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Joseph Ebmeier

Joseph Ebmeier, Staff Reporter

Joe is a senior at Millard West and is back for his third year on the staff of the CATalyst and MWHS Wildcat News. This year he looks forward to covering all the sports throughout Millard West. Outside of journalism, Joe enjoys playing baseball, running cross country, and hanging out with his friends.

All content by Joseph Ebmeier

Wing Wednesday

October 21, 2021
Coach Joe Wessel talks with his team after dropping a competitive third set. The Wildcats controlled much of the early part of the set while Marian seemed to turn it up as the set winded down and pulled away from Millard West, before the fourth set began the Wildcats discussed things that needed to be better. “During the break, we talked about how we need to stick to our game plan better and have our middle blockers get up quicker with their middles and make them hit to left back,” senior Ella Hazen said. “I think we adjusted to those changes and had a lot of energy and success on the court in set four.”

Wildcats rebound against Crusaders

October 6, 2021
Senior Ava Rongisch had a clutch two run single to tie up the game in the third inning. Although the Wildcats ended up losing this game, it taught them plenty of lessons they can use during the last few games of the season. “These last few games we can work on playing through adversity and when things aren’t going well, and how we respond,” Rongisch said. “The game is all about failure, but it’s what you do after that’ll make you better.”

Wildcats can’t keep up with Monarchs

September 30, 2021
The Millard West boys varsity team poses for pictures after bringing home first place in the meet. Each runner competed very well and all seven of them finished inside of the top 35. “We were very very happy with the win,” Fey said. “We beat regionally ranked teams that we had no clue about how good they were until the gun went off. We also know that we’re looking good to win the state championship and maybe finish top two team wise at Nike Cross Regionals to be the first Nebraska team to ever make Nike Cross Nationals.”

Success in the Heartland

September 23, 2021
Head coach Joe Wessel and his team pose for photos after winning his 100th career game. Win number 100 did not come easy as it was against a fierce rival and one of the top teams in the state. “It was a battle from start to finish,” Wessel said. “Our goal was to stay aggressive, follow the game plan and let things fall into place. We have to maintain confidence, grit and our mental game to continue on the path we set forth to accomplish at the beginning of the season.”

Battle of Q Street made 100 times better

September 16, 2021
Seniors Seth Fey and Sam Kirchner finished within two seconds of each other and ran with each other throughout the race. They pushed each other throughout the race and were determined to stay up front. “Sam and I don’t like to lose to other teams,” senior Seth Fey said. “When we are next to each other in a race we stick to one another and try to break away from the other teams.We always help motivate and push each other to achieve limits we couldn’t do before.”

Wildcats race to the finish

September 10, 2021

Taco Tuesday

August 31, 2021

News faces from different places

August 24, 2021

Juniors flock to Creighton

May 21, 2021

GoNuts for DoNuts

May 14, 2021
The Wildcats pose for a picture and celebrate their District Championship after the game. This advances the team to state and they enter in an underdog role but still have an opportunity to take home the title. “At State, anything can happen. Sometimes you go as the underdog and end up winning big,” Aguirre said. “We have to go one step at a time with faith and confidence and try our best, if you do that there will be nothing to regret.”

Wildcats win District soccer

May 7, 2021

Omaha Fries

April 29, 2021
As the Wildcats prepare for their tough close to the regular season there are many things they can work on. The team needs to learn from their mistakes in the seventh innings of this game and use them to improve. “We need to pitch well and play good defense,” Frey said. “Not give up free bases and make them earn their runs. We need to produce runs when we have runners in scoring position.”

Wildcats take a devastating loss

April 23, 2021

Best pizza in Omaha

April 15, 2021
Senior Corbin Hawkins had a big game against Skutt; he went 2-3 on the day with a stolen base and two runs scored. “I’ve just been trying to have competitive at bats,” Hawkins said. “Winning those 1-2, 2-2 and 3-2 counts, to apply pressure on the pitcher and defense.”

