The lights drop, the crowd gasps, and the drumline hits the tunnel—suddenly halftime isn’t a break anymore. We invited band director Chris Janowiak and three juniors to share how West Ottawa’s Ignite show turned Friday nights into a must-see, must-hear spectacle without losing the musical heart that drives a great band.

We talk through the why and the how: the move from traditional competition sets to a performance-driven format built for community connection. Chris brings Nashville-seasoned insight and a creative partnership with arranger Benjamin Easley to blend wind writing, backing tracks, stadium lighting, and smoke effects into a tight seven-minute arc. The students open up about learning choreography with ribbons, setting smoke on the podiums, and locking tempo to a track that never budges—a shift that raised accountability and sharpened their skills.

Inside rehearsal, fundamentals took center stage, from balloon breathing for stronger air support to focused ensemble work that’s already lifting tone, blend, and balance ahead of concert season.

The payoff is visible and loud. Fans stop mid-aisle. Visiting administrators ask, “What was that?” Respect rises as the show’s accessibility draws in “Nacho Joe” and new listeners who pull out their phones to capture the action and sounds. Favorite highlights—like a Johnny Cash Ring of Fire sprint, the color guard’s high-energy visuals, and the addictive echo of the drumline in the tunnel—keep the flow going until the game returns. Along the way, we dig into leadership, buy-in, and legacy: why this cohort will be remembered for trusting fast, adapting hard, and setting a new bar for what a high school band can be.

This episode was recorded on October 2, 2025.

What makes a high school athletic experience truly special? For West Ottawa Superintendent Tim Bearden, it's that magical Friday night feeling – middle schoolers creating "white noise" in one section, the high school "Black Hole" roaring in another, dozens of cheerleaders, 120 marching band members, football players giving their all, and youth players taking the field at halftime. "You just look around and think, man, this is so cool. This is what it's supposed to be."

In this thoughtful conversation, Bearden opens up about his lifelong connection to athletics – from his days as a high school golfer and track athlete to becoming a state championship-winning volleyball coach, and eventually a proud sports parent of his kids and watching his daughter Kennedy score the Golden Goal for GVSU in the national championship.

Along the way, he shares how these experiences shaped his educational philosophy and approach to leadership. Bearden's journey reveals the true power of educational athletics. "Athletics as a platform teaches a lot of valuable lessons – in some ways, lessons that are more memorable and will stick with kids longer than lessons they learn in the classroom," he explains. His personal evolution as a coach mirrors what many parents experience – moving from an intense focus on competition to understanding that "if it's not a fun experience for kids, then we screwed up."

The conversation explores West Ottawa's commitment to inclusive athletic opportunities through initiatives like Panther Pathways, which removed transportation barriers for elementary students, and how the district's impressive facilities support student pride and participation. Bearden also addresses challenges facing high school sports, including the battle to maintain high school athletic involvement and the importance of preserving multi-sport participation.

Whether you're a coach, parent, educator, or simply someone who values the role of athletics in building character and community, this episode offers valuable perspective on what truly matters in high school sports. Listen now and rediscover why, even decades later, those team experiences remain some of life's most cherished memories.

This episode was recorded on September 23, 2025.

Water Polo is often overlooked in the high school sports landscape. Yet for the athletes of West Ottawa High School's Water Polo team, it's a daily passion requiring exceptional physical and mental fortitude. We sit down with team members Liam Tuinstra, Grady Armstrong, Noah Williams, and Coach Alex Wuerfel to explore the demanding world of this unique aquatic sport.

What makes water polo so distinctive is the combination of multiple athletic disciplines. As the players described it, the sport blends elements of swimming, rugby, baseball, soccer, and even basketball. The physicality rivals wrestling and football, with much of the contact happening beneath the surface. "If you can see it, you can call it," explained Coach Wuerfel, highlighting the underwater gamesmanship that defines matches. Players frequently emerge from the pool with scratches and marks – a testament to the sport's intensity that necessitates pre-game fingernail checks to prevent serious injuries.

The endurance requirements for water polo are staggering. Players are constantly treading water using a technique called "egg beating," which involves tracing a D-shape with alternating legs. This specialized movement becomes second nature over time but requires significant practice to master. Coach Wuerfel praised his team's exceptional stamina: "For our guys, that's their biggest strength." The players combine their water polo training with swimming seasons, creating year-round athletes with remarkable cardiovascular capacity. Training extends beyond the pool, with team members incorporating specialized strength training to develop the power needed for shooting and the core strength essential for maintaining position.

Senior Liam Tuinstra shares his journey with a heart condition called SVT that caused irregular heartbeats reaching 250 beats per minute. After undergoing two procedures, including one on Christmas Eve during his junior year, he returned to achieve his goal of making state cuts for swimming.

