After two great years, it’s time to say goodbye

This will be my final paper as sports editor here at the Iola Register. 

Goodbyes are never easy, especially when it is genuinely tough to leave. I arrived here in Iola two years ago July after a rough four months in the wild west of Dodge City and immediately felt welcomed and at home. 

I’ve been privileged to work for the Register over the past couple of years. It’s a first-class newspaper and citizens of Allen County should feel blessed to have an institution like this one still churning out high-quality content. You’d be hard-pressed to find another paper in an area the size of Iola that kicks as much butt as the Register does and I’m grateful to have been a part of even two years of its storied history. 

In my time here, I saw the highest of highs in victory and the lowest of lows in defeat. I saw both tears of joy shed on a baseball field in Salina after Iola won the 4A-II State Championship and tears of disappointment shed on a baseball field in Iola after the Mustang run was ended in regionals a month ago. 

I got to ride with Humboldt last season as they made their way through the gauntlet of the Kansas high school football playoffs and watch as Yates Center’s Hadley Splechter bullied his way through his final two track and cross country seasons. 

I want to thank all of the coaches and administrators who went out of their way to help me do my job. I didn’t get a chance to thank each of you individually as I’d like, but please know that working with you has been a joy and I wish each and every one of you luck as you head into the next school year. 

I also want to thank the parents and families of the athletes who did everything from making sure that I got stats from something I was unable to cover to sending pictures my way so we could get better representation of the smaller sports in the paper.

Lastly, I want to thank the athletes that I’ve gotten to cover over the last two years. I haven’t had a single bad interaction with any of you. Everyone has been humble in victory or gracious in defeat and I appreciate your willingness to work with me. I wish you every success in your journey on through high school and college and beyond. 

As for me, I’ll never forget my time in Iola. It’s been special and no matter where I go, I’ll always be rooting for the Mustangs and Fillies along with the Cubs, both Wildcats, the Lancers, the Titans and the Red Devils. Southeast Kansas is a special place and I’m better for the time I spent here. 

Thank you!