Ida B Wells Athletics Weekly

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Guardian Athletics

Be Courageous

Be Encouraging

Be Helpful

Be Gracious

Be Energetic

Be A Guardian

• Be brave enough to be misunderstood. Clarity often arrives after criticism.
• Choose people over positioning. Titles change. Relationships carry you when the room empties.
• You will outgrow people—and that’s okay. Growth sometimes requires gratitude and distance.
• Forgive sooner than you feel ready. Carrying resentment weighs more than letting go.
• Stay curious longer than is comfortable. The moment you think you’ve arrived is the moment you begin to decline.
• Leave every place better than you found it—especially people. That is the truest form of leadership.
• You don’t need to win every moment to win a life. Some seasons are for planting, not harvesting.

Greetings Sports Fans!

We are cruising our way through the Winter Season, and I wanted to take a moment and thank all our student athletes for their willingness to be courageous and maybe try a new sport this year. For being energetic and cheering on their teammates and encouraging themselves and not letting mistakes get in the way of growth. I would also like to thank our amazing coaches for creating fun, inclusive, and competitive environments, working tirelessly to try and capture the minds and hearts of our student athletes. Finally, thank you Guardian Community of parents, teachers, support staff, and family members for supporting such a vibrant school community! Great to Be A Guardian!

We had a highly competitive week of Guardian Athletics this past week.

First up, our Wrestling Program traveled to McDaniel to take on the Mt. Lions and the Rough Riders. Tons of quality matches were held, and our Wrestlers showed up and competed! We host the first of two Wrestling Meets tomorrow against the Warriors of Cleveland. Come out and support our Wrestlers.

Our Swim Program had another great week of swimming this past week as well with a few of our swimmers posting PR’s in the meet. Continued growth for the program! They are travelling to Dishman this Friday for another PIL Meet.

Both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Programs took on the Lightening and Rough Riders this past week. On Tuesday, both programs had a clean sweep taking down the Lightening. On Friday, the Women’s Team took care of business taking down the Rough Riders while the Varsity Men had a great game that went into 2OT’s but unfortunately the Guardians couldn’t muster the victory. Both programs take on Jefferson and Cleveland this week.

Great to Be A Guardian!

For a complete listing of the weekly athletic schedule, please visit the athletic dept. website:IBW Athletics/THIS WEEK. Links to team schedules can also be found on their team pages on the athletic website and in the 2025-26 Winter Season Media Guide. Use the QR Code or this link 2025-26 Winter Season Media Guide

The Winter Season is underway! As we enter the league season, we want to remind you of some important details when attending PIL events.

No Large Bag Policy: The PPS policy for large bags/backpacks in Athletic Events is that at no time are large bags/backpacks allowed inside the facility while attending events on PPS property. Some school sites will be able to offer a bag check, while others, due to site location and other factors will not. Please be prepared for both options as you travel through league games this year. In the preseason, many other conferences also have this policy and without a bag check option.

Admission: We will be charging admission in the following sports across the district. Wrestling, along with Boys and Girls Basketball. We will start charging one hour before the varsity contest.

Wrestling Ticket Prices: Adults $7, Students $5

Boys and Girls Basketball Ticket Prices: Adults $7, Students $5

Swim: No Charge

PIL Winter Sports Pass: Gofan.com

Spectator Conduct: It is of the utmost importance that we conduct with the highest level of Sportsmanship towards visiting schools, athletes, fans, and officials. The PIL is seeking to provide the best experience possible for everyone that attends our Athletic Contests. What makes these events fun and enriches those participating is when all of us do our part regardless of the outcome. Should any concerns arise, please seek out event workers, administration, or security personnel to help resolve any concerns. We appreciate your support in advance when attending Athletic Events.

We are looking to seeing you all at our contests cheering on our student-athletes!!

-“People will come and go in your life, but the person in the mirror will be there forever. Be good to that person. Love that person.”

