tiger tracks mud-slinger · tiger tracks mud-slinger washington mud slide by michael greenwood...

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Eye of the Tiger April 11, 2014 Ozark Junior High, 1109 W. Jackson Page 2: Lace em’ Up Page 3: Making a Difference Page 4: Comfort for Life Page 5: Fantastic Students Page 6: A Great Future is Ahead Page 7: Sprinting to a Great Finish Page 8: Swinging for the Fences Issue XIV Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger Washington Mud Slide By Michael Greenwood Homes swept from their foundations and debris floating down the street. On March 16, many residents in the Snohomish County experienced this phenomenon. On Saturday, the mud slide started after many inches of rain hit that area. A river near that county also overflowed creating more than enough water to start a mud slide. Rescuers scoured the land looking for the 20 missing people. Twenty-nine people have been reported dead, and the local fire chief, Travis Potts, said that with some missing, the death count could go up. Videos posted show rescuers with chainsaws climbing over flattened houses. More rain has been expected in that area Firefighters clear the rubble making the rescue process take even longer. A movement in the land while rescuers were in the area caused panic that the ground might still be unstable. This disaster is ranked as one of the dead- liest landslides in the United States. Search dogs and technical rescue experts are being brought in to aid in the rescue. Addi- tionally, the Washington State Department of Transportation has brought in heavy equipment to clear some of the mud away. Residents of Snohomish County said that the community is close-knit. Acts of heroism and miracles such as one man who dug his way out of the rubble with a stick until rescuers found the stick waving in the air, have spread all over the internet giv- ing hope. Disasters like this show America how a community can come together and help one another get through a life threat- ening situation. The mud slide caused much damage The crater caused by the mud slide

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Page 1: Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger · Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger Washington Mud Slide By Michael Greenwood Homes swept from their foundations and debris floating down the street. On March 16,

Eyeof the

Tiger

April 11, 2014

Ozark Junior High, 1109 W. Jackson

Page 2: Lace em’ Up

Page 3: Making a Difference

Page 4: Comfort for Life

Page 5: Fantastic Students

Page 6: A Great Future is Ahead

Page 7: Sprinting to a Great Finish

Page 8: Swinging for the Fences

Issue XIVTiger Tracks Mud-Slinger

Washington Mud SlideBy Michael Greenwood

Homes swept from their foundations and debris floating down the street. On March 16, many residents in the Snohomish County experienced this phenomenon. On Saturday, the mud slide started after many inches of rain hit that area. A river near that county also overflowed creating more than enough water to start a mud slide. Rescuers scoured the land looking for the 20 missing people. Twenty-nine people have been reported dead, and the local fire chief, Travis Potts, said that with some missing, the death count could go up. Videos posted show rescuers with chainsaws climbing over flattened houses. More rain has been expected in that area Firefighters clear the rubble

making the rescue process take even longer. A movement in the land while rescuers were in the area caused panic that the ground might still be unstable. This disaster is ranked as one of the dead-liest landslides in the United States. Search dogs and technical rescue experts are being brought in to aid in the rescue. Addi-tionally, the Washington State Department of Transportation has brought in heavy equipment to clear some of the mud away. Residents of Snohomish County said that the community is close-knit. Acts of heroism and miracles such as one man who dug his way out of the rubble with a stick until rescuers found the stick waving in the air, have spread all over the internet giv-ing hope. Disasters like this show America how a community can come together and help one another get through a life threat-ening situation.

