![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
Although he only started playing in pickleball matches and tournaments this year, math teacher Jason Schneider has been working to create a staff pickleball group at Lafayette.
With his newfound interest in the sport, he wanted to bring the it to LHS staff members.
“[Chris] Lofgren introduced me to the game,” Schneider said “We play in [a] league every Wednesday night.”
Over the course of the summer, Schneider had been playing two to three times a week, getting more invested in the sport.
Currently, Schneider plays with a larger group of players, and games typically start with a message asking if anybody is available to play.
“There are locations where you can just show up for open play and get some good competition in,” Schneider said.
Schneider said that he’s always been into sports and pickleball is just another avenue for competition.
Schneider hosted his first LHS staff pickleball games after school, Sept. 18. Staff members rallied and played games for the evening. He plans on hosting more of these events, allowing anyone an opportunity to play pickleball with other staff members.
