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The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

  • Sep 2 / V. VolleyballGretna East High School - 2, Elkhorn - 3
  • Aug 30 / V. SoftballGretna East High School - 1, Westview - 2
  • Aug 30 / V. VolleyballGretna East High School - 2, Lincoln Northwest - 0
  • Aug 30 / V. VolleyballGretna East High School - 2, Bellevue East - 0
  • Aug 30 / V. VolleyballGretna East High School - 2, Platte County - 1
  • Aug 30 / V. VolleyballGretna East High School - 1, Pius X - 2
  • Aug 29 / V. FootballGretna East High School - 24, Seward - 21
  • Aug 29 / V. SoftballGretna East High School - 15, Millard South - 6
  • Aug 29 / V. SoftballGretna East High School - 9, Omaha Westside - 4
  • Aug 28 / V. VolleyballGretna East High School - 2, Westview - 1
The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

Peyton Parker

Peyton Parker, Reporter

Peyton Parker is a senior at Gretna East and this is his second year on the Wingspan staff. He serves as a reporter. Parker originally joined the staff to write stories about sports, but he hopes that he is able to write any kind of story.

Last year, he won first place in Sports Newswriting at the NSAA High School State Journalism competition and third place at the UNO High School Media Conference in Long-Form Audio.

He hopes to achieve victory at State again this year, write great stories and create fun, informative podcasts. In school, he is also involved in National Honor Society, and outside of school, he loves to play video games like Rocket League and Rainbow Six Siege.

Three words, he would describe himself as are funny, handsome and intelligent. His greatest goal in life is to make people laugh and smile. When he graduates, he hopes to write about sports in college and is planning to go to UNL.

See more awards here.

All content by Peyton Parker

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...

During the varsity game against Lincoln East on April 4, junior Carson Herrmann holds up "The Monkey" in the dugout. The Griffins gave the Titans their first loss of the season, beating them 2-1.

[Photo] ‘Monkey business’ in dugout, at home plate builds brotherhood

Brody Heidemann, Broadcast Editor April 11, 2025

During the varsity game against Lincoln East on April 4, junior Carson Herrmann holds up "The Monkey" in the dugout. The Griffins gave the Titans their first loss of the season, beating them 2-1.

After a throwing error from the Lincoln East defense, senior Nolan Green crosses the plate and secures the win for the Griffins.

Griffins claw their way to walk-off victory

Peyton Parker, Reporter April 7, 2025

Two State title contenders clashed on the diamond Friday afternoon: the Lincoln East Spartans (9-0) and the Gretna East Griffins (5-3). The Griffins came out victorious over the Spartans (2-1) in a cold-weather...

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...

The Press Box: Season 2 Episode 5

Brody Heidemann, Easton Leahy, and Peyton Parker March 5, 2025

The Press Box is back in the midst of tourney time for the three-division one programs in the state of Nebraska! The Huskers are pushing to go to a second straight NCAA tournament; Creighton looks to...

Presuring the ballhandler, Addison Larock (12) prevents the Skutt offense from getting in rythm.

Griffins fight to the finish in subdistrict loss

Peyton Parker, Reporter February 26, 2025

Last night, the varsity girls basketball team lost 50-37 to number one Omaha Skutt Catholic Skyhawks in a hard-fought sub-district final. Subdistricts are a two-game, single-elimination tournament. Winning...

Looking down at Elkhorn's Eric Sutton, as he holds him in a headlock, junior Gabriel Campos fights his way to a pin in the last minute of the match.

Saturday’s B-1 Wresting Districts to determine who will punch ticket to CHI Health Center Arena, NSAA State Championships

Peyton Parker, Reporter February 14, 2025

Following a dominating 56-22 win over Elkhorn on Feb. 6, the varsity boys wrestling team has been preparing for tomorrow which will determine their fate for the remainder of the season. At 9 a.m. the...

The Press Box: 2025 NFL Playoff Predictions

Brody Heidemann, Easton Leahy, and Peyton Parker January 17, 2025

The NFL is one round closer to crowning the 2025 Super Bowl champion, and the Press Box crew has their predictions on all the remaining games!

The Press Box: 2024 College Football Playoff Predictions

Brody Heidemann, Easton Leahy, and Peyton Parker December 20, 2024

It is the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoffs, and the Press Box has their picks for the bracket! Alongside them is running back, senior Mason Gunn who gives his thoughts regarding the biggest...

Nostalgia meets modern mechanics in second re-release of ‘Fortnite O.G.’

Peyton Parker, Reporter December 19, 2024

As the season of giving rolls around, Epic Games once again has given gamers worldwide an opportunity to relive the glory days and nostalgia of childhood gaming by re-releasing “Fortnite O.G.” About...

Fighting through the ball-screen, Beck Hovie (10) forces the ball handler into help side defense.

JV boys basketball impresses in 80-36 victory over Grand Island Northwest Vikings

Peyton Parker, Reporter December 12, 2024

On Dec. 7, the boys' junior varsity teams traveled to Grand Island Northwest. The Griffins stayed in the lead for the entirety of the game and beat Northwest 80-36. Sophomore Andrew Dearking led the...

