The smell of pavement and sweat permeates the fresh morning air. Danger tends to litter the skateboarding community, but no wipe out or brushed shoulder can alter the love for the hobby these skaters harbor. “I’ve...

“I have to try something new.”These were the words of 13-year-old Nicole Arnold after she played a soccer game. She felt as if she was not into the game because there was not enough intensity. “I...

The varsity pommie squad is going to do something they have never done before. After going to Lindbergh High School last year to compete for the first time, the pommies are taking it one step further.

The Kirkwood Pioneers defeated the Camdenton Lakers Nov. 13 19-14 to advance to the state football semifinals. Camdenton started the game with a touchdown, but Kirkwood quickly turned around and...

Wrestling Last Season’s Record: 2-10 The boys’ varsity wrestling team had a tough season last year. After losing Marcus Brownlee, who earned second place in the state championship, the team looks to improve. The wrestling team returns with Scott Mackenzie and Henry Hansen, seniors and captains, and Nate Williams, junior. Girls’ Basketball Last Season’s Record: 20-6 After a first round loss to Webster Groves in the 2010 district playoff game, the girls’ basketball team has worked hard over the off season to improve their game from last year. The Lady Pioneers return seven players from last year, all of whom are juniors. Dajae Williams, Lianna Doty and Natalie Fryrear have high hopes to lead their team to another successful 20-win season. Head coach Brad Sutterer, assistant athletics director, will fill in for Ron Sanford, who stepped down as head coach at the end of last season. Hockey Last Season’s Record: 14-12 The boys’ varsity hockey team is back this year with hopes in advancing in this year’s playoffs. After losing to the SLUH Junior Billikens in the second round, the hockey team is determined to better their 14-12 record from last season. Despite losing six seniors last season, including their team’s leading scorer Nick Webb, they return seniors Jason Kuziel, Mike Howard and Jared Lemcke. The Pioneers lost the season opener 6-0 to Fort Zumwalt West. Boys’ Basketball Last Season’s Record: 13-13 Last year the boys’ basketball season was highlighted by David “Chubbs” Stillman. Stillman scored six points in a 70-30 victory over Fox in his first high school game. The team graduated five seniors Hunter Ward, Ahmad Hicks, Pete Krusing, Kyle Rice and Nathan McMahon last year but expects a successful season this winter. The team returners are Lawrence Williams, senior, and Myles Artis, junior. Boys’ Racquetball Last Season’s Record: 5-5 The boys’ racquetball team placed third in the state tournament last year. The team graduated five seniors, but has many returning players including Robert Conroy, Patrick Day and Clayton Mosby, seniors, to fill their spots this season. The team lost to 4-3 in their first game Nov. 9. Girls’ Racquetball Last Season’s Record: 5-5 The girls’ varsity racquetball team enters the 2010-2011 season with three varsity returners: Lydia Mitchener, senior, Suzy Bambini and Lizzy Henquinet, juniors. Beginning this season each team will now have eight varsity players as opposed to the six from last season. The team lost to Parkway West 2-5 in its first game Nov. 10. Girls’ Swim and Dive Last Season’s Record: 7-5 With two rookie coaches last year, the KHS swim and dive team looks to improve their record. Despite losing Jordan Berger, Katie Cox and Hannah Stuhlmann, the team returns top performers Rachel Kokenyesi, Mary Kate Hoerr and Adrienne Meckes, sophomores. Grace Goding, senior, qualified for the state tournament in diving last season. Their first meet is Dec. 9 at Clayton High School.

The Kirkwood Pioneers defeated the Fort Zumwalt East Lions 47-27 to advance to the quarterfinals of the state championship. In the third round, Kirkwood will take on the Camdenton Lakers Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m. in its first road game of the playoffs. After Zumwalt scored an early touchdown, Ramon Alton, sophomore, scored on a 19-yard run to make the score 7-6. The score went back and forth until the end of the first half, when quarterback B.J. Buckner, junior, threw a touchdown pass to make the score 27-20.

Kirkwood defeated the Holt Indians 19-14 Nov. 3 to move on to the next round of the playoffs. The Pioneers scored all 19 of its points in the first half, including seven from a diving touchdown catch. Late in the fourth quarter, Holt threatened to score a touchdown. However, the Pioneers came up with a crucial defensive stop to ensure the 19-14 victory.

The KHS varsity football team is one of 24 remaining in the hunt for the state championship. Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., the team will take on the Holt Indians on the KHS turf in the first game of the MSHSAA state playoffs. Kirkwood has a record of 6-3, while Holt has a record of 6-4. The winner of the game will take on Fort Zumwalt East Nov. 8. Fort Zumwalt East is 9-0.

A concussion is caused by a sudden blow to the head. This blow shifts the brain, making it hit the inside of the skull, which prevents the brain from functioning normally. The brain is surrounded by spinal...

The crack of a gun breaks through the crisp, late-September air. Ninety-six girls with the same destination dart off toward the first hill. Five runners quickly break away from the group. However, Hannah...