• 12/16: Pajama + stuffed animal day
  • 12/17: Jersey day
  • 12/17: Girls basketball vs. Wahlert Catholic
  • 12/17: Boys basketball @ Wahlert Catholic
  • 12/17: Boys swimming @ Linn-Mar
  • 12/17: Band concert in Arganbright Auditorium
  • 12/18: Pink out day
  • 12/19: Throwback Thursday
  • 12/19: Boys wrestling @ Linn-Mar
  • 12/19: Girls wrestling @ Solon
  • 12/20: 2 HOUR EARLY RELEASE
  • 12/20: Ugly sweater day
  • 12/20: Boys and girls double-header vs City
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
Owen Aanestad

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief

Owen Aanestad is a senior at West. This is his third year on staff working for the online publication as the online editor-in-chief In addition to playing football and baseball, he enjoys photography.

All content by Owen Aanestad
Joe Goodman '20 and Christian Barnes '22 receive the teams trophy after the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Joe Goodman '20 looks to score on a fast break during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Seniors Nick Pepin and Ben Vander Leest watch in disbelief during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Joe Goodman '20 and Marcus Morgan '21 trap Ankeny's Braxton Bayless '20 during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Ankeny's Braxton Bayless '20 goes up for a layup during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

[Photo] Bayless puts Ankeny past Trojans in state quarterfinal

March 11, 2020
Marcus Morgan '21 knocks down a three pointer during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Nick Pepin '20 tries to drive baseline during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

The bench questions a call during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

The student section questions a call during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Marcus Morgan '21 looks to pass during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

The bench celebrates a Nick Pepin '20 and-one during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

All around the state West High athletes are fortunate enough to be able to compete at not only a high level but in and at some of the nicest facilities in the nation.

Top 10 places to play

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
December 19, 2020
Even Brauns '20 and Tate Crane '20 fight for a rebound during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Marcus Morgan '21 pressures the Ankeny point guard during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Tate Crane '20 knocks down a mid range jumper during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Nick Pepin '20 swings the ball during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Even Brauns '20 reaches for a block during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Tate Crane '20 looks to pass at the top of the key during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Christian Barnes '22 pushes the ball up the court against Linn-Mar on Dec. 20.

No Cap Recap: winter sports preview with Christian Barnes

Owen Aanestad and Camille Gretter
December 13, 2020
Joe Goodman '20 looks to pass from the corner during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Even Brauns '20 goes up for a layup during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Christian Barnes '22 brings the ball up the floor during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Even Brauns '20 looks to pass from the top of the key during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Ben Vander Leest '20 drives baseline during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Joe Goodman '20 and the bench celebrates a bucket during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Marcus Morgan '21 pushes the ball up the floor during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

The bench celebrates a basket during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Joe Goodman '20 drives into the lane during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Even Brauns '20 wins the tip during the state quarterfinal on March 11.

Starters huddle before the tip of the state quarterfinal on March 11.

No Cap Recap is a sports podcast with sports editor Yaya Orszula and staffer Anna Gibson.

No Cap Recap: state championship edition

Joe Goodman and Owen Aanestad
March 6, 2020
Nick Pepin '20 and his teammates celebrate as they advance to the state tournament in their win over Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Boys basketball team advances to their 10th consecutive state tournament

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
March 3, 2020
The boys basketball team poses with the state qualifier banner after defeating Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Seniors pose with the state qualifier banner after defeating Pleasant Valley on March 3.

The team celebrates their substate final win against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Seniors Joe Goodman, Nick Pepin, and Tate Crane run receive their state qualifier banner against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Nick Pepin '20 dribbles out the clock in the final seconds against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Marcus Morgan '21 goes up for a dunk against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Nick Pepin '20 goes up for a layup against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Even Brauns '20 blocks a shot against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Marcus Morgan '21 knocks down a three against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

The student section questions a call against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Joe Goodman '20 runs the offense as he walks the ball up the floor against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

The bench celebrates a three against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Joe Goodman '20 looks for a steal against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Christian Barnes '22 pushes the ball up the floor against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Tate Crane '20 plays defense in the Trojans' full court press against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Nick Pepin '20 celebrates his three and foul against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Marcus Morgan '21 high fives Tate Crane '20 during starting lineups against Pleasant Valley on March 3.

Grahm Goering '21, Even Brauns '20, and Marcus Morgan '21 celebrate a Nick Pepin '20 and-one against Ottumwa on Feb. 28.

Boys basketball team advances to substate final

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
February 28, 2020
West Side Story takes a deeper look into the 20-year history of sports uniforms at West High.

[Photo] Beneath the jersey: the 20-year history of sports uniforms at West

February 20, 2020
West Side Story takes a deeper look into the 20-year history of sports uniforms at West High.

[Photo] Beneath the jersey: the 20-year history of sports uniforms at West

Joe Goodman and Natalie Katz
February 20, 2020
West Side Story takes a deeper look into the 20-year history of sports uniforms at West High.