After a made three-pointer, teammates Lawson Bear (10), Brody Boone (10), Cole Edwards (12), Blake Harris (11), Lucas Winterboer (10) and Carter Craven (12) celebrate as the Griffins extend their lead.

First game sets precedent for season

Peyton Parker, Reporter December 12, 2024

Late Saturday afternoon, the varsity boys basketball team debuted defeating the Grand Island Northwest Vikings 63-49 in comeback fashion. This is the first time the team has had a winning record and has...

Unloading her donations onto the cart, community member Aimee Hansen smiles. The cart was overflowing with donations for the Gretna Neighbors food pantry, with many bringing more than the required two cans in order to enter.

GPS schools rally to stock food pantry ahead of holidays

Peyton Parker, Reporter December 3, 2024

Ahead of the holiday season, several Gretna Public Schools (GPS), including Gretna East, Palisades Elementary, Gretna High School, Falling Waters Elementary, Gretna Middle School and Aspen Creek Middle...

Before tip-off in an exhibition between Creighton and Purdue, the student section spreads a flag showing the Bluejay logo.

Bluejays start season with mixed results amid high expectations

Peyton Parker, Reporter November 12, 2024

The 2023-24 Creighton Bluejays season ended in heartbreaking fashion to Tennessee. After the loss, the program had a lot of questions left in the air. With Trey Alexander and Baylor Schiermann, who averaged...

Stiff-arming the defender, sophomore Chase Grow fights for extra yardage on the Griffins first touchdown drive.

Griffins beat Rams 51-14 at Homecoming game, keeping win streak, nearing playoffs [photo gallery]

Peyton Parker, Reporter October 17, 2024

On Oct. 10, 2024, the Griffins faced off against the Ralston Rams and defeated them 51-14. Sophomore quarterback Chase Grow led the team to victory, throwing one incomplete pass out of 10 with 177...

Following a Carson Herrmann (10) line-drive, Easton Leahy (11) rounds third-base and heads home to score the game's first run.

Baseball team soars onto second round

Peyton Parker and Brody Heidemann May 12, 2024

On a beautiful 75-degree day, the Griffins took down the Plattsmouth Blue Devils in the second session of the NSAA Class B State Baseball Championships 5-4 on Saturday. The ace for the Griffins, pitcher,...

Before the opening pitch, Teammates Tyler Cox (11), Curran Boswell (11), Nolan Green (11), Nolan Iverson (10), and Colton Nicholson (10) share fist bumps while lining up for the National Anthem.

Boys’ baseball State bound after 3-1 victory over North Platte

Peyton Parker, Reporter May 7, 2024

On the back of Trevor Cox’s 10-strikeout performance, the Griffin baseball team won the Class B-3 District, 5-2, beating the Ralston Rams on Thursday and the North Platte Bulldogs 3-1 on Friday. They...

Time to show up, show out for Nebrasketball

Time to show up, show out for Nebrasketball

Peyton Parker, Reporter February 17, 2024

Husker basketball has taken a big step from their previous seasons under head coach Fred Hoiberg, who has a record of 57-91 during his time with the Huskers and is now sitting with a record of 17-8 this...

Playing against Millard West, sophomore Maggie Pfaff guards her opponent.

[Photo] Griffins blaze trail of confidence throughout season

Reese Beery, Sports Editor February 9, 2024

Playing against Millard West, sophomore Maggie Pfaff guards her opponent.

Gretna high schools return to Eastern Midlands Conference after six years in Metro

Gretna high schools return to Eastern Midlands Conference after six years in Metro

Peyton Parker, Reporter December 15, 2023

With the first year of high school sports well underway and lots of chatter about Gretna high schools competing in Class A or Class B sports and activities, the district made the decision to rejoin the...

Fantasy Football Fridays Podcast: Episode 8

Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker December 8, 2023

Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker discuss Fantasy Football for week 14 of the NFL. Will the Chiefs take down the Bills in an 2021 AFC Championship Game rematch? Will Justin Jefferson do good with Josh...

After a momentum swinging bucket, defenders sophomore Jacob Hawley, junior Carter Craven, junior Talan Hovie, sophomore Charles Vanwinkle and junior Brenden Reeves lock in the defensive scheme for the coming possession.

After a momentum swinging bucket, defenders sophomore Jacob Hawley, junior Carter Craven, junior Talan Hovie, sophomore Charles Vanwinkle and junior Brenden Reeves lock in the defensive scheme for the...

After a tough finish by teammate Charles Vanwinkle, bench players flex on the Benson Bunnies weak defense.

After a tough finish by teammate Charles Vanwinkle, bench players flex on the Benson Bunnies weak defense.

Cheering on his brother during the timeout, freshmen Beck Hovie does the "Jump Around" dance.

Cheering on his brother during the timeout, freshmen Beck Hovie does the "Jump Around" dance.

