Sports – USM SPIRE-TIMES: Recent Episodes
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Joshua Inserra started later than most in his collegiate sport. In fifth grade, Inserra had an opportunity that would forever change his life. His mom would bring home leftover footballs from the factory she worked at. Inserra and his brothers would throw the ball around in the street.
His neighbor spotted them throwing the ball and asked Joshua if he wanted to play football for the school. Inserra told his neighbor they could not afford it, but to his surprise, the neighbor told him it was free.
“It was the scariest year of my life,” Inserra said.
Inserra had nerves eating him up when he put his football pads on for the first time. Soon, he would find comfort in the sport of football. He would go on to be all-state for Oklahoma and even committed to Oklahoma State University. This ended up not working out for Inserra and his girlfriend, Summer. The University of Saint Mary soon reached out and negotiated a deal for Inserra and his girlfriend to attend.
Joshua and his girlfriend, Summer.“That’s what really got me to come here. It was the extra help,” Inserra said.
Ever since his commitment, Inserra has been given the role of defensive captain for the football team at Saint Mary. Even though the football team had a rough go this year, he believes there is always room for improvement and is hopeful. Inserra has grown as a person and has had to figure out how to be a captain for the team.
“Learning to be a leader was probably the best part,” Inserra said.
Inserra’s leadership on the football team has also carried over into his personal life. Inserra has taken the manager role at the Culver’s in Leavenworth.
“It’s now more natural than ever to be a leader,” Inserra said.
Inserra is in the communications program at Saint Mary and a part of the Journalism-Communications Club, otherwise known as JCOM.
“I hope to own my own business or to work as a producer at a news station,” Inserra said.
As far as football, Inserra does not plan to carry his career on past college. However, if given the opportunity, he would gladly take the chance.
Josie Hallier is a junior studying communications at the University of Saint Mary and is a member of JCOM.
The lady’s track program has a lot to prove this upcoming track meet and trying to regain the conference championship they lost last year.
The University of St Mary spires welcomed the Ottawa Braves to a showdown on the diamond.
Donel Jack is a freshman and a Digital communications major at the university of Saint Mary.
Looking for a place to drive some balls down the fairway, sink a few putts, and have a good time with your friends of family? Look no further than Leavenworth’s very own Leavenworth Golf Club. Located at 455 Eisenhower rd in Lansing, Kansas. The course is open to both members and public play offering tee times 7 days a week from 7am to 6pm.
The membership comes with access to the gym located right next to the clubhouse. The gym includes treed mils, a free weight room, and cable machines. There is multiple different membership available. From strictly fitness to golf and fitness, with or without a cart. With a membership it also includes access to 6 other courses in the KC metro area. With more information on membership rates and courses it includes you can visit greatlifekc.com/Leavenworth.
As for the course itself, it is a beautiful course ranging from 4,916- 5,925 yards. It is an 18-hole course and includes some interesting holes. One of the most intriguing holes is hole 5. Atough par 4 that doglegs right. This hole also includes a pond right Infront of the green forcing many players to lay up right in front of it and hitting onto the green for shot 2.
This course is great for any level of player, as this par 70 course creates challenges for those experienced golfers but also giving a chance for the beginners to sink putts. One thing I would say is the Tee boxes are a little worn down and seem tough to upkeep. Other than that, the fairways play well, and the greens are maintained at a high level.
This course is a great local course for almost anyone, so next time you have a chance to get out on a nice sunny Sunday, head over to the Leavenworth Golf Club for a round of golf.
Bryan Gudka is a Sports management major with an emphasis in Digital Communications at the University of Saint Mary. Joining JCOMM in 2018, Bryan is also involved with the football program at USM.
The University of St Mary is stretching and preparing for what should be an extremely physical, competitive, fast paced football scrimmage. This Saturday at 10:30am the University of St Mary is hosting Spire’s 2021 Spring game. The game will be a played between the defense and the offense. The USM football team has been on a losing streak for the past couple of years. Head coach Lance Hinson, along with a devoted coaching staff, is determined to coach the team to the top.
Hennessy Thomas, starting outside linebacker and captain of defense said, “I am really excited for the spring game as well as the team’s future. You can tell no one on this team likes to lose it is going to be very competitive.” This is the kind of energy that the Spires are going to need in order to turn the team around. Domingo Dahn, who plays wide receiver said, “I really like the new offense as well as the new offensive coaches. The offense is up-tempo and high scoring and is designed to put up a lot of points.”
This Saturday is the spring game and all students, faculty and staff are invited to attend. Let the football team showcase what they have been working on. Things are headed in the right direction and fast.
Ryan Rucker is a Digital Communications major at the University of St Mary.
Tommy Quinn is a senior studying Digital Communication at the University of Saint Mary. He is an editor for the Spire Times and is also the president of the JCOM Club.
Solomon Nwankwo is a digital communications major at the University of Saint Mary and the Vice President of Jcom
The University of Saint Mary newest addition to its athletic program is men’s and women’s bowling. With this addition came the hiring of Coach Chris Beall from Marshalltown, Iowa. Coach Beall brings a ton of college coaching experience in the college baseball world. With that being said Beall is a lifetime bowler and plans to attack the recruiting trail hard both locally and on a national level. Being both men’s and women’s head coach, Coach Beall is tasked with putting both rosters together before the start of next season.
His first order of business was to reach out to recruits and start forming his team. “As soon as I got hired, I started recruiting, so I have sending out emails to all the high school around Kansas City, Kansas and just started pounded the ground asking coaches if they had any uncommitted students. “He spoke on the fact that he has seen a lot of interest in the program and how bowling is not a prominent sport compared to the likes of football or baseball but is on the rise nationally. One of the hardest parts about recruiting for bowling is the fact that most bowlers are multisport athletes.
He had this to say on the topic, “a lot do multiple sports as high school kids do so it’s kind of hard now because baseball is going, track is going. It is hard to get a hold of kids.” That has not stopped his aggressive recruiting style, Coach Beall has put flyers out on national sites and emailed kids from all over the country. He believes to stay competitive the program needs to look at all options of bowlers both around the Kansas City area and nationally. Past the recruiting trail Coach Beall has high hopes for the first year saying, “the first year we need to establish our culture, goals and what we want to be.” This is going to be key for the program to show success early in the program’s history.
Bryan Gudka is a Sports management major with an emphasis in Digital Communications at the University of Saint Mary. Joining JCOMM in 2018, Bryan is also involved with the football program at USM.