Next week marks the kickoff of the 2019 spring sports season and after a very successful 2018 which brought a state championship for Iola baseball, a state tournament appearance for Humboldt baseball and multiple state qualifiers in both golf and track throughout our area teams, this season aspires to something even greater.
Now if you?re looking for a more in-depth look at every sport at every area school, I would suggest picking up our spring sports preview tab (still available at the Register office or online with a subscription) but here are the top five storylines across our six area teams.
When Humboldt golf kicks off the season on Monday at Caney Valley followed by Iola and Humboldt baseball and softball kicking off their seasons on Tuesday, you?ll be armed and ready with the info you need this spring.
5. Golfers return with an eye on state success
Three area golfers made it all the way to the state tournament last year led by the Yates Center duo of sophomore Easton Reynolds and junior Reece Solander.
Both finished in the top 15 at state last year and are on track to improve their way into the top 10 this season.
Meanwhile, Humboldt senior Drake Sellman has seen the top-10 at state and is now set to make a run for an individual state title.
Sellman finished just five strokes off of the lead last year and this season, he also could be a beneficiary of the Cubs making a move down to 2A.
Lastly, Iola?s Jeremy Waldman was the clear standout last season and while he missed the cut to make it to state after a 24th-place finish at regionals, the senior is hoping to play his best golf in his final season.
4. Crest baseball and softball look to build heading into their programs? second seasons
The Lancers kicked off their first baseball and softball seasons last year and while the wins weren?t abundant, you could see both teams? steady progress throughout the year.
This season both teams are looking for more. Now that the baseline has been set, both the baseball and softball teams hope to pull off something special this year.
Both return all-league seniors who are coming off of somewhat disappointing ends to their high school basketball careers and I?m sure they?re eager to start putting up wins this season.
3. Humboldt baseball has an eye on a return trip to state while softball hopes to make a return to the tournament for the first time since 2015
The Cubs? baseball and softball teams left last season with a real sense of wanting.
Baseball made it to state and then lost in the opening round and softball got caught on the wrong side of an upset versus Riverton in regionals.
Both teams head into the 2019 season after losing a few key cogs but return mostly intact from the season before.
