On Wednesday, the Lions track team attended the Metro League Track Meet at Burbank. The team arrived early in the morning at 9 and got ready to compete. The day’s first event was the 4x800m relay, which was set up with the boys and the girl’s races combined. Even though the situation was out of the norm, the varsity girls 4x800m team got second place and the boys placed fifth. The boys’ 4x100m team dropped the baton disqualifying them. The 1600m races went well as many runners pushed through the blazing heat and finished strong. The final event was the 4x400m relay, the girl’s team placed third, as well as the boy’s team. The team had many new amazing PRs (personal records) set that day and spirits were all high.
The Lions track and field team set out to Davis Senior High School last Saturday, with the sprinting events starting at 8 am and the distance carnival starting at 5 pm. There was a range of prizes to win, but the Lions won many socks! Each runner came out in the freezing cold and did their absolute best. The sprinters had it pretty hard in the morning due to the rain, but the boy’s 4x100m team got second place. The distance carnival went well, besides the fact that the runners were freezing during their races. The Lions showed up and competed very nicely. Go Lions!
McClatchy’s Down By The Bayou Spring Dance, inspired by the Disney movie “Princess and the Frog,” did not have the turnout we were all expecting, but it did end on quite a dramatic turn of events.
With tickets being sold for $10, the dance seemed quite empty compared to other dances in the past few years. Students came decked out in fancy gowns and tuxedos, excited for what the night would hold. As students began getting their tickets checked at the door, it became apparent that the night wasn’t going as a lot expected.
Inside the gym, the music was quite generic for a typical school dance. They played a lot of personal favorites from the 2000s, and students could be found dancing their hearts out under the strobe lights scattered around the dark gym. Although they went all out and had a food truck and a photo booth, and once a couple friend groups began to form, many students began to make the most of the night and not let the small turnout get them down. But, after an hour, a lot of students began leaving the event.
The dance continued until an unsuspecting event occurred towards the end of the night. After a student passed out on the dance floor, the staff was alerted and then swept the clearly intoxicated student out on a wheelchair. Although unsure as to how the alcohol came about, the student remains safe and unharmed. An ambulance and firetruck came but were then sent away after the students’ parents picked them up.
McClatchy does not condone the behavior that was presented at the dance on Friday. We at the Prospector hope the student is well and getting the support that they need. We hope the next dance goes a little bit better and has a better turnout.
If you or a loved one have any issue regarding alcohol, you can contact (844) 833-9524 for any help or questions you may have.
Photos from the event photographed by Isabella Gallardo:
The annual student body election kicked off with speeches from the runners for Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. All the candidates gave amazing speeches and presented themselves very well. The first rally was quite rowdy with not the most respectful crowd. Many unkind gestures and words were said while candidates gave their speeches, but the audience at the second rally was much more respectful.
Miranda Grimberg gave a powerful speech at both rallies, using an aggressive approach to sell the audience. Galu Rhodes walked out strong and confident, delivering her speech with a sense of fun and making it feel interactive. Many of the candidates in their speeches spoke about more student involvement when making decisions that will go to the students, along with many speaking about the cleanliness of the school and the need for more janitors. One candidate running for ASB President, Elena Baldwin, took a different approach than the rest of her candidates by not just focusing on the need for janitors but speaking about her plans for more achievable goals. She did an excellent job, but so did every candidate that ran.
When all votes were in the roles were announced. The new senior positions are Galu Rhodes as secretary, Keana Maxwell as treasurer, Miranda Grimberg as ASB Vice President, and Bennet Witherell as ASB President. Congratulations to all the candidates for going up and presenting themselves, you all did amazing, so be proud!
Photos from the event photographed by Francisco Escobar:
McClatchy’s track and field team kicked off the first meet of the season with their annual red and white meet. The meet itself wasn’t a typical meet where other teams from other schools came to compete; it was just a meet amongst the team. The meet was done so the players could get a feel for what an actual meet entails. The runners showed up bright and early at eight o’clock last Saturday to help set up the meet and some of the equipment needed for their events.