Seeing a teammate open in the paint, junior guard Brenden Reeves drops a dime for a Griffin bucket.

Seeing a teammate open in the paint, junior guard Brenden Reeves drops a dime for a Griffin bucket.

Brining the pressure, defenders freshmen Drayke Brown, junior Brenden Reeves and junior Carter Craven make it difficult for Benson ball handlers to get the ball up the floor.

Brining the pressure, defenders freshmen Drayke Brown, junior Brenden Reeves and junior Carter Craven make it difficult for Benson ball handlers to get the ball up the floor.

Dribbling up the court, junior guard Talan Hovie crosses over to lose his defender.

Dribbling up the court, junior guard Talan Hovie crosses over to lose his defender.

Driving down the middle of the lane, junior guard Talan Hovie earns himself a pair of free-throws after a hard foul on the finish.

Driving down the middle of the lane, junior guard Talan Hovie earns himself a pair of free-throws after a hard foul on the finish.

Driving to the rim, junior guard Brenden Reeves gets downhill to the bucket.

Driving to the rim, junior guard Brenden Reeves gets downhill to the bucket.

With his eyes down the court, junior forward Drew Rhoades sets the offense for the possession.

With his eyes down the court, junior forward Drew Rhoades sets the offense for the possession.

With a defender in his face, junior forward Carter Craven sinks a shot from the corner.

[Photo] Griffins launch basketball season with fresh faces to varsity competition

December 6, 2023

With a defender in his face, junior forward Carter Craven sinks a shot from the corner.

Waiting for the inaugural tip-off, junior guard Talan Hovie faces the Benson Bunnies finding his defensive matchup.

Waiting for the inaugural tip-off, junior guard Talan Hovie faces the Benson Bunnies finding his defensive matchup.

Fantasy Football Fridays: Episode 7

Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker November 18, 2023

"The Wingspan's" Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker discuss Fantasy Football for week 11 of the NFL. Are there upsets on the horizon? Can Russell Wilson and the Broncos stay hot? Will another Texans...

Fantasy Football Fridays Podcast: Episode 6

Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker November 10, 2023

"The Wingspan's" Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker discuss Fantasy Football for week 10 of the NFL. Will CJ Stroud replicate what he did last week? Can Will Levis prove himself as a viable option? Will...

Fantasy Football Fridays: Episode 5

Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker November 3, 2023

The Wingspan's Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker discuss Fantasy Football for week 9 of the NFL. Is Raheem Mostert a viable option going forward? Will the offenses do good this week with multiple rookie...

Fantasy Football Fridays: Episode 4

Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker October 27, 2023

Brody Heidemann and Peyton Parker discuss Fantasy Football starts and sits, game predictions for Week 8 of the NFL. With differing opinions on game predictions and who will start and see play time, who...

Fantasy Football Fridays: Episode 3

Brody Heidemann, Drew Rhoades, and Peyton Parker October 20, 2023

"The Wingspan's" Brody Heidemann, Drew Rhoades, Peyton Parker discuss Fantasy Football starts and sits, game predictions for Week 7 of the NFL and discuss some lingering questions. - Who will play running...

Class B Football Playoff Predictions

Drew Rhoades and Peyton Parker October 12, 2023

The Wingspan's Drew Rhoades and Peyton Parker explore the match-ups in the Nebraska Class B High School State Football Playoffs.

After school, the of "Matilda the Musical" practice their songs in the choir room. The cast is made up of fourth through eleventh graders.

Acclaimed musical “Matilda” to be performed as debut student performance

Peyton Parker, Reporter September 12, 2023

In less than one month the music and drama departments will present the Griffin auditorium's debut student performance, "Matilda The Musical" by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin, based on the 1988 novel...

Getting the signal from the sideline Mason Gunn, Logan Kracht, Carson Herrmann and Luke Johnson are ready for the next play.

Getting the signal from the sideline Mason Gunn, Logan Kracht, Carson Herrmann and Luke Johnson are ready for the next play.

Walking up the sideline, quarterback Logan Kracht (10) leads the offence on to the field.

Walking up the sideline, quarterback Logan Kracht (10) leads the offence on to the field.

Walking off the field, coach Matt Shrader and Grayson Fisher (11) discuss the previous play.

Walking off the field, coach Matt Shrader and Grayson Fisher (11) discuss the previous play.

Sprinting out from the locker room, the Griffins are ready for the game to start.

Sprinting out from the locker room, the Griffins are ready for the game to start.

In the pregame huddle coach Shawn Blevins gives the team a hype-up speech.

In the pregame huddle coach Shawn Blevins gives the team a hype-up speech.

Jogging back to the huddle captains Luke Johnson (11), Kaehle Toledo (11), Grayson Fisher (11) and Connor Sams (10) inform the team that they are kicking.

Jogging back to the huddle captains Luke Johnson (11), Kaehle Toledo (11), Grayson Fisher (11) and Connor Sams (10) inform the team that they are kicking.

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