The mud slide caused much damage

The crater caused by the mud slide

Page 2: Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger · Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger Washington Mud Slide By Michael Greenwood Homes swept from their foundations and debris floating down the street. On March 16,

Eye of the TigerNewspaper StaffAdvisor: Mrs. HunterPrincipal: Mr. SimpsonNews Editor: Jordan LawsonOpinion Editor: Taylor Cathcart Staff Secretaries: Quincy Moore & Hayden Tinker Academics and Clubs Editor: Michael GreenwoodPeople Editor: Skylar SeigerStudent Life Editor: Chuck HillEntertainment Editor: Ashley McCullochPhoto Editors: Jake Dralle & Skylar SeigerSports Editors: Carly Lawrence & Payton Nichols Photographers: Morgan Maleare and Logan Sorensen Distribution Editors: Jessica Elmore & Quincy Moore & Hayden Tinker

Dear Zoe

~Zoe

Page 2 April 11, 2014 Opinion

If you have a question for Zoe or need advice, write it on a small piece of paper and place it in Locker 151 in the main building or Locker 780 in the west building.

You have probably heard about the history making, soft, and exceptionally comfortable Brooks Transcend, but what about the simple but attention getting Nike Roshes? A debate is in progress on which is the better shoe for running, sports, tak-ing walks, or just wearing them around the town. Each have a considerable amount of pros and a matching set of cons. First off, what is all the commotion about when it comes to these two pairs of shoes? Brooks Transcends defy all known logic of the traditional laws of comfort. Brooks, normally used for run-ning, have an exceptional amount of biomechanical insights to maximize the “float experience,” otherwise known as unex-plainable comfort. Every element of this shoe was innovated using biomechanical insights, explaining the underestimated support and comfort to your feet while being active. From the ideal pressure zones that disperse impact to the guide rails that provide on-demand support, not to mention the amazing plush comfort of super DNA cushioning, Brooks are sure to blow a mind or two. What about Nike Roshes? What makes them so special? Nike Roshe, the simple yet elegant new silhouette from Nike Sportswear, is currently the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. The designer of the signature Nike Roshes is Dylan Raasch. When asked where the design for the Roshe started, he responded, “The design process for the Roshe started back in the fall of 2010. I was asked to bring ideas to a Nike Sportswear Fall 11 seasonal brainstorm ses-sion, which focused on ways of bringing value to a lower price point. I was the only designer in a group of merchandisers and marketing and sales people, and when I presented the concept behind the Roshe, the room was silent. Apparently the idea was too abstract at that point, but I knew there was something there, so I decided to develop the design in my free time.” The design of the Nike Roshe features full mesh for the entire upper part of the shoe for breathability. It also includes a Lunarlon midsole for lightweight cushioning and blown EVA foam outsole for lightweight impact absorption and durability when running or doing other physical activities. Once you put them on, you might never want to take them off! With all these details and facts about the two shoe brands, my choice sticks with the Nike Roshe. What about you?

On The RunNike Roshe and Brooks Transcend

By Taylor Cathcart

Dear Zoe,

Lately I’ve been really nervous about making new friends. My family has been very fortunate to make a very good income, and I’m scared that if I make a friend, all that friend will want from me is what I have. I’ve had a friend before that I believed was really close to me. I would go to her with my feelings, whether bad or good. She would comfort me just like you would expect her to do, but afterwards she would ask for something in return. I’m really nervous that this could happen again. Please help!

From, Nervous

Dear Nervous,

A lot of the time these kinds of people were never a true friend in the first place. They never wanted your trust or your friendship. They only wanted the materialistic objects that you could give them. Many people out there will only want the same kinds of things, but that does not mean everyone will be like that. You just have to be patient throughout your life. When you meet someone who seems as if she is kind and caring, get to know her and find out if that is really who she is. Good luck!

Page 3: Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger · Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger Washington Mud Slide By Michael Greenwood Homes swept from their foundations and debris floating down the street. On March 16,