The team chemistry between these athletes is immediately apparent and they've developed an intuitive understanding of each other's movements and capabilities. "I'll be at point, I'll see him, he'll give me that nod, and I know I just pass it right in," explained Williams about their offensive coordination. This connection extends beyond the pool – the seniors expressed a genuine desire to prepare younger players for success after their graduation, showing their commitment to building a lasting program legacy.

As the West Ottawa water polo team pursues their goal of reaching the state tournament this season, they represent the dedication and perseverance that define high school athletics. Their sport may not always receive the spotlight, but their commitment to excellence in this demanding discipline deserves recognition and respect.

Ready to experience water polo firsthand? Come support these dedicated athletes at their first home game against East Kentwood on September 22nd at South High School's pool. You'll never look at the sport the same way again.

This episode was recorded on September 9, 2025.

From the high school gyms of West Ottawa to the professional arenas of Europe, Jake Van Tubbergen’s basketball journey embodies the power of persistence, hardwork and community.

As a 2017 West Ottawa graduate who led the Panthers to their first-ever boys basketball district title, Jake reflects on the unbreakable bonds formed with teammates who did "everything together" - from team sleepovers to hallway conversations between classes. That unselfish team chemistry became the foundation for his approach to the game, a philosophy that has served him well across multiple professional leagues.

Jake's five-year career at Grand Valley State University presented new challenges - transforming from a lanky high schooler to a more physically imposing player capable of competing against "grown men." With candid humor, he recounts his evolution from being nicknamed "Gumby" and "go-go gadget arms" to becoming a versatile threat who finished fourth on GVSU's all-time scoring list with over 2,000 points.

The leap to playing professionally overseas brought both excitement and profound challenges. "That first time I left was tough," Jake admits, describing fighting back tears at the airport as his parents dropped him off. Yet through basketball, he found connection in foreign lands, building friendships with teammates from across the globe while experiencing cultures he might never have encountered otherwise.

From winning league MVP in Portugal to floating in the Dead Sea during his season in Israel, Jake's basketball career has become a passport to life-changing experiences. Now engaged and preparing for a new season with Peristeri in Athens, Greece, he maintains the wide-eyed appreciation of his younger self: "Ten-year-old me would think this is awesome. To this day, I still think that."

Share your thoughts of encouragement and appreciation for Jake in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with Panther athletes making their mark in our community and throughout the world.

If you'd like to watch Jake play, courtside1891.basketball provides livestreams of all FIBA Basketball, including some Peristeri games, (we think), his new team in Athens, Greece. The annual subscription cost is $29.99 for the entire year. (Not sure if this will work yet but we will keep you posted.)

This episode was recorded on July 27, 2025.

When dedication, talent, coaching and friendship come together, championships follow. That's the story of Ella Wierks, Ava Porras, Emma Gunnett, and Collette Wierks, four remarkable student-athletes, who along with many others, are part of a West Ottawa XC and Track & Field Team powerhouse. These extraordinary runners take us behind the scenes of their journey to the 4X800 State Championship and how they followed it up with a National Runner Up finish three weeks later. With raw honesty, they reveal the "shared suffering" that bonds them, describing how pushing through the "pain cave" together creates both faster times and unbreakable friendships. Their story isn't just about athletic achievement—it's about teenage girls supporting each other through victories and setbacks while creating memories that will last a lifetime. The foursome recounts their breathtaking state championship race, where despite illness and pressure, they executed a perfect strategy to defend their 4x800 relay title, won the year before with Notre Dame bound athlete Helen Sachs. You'll feel like you're trackside as they describe the electricity of that moment and the pure joy of celebrating together. Then they take us to historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia, where their journey culminated in a 2nd place finish at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor. The girls speak about Coach Kyle Barnes as an important catalyst behind their success, creating a culture that balances intense training with genuine care for his athletes. Through his leadership, these girls developed not just as runners but as leaders themselves, learning lessons that extend far beyond the track. Whether you're a dedicated runner or simply appreciate stories of exceptional teamwork, this conversation will inspire you. It showcases how young athletes can achieve extraordinary things when they combine talent with friendship, guidance, and unwavering belief in each other. Tune in to experience a remarkable story of four friends who ran not just for themselves, but for each other—and found championship glory along the way.

This episode was recorded on August 13, 2025.

Three years ago, the fan football experience at West Ottawa was traditional – you'd watch the game, listen to the Public Address Announcer, and perhaps enjoy some music from a CD player. Fast forward to today, and the difference is remarkable. With the addition of West Ottawa Stadium in the fall of 2022, a mobile live streaming studio already being utilized this year, and recently announced video scoreboards coming to the main gym in 2025, the Panthers are revolutionizing how their community experiences high school sports.