The team consisted of 113 people, differing from field events, sprinting, and distance. Coach Watkins, also a chemistry teacher, coaches the distance kids and the throwers. Coach Dale coaches the pole vaulters. Coach Johnson, also a math teacher, coaches the hurdlers and high/long jump. Coach Mo’ coaches the sprinters, and was a college student-athlete, who ran track at Sac City College.
Before the meet started, I had the opportunity to talk with Coach Mo’:
“So if I heard correctly this is your first official year being a full-time coach?”
“Yeah, it’s my first time coaching through the school district.”
“That’s so exciting! Going into this first meet, technically more of a warmup meet, what do you look forward to your runners doing today?”
“I look forward to seeing all the preparation that we’ve worked on in the past few months. We just ran the timed four hundred last week, which was super successful! Today most of the sprinters will now be running the 100 and 200 meter, which we have been preparing for. It’s a great way to start our season!”
“Yes, it is! What do you look forward to achieving as a coach this season?”
“I look forward to achieving more PRs, more banners of course, and just aspiring all of you to keep being active and staying out here.”
Coach Mo’ has such a positive outlook, and so do the rest of the coaches. Many of the runners had amazing races, setting new personal records (PR). Hugh Heyer ran PR’d in the 800m race, coming in first place with a grand time of two minutes and six seconds, basically running a minute and three seconds on each lap.
Many of the girl varsity runners PR’d in the 1600m. Madeline Zimmerman, only a sophomore, ran a 13-second 100m, and she had never run track before. We can expect to see a lot out of all the newcomers on the team, along with the returning veterans, like the super-fast sprinter Jada Lawson and crazy fast distance runners Owen Anderson, Sam Rounds, and more.
As the season progresses, we as the audience, parents, or supporters, should anticipate the greatness the track and field team will accomplish. Whether that be getting a new banner to hang up or just having a good time, the Lions will set out to do their absolute best and on those days where they might not, it will be okay because they will have so much support from their teammates and the community around them. You go Lions!
Pictures from the event photographed by Francisco Escobar:
The McClatchy Lions played against the River City Raiders on February 9th. It was senior night, with cheer, step, dance, and basketball players bringing their friends and families to the main gym to celebrate their last home game of the season.
Before the game, senior members from the Cheer, Dance, Step, and basketball teams walked out with their friends and family, greeted by cheers from the crowd.
Starting for the McClatchy Lions were #0 Eddie Pimpton, #1 Eugene Castillo, #12 Isaiah Hooks, #15 Vinny Seyford, and #3 Kendall Andrews.
Though it was a hard-fought game, with McClatchy being up 1 point at the end of the second quarter, the River City Raiders were able to pull ahead in the 3rd quarter, scoring 33 points, causing them to be up 63-40. In the 4th, the Lions put up 28 points. One notable player on the Lions was #3 Senior Kendall Andrews, who scored 30 points.
A disappointing loss for the McClatchy Lions, but with such a large turnout of friends and family showing their support, it was hard to walk away disappointed. With this being the seniors’ final home game of the season, players can look forward to refining their skills for next year.
Photos from the game photographed by Gabriela Lopez:
Yippee Ki-Yay! The Wild Wild West was the theme of Friday’s home varsity boys’ basketball game, with McClatchy facing off against Kennedy. The energy in the gym was full of life as many students came out to support the team by wearing their best Western attire.
I had a chance to speak with a player from McClatchy’s team before the game to get some insight. Wearing jersey number 4, Daniel Ecks-Estes, a junior at the Clatch, has been playing basketball since about sixth grade and enjoyed playing because it was fun.
“So Daniel, I know your game starts in a few. Most would say that they’re nervous, but how are you feeling going into this game?”
“I’m a little nervous, but I would say that I am a lot more excited than nervous.”
“Yeah, that’s understandable. Do you have any sort of strategy of your own besides the gameplay your coach made?”