Page 3 April 11, 2014 Academics & Clubs

Janet Rippee is a 14 year old eighth grader who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was only a week old. Janet has been forced to fight against this disease for 14 years and has yet to finish. When Janet was two years old, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis. This amazing and strong-minded girl has finally gotten her miracle. Janet Rippee has been on the waiting list for a liver transplant since September. When compared to where she started out on the list, Janet has come a long way. Janet is now number two on the list and could receive a liver transplant any day now. Once Janet obtains the liver transplant, the cirrhosis will be gone but the cystic fibrosis will remain. It is an incurable disease. “If I never had cystic fibrosis, my life might not have changed much, but there would still be so many things that I could do that I can’t do now,” said Janet. “I can’t go outside when it snows, and I can’t go out with my friends. I can’t do what normal people can do.” Her mother, Heidi, has been with Janet every step of the way, cheering Janet on and giving her hope as well. “I had a lot of mixed emotions, but I was angry more than anything when Janet was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis,” said Heidi. “I didn’t understand why God would let such a wonderful little girl be born with such a horrible disease. I didn’t understand what I had done wrong.” While having a deadly disease, Janet has kept a smile on her face and walked through the Ozark Junior High halls as if nothing was wrong. Maybe for Janet, nothing was wrong. “When it comes to cystic fibrosis, I can’t do as much as every-one else, but I am doing things that kids like me shouldn’t be able to do like sing, play sports, dance, run, and play in the band. That shows that I am tougher than I look and can do anything I put my mind too,” said Janet. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. Normally, mucus is a slippery, watery substance. It keeps the linings of certain organs moist and prevents them from drying out or getting infected. If you have cystic fibrosis, your mucus becomes thick and sticky. It builds up in your lungs and blocks your airways. The buildup of mucus makes it easy for bacteria to grow. This leads to serious lung infections. Over time, these infections can severely damage your lungs. The thick, sticky mucus can also block tubes and ducts in the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen. As a result, the digestive enzymes that the pancreas makes can not reach the small intestine. These enzymes help break down food. Without them, the intestines can not fully absorb fats and proteins. This can cause vitamin deficiency and malnutrition. OJH is holding a fundraiser to help Janet and her family by selling t-shirts. The shirt order forms are being given out by Mrs. Faught in the Band room and Mrs. Campbell in the Choir room. The shirts cost ten dollars or you can just donate money to the cause. The money is going straight to Janet and will help pay the bills that will come with the liver trans-plant. Help Janet any way you can.

A Living MiracleBy Jessica Elmore

Janet Rippee

Janet Fundraiser

Ozark High School Drill Team participation is right around the corner! Most of, if not all, the cadets who are on Drill Team and Color Guard this year are expected to be on the high school Drill Team, but Mrs. McConnell encourages many students who were in the Leadership in Action class to try Drill Team at the high school. To be on the Drill Team, students are required to be in JROTC at the high school. Exhibition teams are only open to freshmen who have been on the Drill Team duringthe Leadership in Action class at Ozark Junior High. Regulation teams are open to almost all freshman. Regulation drill consists of the more basic Drill movements. Exhibition includes lots of tricks with the rifles and more. Drill practices at the high school are always in the morning, so participants won’t have to worry about sports or after school activities interfering with it. Sergeant White will announce when the practices begin. Once on the Drill Team, members are expected to attend all practices. Mrs. McConnell hopes to see you on the National Champion Drill Team!

Marching to the Top Ozark High School Drill TryoutsBy Chuck Hill and Jordan Lawson

The Drill Team performs at the Veterans Day Assembly

Page 4: Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger · Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger Washington Mud Slide By Michael Greenwood Homes swept from their foundations and debris floating down the street. On March 16,

Page 4 April 11, 2014 People

Imagine living a life without a bed or even a couch. How would you feel when you got home from school and all you had was an empty apart-ment with a bare floor. You sleep on the floor, play on the floor, eat on the floor. All you ever wanted was a place to sleep or something to call yours. Now there is a man who could fix that. Rita Taylor is not a rich woman. She and her family were homeless for years and finally saved up just enough for an apartment of their own. Once they moved in, she and her daughters had nowhere to sleep, so the only option was to sleep on the floor. “As a mother, I felt like I let my kids down, and that bothered me. I felt like I was failing my kids,” Taylor said. A friend heard about her problem and referred her to the organization called A Wider Circle. This nonprofit program, based in Bethesda, Maryland, helps furnish the homes of im-poverished families. For free. At A Wider Circle, Rita Taylor was able to get each of her two daugh-ters her own bed. Genora, the oldest daughter, got her own desk. Each of the daughters got a cabinet full of books from which she now reads every night. Mark Bergel, the founder of A Wider Circle, has helped furnish 19,236 homes, benefitting over 72,000 adults and children throughout the D.C and Maryland area. Bergel donated his bed to A Wider Circle over six years ago and vows to sleep on his couch until every person in the United States owns a bed of his or her own. “I’m able to tell the hundreds of people who reach out to us for assistance each day and have been sleep-ing on the bare floor for years that I know how hard it is and mean it,” he said. At A Wider Circle, people who have more furniture than they need can donate to the program, and people in need can take anything they need.

