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The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
Senior Sierra Pokharel plays her third season on varsity. This year she was named as one of the team captains making it her 2nd straight year as a captain for the team. “One big thing that helps me deal with the pressure and expectations is to enjoy and experience it,” Pokharel said. “I know after the season is over I will give anything to go back to high school and play this kind of volleyball so although a lot of pressure is on me, it’s also a privilege and I would not want it any other way.” Photo By: Kaelyn Kozol

Wildcats fall short to the Warriors

Trey Jochims, Staff Reporter
September 11, 2024
Escaping the pocket, senior quarterback DJ Schiemann evades a Mustang near the endzone in the final seconds. Schiemann and the Wildcats found their groove within the final quarter, but were unable to complete the comeback, falling just short and the one-yard line. “During that last drive, I was thinking to myself that we had a shot to win this thing,” Schiemann said. “On that last play, I wanted to hit a slant or Breck on his route which would’ve been a touchdown. Unfortunately, the pocket collapsed beside me, making me go up the middle and get just short of the endzone." PHOTO BY: CHLOE VAUGHN

Mustangs gallop past Wildcats

Sam Whittaker, Staff Reporter
September 10, 2024
In the first match of the season, sophomore Aubrey Pinkston passes the ball the sophomore Evie Laferla to spike it over the net. All the players competed in a scrimmage starting with the reserve team against the freshman team, and Pinkston played as a setter to try to win the victory. “Volleyball brings me excitement during the games or when we score,” Pinkston said. “On the downside, I may feel pressured and nervous.”

Volleyball on the horizon

Lillian Tinker, Staff Reporter
August 28, 2024
Handing the ball off to his teammate, senior quarterback David James Schiemann practices in preparation for week one. This year will be Schiemann’s first at the helm of a new Millard West offense after sitting behind former starter Brody Peterson. “Stepping into the starting role has been on my mind since last season ended,” Schiemann said. “Being behind a quarterback like Brody for a long time with his leadership and ability to tell me things to prepare has helped me to be the guy to lead this new offense this year. While this summer has been going alright, I know the coaches are always helping me in every way to help not just myself but the others around me, too.”

Ready to pounce

Sam Whittaker, Staff Reporter
August 28, 2024
Coming in for relief against Elkhorn South, senior pitcher Ben Sterbens looks to close the game out and earn a save. Sterbens has been put in this situation before and would not back down no matter the circumstance. ‘’Getting outs is my number one priority once I step on the mound,’’ Sterbens said. ‘’I trust my defense behind me so I do my best to make it easy on them whether that's a pop-up or a routine ground ball.’’

Wildcats dodge the Storm

Brady Mar, Staff Reporter
May 17, 2024
Freshman 5-star quarterback, Dylan Raiola winds up for a deep throw that resulted in a 65-yard touchdown. Raiola was originally committed to Georgia but flipped his commitment to Nebraska to play as a legacy Cornhusker.

Nebraska Spring game

Holden Clausen, Staff Reporter
May 17, 2024
In the offensive half, senior attacker Kaden Sellmeyer navigates past a defender. Despite their eventual loss, the Cats displayed resilience in the final quarter, with key attackers like Sellmeyer contributing crucial goals. “The biggest thing that they knew was our primary offensive plays and our primary scorers,” Sellmeyer said. “Their goalie was also making some pretty impressive saves. Not to mention David being knocked out of the game due to injury made it harder for us to get the offense going.”

Tigers pounce past Wildcats

Sam Whittaker, Staff Reporter
May 13, 2024
Pitching against Elkhorn South, senior pitcher Ben Sterbens looks to get an important out. As one of the many closers on this team, Sterbens job is to get the final outs and limit any damage done by the pitcher before him if need be. “My main focus when coming into a hard situation is to keep a low pitch count and to create outs any way I can,” Sterbens said. “As long as we can get the outs we need, we should be good.”

Batting through the seeds

May 9, 2024
Standing high at the top of the podium after winning Districts, sophomore McKenna Kleppinger is named district champ and punches her ticket to the state tournament. She would end up beating her own school record jumping 11’6”. “One of my big goals this season is to place individually at state this year and my senior year as well,” Kleppinger said. “Additionally, I hope for our team to be in the top two at state this year.”

Record breaker

Nathan Delaney, Staff Reporter
May 9, 2024
Senior captain goalkeeper Gabe Griffiths has led the team all year. He finished the season allowing less than a goal a game leading the team to a 13 win season.

District battle

Nathan Delaney, Staff Reporter
May 8, 2024
Four-star recruit Kaden Magwood celebrates a big three against Utah Prospects 17u.

Talent flies to Omaha

Wyatt Carmichael, staff reporter
May 1, 2024
Following their 11-10 overtime win over the then-undefeated Burke Bulldogs, Millard West head lacrosse coach Nick Brown addresses the team. Millard West at the time sat among a select group of undefeated teams in the midwest. “ I couldn’t see myself coaching any other program,” Brown said. This program means everything to me. Being a two-time captain of the program and having the success we had while I was playing, it only feels right giving back to the new generation of Millard West lacrosse.” Photo Courtesy of Whittaker Media

New coach, no problem

Sam Whittaker, Staff Reporter
April 29, 2024
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