From syllabus week…to first quarter grade reports. Rockhurst students and staff say it felt like it went by quickly. Even though the days might have felt like they whipped by in a flash, the first 25% of the school year saw a lot of action.

One of the most notable and forward-facing aspects of each school year is the sports teams. This year, Rockhurst played well in sports in the 1st quarter. Between soccer, swimming, and football, Rockhurst lost just two outings all quarter. Cross country also had success placing in the top five in all but one of their meets.

“This is shaping up to be one of the best playoff seasons that we could have,” athletic director and cross country coach Michael Dierks said.

One of the biggest success stories for the time period is the soccer team finishing the regular season undefeated, and putting themselves in position for a three-peat state championship, which has never been done before in school history. If the team does run the table, it would be the first undefeated season in 25 years. The combination of state title and unblemished record would make for one of the most successful sports seasons in Hawklet history.

“Fall sports are great,” Dierks said. “We are 8-1 in football [to end the regular season], ranked third in the nation in soccer, swim and dive and had a lot of kids qualify for state, and cross country won its district.”

School spirit tends to be higher when school sports teams are playing well, and excitement was strong to start the year. SGA held three pep rallies over the course of the quarter to get the students involved and amped for school events. They were fun and brought the students excitement for the big games that followed. 

“Pep rallies were really fun to start the year,” senior William Accardo said. “I specifically enjoyed the singing competition [at the second pep rally, ahead of the Liberty North football game].”

The first quarter of the school year also means the return to classes. Students say they came into the school year fresh after summer break.

“Classes were very nice to start the year,” Accardo said. “I had no trouble getting back into the groove of things.”

Feelings about the return to classes were likely improved by the fact that this year there are less combined A/B days on the schedule. On A/B days, students go to all seven of their respective classes. Last year, the “all classes” schedule occurred at least once most weeks. This year, the class schedule is largely the full A and B block days, meaning students usually have no more than four classes any given day and don’t have to worry about back-to-back days with the same class.

“I hated the A/B days. They felt like they lasted forever, and also piled up my homework,” Accardo said. “I love the new schedule this year, because everything flows so much smoother.”

The first quarter set the stage for what students and faculty hope will be a promising year.

“I am really looking forward to finishing out another good school year,” Accardo said.