Category Archives: Sports

Advice/How To, Sports, Track & Field

Track and field

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Have you ever wondered why people run for fun?  What the significance of track is? Track is what you make of it.

Track and field is a combination of field events such as throwing, jumping, and running: which goes from 50m hurdles – 3600m. Unlike other sports, track is simply a sport that helps you get in shape, and helps you improve skills. Whether it’s from throwing a short distance, to jumping farther than you ever jumped! It’s a matter of commitment and hard work. If you’re not going to put your all into what you do, then it reflects in your races and events.

IMG_0226Track is important to me because it’s very intriguing and lively. Since 5th grade, it has been my favorite sport. It can be quite overwhelming sometimes when you over think about the little things, but you have to keep moving. My past coaches have told me key things that I have kept with me until this day.

“Don’t let the little things knock you down. Sometimes you fall, and when you do you get back up”-Anonymous.

Sometimes when you feel like giving up, it’s better to just think about what you think is the problem, and try to fix it. Giving up won’t make you better, it will only slow you down even more.

Everyone has their own skills, and it takes specific training and strength to bring the talent out of their shell. Each event is not the same, which means more people can try to search what they like best about each one. Being open-minded in a sport like track is good because depending on what sport you play, there is always a better option that you can partake in.

Another key thing with track is setting goals. Some may call it “PR” which stands for personal record. Whether it’s improving a second or a minute, you want to set that up for yourself so not only can you better yourself, but you’re pushing yourself closer to success.

I suggest more people join track no matter what school they go to, because it helps with getting stuff off your mind, improving skills, and getting you fit for your next season, if you play multiple sports. Track and field is for anyone, any age, and is here not only to make you better, but also to help you build a better perspective on skills and exercises.

Baseball, Sports

Highland Park baseball

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The Highland Park Boys baseball team is off to a nice start to their 2016 season. The Scots currently sit at a solid 6-3 record, and 7 of those 9 games have been non conference. Historically, SPPS baseball teams struggle in non-conference games, and a 4-3 record to start off the season is very respectable, especially considering the fact that 6 of those games were on the road. The team had its most exciting game of the season in its first matchup of the year against St. Anthony, in which sophomore Jack Dombrock hit a walk off single to win the game 2-1.

The boys have stayed competitive throughout the entire season, and have lost a few games by only a few runs or less. A loss to River Falls stung the team a little, as they held a 2-0 lead going into the sixth, but would end up losing that lead, and the game 5-2. The following non-conference game against Henry Sibley didn’t help either, as the Scots wound up losing a tough one 1-0. However, the squad didn’t lose composure, and were able to beat non-conference rival DeLaSalle 6-3 in front of the home crowd. 

Over the weekend the Scots took Central at Toni Stone field under the lights. It took 11 innings but the team was able to prevail with yet another exciting victory with a score of 3-2. They boys also played Saint Paul Academy at CHS field in downtown St. Paul. This was another thrilling game as the Scots once again won on a walk off single from team captain Jared Deuitch giving them a 5-4 victory.

The captain gave me a brief statement after the game about the team thus far: “Respect is earned, never given”. It seems quite clear that the Scots are playing with a chip on their shoulder this season. Jared also announced this week that he will be attending Hamline University to further continue his education and to play baseball. Congrats Jared!

The Scots’ next game falls on May 2nd against Washington at 4:30 at home!

A full schedule can be found here: http://sports.spps.org/sport//HS/boys/varsity/baseball/2015-2016

Badminton, Sports

Highland’s badminton team

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One of the spring sports at Highland Park Senior High is badminton.

First, off here are some things to know about practice and how it works. The players in badminton practice from 2:20-4:00 pm. They set up the nets and do some warm ups. Warm ups include: running back and forth (in many ways), 50 crutches, planks, and stretches.

Now, about how games work. First, they wait for the other school to show up, if it’s a home game. After both teams practice for awhile, getting themselves ready to play against each other, they then line up in ranks depending on which team there on.

Lastly, after the game players usually play with other members just to relax after a long game.

Fact: Highland Senior High School started the season right by beating Pairie Seeds Academy winning 7-0 on their first game, which was a home game.

Sports, Track & Field

Track & field at Highland Park High

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The Highland Park spring sports are starting and I decided to interview some of the track and field athletes here at Highland.

What is your name/grade?
Asiah: 10th
Ben: 9th
Jillian: 10th

What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
Asiah: First place in relay.
Ben: Hasn’t done track yet.
Jillian: Nothing.

What is your biggest challenge?
Asiah: Having asthma.
Ben: Getting shape before season.
Jillian: High jump.

