Irish Insights

Irish students continue to prosper in academics and extracurricular activities, with the academic team placing second at regionals, a successful canned food drive, a state championship in cheer and strong performances in football and wrestling.

The MESS (McGuinness Engineering and Science Society) Club also hosted a suturing lesson, showcasing the community’s dedication and spirit.

Academic team success
Following a district win in October, the Irish academic team claimed second place at its regional competition Nov. 16. Captained by senior Joe Coats, the team advanced to the championship round where they fell to Chisolm in a sudden death round.
The team will compete again in its area tournament Jan. 18.

CFD finished 
After months of fundraising and collection, Irish students completed the annual canned food drive raising 85,000 meals, which amounts to around 120,000 pounds, most of which will go to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to be distributed all over the state during the holiday season.

Also going to the Regional Food Bank, StuCo raised more than $20,000 from various sponsors around the city.

Assistant Chair of Fundraising Eve Moen said StuCo started planning the canned food drive in July, holding fundraising events throughout the year, eventually leading the student body to exceed past records in canned goods. 

In late November, StuCo members arranged the cans into a sculpture of the capitol building surrounded by the American and Irish flags to fit the theme of AmeriCAN dream. The Regional Food Bank, along with Catholic Charities, collected the food for distribution.

Irish cheer takes state
Following a regional win, the Irish cheer team continued its success in triumphing at the Class 5A Game Day State Championship. The pom team finished runner-up, following some debate about their routine.

“I felt good about our performance, and I think all the girls did well, and we could only do our best and just hope that everybody else thinks that,” pom team member Ashley Watts said. 

Playoffs round two
The Irish football team won its playoff opener over Lawton, 42-7, before falling in the quarterfinals to Del City.

The Irish finished the season at 8-4.

Preseason wrestling 
As the beginning of the season approaches, the Irish wrestlers prepared in two preseason tournaments. Mariah Lofgren, Logan Halferty and Robert Pedroza placed second while Nora Thompson and Ayden Huffman took third at the Yukon Open Tournament. Huffman took first, Lofgren third and Luke Parcell and Peter Hodges fourth in the Westmoore.

Coach Marty Monigold says he thinks the team will do well this season.

“The wrestling program has been growing since I've been here, and we now have a full lineup, and everybody has a little bit of experience,” Monigold said. 

The team also completed a service project, setting up for the Bishop John Carroll Catholic School Christmas tree sale.

MESS Club suturing
Nov. 22 the Mess club held a suturing lesson with the help of dermatologist Susannah Collier and electrophysiologist Jack Collier. 


Photo: Dermatologist Susannah Collier teaches MESS Club students how to suture. Photo Kate Menz/Sooner Catholic.