Spark

Age-Old Question

The minimum age for competing in the Olympics should be raised to protect the mental and physical health of young athletes.

Joselyn Duff, Editor-in-Chief • October 22, 2025

In the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva finished a strong performance and skated off the ice crying, grabbing a stuffed animal from her coach. She finished...

New Beginnings

Former East runner Flynn Prather makes his homecoming after being named as an assistant coach on the cross country team

Ethan Keller, Sports Editor • October 15, 2025

This off season for the East cross country team was headlined by a major movement and addition to the coaching staff . Previous co-head coach and East alumnus Benjamin Reimer was named the sole head coach...

Through the Rough

Former East student and golfer Joe Wilson won the Ohio Amateur and went on to play in the U.S Amateur.

Elliana Celis, Sports editor • October 8, 2025

Since he was 9 years old, former East student Joe Wilson IV has been competing in golf tournaments. Now, almost 15 years later, he competes against some of the best golfers in the nation. After winning...

Bring on the Madness

Everybody wants to be the one who picks the correct champion in their bracket. These ten teams are the ones who have the best shot at cutting down the nets in March.

Ethan Keller, Staff Writer • May 20, 2025

With the men's college basketball season heating up, it is time to start looking ahead to March. There has not really been one dominant team thus far as three teams have been ranked at number one as...

Man Up, Man Down

In the world of men’s sports, toxic masculinity overshadows the health, emotions, and performance of athletes.

Julia Viviano, Staff Writer • May 18, 2025

Be a man, not a boy. Walk it off. Quit being soft. Stop playing like a girl. Toxic masculinity is defined as the way men are culturally trained and socially pressured to behave, typically including...

Playing with Purpose

East senior Max Wilcox has been playing lacrosse his entire life, and leading the East Boys Lacrosse team for the past two years, with his passion for the sport all stemming from his late father’s support.

Gwen Gilbert, Sports Editor • May 18, 2025

The clock hits 0 seconds as the East Boys Lacrosse team rushes the field and drowns out the noise of the buzzer with cheers, securing a win against West in the 2023-24 season. East junior Max Wilcox...

Don’t Get Hit

East senior Emily Baker has played on multiple teams for different sports to find the one perfect for her and she has learned skills that are not just physical ones.

Yen-Nhi Bui, Staff Writer • May 18, 2025

After attempts at soccer, basketball, cross country, tennis, volleyball, and almost any sport that first comes to mind, East senior Emily Baker landed on martial arts as her sport, specifically Muay Thai. At...

From Team to Family

East’s Boys Volleyball is a blossoming program. The hard-working culture set in the program helps the teams to succeed. Both family-like teams show a balance between competitiveness and enjoying the game.

Elizabeth Vernon, Staff Writer • May 16, 2025

“Those five minutes I was on the court were some of the best moments of my life,” Senior Jackson Rupp told Spark. Rupp is a defensive specialist on East’s Varsity Boys Volleyball team. Rupp...

Farewell to Varsity Lacrosse Seniors

Varsity Lacrosse face challenges with seniors leaving while striving to strengthen the team.

Elliana Celis, Staff Writer • May 16, 2025

With the east girl’s varsity lacrosse team losing 14 seniors next season, the importance of gaining and maintaining members through the youth program grows. Breaking the record for the year, East...

Fast Pitch to Success

Sophomore pitcher Kaleigh Crawford has been absolutely tearing up the competition this season. A strong group of supporters has allowed her to thrive and adapt quicker than most others.

Ethan Keller, Staff Writer • May 16, 2025

As pitchers are often credited for the outcome of the game, it is imperative to have a player that can navigate through tough situations. This is where sophomore pitcher Kaleigh Crawford has been...

Who-Dey Drafted dis Who-Dey drafted

Spark Sports associate and NFL analysis expert Max Earl gives the Bengals draft a B+ grade

Max Earl, Sports Associate Editor • May 16, 2025

Round 1, pick 17 Shemar Stewart, Defensive End From University of South Carolina Grade: B+ It is no secret that the Bengals need all the help they can get on the defensive side of...

Wrapping Up Wrestling

The 2025 wrestling season for boys and girls has officially ended with many exciting twists and turns along the way.

Ethan Keller, Staff Writer • May 16, 2025

Boys An exciting season continues as the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) champions Lakota East Thunderhawk's are sending two boy's wrestlers to the State tournament in Columbus. Seniors Cohen Reip and...