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The Wingspan

  • Aug 26 / V. SoftballGretna East High School - 9, Elkhorn North - 0
  • Aug 23 / V. SoftballGretna East High School - 6, Lincoln Pius X - 1
  • Aug 21 / V. SoftballGretna East High School - 5, Elkhorn - 3
  • May 6 / V. Girls SoccerGretna East High School - 10, Conestoga - 0
  • May 5 / V. Boys SoccerGretna East High School - 4, Conestoga - 0
  • May 5 / V. BaseballGretna East High School - 6, Waverly - 2
  • May 3 / V. BaseballGretna East High School - 1, Grand Island - 0
  • May 3 / V. BaseballGretna East High School - 4, Elkhorn North - 0
  • Apr 29 / V. Boys SoccerGretna East High School - 2, Bennington - 4
  • Apr 29 / V. Girls SoccerGretna East High School - 3, Bennington - 0
The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

Drew Rhoades

Drew Rhoades, Reporter

Drew Rhoades is a senior at Gretna East and in his third year on a journalism staff. He serves as a reporter for the Wingspan. He joined journalism to pursue his passion for photography and writing sports stories. 

He provides optimism and a good attitude to our newsroom, but that’s not the only thing he brings to this publication. He has won two NSAA State Journalism medals for Sports Writing and Newswriting and his goal for this year is to qualify for State again. Also, he hopes to help Gretna East Media take home the State title again. 

Rhoades is also involved in basketball, golf, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and class officers at GEHS. His hobbies outside of school include hanging out with friends and spending time by water. After high school, Drew plans to attend college in pursuit of a business degree.

All content by Drew Rhoades

The Press Box: Season 2 Episode 8

The Road to the Finals is underway in the NBA, and teams are hungry for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The Oklahoma City Thunder are storming their way through round one against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Los...

In a 7-0 win against the Hastings Tigers on Mar. 22, goalie, senior Madelyn Schaffert drop kicks the ball in an attempt to advance play.

Number 0 hands out 0s, breaks all-class shutout record

Drew Rhoades, Reporter April 16, 2025

The varsity girls soccer goalkeeper, Madelyn Schaffert, has officially made Nebraska history. On April 7, in a 1-0 victory over the No. 1-ranked team in Class A, Lincoln Southwest [8-1], Schaffert recorded...

John Carda poses for a photo with Svetlana Boginskaya, a three-time Olympic all-around champion.

Keeping athletes in the game: John Carda’s impact on Griffin athletics

Drew Rhoades, Reporter March 28, 2025

March marks Athletic Trainer Appreciation Month, highlighting the impact of Gretna East’s athletic trainer, John Carda. With decades of experience, he plays a vital role in athlete healthcare, injury...

The Press Box: Season 2 Episode 6

March is here and the season of college basketball is underway. The official field for the tournament will be revealed this Sunday, but the Press Box crew has their dark horse predictions, plus who they...

Posing for a picture, the CIA club smiles at the concession stand.

Character In Action club hosts free hot chocolate stand

Drew Rhoades, Reporter February 7, 2025

A simple act of kindness can make a big difference, and the Character In Action (CIA) club set out to do just that by sharing warmth and positivity with their peers before school today by handing out free...

Coach Wes Goranson coaches the basketball team from the bench while winning 23-5.

Wes Goranson returns to coaching with passion, purpose

Drew Rhoades, Reporter December 16, 2024

A fresh perspective and new eyes have joined the varsity girls’ basketball team this season. Crete, Nebraska native, Wes Goranson, a 2007 high school graduate and multi-sport athlete, is stepping back...

Bumping chests with each other, sophomore Sophia Lindsey and senior Hailey Levinson go through the starting lineups.

Girls Varsity wallops Omaha Duchesne 66-21 in home-opener

Drew Rhoades, Reporter December 6, 2024

In their first game of the season, the varsity girls basketball team took on Omaha Duchesne and won 66-21. The girls scored across the board as they used their full-court trap press defensive style...

