Weston Moody’s East Team broke a five-year drought Saturday night, as his team won the 51st Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl held in Emporia.
The 36-23 victory marked the first East win since 2018 and the 36 points was the second highest ever scored by an East squad.
Moody had been selected as the East Team’s head coach, and Wamego was represented on the team by Drew Pettay.
The rest Wamego contingent was made up of Mackenzie Klebe and Shelby Coleman, team managers; cheerleaders Morgyn Evans, Libby Herren, Brooklyn Bearman, Ella Yakel, Marilee Hamic, Kinsley Braden and coach Aubrey Brown and along with Keauna Meyer and Callie Allenbrand, patient ambassadors.
For Moody, the Shrine Bowl was an interesting change of pace. With the exception of a few players, the entire roster was made up kids he had never coached before.
“It was a great experience,” he said. “Having such a quick timeline is tough. You have to really open up quick and have a lot of conversations going right off the bat.”
It was worth it in the end, as Moody said the Gatorade shower at the end was the highlight. “A long week of work paid off,” he said. “That’s a good feeling. The best part of the experience was spending time with football people for an entire week. Coaches, players and managers all working their butts off to make everything work.”
Pettay found satisfaction in the game and the cause.
“It was special to me because I was playing to support a great cause and it was the last time I would put on shoulder pads and a helmet,” he said.
The Raider alumn is heading to K-State where, after being a stellar three-sport athlete for Wamego, he is trading in athletics for academics. Not a stretch, since he was also one of the Class of 2024 valedictorians.
But the week wasn’t all about football.
“On Friday, I met some of the kids who had gone through the Shrine Hospital,’ he said.
“Seeing what they had gone through and conquered because of help from the Shriners made me want to help support the cause in any way I could. The saying, ‘Strong legs run so weak legs can walk’ has never been more true.’
“The camp overall was an unforgettable experience,” he continued. “I made what I think will be lasting friendships with guys I had never even heard of before last Sunday.
“However, it was a tough week as well. Sunday through Wednesday was pretty much wake up early, eat breakfast, practice, eat lunch, practice, eat dinner, practice, then repeat the next day. I don’t think I’ve ever sweat more in my life. (But) it was an honor to have the opportunity to represent Wamego one more time.”
Another special representative from Wamego was Meyer who was not only a Patient Ambassador but selected as the Honorary Captain.
“That role was to share my patient story more in depth through interviews,” she explained. “I also had the honor of sharing my full story in the opening events Friday night, then on Saturday, I did the coin flip.”
She also helped raise funds and recognize donors during halftime.
Meyer serves because of the help she received from the Shriners.
“I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me and all the other patients we’ve met,” she said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be pain free and able to enjoy life. It’s because of them I knew my life would be working with kids.
“Being from Wamego, and having managers, the head coach and a player and cheerleaders involved meant a lot and was the icing on the cake. They really represented Wamego so well, were moved by this experience and will share what it means to be part of a Shriner event.”
