals. In 2008, the Kansas City Zoo was voted one of America's best zoos. It was ranked number one in the nation for “African Animals and Exhibits,” The Zoo was also ranked among the top 10 in the nation for “Australian Animals and Exhibits” and for “Pachyderms: Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos”. “America’s Best Zoos 2008” ranks the Kansas City Zoo as the number one zoo in the nation for viewing both chimpanzees and kangaroos. As we celebrate this bicentennial year, perhaps you will make the Kansas City Zoo a destination for a great summer outing. |
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