Panthers vs. Harlan on Oct. 23, junior QB John Locke catching the ball. Photo by Ava Garvic

By Diego Hernandez Co-Editor in Chief

 Fresh off another win, O’Connor beat Harlan 30-27 in overtime on October 23, 2020 and will face Brennan Thurs. November 5, 2020 at 7 p.m. at Gus Stadium. The Panthers defeated Taft 17-12 on October 17. If NISD decides to add more games to the calendar, the continued schedule will be announced on Oct. 31.  The players fight multiple obstacles as the season coincides with new Covid-19 protocols. Senior Haidon Sills sheds light upon the new rules each team must follow to participate both on and off the field.

  “We are required to socially distance ourselves from each other and wear masks on the sidelines. Outside we shouldn’t be going to big functions or parties,” Sills said. 

  With the responsibility of following UIL and State regulations, athletes must maintain their health for the future of their sport. Right now the calendar only includes the upcoming game vs. Harlan, Junior Logan Wade states that he is hopeful of the extension for future games.

  “I think we can go over, we’ve heard some news on brackets for playoffs. At the least we’ll go one game over what we’ve been told,” Wade said.

     Practice now begins both in the morning at 6:45 a.m. as well as a waning fourth period or after school decision at 4:45 p.m. These new regulated times are preparing each player for the upcoming games including Marshall on the 9th, Taft on the 17th, and concluding with Harlan on the 24th, as stated in the calendar. More games to be determined.

  This year’s roster, on the varsity hand, is constructed of truly exceptional players who have either played for various years at this level or just beginning in their first season. Wade gives insight into some of these key players.

  “For his seniority, John Locke is someone I don’t think the team can do without this year. With the offensive side in mind, I think Caleb Smith because he’s the 1st string quarterback he’s very important to the plays of the game,” Wade said.

  If all goes as planned, the three teams including freshman, junior varsity, and varsity are expected to continue their season’s solely in the Dub Farris stadium and upon our own new turf field. Senior Carson Jones shares his joy to be able to have the home experience for future games.

  “We’ll mainly be playing at Farris this year. I’m glad that we will be having the home advantage in that field. The game day routine will be great so we don’t travel and miss so many classes,” Jones said.

  In the atmosphere of the game, whether it be in the stadium or now as announced in your home through live streams, football has a strong sense in the school’s community. Jones states the common social connection this sport creates for the teams.

 “In school, the whole football team is a big family, we’re more than just a team. It helps us all, at least me, to piece my mind off the bad stuff going on in the world right now. Recently we’ve been with our teammates more than our real families,” Jones said.

  Not only are the players joined in this fight to keep fall sports alive, with a supportive audience. Panther fans come from each corner including the western San Antonian area and Helotes, Sills shares how the game benefits all individuals in its return.

  “It brings back a good sense of security since so many people would come out to show their support. It gives people something to look forward to, they can enjoy the sport again and it is great,” Sills said.

Photo by Mary Garcia

by Diego Hernandez 

In the 2020 6A district playoffs, both girls and boys varsity basketball faced off numerous schools ending with nail-biting ends to their season. Boys as well as girls ended in their second round for area with a tight loss of 57-58 against Judson in the fourth quarter. Girls finished strong through halftime, but cut short at 28-44 against Judson. Sophomore varsity player, Mia Thompson, shares that the reason for the girls success and placement is due to their sense of family.

   “I feel as a team and sisterhood we grew this season and earned it by putting in the work together,” Thompson said. 

  Along with a sense of family, another basis for a team’s success consists of the intensity and performance skills taught by the head or assistant coaching staff. The girls lost to Judson Monday, February 24, and boys to Judson Friday, February 28th, excelling the pre-made season schedule. Junior Adam Benhayoune, states that his team’s success comes from his coach.

Carleigh Wenzel takes the ball back down the court.

Photo by Chris Reid.

  “I think it’s the coaching, if you line us up against any team in the district without our coaching we wouldn’t be who we are,” Benhayoune said. 

