Photojournalism
Visual narratives inform, evoke emotion and inspire, shining a light on events, social issues, and human experiences.
In addition to regional and state recognition for journalism endeavors, I placed first for cutline writing in 2024.
As part of my duties as the Sports Editor of the KMC Paladin magazine, I selected photos from our staff photographers and designed a sports brief page with captions.
Maneuvering around the defense, senior running back Omari Elias finds a hole to run.
After the victory, senior Pete Gann holds up a “w.”
On defense, seniors Hudson Cahill and Charlie Chrisman celebrate after the play.
Breaking free on a run, senior Henry Chrisman dashes into the endzone for a touchdown.
After stripping Bishop Carroll running back Thomas Gorges, junior Noah Schreck celebrates. The fumble was a turning point in the game for KMC.
The Paladin featured previews of each sport prior to the start of the respective season. I selected a key photo and interviewed coaches and leading players to create a team capsule. These longform captions were the only medium where some sports were covered, especially to fellow students.
Going into year two under head coach Will Engels, hopes are high for the girls' squad. After a fourth place finish in GWAL and an early exit in the playoffs to Hutchinson, the team will aim to make each scoring opportunity and game count. “The area we need to improve the most is by far finishing around the basket,” Engels said. “We left a lot of points on the court last season not finishing up close. We have turned into a very physically tough team that is hard to defend and plays hardnose defense, but the mental aspect we need to clean up. Mistakes happen throughout a game to every player, we have to overcome those and move on to the next play.” For those chances at scoring, the squad will need to rely on the experienced leadership of seniors Maddy Spiers and Ella Rudy as well as newcomer and sophomore Zoey Buckner. Although they have this talent and leadership, Engels mentions how they play a team-centered type of game. “The girls have a pretty unique mindset of "it doesn't matter who scores, who assists, who rebounds, as long as we win". We want to win and know we have the right people to do that,” Engels said.
Finishing as the 5A State Champions Mar. 9, the boys basketball team is staring down a second in 2024-25. After losing key seniors Will Thengvall, Brooks Powers and Tegan Charles, the Crusaders will look toward current senior leaders Corbin Johnson, Corey Daniels and Owen Herlocker. “The guys need to come back hungry and practice hard everyday,” head coach Steve Eck said. “Our goal is not to win a state championship. Our goal is to practice as hard as we can each day. If someday we don’t practice as hard as we can, we come back the next day and reach that goal again.” That practice will be vital if the team wants to beat the packed and talented GWAL and 5A competition. A matchup to watch, as the season progresses is the Holy War at Bishop Carroll Dec. 17.
As the City League runners-up in the 2023-24 season, the boys wrestling team is trying to do the little things right and focus on their faith journey throughout the season. “[Our Catholic faith] is something that we talk about on a regular basis,” head coach Quinton Burgess said. “I try to share my faith journey with [the wrestlers], its the number one goal to get them to heaven. We also try to break the season into each day at a time and focus on getting better each day.” Some key returners for the squad are seniors Romiz Monaco, Ba Nguyen and Giulio Traglia. “It’s really good to have them work together as far as leading and serving our team. It’s something we’ve talked about as a leadership committee or with the captains,” Burgess said. The team will fight for a City League title Feb. 8 at Heights.
New season, new coach for the boys swim team in 2024. Head coach Dale Heckman comes into KMC after winning multiple 6A state championships with the Heights Falcons. “I hope to bring years of experience to help the team develop to their full potential,” Heckman said. “We will work on technique and speed to improve throughout the year. I believe that details in the little things is what separates good teams from great teams.” Those details will be hit through leadership of a deep junior class consisting of Henry Studnicka, Robbie Richardson, AJ McLain and Gabe Kappelmann. Although winning is the priority, Heckman is looking to cultivate quality Catholic men as well as athletes. “My number 1 goal is to always help cultivate good student/athletes who have pride in themselves and their teammates and their school. I enjoy fierce competitors and gracious winners,” Heckman said.
Only its fourth year as a program at KMC, girls wrestling aims to replicate its past successful seasons. “Our goal for [the girls] is to finish in the top five in the state and I certainly think we have a good enough [team] to do that and maybe even exceed that expectation or that goal,” head coach Quinton Burgess said. Although the team is loosing past senior and state champion Jayla Johnson, the team will have senior leadership through Aalyra Arguelles and Gigi Redcorn. “On the girls side, we have a couple standouts coming back,” Burgess said. “Both of those ladies will be the first two female wrestlers to do four years in the program. So, we’re excited to see what they’ve got coming in this season.” With both wrestlers ranked highly in the state, potential is limitless for the squad. The girls will complete for a city league title Feb. 8 at Heights.
Missing the state championship in 2023-24, the KMC boys and girls bowling teams are primed to put together a strong season in 2024-25. “I’ve got four quality guys for sure and the it’s just a matter of stepping up for the rest of the team,” head coach Marcus Carillo said. “[For the girls] I have my whole team back. I’m really looking forward to having them, and seeing if they can take the next step forward.” Returning for both the boys and girls teams are junior Cory Holzman, and seniors Katie Stuber, Madison Tran and Lauren Tran. According to Carrillo the team will need to be able to perform both individually and as a team. “It all comes down to the individual and how they play that day,” Carrillo said. “ Some days you’re on and making shots and others, you’re not. We’re just going to have to figure out how to roll through those tough days as a team.”
Events were captured not only for publication in the Paladin, but they may appear on The Crusade Instagram account, in the Quest alumni publication or in the Crusader Connection parent newsletter.
