![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)
They say there’s a first time for everything, and the varsity girls tennis team is no exception to that cliché. After defeating Jackson 6-0 and Ladue 5-1 in Sectionals, the squad has earned its first ever State tournament birth.
The team will be taking their top six seeded players to compete. This includes seniors Chelsea Weise, Julia Vranas, sophomores Haleigh Chobanian, Arianna Demos and Kayla Neskar, and also freshman Abby Carpenter.
“I think that we should win based on the teams there,” Weise said, “I think we have the potential to win.”
Aside from team play, sophomore standout Haleigh Chobanian has also qualified for individual State. Chobanian had also qualified during her freshman year, however an ankle injury prevented her from competing.
“I am extremely proud of these girls. They have worked so hard and this is a well-deserved honor for them. To get to state we had to beat some very good teams, including Ladue, who won state two years ago and finished second last year. We beat them convincingly. The team is focused and ready for the next step,” Head Coach Donna Stauffer said.
Play will begin on Thursday, Oct. 20 in Springfield as they team takes on Rock Bidge in the first round.