  In the past, both teams have achieved playoff level and have been known to other competing schools as a higher calibrator performing team. However, these reasons do not mean a student should not try to join their ranks, senior Gabriel Thompson shares his advice for incoming freshman or students who wish to try out,

  “High school is going to be hard and overwhelming, don’t go crazy stressing out you need to prove to yourself you can do it,” Thompson said.

  One possible relief on potential athletes can be found outside of school in the leagues or training sessions offered for the given sport. Basketball training can be found in the AU league or the KEY center for Basketball located in downtown San Antonio. Senior Victoria Adeniran informs of her pre-highschool training.

  “I play AU, and I also attend college camps in the summers, they have really helped me out and given me the confidence to perform as well as I do with high school.”

 With the growth from high school ball, these athletes obtain skills that can be used after graduation, possibly college or ault league.Senior Brandon Pearson shares his goals beyond high school.

  “I’ve played on teams and I’ve been very grateful for all that they’ve taught and given me, but now i’ll be moving on directly to Northwest Vista.”  

  Playoffs began for the girls varsity on February 17, against Roosevelt high school with a 58-35 win, leading to a 73-55 win versus Clemens and ending against Judson with a loss of 28-44. Boys began Tuesday, February 25, with a win against Roosevelt 63-62 and ending with a loss also to Judson high school 57-58 on Friday, February 28

By Diego Hernandez

The swim team advanced to District on January 24-25, 2020, both girls and boys swim achieved high honors in their events, becoming district champions by over 100 points in each division. The boys 400 Free Relay set a new school record surpassing the 2017 time of 1:36:84. The girls also won first place in the 400 medley relay, starting off finals in a sweep of both events. The Panthers were recognized for several achievements including sophomore Taylor Labella named Girls-Swimmer-of-the-Meet, and senior Carter Miranda named Boys-Diver-of-the-Meet. Also recognized Swim coach Nick Haidin named Coach-of-the-Meet, and Diving coach Barbara Rios named Diving-Coach-of-the-Meet, as well as NISD Diving Coach. They moved on to Region on January 31 and February 1. 

 District women’s results were: In the girls 400 relay, Paige Bourquin, Theresa Nguyen, Sydney White, and Taylor Labella won first with a time of 1:57.82. In the 200 yard free Kamryn Kreipe won second place with a time of 2:05.62 and Alex Kerzic won fifth place 2:10.48 and Paige Bourquin won sixth place with a time of 2:13.69. In the 200 yard individual medley Theresa Nguyen won second place with a time of 2:30.21, taking fifth place Josephine Vander Sys with a time of 2:43.10. In the 50-Yard Freestyle Taylor Labella won first place with a time of 25.74 followed by third place Sydney White 26.43 and fourth place Rhiannon Ramones 27.07, and Krista Hughes won fifth place 27.08. In the 100yrd fly Sydney White won third with a time of 26.43, Rhiannon Ramones won fourth place with 27.07 and Krista Hughes won fifth with 27.08. In the 100-Yard Freestyle first place Taylor Labella won with a time of 56.05, third place Alex Kerzic 58.96, fifth place sophomore Dakota Kidder 59.88, and sixth place sophomore was Alexandria Quintanilla with a time of 1:02.17. In the 500-Yard Freestyle students won two places: fourth place senior Hannah Lozano 5:54.89 and fifth place freshman Haley Hibbetts 6:06.8.
In the 100-Yard Backstroke Paige Bourquin won with a time of 1:03.27, second place was Hannah Lozano 1:05.80,  third place senior Abby Budzinski with a time of 1:08.50, and fourth place Haley Hibbetts at 1:08.94.
The 100-Yard Breaststroke event winner was Kamryn Kreipe with a time of 1:15.62, second place was Theresa Nguyen at 1:15.98, and sixth place junior Kayla Pratt at 1:21.81. In the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay the Panthers won first place with the team skills of Kamryn Kreipe, Rhiannon Ramones, Paige Bourquin, Alex Kerzic with a time of 3:55.51. 

