Hot days of summer will soon turn into cool autumn afternoons and evenings full of high school sports.
The weather’s not going to change much for Monday’s start of Kansas high school fall sports practices, but there is a “cold snap” forecasted from the upper 90s and lower 100s to the lower 90s and upper 80s by then,
Iola High fall sports’ coaches have set their first day practice schedule.
All athletes must have a completed physical form, signed by a parent or guardian, on file with the high school. No athlete will be able to practice without a form on file.
Mustang Football
Bright and early Monday — 6 a.m. — the 2010 IHS Mustang football team hits the practice field. It signals the beginning of a week of two-a-day practices for the Mustangs.
The afternoon practice is at 4 p.m., unless the heat index requires Mustang head coach Rick Horton to move the practice back to 6 p.m.
Following a full week of practice, the Mustangs will have a intra-squad scrimmage Saturday at 8 a.m.
“We put the pads and go full tilt on Thursday,” Horton said.
The IHS football team opens the 2010 season at Independence Sept. 3.
Fillies’ Volleyball
Iola High’s volleyball team has its first practice at 3:45 p.m. — for sophomores, juniors and seniors — Monday at the high school gym.
Freshmen will practice from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym. The new freshman volleyball coach is Jeff Fehr.
“We only have 12 days before we open our season so we have plenty to work on,” said Fillies’ head coach Jodi Grover.
The varsity volleyball team goes to the Jayhawk-Linn High Invitational on Aug. 28 while the IHS junior varsity hosts a tournament that same day. The freshmen open play Aug. 31.
Both volleyball and football teams will have Blue-Gold scrimmages on Aug. 26.
Fillies’ Tennis
Iola High girls’ tennis head coach Jennifer Bycroft has enlisted IHS boys’ tennis coach Lyle Kern to help get the Fillies’ practice under way. Bycroft had a baby July 30.
The Fillies will have their first practice at 4 p.m. Monday at the school’s tennis courts. Athletes are to bring their racquets, dress in workout clothes and tennis shoes.
“And bring lots of water,” Bycroft said. “Coach Kern will be helping me the first week or so getting the girls through basics.”
The Fillies open tennis opens with junior varsity matches Aug. 23 against Fort Scott then varsity matches at Chanute on Aug. 26.
For more information Bycroft can be reached at 620-228-3090.
IHS Cross Country
IHS cross country coach Marvin Smith announced the first practice will be at 6:15 p.m. Monday. He said boys and girls, grades 9-12, interested in competing should meet at the parking lot on the northeast side of Lake Bassola.
Lake Bassola is south of Iola on State Street. Turn left on Bassett Street which curves to the left to become Washington.
For more information contact Smith at 363-4343.
Iola opens the cross country season Sept. 2 at the Anderson County High Invitational in Garnett.