Soaring past the SkyHawks

April 2, 2021
Sophomore Piercze Marshall (lane one) awaits his leg of the 4x400 relay. There was fierce competition in this event and it took a lot of preparation. “I put in countless hours over the winter training for track, and during the spring, Ive been training even harder,” Marshall said. “Having goals and benchmarks set for each week leading up to this meet allowed me to place as well as I did.”

Off to a fast start

March 26, 2021
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most sports were forced to play games with empty stadiums to keep all players, coaches and staff safe. The atmosphere from the time we came out of the tunnel was unlike anything any of us have felt, said New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty. “You cant really envision what an NFL game is like without fans. This felt more like a high school scrimmage.”

A year to remember

March 19, 2021

Double-Masking PSA

March 10, 2021
The team played one of the best teams in the state, Lincoln Southwest, and they provided lots of problems for the Wildcats. When the Wildcats were able to play in the half court they were successful but the Silver Hawks pressure got to Millard West. “We were able to keep the tempo slow and play five on five in the half court where we have a chance,” Kruger said “But when they stepped up the pressure that led to too many easy scoring opportunities.”

Wildcats struggle against Silver Hawks

March 4, 2021

Wildcats fall to the Tigers

March 1, 2021
Noah Blair for Millard West wrestled hard against his opponent Angel Mejia from Fremont. Blair was able to pin Mejia for the win, adding to the Wildcats success throughout the dual. “Overall I think our team performed great, we won our last dual of the year and I cant wait to see what districts hold for us this weekend followed by the state next week. Of course we were happy in the moment with our win, but we came back with that winners mentality the next day, there’s always room for improvement and we all know it.”

Wildcats take down the Tigers

February 19, 2021
Sophomore Libby Hoffman dribbles past a Lincoln east defender. Hoffman had six points, as well as one assist throughout the game. “Ive been successful scoring the ball this season because my teammates are always able to find me when Im open, which allows me to get more shots up to score,” Hoffman said. “Ive also spent a lot of time outside of practice trying to perfect my shot to make it more accurate.”

Spartans defeat the Wildcats

February 5, 2021
Alabama is pictured celebrating after a perfect season capped off with a National Championship victory. “I’m so happy for the team,” Saban said. “Their will, their spirit and their willingness to compete and do the things they needed to do to be the kind of team they could be.”

Alabama does it again

January 29, 2021
Nosal (left) is pictured wrestling his round two opponent Blake Baker (right). “Overall the team did alright,” Nosal said. “We had some issues, one of our studs missed weight, and some of the younger kids gave up pins they can’t. Other than that, we did pretty well.”

Wildcats wrestle in home invitational

January 15, 2021
Kirk gets set for his next turn to bowl. He competed in game one and scored a 149, as well as helping the team to a combined score of 172 in the Baker game. In the Baker game the team was able to work well together giving them the final points they needed to secure the victory. “Our teams work really well together,” Smith said. “They cheer each other on when theyre bowling well, and they encourage each other if someone is struggling. Their attitudes are a big factor of their success.”

Dominating down the lane

December 17, 2020

Hockey celebrates Senior Night with a win

December 11, 2020

Battle of Q Street takes to the ice

December 2, 2020
The 2020 MLB MVP awards went to José Abreu(left) and Freddie Freeman(right). Both guys had incredible seasons and put up incredible numbers. They were well deserving of the award and their names will be cemented in history as the Most Valuable Player.

Elites of the year

November 19, 2020
The Millard West Unified Bowling team had a great start to the season last Saturday. They were able to wrap up a third and fifth place finish. They have big aspirations for the season and believe they can achieve a lot.

Wildcats roll into first invite

November 12, 2020
When Novotny committed to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to play college baseball, he knew it would be one of the biggest decisions of his life. He wanted to go to a college where he would be able to grow as a baseball player as well as a student as well. “Picking my college was definitely a big decision,” pitcher Sam Novotny said. “I think that I like Nebraska so much because I like the big campus. I also like their business building and program.”

Not far from home

November 6, 2020

A Rival of a Lifetime: Nebraska Huskers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

October 26, 2020
This year the Lincoln skies will not be filled with balloons after Nebraska scores its first touchdown of each home game. There will only be family members of the players allowed to attend the game but fans will still be supporting the Cornhuskers in any way they can.