What do you do to manage this challenge?
Asiah: Taking inhaler before running.
Ben: Make sure homework is done before going to sport.
Jillian: Pushing myself.

How is your diet different from when you’re not participating in track, and how difficult is it to control it?
Asiah: Don’t diet. No diet change.
Ben: Healthy. No.
Jillian: No, they don’t make us diet.

Is it difficult to balance school work and sports?
Asiah: No.
Ben: It can be at times like during finals.
Jillian: Yeah.

Did you have any injuries that were serious?
Asiah: Concussion in soccer.
Ben: No.
Jillian: No not yet.

Do you have advice or words of encouragement for younger kids that want to play this sport?
Asiah: If you want to get far, drive for success and don’t give up.
Ben: Don’t be scared to tryout.
Jillian: Be open minded.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
Asiah: My teams are supportive and diverse.
Ben: Not really.
Jillian: No.

Baseball, Entertainment

MLBaseball is right around the corner

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With spring training starting up mid-way though February we know baseball season is right around the corner. The 2016 Major League Baseball season is tentatively set to begin on April 3, 2016. The season is going to start with a Sunday night World Series rematch between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The regular season is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The schedule was released in September 2015.

At the start of spring training, there’s been movement in the World Series futures as the Toronto Blue Jays now have the best odds of any American League team to win the World Series. Slow down though before placing a wager on the Jays, as history isn’t on their side. Over the last 20 years, only two teams who’ve lost in the ALCS or NLCS went on to win the World Series the following year. That’s only two of 40 teams, giving the Jays a whopping 5% chance based on the results since the Wild Card era began in 1995.

Basketball, Sports

Basketball season coming to an end

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The basketball season here at Highland is coming to an end for both girls and boys.  The boys last game was on February 19th at home against Washington, and the girls last game was a non-conference game on February 26th against Mounds Park Academy at Mounds Park Academy.

After the regular season is their section games, both teams play until they lose. The boys basketball team’s section games started on Wednesday, the 24th at home against Bloomington Kennedy, they got 1st seed in their 3AAA section. The boys won their first game is sections, however, they lost their next game on Saturday, the 27th against St.Thomas Academy. Unfortunately, this means their season is now over. The girls team however, is still alive and their first section game is on March 2nd, against Bloomington Kennedy at Bloomington Kennedy.

~b763118Overall, the boy’s varsity record was 15 wins-11 loses, conference record was 8 wins-4 loses. The boys were very close to winning conference this year, if they would’ve won their last game against Central, which was a very close game that went into overtime, they would’ve had a very high chance of being 1st in conference. Highland Park’s boys basketball was ranked 3rd in conference following Central, ranked 1st, and Johnson, ranked 2nd. The fan sections at the Johnson, Central, and Como games had great turnouts!

I asked some of the players a couple questions about their season.

“What was your best memory from this season?” I asked Khari Dennis (12):

“When we played Washington at home, it was senior night/parent night. All the senior’s started, I had a really good game that night and we won,” was his response.

My second question I asked was “What was your most proud moment from this season?” I asked Dreem Kelly (11):

“When I dunked at the Southwest game and we won,” was his answer.

“When I had a 4 point play in overtime against Johnson and I had the winning points. That was the first time in 7 years they lost in their home gym,” Michael Cornelious (12) responded.

~b345372The girl’s varsity overall record was 7 wins-17 loses, conference record was 4 wins-7 loses. The girls first home game against Central had a great turnout! Highland Park’s girls basketball was ranked 5th in conference, with Como ranked 1st and Harding at 2nd.

I asked some of the players the same questions I asked the boys.

Olyvia Mason (11) said her best memory from this season was “When I scored 17 points in the Johnson game.”

I asked Micheala Newman (11) “What was your most proud moment from this season and some of your best memories?”

“When our players worked as a team and with intensity during the SPA game, during which our youngest player played her best game,” she answered.

Both teams had a great season! Good luck at sections to both teams!

For more information, updated stats and games check out:

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/highland-park-scots-(st-paul,mn)/girls-basketball/home.htm

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/highland-park-scots-(st-paul,mn)/basketball/home.htm

https://sports.spps.org/sport/hs/boys/varsity/basketball/2015-2016

https://sports.spps.org/sport/hs/girls/varsity/basketball/2015-2016

Go Scots!

 

 

 

Nordic Skiing, Sports

Nordic Skiing

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This year at Highland Park, the girls Nordic Skiing team along with some individual qualifiers have been sent to state. Before the state tournament, some of the Nordic Skiers, along with their coach Mr. Moening had been interviewed.

