The Brian McCarty Band played polka tunes and Polish favorites for the crowd at Polski Day. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
A crowd of a few hundred celebrated Polish culture and heritage with a parade and festival in Kansas City, Kansas. The parade, led by grand marshal and Channel 41 anchorman Mike Marusarz, followed Central Avenue from 12th Street to 8th before turning north to end at All Saints Parish at 8th and Vermont.
The festival featured live music, traditional foods and kid-friendly activities. Proceeds from food sales and a benefit auction go to support renovations at the parish.
T-shirts with quips about Polish heritage were the most frequent outfit, but nearly as common were shirts supporting one of three candidates for Wyandotte County judge: Tony Martinez, Mike Nichols and Jane Sieve Wilson. All three candidates have ties to the Kansas City Catholic community and sponsored a float in the parade.
Many other floats were sponsored by family groups with Polish roots, giving the event the feel of an extended family reunion.
This mother-daughter duo danced to the music in their traditional dresses. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)This young parade-goer was prepared for it to rain candy. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)The demolition of a former school building created an empty space next to the church that may become a parking lot and eventually a parish center. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Channel 41 anchor Mike Marusarz, the parade’s grand marshal, rode in the parade with his family. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)The group on this float sampled the candy before passing it out. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Polish Elvis was a big hit with the crowd. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Family groups created many of the floats in the parade. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Family groups created many of the floats in the parade. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)The popular and hungry Phan Pharm goats were on site. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)The license plate on this antique jeep referred to the now-shuttered social club at 8th and Central. Several parade-goers reminisced about good times and family events at Frank’s. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Wyandotte’s Dontae Wilson settled into the blocks before the start of the 4 x 100-meter relay race. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Several local high schools participated in the Shawnee Mission North Relays on Friday, May 4. The North Relays is one of the area’s premier meets, drawing top track and field athletes from the Kansas City metro area and eastern Kansas.
Kansas City, Kansas schools have a long history with the North Relays, now in its 67th year. Many of the meet records are still held by Schlagle and Wyandotte High School athletes, including Schlagle’s Maurice Greene, who set the 200-meter dash meet record of 21.40 seconds in 1993.
Davion Scott, Turner, 3rd, boys 110-meter hurdles, 15.33 seconds, and 3rd, boys 300-meter hurdles, 40.67 seconds
Brayden Soza, Schlagle, 2nd, boys 100-meter dash, 10.992 seconds
Schlagle, 2nd, boys 4 x 100-meter relay (Kendall Brewer, Gavin Williams, Brian Parker, Brayden Soza), 42.90 seconds
Schlagle’s Brayden Soza finished the anchor leg of the 4 x 100-meter relay race. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Larmon Witt of Schlagle ran in the 110-meter hurdles. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Nahshon Houston of Sumner Academy flew through the air in the long jump. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Wyandotte’s O’Dia Johnson flew over the first hurdle in the 100-meter hurdles. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Washington’s Danny Rainey competed in the triple jump. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Turner’s Jaelon Harley raced in the 400-meter run. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Harmon’s Nancy Lanford ran in the 100-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Nevaeh Henderson of Wyandotte competed in the 200-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Schlagle’s Camille Evans raced in the 200-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Tynica Gilmore of Turner raced in the 200-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Schlagle’s Kendall Brewer accelerated in the first leg of the 4 x 100-meter relay race. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Ayreona Carter of Sumner Academy finished the anchor leg of the 4 x 100-meter relay race. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Junior forward Sydni Bolewski (6) dribbled past a Spring Hill defender. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Bonner Springs High School girls soccer team lost 3 – 2 in overtime against Spring Hill on Tuesday night in Bonner Springs.
The Lady Braves scored first, only four minutes into the game, when senior midfielder Hope Seaton sent a long ball forward for junior forward Sydni Bolewski. Bolewski outpaced the Broncos defense to fire a shot from 12 yards that beat goalkeeper Meg Putnam.
Spring Hill controlled the time of possession for the remainder of the first half, picking up its first goal with 16 minutes remaining in the half and moving ahead with eight minutes remaining, taking a 2 – 1 lead to halftime.
Bonner Springs was not able to eliminate Spring Hill’s ball control advantage in the second half, but Bolewski and fellow forward Trinity Jones created counter-attacking opportunities as Spring Hill pulled its defenders far forward, often to the midfield line.
Seaton tied the game midway through the second half when Bolewski earned a Spring Hill foul on an attacking run. From about 30 yards, Seaton arced the kick just over Putnam’s outstretched arms and into the net.
Regulation time ended with the game tied 2 – 2, but less than a minute into the sudden death overtime period Spring Hill senior Anna Watson got past the Bonner defense and scored the winning goal.
Bonner Springs drops to 6-3-1 on the season. They will play next on Monday evening against De Soto High School.
Senior midfielder Hope Seaton’s (2) hug lifted junior forward Sydni Bolewski (6) off the ground as they celebrated combining for a goal in the early minutes of the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Senior defender Sydney Hunt (30) headed the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Hope Seaton’s perfectly placed free kick sailed over the leap of Spring Hill goalkeeper Meg Putnam. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Senior players on the team, including goalkeeper Martina Glenn (00), were honored at halftime. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Hope Seaton made a run at the Spring Hill goal in the first half. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Sydni Bolewski stopped the run of a Broncos player. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Senior midfielder Sarah Hunt tried to win the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Junior forward Trinity Jones fought for possession. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