“Just to play aggressive and not let the crowd influence me in any negative way.”
“Sounds like a plan. Thank you for your time and good luck!”
The varsity boys started off the game with a call-out for the five starter players for the first round of the game. The cheers from the audience went wild as each starter player was called. Then, like that, McClatchy got the ball first on the tip-off, but it was not long before Kennedy made the first score, which the Lions quickly followed up with one of their own. Each team moved swiftly across the court. Kennedy threw up an impressive sidecourt shot, gaining another point, but the Lions’ team captain, Kendall Andrews, easily put up another layup, putting the score at Lions 6 and Kennedy 5.
The scores went back and forth for a while, with each team going neck and neck with scoring points. The Lions were down by one in the second round of the game, but with an impressive shot made by player 1, Eugene Castillo, the Lions went up by 4 points. New score: Kennedy 20, Lions 16. The Lions were playing quite aggressively, having 3 fouls on the scoreboard. As the game continued, Kennedy made it hard for the Lions as they scored 3 points. Eventually scoring 5 more, the new score being Kennedy 28, Lions 23.
With less than 20 seconds left on the clock in the 2nd round, Kennedy had the upper hand on the Lions with 33 points. The teams broke for halftime, while the fierce McClatchy step and dance team gave a spectacular halftime performance, giving the Lions time to strategize and hopefully come back on top in the third round.
Round three commenced as the Lions were still down by nine, with a scoreboard check of Lions 25 and Kennedy 34. They gained some points with an impressive shot by player 4, Daniel Ecks-Esteces, who we spoke with earlier. Until Kennedy swiftly followed behind with a score. The crowd grew frantic as the Lions were still down, but the boys had heart and weren’t giving up that easy, rushing to gain points.
The score was now Lions 34 and Kennedy 43. The Lions needed to play their all to score nine more points. The crowd went wild as the Lions caught up to Kennedy with a score of Lions 42 and Kennedy 46. Player 0 scored a point, but Kennedy followed up with a layup, and so did the Lions! Scoreboard check 45-48. Kennedy scored two more points, but with two perfectly executed penalty shots, the Lions followed behind only needing 4 more points to surpass Kennedy.
With a minute and twelve seconds left on the clock, the Lions were struggling to gain the points they needed as Kennedy threw up another two points. Fifteen seconds left and the Lions were down by six. Now with five seconds on the clock, Kennedy scored four more points, making it clear that tonight was not the night for the Lions. The boys gave it their all, played aggressively, and didn’t give up. They might not have won, but they walked off the court with their heads held high!
The winter rally, kicked off a week of school spirit, with Monday’s theme being white out.
Before going in, McClatchy staff gave out glow-in-the-dark sticks, and when you finally stepped into the gym, you couldn’t help but be captivated by glow-in-the-dark posters decorating the room.
Starting the rally, ROTC delivered an amazing performance during the Star-Spangled Banner with their incredible color guard. Then, we transitioned to the “Night Before Christmas” skit narrated by Santa, a.k.a. Mr. Feikert. It served as a great segue to the hosts for the night, Student Body President Zach and Vice President Olivia. They introduced the iconic Mean Girls skit, a McClatchy tradition.
The crowd’s applause grew after the entertaining performance, followed by an introduction to the winter sports teams at McClatchy, who showcased their lion pride in their big entrance. This was then followed by an outstanding performance from our McClatchy cheer team, keeping us on our feet with their routine.
A pause from our McClatchy talent allowed for some fun games with teachers and students, including Hungry Hippos, musical chairs, and dodgeball. After, a surprise performance by the K-pop club had us all on our feet ready to dance again. The step and dance teams then took the stage, making more get out of their seats, dance, and sing along, making the crowd louder than ever.
Wrapping up the rally, we held hands with our fellow lions and did the classic “CKM” chant. This was a fantastic way to conclude our last week before the new year, creating a memorable moment that will be a highlight among all the rallies this year.
Below are pictures from the rally photographed by Francisco Escobar:
