• FINALS WEEK 11/19-21
  • 11/19: Girls wrestling @ City
  • 11/21: Girls wrestling vs. Liberty @ Home
  • 11/21-23: All-State Music Festival
  • 11/22: Girls basketball @ Solon
  • NO SCHOOL 11/22
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
Kara Wagenknecht

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor

Kara is a senior at West and this will be her third year on staff. She is the Online Editor-in-Chief and Co-Sports Editor this year. When Kara isn’t covering a sporting event, she can be found playing with her dogs, editing photos, hanging out with her friends and dancing FTK.

All content by Kara Wagenknecht
Tomas Sanchez '20 runs across the field to celebrate after scoring during the 2019 game. The boys won 1-0.

[Photo] West vs. City soccer rivalry: More than just a game

Minna Abdalla and Elena Garcia Van Auken
April 22, 2024
For some West High athletes, sports become more than an after school pastime.

[Photo] The cost of excellence

Caroline Chandler, Krisha Kapoor, and Soomin Koh
April 26, 2021
Camille Gretter '23 is a first-year WSS staffer who's already made a large impact on the staff and publication.

[Photo] Staff Spotlight: Camille Gretter ’23

Annie Schwartz, Online Copy Editor
February 2, 2021
West High's 2018 gold out game kid captain, Otto, walks onto the field for the coin toss.

[Photo] Gold out for a cure

Misha Canin, Print Managing Editor and Business Co-Editor
September 18, 2019
Katie Hoefer '21 fights towards the finish line during the 2018 Earlybird Invite at the Ashton Cross Country Course on Aug. 23.

[Photo] Girls cross country finishes fourth at Earlybird Invite

Joe Goodman, Sports Editor
August 29, 2019
Fabian Brown '21 runs a relay during a track meet.

[Photo] In the zone

Natalie Dunlap and Natalie Katz
May 26, 2019
yAy SpOrTs

yAy SpOrTs

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
May 24, 2019
Seniors Lucy Polyak, Sophie Stephens and Maddi Shinall stand together wearing their fancy attire downtown Iowa City on Sunday, May 5.

Lucy Polyak, Will Conrad, Maddi Shinall and Sophie Stephens

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
May 18, 2019
"I like this outfit because it's simple, but still fashionable." Will Conrad '19 said. "I like to style a lot with blue because it matches my eyes."

"Staying stylish while being comfy is all about layering and being willing to work on incorporating basics into your wardrobe." Lucy Polyak '19 said. "Must haves for me are cool earrings, high waisted jeans and high top converse."

Seniors Will Conrad, Lucy Polyak and Sophie Stephens stand together against a sculpture downtown Iowa City on Sunday, May 5.

Sophie Stephens '19 and Maddi Shinall '19 sport their casual outfits together. Both show off the same green color throughout both outfits on Sunday, May 5.

Will Conrad '19 and Lucy Polyak '19 pose together in their casual outfits on a walkway downtown Iowa City on Sunday, May 5.

"I like wearing dresses because they're a whole outfit basically in one and it looks like you tried to make a whole outfit, but you're just wearing one clothing item." Maddi Shinall '19 said.

"I love the color of this dress, because it's really good for summer if you brighten it up with accessories or early fall when it's still nice out." Sophie Stephens '19 said. "The fit of the dress is also something different that I don't see a lot, with the length and then the gathering on the side. I also love the earrings, they are these teardrop shaped earrings that are embroidered."

Seniors Sophie Stephens, Lucy Polyak, Will Conrad and Maddi Shinall pose on a set of stairs downtown Iowa City on Sunday, May 5.

[Photo] Fashion Friday: The best of WSS

May 17, 2019
Seniors Sophie Stephens, Lucy Polyak, Will Conrad and Maddi Shinall pose on a set of stairs downtown Iowa City on Sunday, May 5.

Sophie Stephens '19 and Lucy Polyak '19 lean on a staircase downtown Iowa City on Sunday, May 5.

Seniors Sophie Stephens, Lucy Polyak, Will Conrad and Maddi Shinall pose on a set of stairs downtown Iowa City on Sunday, May 5.

Fashion Friday: The best of WSS

Anjali Huynh and Kara Wagenknecht
May 17, 2019
Kara Wagenknecht '19, Lucy Polyak '19, Maddi Shinall '19 and Sophie Stephens '19 pose at the West High sign outside of the school.

West Side Radio: seniors reflect on 4 years at West

Lucy Polyak, Sophie Stephens, Maddi Shinall, and Kara Wagenknecht
May 16, 2019
Seniors Lexi Moore and Allie Harvey share a laugh in the courtyard on Monday, May 6.

[Photo] From classroom to dorm room

Lucy Polyak, Columns Editor
May 6, 2019
Marnie Vonderhaar '19 walks towards the goal during the second half on Tuesday, April 9.

[Photo] Star risen: Marnie Vonderhaar '19

May 3, 2019
Kolby Greiner '19 runs alongside Ankeny's Tim Sindt '19 at the beginning of the 3,200 meter race on Thursday, April 25. Greiner placed 15th in 9:48.20.

[Photo] After

May 3, 2019
Peyton Steva '19 battles Abraham Lincoln's Darby Thomas '19 as they both jump over the last hurdle during the 100 meter hurdle race on Friday, April 26. Steva fell by .03 seconds to Thomas to obtain second place with a time of 14.33.

Track teams compete at historic Blue Oval

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
April 30, 2019
Gabe Caruthers '19 gets set in his blocks before his race on Friday, April 26. Caruthers placed fourth in a time of 49.12 in the first ever high school 400 meter dash at the Drake Relays.

[Photo] Top 10 places to play

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
December 19, 2020
Peyton Steva '19 battles Abraham Lincoln's Darby Thomas '19 as they both jump over the last hurdle during the 100 meter hurdle race on Friday, April 26. Steva fell by .03 seconds to Thomas to obtain second place with a time of 14.33.

[Photo] Sectioning stigma

Soomin Koh and Heidi Du
June 4, 2021
Landon Green '19 takes his first throw of the night on Thursday, April 25. Green placed fifth in the shot put with a throw of 54-6.75.

Kolby Greiner '19 runs alongside Ankeny's Tim Sindt '19 at the beginning of the 3,200 meter race on Thursday, April 25. Greiner placed 15th in 9:48.20.

Marcus Morgan '21 competes in his first ever Drake Relays on Thursday, April 25. Morgan placed 21st in the high jump with a jump of 6-1.00.

Alexie Little '20

Alexie Little '20 takes her second throw during the discus competition on Thursday, April 25. Little placed 16th with a throw of 116-2.

Shamar Wyatt '19 hands off the baton to Nate Gudenkauf '22 during the 4x100 meter relay prelims on Saturday, April 27. The relay team placed 35th in a time of 44.67.

Amy Liao '21 takes a deep breath before the 4x100 meter relay on Saturday, April 27. The relay team placed 46th in 52.03 seconds.

Peyton Steva '19 leads during her heat of the 100 meter dash. Steva placed first in 12.63 on Thursday, April 18.

Track teams push to qualify for Drake Relays

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
April 19, 2019
Marcus Morgan '21 competes in the high jump. He placed second with a jump of 6-03.25.

Gabe Caruthers '19 crosses the finish line during the 400 meter run on Thursday, April 18. Caruthers won the race in a time of 48.88, for which he was awarded the Dick Feeney award after the race.

Clare Loussaert '22 sprints off the blocks at the beginning of the 400 meter run on Thursday, April 18. Loussaert finished ninth with a time of 1:08.85.

Caden Noeller '22 runs the 800 meter leg of the distance medley relay on Thursday, April 18. The relay team placed fourth in 3:51.29.

Peyton Steva '19 leads during her heat of the 100 meter dash. Steva placed first in 12.63 on Thursday, April 18.

Celestina Nuro-Gyina '22 runs the last leg of the shuttle hurdle relay on Thursday, April 18. The relay team also consisted of Amy Liao '21, Matayia Tellis '21 and Florence Assumani '22 placed fourth in 1:13.78.

Cole Mabry '19 goes over the last hurdle of the second leg of the shuttle hurdle relay on Thursday, April 18. The relay team also consisting of Jason Lu '21, Mabry, Anuj Jani '22 and Ryan Gudenkauf '19 placed second in 1:04.19.

Kiara Malloy-Salgado '21 hugs Sara Alaya '22 and Erica Buettner '21 after they competed in the 4x800 meter relay on Thursday, April 18. The Women of Troy placed second in 10:06.21.

Kolby Greiner leads the 3,200 meter run on Thursday, April 18. Greiner placed first in 9:40.06. He also placed first in the 1,600 meter run in 4:28.50.

Ryan Gudenkauf '19 takes his second jump of the night on Thursday, April 18. Gudenkauf placed seventh with a jump of 20-01.75.

Katie Hoefer runs around the curve of the track during the 3000 meter run. Hoofer placed 11th in 11:42.99 on Thursday, April 18.

Nick Johnson '19 sprints to hand off the baton to Tyuss Bell '21 during the 800 meter relay on Thursday, April 18. The relay team finished fifth in a time of 1:39.70.

Twins Lizzy and Makayla Slade '21 stand side by side before school for a photo on Friday, April 19.

[Photo] Not seeing double

April 19, 2019
Mekhi Johnson '20 hands the baton off to Chris Caruthers '20, the third runner during the 4x200 meter relay on Saturday, April 13. The Trojans placed seventh in 1:45.99.

Boys track honors seniors and past coach

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
April 14, 2019
Cole Mabry '19 hugs head track and field coach Travis Craig during the senior recognition ceremony on Saturday, April 13.

Jason Lu '21 sprints down the last 50 meters on the track during the 4x200 meter relay on Saturday, April 13.

Mekhi Johnson '20 hands the baton off to Chris Caruthers '20, the third runner during the 4x200 meter relay on Saturday, April 13. The Trojans placed seventh in 1:45.99.

Gabe Caruthers '19 runs the 400 meter lap during the distance medley on Saturday, April 13. The relay team placed second in 3:41.68.

Chris Caruthers '20 jumps over the last hurdle to finish the shuttle hurdle relay. West placed second in 1:09.70.

Caden Noeller '22 runs the final leg of the 4x800 meter relay on Saturday, April 13. The relay team placed second in 8:31.15.

Landon Green competes in the discus on Saturday, April 13. Green won the shot put with a throw of 53-02.50

Hunter Bagan '19 runs around the curve of the track during the 3,200 meter run on Saturday, April 13. Bagan placed sixth in 11:33.11.

The ISASP tests will begin on Tuesday, April 16 and last through Thursday, April 18.

[Photo] Testing new tech

April 14, 2019
Makenna Vonderhaar '22 tries to get the ball back as City High's Sam Schroder '19 stops her during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

[Photo] West soccer takes on highly ranked City teams

April 10, 2019
Tomas Sanchez '20 runs across the field to celebrate with his teammates after scoring the only goal of the game during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

Kennedy Hochstedler '19 battles to get the ball back as City High's Rocxana Carrera '19 kicks it away from her on Tuesday, April 9.

Kenedee Showalter '22 looks for an opportunity to score a goal during the second half on Tuesday, April 9.

Hannah Cantrell '19 dribbles the ball towards the goal as City High defenders Muriel Brown '20 and Kate Wolfe '21 attempt to stop her during the second half on Tuesday, April 9.

Jada Dachtler '22 passes the ball to Hannah Cantrell '19 during the second half on Tuesday, April 9.

[Photo] Rising Stars: Jada Dachtler ’22 & Makenna Vonderhaar ’22

April 15, 2019
Makenna Vonderhaar '22 tries to get the ball back as City High's Sam Schroder '19 stops her during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

Marnie Vonderhaar '19 stops the ball in order to pass it further up the field to a teammate during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

Avery Lawler '19 watches as City High's Morgan Turner '22 dribbles the ball towards the goal during the first half on Tuesday, April 8.

Hannah Cantrell '19 stops the ball from getting past her during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

Anna Verry '22 hustles back on defense during the team's game against City High on April 9. Verry looks to step into an expanded role this year in her second season with the varsity.

[Photo] Club connection: Lead West

Joe Goodman, Sports Editor
November 28, 2019
Rachel Olson '19 passes the ball to a fellow Trojan to gain momentum during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

Josh Jasek '19 and Matthew McDonnell '19 embrace after their 1-0 win against City on Tuesday, April 9.

Zach Albright '19 watches the game unfold as rain sprinkles down during the second half on Tuesday, April 9.

Graham Gambrall '21 slides the keep the ball inbounds during the second half on Tuesday, April 9.

Andy Lu '21 watches the ball go down the field as he tries to defend it during the second half on Tuesday, April 9.

Micah Frisbie '20 reacts after missing a shot during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

Makenna Vonderhaar '22 tries to get the ball back as City High's Sam Schroder '19 stops her during the first half on Tuesday, April 9.

West soccer takes on highly ranked City teams

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
April 10, 2019
Lily Meng '19 holds a bottle of caffeinated water called Hydrive. This water can be bought at West.

[Photo] Caffeine: a miracle or menace?

April 9, 2019

First ever Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival deemed a success

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
April 7, 2019
Amy Liao '21 runs the second leg of the 4x400 meter run after Katie Severt '19 passed the baton off to her on Saturday, April 6. The relay team placed first in a time of 4:14.70. Liao also ran in the first place 4x100 shuttle hurdle relay team and 4x100 meter relay team. She also placed sixth in the 100 meter hurdles in a time of 17.16.

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Kiara Malloy-Salgado '21 runs out at the start of the 800 meter run on Saturday, April 6. Malloy-Salgado placed fourth in a time of 2:23.55. She also competed in the 4x400 meter relay race which placed first in 4:14.70.

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Peyton Steva '19 hugs her mom and assistant girls track coach Peggy McGuire after learning that she's the new state leader in the 100 meter hurdles on Saturday, April 6.

Tyuss Bell '21 runs around the curve of the track during the 400 meter dash on Saturday, April 6. Bell placed seventh in 52.54. He also competed in the 4x400 meter relay, 800 meter sprint medley relay and 1600 meter distance medley relay.

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Alexie Little '20 throws the discus on Saturday, April 6. Little placed first in the discus with a throw of 121-02 and third in shot put with a throw of 37-11.00.

Landon Green '19 throws his shot put on Saturday, April 6. Green won the shot put competition with a throw of 53-10.00. He also placed 4th in discus with a throw of 149-08 and ran the last leg of the 6th place 4x100 meter relay.

Landon Green '19 throws the shot put on Saturday, April 6. Green won the shot put competition with a throw of 53-10.00. He also placed fourth in discus with a throw of 149-08 and ran the last leg of the sixth place 4x100 meter relay.

Peyton Steva '19 jumps over the seventh hurdle during the 4x100 shuttle hurdle relay race on Saturday, April 6. Steva also won in the 100 meter hurdles and became the new state leader in the event en route to qualifying for the Drake Relays with a time of 14.63.

Katie Hoefer '21 runs the first leg of the 4x800 meter relay on Saturday, April 6. The relay team placed third in 10:30.13.

Kolby Greiner '19 runs during the 3,200 meter run with Dubuque Hempstead's Ryan Winger '21 close behind him on Saturday, April 6. Greiner won and qualified for the Drake Relays in a time of 9:32.45. He also competed in the 1,600 meter run and placed fourth with a time of 4:29.36.

Cole Mabry '19 competes in the 4x400 meter relay race, the last event of the meet on Saturday, April 6. Mabry ran the third leg and the relay team placed ninth in a time of 3:35.12. He also competed in the distance medley which placed fourth in a time of 3:45.83, the 400 meter hurdles where he placed fifth in 58.03 and the 4x200 meter relay which placed ninth in a time of 1:34.80.

Kolby Greiner '19 stands at the start line during the boys 1,600 meter run on Saturday, April 28.

Inaugural track and field festival to be held at West High

Kara Wagenknecht, Online Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
April 5, 2019
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Kara Wagenknecht