I. The Paradox of Kindness

You'll give your time, your care, your heart often to people who may never give it back. And sometimes that hurts.

But kindness isn't a transaction. It's a reflection of who you are, not what you get in return.

Because life has a strange way of circling things back, just not from where you gave them.

The help you gave returns as grace. The love you offered shows up as peace. The understanding you shared comes back as clarity.

You rarely receive from the same place you give. But you always receive. That's the quiet paradox of kindness.

Source: @roamanticc

II. Service Is Strength

If serving is below you, then leadership is beyond you. Too many people want the title but not the responsibility. They want the credit but not the sacrifice. They want the power but not the weight that comes with it.

Leadership isn't about sitting at the top, it's about carrying what others can't and being willing to serve first. Real leaders understand that service is strength.

Serving teaches humility, patience, and discipline. Serving is what earns trust, and without trust, there's no leadership. You can't demand loyalty if you've never shown it.

Leadership isn't about being above people. It's about standing with them and proving through action that you're willing to pay the same price you expect from others.

Source: Leaders Only Co.

III. The Let Them Theory

The Let Them Theory is about freedom. Two simple words―Let Them—will free you from the burden of trying to manage other people.

When you stop obsessing over what other people think, say, or do, you finally have the energy to focus on your own life.

You stop reacting and start living.

The truth is, other people hold no real power over you unless you give it to them.

Source: Mel Robbins, The Let Them Theory

IV. Question

What truth have I been quietly carrying that I’m finally ready to listen to—and act on?

V. This Week, I Will

Reconnect with my breath. Breathe deeply.

Let go of the things that no longer support my transformation.

Remember: my vulnerability is my superpower.

Be open to rewriting the plan without losing the dream.

Visualize it. Speak it. Write it down. Work on it.

The Last Words

“Your lowest point is the doorway to your highest self. For when the heart breaks, something far deeper is taking place than mere misfortune. We often don’t realize the value of the darkness until it has passed, for it is only in the absence of light that we learn to become the light. The human mind seeks comfort, but the soul stirs for change. It longs to grow, not to stay the same. As many have said before, the meaning of life is just to be alive—and yet we resist the very currents that are pulling us into deeper awareness of that aliveness. You’re not here to chase happiness like a dog chasing its tail. Happiness is a byproduct of becoming whole, and wholeness requires contrast—dark and light, sorrow and joy, breaking and rebuilding. So when it hurts, let it hurt. Don’t run. Sit with it. Listen to it. And when you finally rise from it, you’ll realize the joy was never in the outcome, but in the transformation.”

― Alan Watts, Writer

Blake Karman scorched the nets in a double overtime thriller at Roosevelt HS on Friday night, knocking down 3’s from all over the court. His passing, energy, and hype lifted his teammates up, and inspired everyone in the gym. I have it on good authority that Velt had to change their nets after the game… Blake embodies Wells Basketball to the fullest. He shows up ready to go and work hard daily. He plays tough defense, and he works on his craft all year long. Young hoopers, if you want to be a lights out shooter, and an amazing all-around hooper one day, try to emulate what Blake Karman does when no one is watching. Lifting weights, practicing skills like ball-handling, shooting, and speed agility and quickness work. Keep it up Blake, you’re on fire.

The IBW Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week is Eliana Michaelis. Eliana played a big part in the JV team's latest two game win streak, totaling the most points across both games. Her aggressive mindset on offense propels our attack, with the ability to strike from 3 point range, drive and score at the hoop or kick it to her teammates waiting in the corners. Congratulations Eliana!

Reese has been an awesome addition to our team this season. This week, Reese quickly stepped into learning new parts of the routine this week so that we were able to compete this past weekend. Reese's can-do attitude and willingness to do anything for her teammates is truly admirable. Reese also shows that same level of commitment to excellence that she does on the mat, in the classroom. We can always rely on Reese going the extra mile for her teammates, which is why we are so lucky to have her in the program!