In close proximity to the cafeteria and gym, the soon-to-be location of the school store, "The Nest" displays student-designed Griffin-wear. The store will be run by students in the school's entrepreneurship class.

Entrepreneurship class ready to fly ‘The Nest’

Drew Rhoades, Reporter November 21, 2024
“I believe that our merchandise will become very popular among the student body,” senior Drew Vetter said. “Everything is handled and designed by the students themselves, and soon our products will become a necessity for any Gretna East fan.”
After the first touchdown of the Nov. 1, playoff game against Gering, was made by junior Carson Herrmann, he and senior Carter Lightwine celebrate with a jumping chest bump. The Griffins went on to win the game 44-7, sending them to the Class B quarter-finals.

Griffins ready for rematch, aim for NSAA Class B Semi-Finals

Royce Anderson and Drew Rhoades November 8, 2024

Traveling to Seward, Neb., the varsity football team will take on the Seward Bluejays for the second time this season, but this time the stakes are higher as the winner will advance to the Nebraska School...

Setting his feet, senior Leo Feak prepares to return the serve back. Feak won his double's match 8-2 with junior Wyatt Estee.

Varsity tennis storms over Platteview in dual [Photo gallery]

Drew Rhoades, Reporter September 17, 2024

The varsity tennis team competed against Platteview High School in a dual on Sept. 10 at Gretna East High School. Through nine matches with a combination of six single games and three doubles games,...

Stepping with his front, right foot, junior Ethan Boukal hits the ball underhand. Boukal won his single's match 8-0.

Stepping with his front, right foot, junior Ethan Boukal hits the ball underhand. Boukal won his single's match 8-0.

Twisting his body in the air, junior Ethan Boukal overhead smashes the ball towards his opponent. Boukal won this game 8-0.

Twisting his body in the air, junior Ethan Boukal overhead smashes the ball towards his opponent. Boukal won this game 8-0.

With his eyes set on his opponent, senior Rylan Wobken tosses the ball up in the air before his serve. Wobken later won his match 8-0.

With his eyes set on his opponent, senior Rylan Wobken tosses the ball up in the air before his serve. Wobken later won his match 8-0.

Preparing to use his go-to backhand, senior Tyler Gilliland sets his feet in preparation. Gilliland won this point by an error from his opponent.

Preparing to use his go-to backhand, senior Tyler Gilliland sets his feet in preparation. Gilliland won this point by an error from his opponent.

Thowing the ball up in the air before he smashes it over the net, senior Henry Hauptman sets his eyes on the ball. Hauptman won his match 8-0.

Thowing the ball up in the air before he smashes it over the net, senior Henry Hauptman sets his eyes on the ball. Hauptman won his match 8-0.

Lunging to save the ball, senior Braden Dall uses his forehand to return the ball. Dall won his double's match with Gilliand 8-1.

Lunging to save the ball, senior Braden Dall uses his forehand to return the ball. Dall won his double's match with Gilliand 8-1.

Warming up with his opponent, senior Rylan Wobken works on his slice hit. Wobken went on to win his single's match 8-2.

Warming up with his opponent, senior Rylan Wobken works on his slice hit. Wobken went on to win his single's match 8-2.

Keeping his focus on the ball, senior Braden Dall gets athletic in his serve. Dall lost a point from this serve by hitting it into the net.

Keeping his focus on the ball, senior Braden Dall gets athletic in his serve. Dall lost a point from this serve by hitting it into the net.

Getting ready to beat his opponent, senior Rylan Wobken works on his underhand hits. Wobken went on to sweep his opponent 8-0.

Getting ready to beat his opponent, senior Rylan Wobken works on his underhand hits. Wobken went on to sweep his opponent 8-0.

Chipping from the fairway, junior Cole Edwards looks to finish the hole strong against Arlington High School.