Nebraska football takes the field

October 23, 2020
Senior Dekyan Behrens works up a hilly portion of the course enroute to a second place finish. He was proud of the way he competed and the race he had. “It was also a great day personally, finishing second place was amazing although it wasnt a P.R. (personal record) it was an overall great experience and a great memory made with the XC (cross country) team,” Behrens said.

Tournament Season begins

October 19, 2020

ACT taken during senior year

October 9, 2020
Evans drives the ball onto the fairway. Although it wasn’t her best round she believes she will be able to perform better. “I think to improve overall I will have to make sure I can strike my clubs pure a majority of the time,” Evans said. “I cant be making silly mistakes that cost me too many strokes.”

Girls Golf begins Tournament season

October 8, 2020
The Millard West boys varsity team starts the race out strong. The Wildcats’ were able to start this race strong which allowed them to stay up front the entire race. “The start is one of the most crucial parts of the race, and could be argued the most important part,” Marshall said. “A good start is needed in order to get a good placement because being out in the front of the pack allows for better pacing, and it is easier to pass people ahead of you when you arent in a large group.”

The strong run continues

September 21, 2020
The time has come and gone for Rob Manfred to be the MLB commissioner. For the good of the game, the teams need to get together and vote this man out of the league before he ruins the sport forever.

Manfraud

September 10, 2020
Junior Sam Kirchner(left) and sophomore Joey Hartnett(right) are coming up the final stretch of the course. They ran with each other throughout the race, pushing each other to go faster and stay up front. “I think we had a nice pack,” Kirchner said. “Our top 5 were within 7.99 seconds of each other, and our goal was 15 seconds. I am very happy with that.”

Covid conference meet

September 4, 2020
On Tuesday August 11, Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports broke the news that the Big 10 was to cancel the fall sports season and they would attempt to play the season in the spring.

Trouble without Big 10

August 28, 2020
The Wildcats hype up their teammates before they take the court. Conway (42) ran through his teammates tunnel onto the court before the game. The Wildcats have great team chemistry and work well as a group and that leads to a successful turnout on the court.

Wildcats pounce on Panthers

December 19, 2019
Bowen is pictured getting ready for her next turn to bowl in a meet. The team is behind her, cheering her on and hoping she does well.

Wildcats strike again

December 13, 2019

Racing to the finish line

December 6, 2019
Nebraska is pictured running out after the tunnel walk. Scott Frost leads them onto the field to take on their next opponent. The team hasn’t been playing the greatest but the tunnel walk always gets everyone pumped up.

A Frost-y topic

November 26, 2019

Semi-Final Football Playoff Preview

November 14, 2019

State Football Playoffs: Round 2 Preview

November 7, 2019
The Washington Nationals are pictured dog-pilling on the mound after winning their first World Series championship in team history. From now on, they will be called the best team of the 2019 MLB season.

Fall Classic

November 1, 2019
The varsity boys team gets a great start and runs together as a pack. “The team goal was definitely to get first overall,” Kirchner said. “We also all wanted to PR (personal record).” The Wildcats needed to get a great start to succeed in the meet. They also know the importance of running in a pack, because this allows them to push each other to run faster.

Wildcats Win

October 11, 2019
Netflix has chosen to cancel over ten of it’s most popular shows and this has fans cancelling subscriptions.

Cancelled

October 3, 2019
These are the looks of the Iphone 11(top) and the 11 Pro(bottom). It’s easy to see why I’m hating the camera design, right?

Time to upgrade?

September 25, 2019
Overflowing trash cans is one of many problems that the current companies neglect to change. With the FCC’s new plan hopefully overflowing cans along with all the other issues will go away.

Trash talk

September 16, 2019

Wing Stop Review

September 6, 2019
Sophomore Evan Vaslow flies by as he works through the race. Vaslow is pictured here about half way through the race, right at about the five mile mark. “The race was a challenge,” Vaslow said. “But I was able to push through it and take it down.”

Summer runner

September 5, 2019

Flying High

August 26, 2019
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Joseph Ebmeier