Take Anything You Need Man Gives Furniture to People In Need

By Ashley McCulloch

Mark Bergel

“I love helping and taking care of people,” said Mrs. Sisco. A lot of people get honored for everyday things, but few are more deserving than our OJH nurse. Mrs. Sisco has been recognized by the News-Leader Salute to Nurses. To get nominated, someone goes on the News-Leader’s website and tells about the person they wish to nominate. “In my case 19 teachers and friends,” said Mrs. Sisco. Then the names are sent to the Missouri Board of Nursing, and they select seven nurses. When Mrs. Sisco found out she was nominated, she was very honored and surprised. Mrs. Sisco has been the nurse at OJH for seven years; however, she was a nurse at East Elementary for twelve years before coming to the junior high. Before becoming a nurse, Mrs. Sisco was a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons for her high school and college job. Being a nurse runs in Mrs. Sisco’s family. “I just always knew I was going to be a nurse. I never thought about doing anything else. My mom was also a nurse,” stated Mrs. Sisco. But being a nurse isn’t easy. There is no normal day. “Some days are very busy,” said Mrs. Sisco “Sometimes being the only nurse in the building is a little stressful. I don’t like when I can’t help someone’s “hurt” or help take it away. I want to be able to help everyone and everything.” If you want to be a school nurse, the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) recommends a four-year bachelor’s degree (BSN) and registered nurse (RN) certification as the minimum standard. School nurses must possess a broad knowledge base that covers pediatric, public health and mental health nursing, as well as school law and policy. Leadership qualities and the ability to work both independently and collab-oratively help these professionals to manage health programs effectively and advocate for needed change. But you need love and compassion for the students and faculty you serve. “I love the students and the faculty at OJH and can’t imagine being a nurse anywhere else,” said Mrs. Sisco. Thanks you Mrs. Sisco for helping meet our everyday needs.

Super Nurse OJH School Nurse Mrs. Sisco nominated for Salute to NurseBy Hayden Tinker Mrs. Sisco

Grab your glasses and keep a lookout for this issue’s mystery person. He could be anywhere at anytime. Get to searching, con-nect the dots and try your hardest to figure out who this issue’s mystery person is. •In this person’s free time, he loves to play outside and enjoy nature.•If he could travel anywhere in the world, he would go to Egypt.•This person’s favorite superhero is Batman.•Stewart Jimmy Ray is the middle name of this OJH student.•This student has read around 50 books in his lifetime. •This student is fearless.•He likes all food, but if he had to choose a favorite, it would be pizza. •This student is outstanding in the archery unit.•He has a sweet tooth for Snickers.•His absolute favorite restaurant is Longhorn Steakhouse.•This student is known for his fabulous hair. Hope you pay close attention to these eleven clues. Now get to looking for this “mystery boy.” If you think you know who he is, place your guess in locker 151 in the main building or locker 780 in the west building. You will be put in a drawing with all the other correct guesses. If your name is drawn you will receive a small prize. Last issue’s winner is Miguel Facio. Come to room 137 to collect your prize.

