Dear editor,
Another highly successful SEK League track meet hosted by Iola volunteers. I will not list the 56 names from my work list, nor those who came from the stadium to help move hurdles. But, I do need to mention Joe Folk, Mike Luttrell, Ryan Sparks, Phil Honeycutt, Charlene Levans, David Roe, Gary Stout and Gene Myrick because they called to volunteer before turning to the “comic’s section.”
Terry Lower and Jack Morrell ran the whole show and received heaping praise from league coaches (and from our coaching staff).
This is a coaching staff that “overworked” the entire season because I chose to “not fill a coaching position” in order to use a portion of those funds to buy uniforms and equipment.
Pat Lonergan, Vickie Snavely and Larry Wilson have my deepest gratitude for their willingness to shoulder the extra coaching load and they did so with enthusiasm, knowing why we were short-handed. (I was “kinda busy” too!).
And finally, a word about our kids. We told our seniors they would have an extra load during practice sessions because of our short-handedness. Roman Yocham and Bryan Miller took charge of distance athletes, Christian Kauth and Mikal Bossell had the sprinters, and Denton Christian had the throwers.
Finally, we gave Kendra Taiclet and Kelsey Larson all of the girl runners. Kelsey and Kendra were like “protective mother hens with a bunch of baby chicks.” When they “found a bug,” the baby chicks would “come-a-running” — and running fast.
Every group of seniors has been special to me, but this group has gone the extra mile. Your teammates have benefited from your leadership more than you will ever know.
Vickie, Pat, Larry, and I celebrate your graduation, but with a twinge of sadness.
Again, “thank you” to our volunteers, from the 2012 track team!
Marvin Smith,
IHS head track coach,
Iola, Kan.
