I have yet to reach the point in my life where I feel ready and willing to have children. But given the recent events of rampant sexual misconduct in Hollywood, politics, and professional sports, I have two options for children: Don’t have any. Or find some way to genetically ensure that I give birth to sons. […]
KRISTINA SEWELL
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BENCHWARMER: Health begins in the brain
I’ve been staring at the cursor on my computer screen for the last 10 minutes, willing my brain to think of some creative and amusing sports topic for my column. But nothing comes to mind. It seems strange to ascribe a physical feeling to my brain, but it’s tired. Those who know me and are […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Route to equality
The Benchwarmer sounds off on sexism in athletics
Sports and politics have not been able to play nicely together in the sandbox lately. I find it strange that citizens act mystified or indignant when political issues taint sports and vice versa. It makes complete sense, at least to me, on a sociological level. Sports is a reflection of society, a thermometer for the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Katie Magni
It’s safe to say that running is not everyone’s idea of fun, nor is it something a lot of people do voluntarily because they enjoy it. But St. Joseph High School’s freshman cross country runner, Katie Magni, truly enjoys running and competing in races. “In my opinion, it just feels good to run,” Magni said. […]
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Benchwarmer: Where have all the multi-sport athletes gone?
There was a time in my life when if you asked me who I was I would have answered: “Kristina Sewell, softball player.” Softball was what I knew, year round, from age 10 until 23. I played travel ball during the summer, fall ball during the fall, and then softball season during the spring. I […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hannah Lacaste
Hannah Lacaste is not afraid of a challenge. Currently in her junior volleyball season at Pioneer Valley High School, Lacaste is a four sport athlete, competing in volleyball, cross country, track, and wrestling. As a volleyball player, Lacaste is on the outside hitter position. “As an outside hitter, we depend on her all-around abilities such […]
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Locals compete with dream teams in fantasy football leagues
Fantasy football takes football fandom to a whole new level and is part of a growing American sports phenomenon. Over the last few weeks, fantasy football fans have been scouring statistics and player articles, preparing for one of the bigger milestones of the football season: the draft. The fantasy football draft is when players in […]
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The Benchwarmer: Three cheers for cheerleaders
Girls and guys who flip, tumble, and cheer are just as athletic as anyone else
I think junior high school is perhaps the most awkward time in one’s life, where we tend to look back on things we said, thought, believed, and did that make us say, “WTF?” I have a number of those moments in junior high, not limited to the fact that I wore men’s black Dickies pants […]
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Local makes custom-order baseball bats at WynnWood Bats
Shawn Wynn sure knows his wood—ash, maple, and birch wood that is. Founder of WynnWood custom bats, Wynn is working to keep a dying art alive. A 28-year-old originally from Taft, Calif., Wynn had a fairly short baseball career. He grew up playing little league only to play one season in high school as a […]
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Yankee warrior: Righetti High School graduate Matt Sauer was drafted by the New York Yankees, setting him on the path to the majors
Matt Sauer seems to be adjusting well to his new life in Florida. The Ernest Righetti High School graduate sounded content and sure of his path during a recent interview with the Sun, and despite his teammates in the background making him laugh throughout the phone call, Sauer exudes a maturity that belies his age. […]
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The Benchwarmer shares her adventure at Zion National Park, Utah
By definition, the word “zion” means paradise. If there is a paradise on this Earth, I think it exists in Zion National Park. Tucked into the southwest corner of Utah, the park regally stands as one of the oldest national parks in America. It’s a place I have visited with my family since I was […]
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Take a hike: The Benchwarmer thinks everyone should opt for more time outside
If you aren’t a teacher you’re going to be wildly annoyed by the following sentiments, but I just can’t help myself—it’s summer break. After just finishing my third year of teaching, I have dubbed this post-school bliss as the “summer glow.” Don’t get me wrong, I love teaching and enjoy teaching high school students (cue […]