By Morgan Maleare and Skylar Seiger

Mystery PersonGuessing Game

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Page 5 April 11, 2014 Student Life

OJH Highlights Calendar By Quincy Moore & Hayden Tinker

April 14: Track @ Branson Tri-Lakes 4:00April 15: Softball vs Bolivar @ home 4:30April 17: Softball @ Reed Springs 4:30April 18: Easter Break No SchoolApril 22: Softball vs Nixa @ home 4:30; Track Republic Relays 4:00April 24: Ozark Track Red Relays 4:00

The Best of the Best March Students of the MonthBy Jordan Lawson

Eighth Grade Students of the Month Sponsored by Rib Crib

Front: Savannah Archer, Corinne Gross, & Kaitlyn HainlineBack: Payton Young, Caleb Nichols, & Cole Smith

Seventh Grade Students of the MonthSponsored by Godfather’s Pizza

Front: Madison Reese, Alexis Orthel, & Keeley CombsBack: Brandon Neely, Dakota Heidt, & Tyler Wagner

Great Gains StudentsSponsored by Rosie Jo’s

Front: Jordan Williams, Jacob Smith, & Kaleb StutesmunBack: Vadim Kleymenov, Amaya Cardinal, & Jaden Brake

Unified Arts StudentsSponsored by Lambert’s

Front: Great Gains (Eighth Grade) Blake Carlton & (Seventh Grade) Elyse StricklandBack: Students of the Month (Eighth Grade) Jack Corp & Rinette Nivens (Seventh Grade) Kaitlyn Vorhies & Landon Stine

Page 6: Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger · Tiger Tracks Mud-Slinger Washington Mud Slide By Michael Greenwood Homes swept from their foundations and debris floating down the street. On March 16,

Page 6 April 11, 2014 Entertainment

Into The Past X-Men: The Days of Future PastBy Carly Lawrence

“I am the best at what I do, but what I do is not very nice.”-Wolverine. That is the rule that all of the X-Men heroes live by. Marvel Studios is making an X-Men movie that will be in theaters in 2D and 3D on May 23. X-Men: Days of Future Past is filled with action and epic battles that happen in the past as well as in the future. The X-Men crew must go back in time and work together with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class to change the past and save the future. X-Men: The Days of Future Past starts out in the present time. The mutants are being hunted and are near extinction, but when a crew of hunters get curious about sounds coming from a distance, they end up facing Bishop, Blink, Iceman, Sunspot, Colossus, Warpath, and Shadowcat. The hunters were no match for part of the X-Men crew. They still fear the war around them. Professor X Charles Xavier calls the whole team together. Like usual, Wolverine is chosen to go back in time, along with Shadowcat and Bishop, to warn and help their past selves. The creators of the movie are not exactly sure how they will show the past and present characters together, but they reassure fans that it will not disappoint them. The directors and filmmakers are making the characters fight in a manner that fans have been longing to see. They are able to physi-cally demonstrate the mutant powers that they simply didn’t have the technological capability to do in the first two X-Men movies. The fans will be able to see each power while the characters are using them instead of just seeing what their powers did to the places around them. The creators say they are most excited for the IceMan effects. See X-Men: The Days of Future Past to find out if what the creators were able to accomplish with special effects.

The Oculus Rift is a headset which displays a fully im-mersive 3D experience. Characters will follow side to side or up and down head movements. Other virtual reality headsets are on the market, but none of them are as af-fordable as this one. The main function of the Oculus Rift is for video game experience, but its makers also plan to affect the way media, including movies, are taken in. Just picture watching the movie Avatar while running through the rainforest and dodging explosions. The Oculus Rift is compatible with 3D movies and offers a 360 degree view-ing experience. Facebook recently bought the Oculus Virtual-Reality Company for $2 billion. MarkZuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive officer, said, “Virtual reality has the potential to be the next great computing evolution, following the transition from desktop computers to mobile devices.” Oculus has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate in the world of the internet. Many people are wondering when Oculus Rift will be released. The plan is for it to come out sometime this year. Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe has confirmed a PC version and also one with Android compatibility. Iribe plans to make the Oculus Rift compatible with mobile devices in the future. Forget about 2D gaming systems and other machines. 3D systems are the future. Brendan Iribe states, “We believe virtual reality will be heavily defined by social experiences that connect people in magical, new ways. It is a transformative and disruptive technology that enables the world to experience the impossible, and it’s only just the beginning.”