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 8.49.18 AM
photo courtesy of Mr. Moening

Mr. Moening was asked, “In what ways had he seen his Nordic Skiers improve from the previous year?” The main focus of Mr. Moening’s answers was commitment. He had mentioned how he had seen more determination among his skiers, not only when it came to preparing for a meet, but as well as exercising in the off season.

Nordic Skiers are recommended to continue cardio exercises in the off season, and Mr. Moening mentions a noticeable improvement in skiers who continue their workouts throughout the summer.

Coach Moening is not the only one who recommends regular exercise. His daughter, Erin Moening, who earned a place among the top ten individuals at the state tournament, would also recommend committing to exercise in off season.

The times earned by the Highland Park participants in the state tournament are available to the public at:

Boys: http://sports.spps.org/Team/highlandpark/HS/boys/varsity/nordic_skiing/2015-2016

Girls: http://sports.spps.org/sport/hs/girls/varsity/nordic_skiing/2015-2016

Basketball, Sports

Basketball games

Every week there are either boy’s or girl’s home and away games for basketball. During home games for both teams cheerleaders cheer to support their peers and the school sport. Even though both teams have cheer support, there are still many differences between boys and girls basketball teams. We want to look at how we can make them equal.

Some of differences between the boys and girls are that more people go to the boy’s games than the girl’s games. A way we can change this is by promoting the girls basketball games more by making signs around the school, and getting people to talk about it on social media.

Another difference between the games is how the concession stands are only open at the boy’s games and not girl’s games. An easy way we can solve this is by opening the concession stand up for both girl’s and boy’s games.

Also, when the boys go against rivals like Central, the cheerleaders decorate boy’s varsity team lockers, so to make this fair when girls play against Central they should get the same treatment of getting their lockers decorated too.

Overall, we just want for both the teams to be treated equal and to be taken as seriously as the other.

varsity_girls_basketball_2014-2015

 varsity_2520boys_2520basketball-1

Scoreboard/Schedule

Winter sports update

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Here’s an update on some of the winter sports at Highland Park, for the past couple of weeks:

Congratulations to the boys hockey team on an exciting 6-5 win against Legacy Christian on Friday, the 8th! They now hold 3rd in conference. Their next home game is Saturday, the 16th, against LaCrescent at Highland Arena. Keep up the good work boys!

The boys basketball played Central, at Central, last Tuesday, the 5th. The boys put up a hard fight but lost 80-76. On the bright side, they won their next three games. They won against Harding 71-60 on Friday, the 8th, against Humboldt 66-54 on Tuesday, the 12th, and a very close game against Johnson 78-77. They have one conference game this week against Como on Wednesday, the 20th. Good luck and keep making Highland Park proud!

The women’s gymnastics team participated in the Roseville Invitational Meet, and hit a score of 121.575. On Tuesday, the 12th, they pulled out the win against Cretin Derham Hall! It was a close meet, and Highland won by 1.25. Congratulations to freshman Lia Wallace for being the All-Around Winner at 4 out of their 5 meets. Keep up the good work girls!

The boys and girls Nordic ski team took first place at their last meet in the 5K Race Classic with a score of 471! Congratulations to Gabriel Pfeiffer, who was an individual winner, in the Freestyle, with a time of 10:27, at last month’s Maplelag Invitational.

The boys swimming/diving team has been undefeated so far this season! On Tuesday, the 5th, they won against Hopkins 104-83. This past Thursday, the 14th, they won against Como 100-71. Their next meet will be on Thursday, the 21st, against Johnson at Humboldt. Keep up the good work boys!

Last but not least, congratulations to Amitri Collins who competed against some of the nation’s top talent at the US Army National Combine in San Antonio, Texas. He is one of the 600 athletes invited from all around America. Way to represent Highland Park, we’re proud of you!

Basketball, Scoreboard/Schedule

Boys basketball

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The Highland Park Scots boys basketball team got off to a good start, winning their first game against Hill-Murray 78-71. The win came in front of a nice crowd, which included many returning alumni. The boys were able to get off to a hot start, and led the game early. The Scots were led by Senior Mike Cornelious who set the tone early, and led the team in scoring. Hill-Murray was able to close in on the lead however, and the Pilots pulled in within 2 points at the half, where the score was 34-32.

The second half opened up similarly to the first half, and the scots were able to once again add to their lead. From the bench you could hear Coach Deperry calling plays and rallying his players together, which only added more chemistry and teamwork for the Scots. Hill-Murray was able to keep it close until the end, but the Scots prevailed, with some clutch shooting from Junior Amitri Collins. The boys were able to come away with an impressive win over their out of conference foe, with a final score of 78-71.