In the men’s categories: 

In the 200-Yard Freestyle first place senior Wes Halstead with a time of 1:54.54, second place senior Donovan Tajbakhsh at 1:55.27, fourth place senior Ean Price at 1:58.90. In the 200-Yard IM first place senior John Blough at 2:07.61, second place senior Justin Medina at 2:14.78; third place freshman Kekoa Velez at 2:18.56. In the 50-Yard Freestyle second place sophomore Garrett English with a time of 22.24, fifth place junior Brayden Caldwell at 23.89, sixth place senior William Terrill at 24.22. In the Diving events first place senior Carter Miranda with a score 416.50, second place sophomore Eric Rios with a score 361.80, fourth place freshman Jason Drileck with a score 239.95. In the 100-Yard Butterfly second place senior John Blough with a time of 56.71, fourth place senior James Dalton at 1:02.47. In the 100-Yard Freestyle second place sophomore Garrett English 49.82, fifth place senior Donovan Tajbakhsh 52.30 sixth place junior Sebastian Flores 54.30. In the 500 yrd Freestyle first place senior Wes Halstead 5:21.38, second place senior Justin Medina  5:27.35, third place freshman Dario Olmo 5:35.98, sixth place senior Nicholas Roodettes 6:3.48. In the 100-Yard Backstroke first place senior Ean Price 1:00.07, third place freshman Andrew Wasmus 1:03.31, fifth place senior James Dalton 1:07.11 In the 100 Yard Breaststroke first place junior Brayden Caldwell 1:03.79, second place senior William Terrill 1:05.23, fourth place junior Bodee Lunt 1:07.97, fifth place freshman Kekoa Velez 1:09.24. In the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay first place seniors Donovan Tajbakhsh, Wes Halstead, John Blough, and sophomore Garrett English with a time of 3:25.76. Men’s team took first place with a score of 229.

Diego Hernandez and Kace Schermerhorn

Melody Norman

The Golduster team host a annual dance clinic to encourage young people to consider joining the team in the future, and inspire a love for dance. The new director Amanda Nobles continued the tradition of the annual clinic for the future dance team members. Every game the Goldusters perform and thousands of people come out and watch them including the young girls and boys who inspire to make the team.

  “To attend the clinic there is a form you have to fill out with the first and last name of the child, address, grade any allergies, name of the parent/guardian and emergency contact information, and their shirt size,”Melin Montemayor said.

There are many people that help out with the clinic every year including the parents of the Goldusters. The parents put together bags full of snacks for the kids, and help decorate the Amp,” Montemayor said.

  Not only do the parents help out with the clinic there are also sponsors including Target, eReality network, and my kids dentistry.

  The clinic was held on October 26 and starts bright and early at 8:00AM and ends at 1:00PM in the afternoon in the AMP(Agriculture Multi-purpose).The team made sure there were signs placed in the direction of where the AMP is located.

  “When walking into the clinic the girls are split up into 4 groups by grade level, the first group is Pre-K through Second grade, the second group is Third through Fifth grade, third group is Sixth through Eighth and lastly the high schoolers,” Montemayor said.

  They all do an individual dance in their four groups and then they all combine and learn a half time performance for the November first game.

  “Since the first clinic we have definitely come along way, with more dances, and all-around new ideas,’’ Montemayor said.

  The clinic has on average over 100 girls that attend each year“The purpose of the clinic is to give back to the community and help girls find their passion for dance the way I found my passion and to show what it is like to perform on the field,” Montemayor said.

The team consists of 43 members who were assigned to distribute sign up forms to friends and relatives.

“Performing brings me so much bliss I don’t think I could get it from anything else,” Isabella Benavidez said.

  She shared the clinic was a fun occasion as well.

“Little kid clinic is so fun. I was with the older kids this year so I didn’t get to hang around the babies as much but performing on the field with them is always such a fun time.”

Salma Valadez

Isaac Garcia