Just The BeginningOculus Rift By Payton Nichols

Google Glass is becoming more and more popular in America. The Google Glass is what some people call a “wearable com-puter”. They use this phrase because Google Glass actually fits on you. Google Glass is a pair of glasses that has a piece of glass attached to the top right. When looking through this glass it can take pictures and even videos. How can you take pictures or videos without touching it? Google made the product so simple, it’s voice controlled. The idea and thought for Google Glass came to life in April of 2012, that is when the first testing started. A man namedSergey Brin wore Google Glass on April 2012. On June 20 2012 Rafael J. Grossmann wore Google Glass while he performed a surgery. The next day another doctor ,Pedro Guillen performed surgery doing the same thing. When the Google Glass takes photos or videos, it records them in 720p HD. If you want to take a video and can’t talk to Google Glass to start recording it has a touch pad located on the side of it. One of the most important features of Google Glass is that it can give accurate directions. All you have to say is “Give me directions to Ozark Junior High” then it will give you directions straight from your current location to OJH. In Novem-ber 2012 Google Glass was recognized by Time magazine as most important invention of 2012. Google Glass has so many good things that it can do, but is there any downside to Google Glass? A concern is Google Glass will be used while driving. It can be somewhat of a distrac-tor. Google Glass takes up some peripheral vision which makes a blind spot. This can lead to car crashes. Even though Google Glass is so revolutionary, it is still in development and has no release date. Google has people testing the product and figuring out how to make it better for the public before it’s released.

What is Google Glass?Future Technology By Jake Dralle

The front of Google Glass

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Page 7 April 11, 2014 Sports

Jumping Hurdles

Seventh Grade Girls TrackBy Quincy Moore

“The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race, It is to test the limits of the human heart.” -Bill Bower-man. For Claire Ronchetti, track is more than a sport. It is a passion and a lifestyle. “The thing that excites me most about participating in the meets is getting ready to run and win,” Claire stated. “I think that the track team this year will do great at meets because we are doing well in practice.” Claire got interested in track because her sistersparticipated in it. They really liked it, so she decided to give it a try. She believes the thing that challenges her mostis the conditioning in practice because she has to push herself to finish, although she believes that pushing herself will end in a good result. “One thing I can always work on is improving my times in the events Claire participates in hurdles because it gives her a challenge. She also competes in the 100 meter sprints. “Although I’m not in the relays, I believe that the people who are participating in them are really good at them.” Claire’s favorite thing to do in practice is work on perfecting the hurdles and prints. “I think that this year, the track team will bring home the COC medal.” You can catch Claire jumping the hurdles in the next track meet on Monday, April 14, at Branson at 4:00 p.m. Don’t forget to cheer on your Ozark Junior High track team!

Run fast, jump high, throw far, and finish strong is exactly what the seventh grade has been doing since March. Coach Marshall said, “We are not ready for COC right now, but we will get there by the end of the year. “The seventh grade boys have been running, jumping, and throwing very well.” Sadly the track meets scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, and Thursday, April 3, were cancelled due to bad weather and Nixa not having a track ready to compete on. Brantly Harrill, who competes in track, said, “I was very disappointed that they were canceled.” Brantly’s favorite event is the 100 meter, which is a sprint, but he also competes in the 4x1 and the 200 meter. “I like doing the 100 meter sprint the best because I’m quick enough to do it, and I’m not a long distance runner,” Brantly said. He chose to participate in track because he likes to push himself and hope to win. When at track practice, Brantly likes to work hard always, no matter what. The thing he dislikes the most is doing long distance work because he is not a long distance runner. He said, “I think I would have been ready for the first meet because I have pushed myself enough to where I can compete.” The next track meet is scheduled on Monday, April 14, at Branson at 4:00. The track athletes are hoping it won’t get rained out or canceled. The track team has been training and is ready to compete.