[Photo] Golf team places high against wind, Barth secures second win

May 3, 2024

Chipping from the fairway, junior Cole Edwards looks to finish the hole strong against Arlington High School.

Chipping onto the green from 100 yards out, junior Cole Edwards watches the ball as it is in flight.

Golf Team Storms Over Arlington Eagles

Drew Rhoades, Reporter April 17, 2024

The Griffin varsity golf team won 181-211 against the Arlington Eagles at the Tiburon Golf Club with junior Cole Edwards leading the way, shooting a 43. The JV team also won with a score of 200-288...

At the State quarter finals, coach Wade Coulter yells from the sidelines.

Coulter honored for commendable season

Drew Rhoades, Reporter March 22, 2024

After leading the girls' varsity basketball team to a 19-8 record in a Class A/Metro schedule, and also to the Class B State semi-finals with no seniors, head coach Wade Coulter was announced as the Battle...

Outside of the library, a leprechaun is taped on a beam for students on the hunt.

Leprechaun hunt sparks craze, competition ends tomorrow

Drew Rhoades, Reporter March 14, 2024

Leprechaun fever has hit the student body. Students all over have been searching the school end to end, hunting for leprechauns before the library’s leprechaun hunting competition ends tomorrow. Since...

Making the "E" for East, the dance team performs their ritual.

Girls basketball wins Class B District Championship

Drew Rhoades, Reporter February 28, 2024

The 4-seed girls varsity basketball team beat the 12-seeded Crete Cardinals 40-29 on Saturday, Feb. 24. The Griffins started off slow and got themselves in a 7-14 deficit after the first quarter. Applying...

Lining the commons from Feb. 5-9, the  ‘Nebraska Remember our Fallen Exhibit’ the names, photos and stories of Nebraska military members who died in the line of service.

Visiting tribute features veterans with ties to Gretna community

Drew Rhoades, Reporter February 15, 2024

In a tribute to fallen heroes, the ‘Nebraska Remember our Fallen Exhibit’ brings together communities to remember those who gave their lives in the Global War on Terror. The “Nebraska Remembering...

After school on Jan. 19, students and staff warm up their vehicles and dust off the snow. Later that day, at 4:55 p.m., cell phones received a “Snow Squall Warning” saying:  "Snow Squall Warning until 6:00 pm. Slow down or delay travel! Be ready for a sudden drop to near zero visibility and icy roads in heavy snow."

Snow blanket, cold weather puts sports on ice

Drew Rhoades, Reporter January 25, 2024

Today's temperature of 35-37 degrees and the melting snow is a stark contrast to just six days ago, Jan. 19, when the high was five degrees with a wind chill between -13 to -30 degrees. The cold temperatures...

Last minute gift ideas for teens

Drew Rhoades and Abigale McQuain December 22, 2023

The battle of who is harder to shop for, guys or girls, has sparked debate for years, but one thing that most agree on is, it's hard to pick out something for teen guys and girls. What was in one day,...

During a Creighton basketball game at the CHI Health Center, the arena lights are turned down and blue lights are cast out to set the scene.

Creighton men’s basketball program takes fans on roller coaster ride

Drew Rhoades, Reporter December 2, 2023

-Commentary- With the 2022-2023 Creighton men’s basketball season ending with a controversial call in the Elite Eight of March Madness, no one knew which players would stay or leave. With 1.2 seconds...

After the game slipped through their hands in the last seconds of the game against Seward on Oct. 20, juniors Luke Johnson and Carter Lightwine and sophomore Logan Kracht join head coach Justin Haberman.

[Photo] Season overview: Promising season halted by heartbreak

Brody Heidemann, Broadcast Editor November 2, 2023

After the game slipped through their hands in the last seconds of the game against Seward on Oct. 20, juniors Luke Johnson and Carter Lightwine and sophomore Logan Kracht join head coach Justin Haberman....

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The Student News Site of Gretna East High School
Drew Rhoades