Written by Ti’karra Adams

Senior Samantha Wardlow signs to Bethel University!

Senior Celeste Hollis makes her way to State for Swimming

Jarek Ruszkowski writes about the Boys Swim Team here at Riley, and how much effort goes into their meets.

Senior Ryan Kingston doesn’t want to—and won’t—stop his football-kicking career after high school. He has been recruited by many schools, including Ball State University and Indiana University, but has now officially committed and signed to Eastern Michigan University. This decision seemed to come rather easy to Kingston.

Sophomore Ike Ruszkowski is a hotspot in Riley Swimming, especially in his event, the 100 back. Ike is the 2022 sectional champion in the 100 back event which he achieved at the sectionals held at Riley.

Junior Celeste Hollis is a standout on the Riley Girls Swim Team, especially in the 100 fly.

Celeste is the 2022 sectional champion in the 100 butterfly and swam at a state cut time which allowed her to go to Indianapolis to compete in the Girls Swimming State Championship held at IUPUI’s natatorium.

Although sports has always been a big part of Riley culture, recently the nation has seen a decline in student participation in high school sports. Unfortunately, Riley has also been affected by this downwards trend. 

Maria Orta, Lettie Ringer, and Margaret Whitmer are the Senior Captains of the Girls Cross Country Team. They have all dedicated their time and talent to the team and throughout the hard, stressful times with COVID.

“While we may have not won many games this year, we have pushed each other to our very best in order to get better. I am personally very proud of the team, and I am happy that I can leave as a senior knowing that I made a positive impact and that the team has a bright future.” says one of the senior captains of the Riley Boys Soccer Team, Cody Andis.

“I'm most proud of having a winning record at number one singles for two years in a row. And I'm proud of my team for having a winning record this year,” says Riley Senior Tennis Captain, Blake Allison.

Luke Hanson Phipps, like many of his teammates, has put a lot of time and effort into the Riley Cross Country Team. Running all four years, Luke has grown very close with his team and has shown his extreme pride in all of them, especially this year as many have faced injuries or are still recovering from the struggles of being quarantined early on in their conditioning and season.

Cheerleading is a sport involving the performance of organized cheering, chanting, and dancing in support of a team at games. They show us how hard they work to do what they do, they work together like family and are always positive about it. Cheerleaders give us a great show while also supporting the game and that takes teamwork.