Seventh Grade Boys Track

Making Our Mark

By Logan Sorensen

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Page 8 April 11, 2014 Sports

The softball team is off to a hot start this season, blazing by Hollister 17-0 in the A game and 18-0 in the B game on March 27. The girls have been improving in practice and con-tinue to get better as each day passes. Coach Doyle is having a great time helping the girls and teaching them something new every day. The team demolished Buffalo 16-1 in the A game and breezed by the B team 15-0 on March 25. Nya Morgan, sev-enth grader, hit a home run against Buffalo, to help support Brooke Pridgen in her phenomenal pitching performance. The Branson tournament scheduled for March 28-29 only took place on Saturday, and Ozark won all three of their games, including an extra inning affair against Nixa, defeating them 2-1 in 6 innings. The game against Willard was canceled on April 3 due to the rainy weather. On April 8 the game against Pleasant Hope was rained out as well. The team, according to Coach Doyle, is looking really well on the offensive standpoint, as well as pitching. “We need to continue to improve and work on situations that we have encountered in games and not been successful,” he explains. “They have done a good job in getting a lead and maintaining it, while keeping their intensity level up and not giving up on the game. The pitching has been quite solid and the girls have been consistently hitting the strike zone, not having to worry about walks.” The team’s next game is against Bolivar at home on April 15. The team is expecting to go undefeated this season, but they are trying not to look ahead and to stay focused on each single game, taking one at a time. “We expect the girls to get better each day in practice and hopefully peak by the end of the season,” Coach Doyle explains.

Load Up The BasesSoftball By Chuck Hill

“The best part about being in track this year for me per-sonally is practicing my field events and relays,” explained Hannah Aherin, an eighth grade track participant. The girls’ first two track meets were cancelled, but the girls are very excited for the next meet which will be held on Monday, April 14, at Branson. In this track meet Hannah will be par-ticipating in the 4x100 relay, 4x200 relay, shot, and discus. Her favorite of the events is the 4x100 relay or discus. Hannah’s two coaches are Coach Smith and Coach Brewer. The track athletes are preparing for their next meet by practicing field andrunning events. “I personally believe that we are veryready for these upcoming meets,” said Hannah. Some of Hannah’s goals for this season are break-ing the record for the 4x100 and 4x200 relays and discus. She believes that if she tries her hardest that she can ac-complish these by the end of the season. Motivation is a big thing in track. Some ways Hannah stays motivated is from her teammates and coaches. Some traits Hannah believes athletes in track should have are good sportsmanship and the ability to work hard. “Being hardworking and dedicated is important when being a team member and athlete, I believe,” stated Hannah. “I would most definitely recommend track to anyone who is willing. It is fun and helps you stay in shape,” said Han-nah. Hannah is hoping to continue participating in track in high school. The girls’ next meet is on Monday, April 14, at 4:00 in Branson.

By Morgan Maleare

Eighth Grade Girls TrackSprinting Students

“My absolute favorite thing to do in track would have to be having the ability to improve on field and running events, while being able to do it with my friends!” said Graham Phillips, and eighth grade track runner. Graham is one of over a hundred OJH students involved in track and field this year. Like every other athlete in track, Graham is very excited to be starting the season and preparing for Central Ozark Conference. Graham participates in the open 100, 200, 4x2, and long jump. “The 100 meter dash is my all time favorite running event because it’s fun and it’s a great race to gain speed,” said Graham. With track season being only a month and half long, athletes have to train hard and get motivated. “I stay motivated during the season in preparation for becoming a better athlete,” stated Graham. “I definitely recommend track for others. It keeps you in shape and fit,” said Graham. Although track is fun, there are many difficult practices and conditioning drills. Every Friday the team sprints twenty-six 100 meter dashes. Support you Ozark Tiger track team on Monday, April 14, at Branson at 4:00 p.m.

Left in the DustEighth Grade Boys Track By Skylar Seiger