Tate Happel '20 along with his coaches and teammates celebrate their team state championship after jumping into the pool on Feb. 15.

James Pinter '20 looks up to the crowd holding up number one as his team is announced as state champions on Feb. 15.

Izaak Hajek '20, along with his teammates and coaches, celebrate as Jordan Christensen '22 recieves his medal on Feb. 15.

Top 10 sports moments of 2019-2020

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
May 9, 2020
Diggory Dillingham '23 cheers on the 400 yard freestyle relay's last swimmer on Feb. 15. The team finished second in the state with a time of 3:05.45.

Boyd Skelley '22 and his teammates cheer on the 400 yard freestyle relay on Feb. 15 to seal the deal for the teams state championship.

Gavin Keeney '22 swims in the 100 yard breaststroke on Feb. 15. Keeney finished with a time of 1:01.31.

James Pinter '20 takes a breath during the 100 yard backstroke on Feb. 15. Pinter won the 100 yard backstroke state championship with a time of 50.01.

Boyd Skelley '22 reaches out at the start of the 100 yard backstroke on Feb. 15.

Andy Luo '22 takes a breath while swimming in the 500 yard freestyle on Feb. 15. Luo finished with a time of 4:51.54.

Izaak Hajek '20 dives in at the start of the 100 yard butterfly on Feb. 15.

Diggory Dillingham '23 leaps off the blocks at the start of the 50 yard freestyle on Feb. 15. Dillingham finished second in the state with a time of 20.67.

[Photo] Regrowing confidence

Fareeha Ahmad, Profiles Editor and Yearbook Copy Editor
February 25, 2020
All ten Trojan athletes that participated in the signing ceremony after school pose for a picture in the cafeteria on Nov. 10.

10 Trojan athletes sign their National Letters of Intent

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
November 10, 2021
Jordan Christensen '22 swims in the 200 yard IM on Feb. 15. Christensen finished with a time of 1:54.98.

Jordan Christensen '22 swims the butterfly in the 200 yard IM on Feb. 15.

Luke Nichols '21 swims in the 200 yard IM on Feb. 15. Nichols finished with a time of 1:59.99.

James Pinter '20 takes a breath as he swims in the 200 yard medley relay on Feb. 15.

Nikolas Sung '22 congratulates his opponent after the 500 yard freestyle on Feb. 15.

Nikolas Sung '22 gets set on the blocks as he waits to swim the 500 yard freestyle on Feb. 15.

Jordan Christensen '22 cheers on his teammates from the edge of the pool during the 200 Yard Medley Relay on Feb. 15.

James Pinter '20 flys off the wall at the start of the 100 yard backstroke on Feb. 15.

The West High bench celebrates a bucket against Linn-Mar on Dec. 20.

No Cap Recap: boys basketball JV squad

Joe Goodman and Owen Aanestad
February 9, 2020
Ben Alden '21 walks off the mat after pinning his opponent in the second period.

Brett Pelfrey '22 attempts to pin his opponent on Feb. 6.

Anu Dokun '20 jockeys for position during his match on Senior Night Feb.6. Dokun overcame a 3-5 deficit to win by a 12-8 decision.

Will Hoeft '20 flips his opponent during Senior Night Feb. 6. Hoeft pinned Waterloo West's Christian Chapman '22 in the second period.

Will

Six West High athletes signed their National Letters of Intent on Nov. 11 to continue their academic and athletic careers at schools across the country.

Trojan athletes sign National Letters of Intent from home

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
November 11, 2020
Graham Gambrall '21 earns a point for his opponent's stalling Feb. 6. Gambrall pinned Waterloo West's Jackson Hicks '20 in the second period.

The referee raises the hand of Drake Davis '22 after his dramatic victory at 145 pounds.

[Photo] Boys wrestling dominates Wahawks on Senior Night

February 6, 2020
The coaches encourage Brett Pelfrey '22 during his match at 195 pounds.

Grant O'Dell '22 and the rest of the team celebrate a takedown from Will Hoeft '20.

Hunter Garvin '22 pins his opponent in the second period during the team's Senior Night on Feb. 6.

Hunter

Parker

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Senior athletes Tate Crane, Cora Saunders, Brody Schilling, Will Hoeft and Collin Leavy signed their National Letters of Intent on Feb. 5.

Winter sports signing day

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
February 5, 2020
Meena Tate '23 and Audrey Koch '21 trap Wahlert's Mary Kate King '21 at half court on Jan. 28.

Defense puts Women of Troy past Dubuque Wahlert

Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-Chief
January 28, 2020
Audrey Koch '21 drives past the half court trap against Dubuque Wahlert on Jan. 28.

Audrey Koch '21 looks to pass after diving for a loose ball against Dubuque Wahlert on Jan. 28.

Liv Williams hauls in a rebound against Dubuque Wahlert on Jan. 28.

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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Owen Aanestad