A two-year cornerstone of the varsity team, Ronan leads by example with one of the highest practice attendance records on the team. His success is fueled by a high "swim IQ"—he is exceptionally self-aware, constantly analyzing his form and races to find new ways to improve.

Eloise has made an immediate impact this season through her unwavering commitment and supportive presence on the pool deck. Her dedication is paying off in real-time, as she continues to see consistent gains in her technical skill, sprint speed, and racing strategy.

This Saturday's 1/24 Boys Basketball Games - morning and afternoon games - all shifts are open and need to be filled so our gym snack shack can open. Sign Up Here! https://signup.com/go/ycboLia

All Student Volunteers MUST have an adult working alongside to sign up for a shift.

Profits earned from Snack Shacks sales go directly back to supporting our students!

We are still collecting donations to run our Zero Period Weight Training for the remainder of the school year. Student-Athletes from many of our programs take advantage of this opportunity to lift weights before school. Donations of any size are very appreciated!

Be sure to check in with our head coaches if you are interested in knowing more or getting on their email lists

Baseball: Head Coach, Jeremy Shetler, jshetler@pps.net
Beginning Monday, January 12, we will have opportunities available for all baseball student athletes. On Monday, Thursday and Saturday, baseball skill workouts will take place using the turf and batting cages. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday we will have speed, agility, and conditioning work on the turf.

Golf - Men: Chris Hudson, chudson@pps.net
Weekly Winter Preseason Training will begin, Tuesday, February 3rd. Stay tuned for more details.

Golf - Women: Mick Mulligan, mimulligan@pps.net

Lacrosse - Men (Club): Kyle Hincks, kylehincks@rocketmail.com

We will be beginning open season practices this week! The schedule for the week will be Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 4-5 pm at the Rieke turf field. Be completely ready and on the field at 4pm!

Lacrosse - Women (Club): Hyland Cullen-Musengo, coach.hyland.musengo@gmail.com

• Tuesdays 6:15pm - 8:00pm (Conditioning / Weights)
• Thursdays 7:00pm - 8:30pm (Field Practice)
• Saturdays 2:45pm - 4:00pm 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28 (Drop-In Scrimmages)
• Thursday, 2/12 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Lucky Lab (Parent / Player Night)

Softball, Krissy Govertsen, kgovertsen@pps.net

Pitching Catching Tuesdays 6-8, Hitting Wednesdays in 1 hour blocks 6 - 8:30. Players can sign up for winter workouts here. Interested players are asked to fill out this form

Tennis - Men: Stay tuned as we are in the process of hiring a new head coach.
Tennis - Women: Dyllan Fitzgerald, dfitzgerald@pps.net

Track and Field: Thor Esbensen, tesbensen@pps.net

• Sprints, Jumps and Throws - T/TH
• Distance - Tuesdays and Thursdays - 3:45-5:15
• Weight room - 7:15-7:45am - M/T/Th/F

Volleyball - Men (Club): Mark Mendak, mmendak@pps.net

Here are some photos of IBW students participating in our Student Athletic Training Program. The Ida B. Wells Student Athletic Trainer Program provides our Sports Med students with a hands-on opportunity to learn about injuries, prevention, and athletic healthcare. Participants work alongside our certified athletic trainer (Monica Ng) to assist with varsity games, and basic injury care while developing leadership, responsibility, and professional skills.

Thank you to all of our sponsors - both to those who are continuing on this year and to some brand new sponsors! It's not too late if you are Interested in being a sponsor this year? See the different options below and contact Athletic Director, Mike Nolan, at mailto:mnolan@pps.net

Website:www.ibwathletics.com

Phone: 503-916-5280, ext 75318
Athletic Director, Mike Nolan,mnolan@pps.net
Athletic Assistant, Leanne Van Horn,lvanhorn@pps.net
Instagram: ibwhs_athletics
Facebook: Ida B Wells HS Athletics
Trivory App: A great way to see the daily Athletic Schedule