The transformation of the game day experience at West Ottawa High School has begun, involving students and adults in a purposeful, collaborative partnership.

The West Ottawa Broadcasting Network (WOBN) stands at the center of this transformation. Led by broadcasting teacher Lindsay Walcott, who has been with the school for 20 years, and supported by Athletic Director Bill Kennedy, the program has grown from just 13-14 students two decades ago to a full day of broadcasting classes. Students like Quinn VanderKamp, Cody Schurman, and Fatima Correa-Morales are the faces of this revolution – handling everything from play-by-play commentary to switching camera angles, creating graphics, and managing the music that energizes the crowd.

What makes this program truly special is how it combines authentic learning experiences with genuine contributions to the school community. These students aren't just practicing broadcasting in a classroom setting; they're running actual live events watched by hundreds of fans.

Perhaps most impressive is how these students have leveraged their creative control to enhance the game day experience. They've created video content for the Daktronics Jumbotron, coordinated with the band for live drum rolls, and curated music playlists that appeal to every demographic in the stadium – from current students to administrators to parents. As Bill Kennedy noted, "There's no one that even comes close to what we're pulling off."

As West Ottawa prepares to expand their video capabilities to the gymnasium in 2025, the foundation laid by these pioneering students will benefit future classes for years to come. While they won't be there to enjoy the new technology themselves, they take pride in knowing they helped build something lasting. As Quinn put it, "In football and baseball, we always say that we're building a program not for us, but for the people below us."

WOBN represents what's possible when schools invest in both technology and student empowerment. By trusting students with real responsibility and allowing them to make meaningful contributions, West Ottawa has not only enhanced their athletic events but also created authentic pathways to college and careers in broadcasting, sports management, and beyond.

This episode was recorded on March 11, 2025.

A sports injury to end your season, and maybe take away your sport forever. It's the devastating news no athlete ever wants to hear. Depression, sadness and anger are all part of the process, isolation and doubt show up too.

In this episode, we are blessed to have Avery VanDellen, Brandon Berry and Collin Roelofs all come on The 29/1 and simply tell the truth, sharing their experience with you, the greater West Ottawa, and greater sports community.

These three West Ottawa High School Seniors open up about the hurdles they've faced, from torn ligaments and tendons, to surgeries, rehab and the emotional toll of time spent off the field. Their stories are not just tales of recovery, but of rediscovering purpose and community support in the face of adversity.

With everything they've gone through, they also share a light spirit and optimistic outlook toward the future. They share what they've learned, they detail their comeback and in the end, provide us all with the permission to feel the pain of loss, to share it those around you, and when the time comes, to move forward with determination and grit.

This episode was recorded on February 18, 2025.

Prepare to be inspired by the world of Competitive Cheer at West Ottawa High School as coach Mindy Vork, and seniors Kirstyn Wilson and Ashlyn Stonick reveal the intense dedication and resilience behind their sport.

Discover how synchronized movements and high-stakes stunts demand not only physical prowess but also mental toughness. Coach Vork provides a compelling perspective on what it takes to lead a team in this demanding sport, while Ashlyn shares her experience of navigating sudden changes and maintaining performance. We also examine the empowering evolution of competitive cheer as a varsity sport in Michigan, celebrating its role in elevating female athletes.

Journey alongside senior cheerleaders Ashlyn and Kirstyn as they recount their early days in ballet and competitive dance, which set the stage for their cheerleading careers. Coach Mindy offers a behind-the-scenes look at her transition from JV to varsity head coach, detailing the increased challenges and high expectations faced when competing against top teams like Jenison, Rockford and East Kentwood. This episode also sheds light on the strategic goals set by the team, emphasizing the necessity of focusing on accomplishments rather than missteps.

Explore the distinction between sideline and competitive cheer and how each aspect prepares athletes for the heightened rigor of competitive events. Uncover the creativity and teamwork that bring Competitive Cheer Routines to life. From crafting innovative cheers to the crucial role of vocal strength in competitions, this episode celebrates the collaborative effort and community support that drive success.

Learn about the Three Rounds of Competitive Cheer Competition, where the action is energized, detailed and performed at incredibly high levels.

Ashlyn and Kirstyn illustrate the whirlwind of quick changes and precision required between rounds, underscoring the trust essential for executing complex routines. As we discuss setting performance goals and the importance of community support, you'll gain insight into the passion, resilience, and unity that define West Ottawa High School's competitive cheer team.

This episode was recorded on February 10, 2025.