This is the fifth installment of a six-part series of columns that will look ahead to the upcoming high school sports year for our six area schools.
– June 21 — SCC Titans
– June 24 — Yates Center Wildcats
– June 27 — Crest Lancers
– July 1 — Humboldt Cubs
– Today — Iola Mustangs/Fillies
The Iola Mustangs’ run to the state tournament was exciting in its own right last year, but making it even more exciting is what the team returns this season for a potential return trip.
The Mustangs bring back seven starters with only Ben Cooper and Coleson Wiggin graduating.
Wiggin was the team’s No. 3 hitter last year and will leave a power-hitting void in the middle of the order.
Cooper was the team’s No. 2 pitcher last year and shortstop.
Defensively, shortstop is the big void and sophomore Cal Leonard appears to be the favorite to take that spot.
With junior Derek Bycroft returning as a First Team All-State pitcher, the depth behind him will include senior Ethan Tavarez and Leonard.
Tavarez’s increased pitching role will likely cause the All-State Honorable Mention selection to move from his catcher’s spot and to either a corner infield or outfield position.
Other returning starters are sophomore right fielder Calvin Delich, senior center fielder Isaac Vink, junior left fielder Kane Rogers and junior second baseman Blake Ashmore.
SOFTBALL
Despite the losses of top hitters Jadyn Sigg, Riley Murry and Sydney Wade, the Fillies have high hopes for next season and a major reason why is the return of junior Sierra Snavely to the team’s most important position.
The pitcher was a First Team All-Pioneer League selection last season and after starting nearly all the team’s games the past two years, she steps into a larger leadership role as an upperclassman.
Aside from Snavely, the team’s top returning hitters are senior Chloe Gardner and sophomore Kelsey Morrison, but both will likely be dealing with position changes.
Morrison played left field was a freshman, but will likely fill in for Wade at shortstop.
Gardner has anchored the Fillies’ third base spot the past couple seasons, but during the summer, she has worked as at catcher and appears to be ready to move there next season.
Joining Morrison, Snavely and Gardner up the middle of the team’s infield is sophomore second baseman Madisyn Holloway. Holloway hit ninth last year for the Fillies, but will likely move closer to the top of the order next year.
Other key returners are Sadrie Overall, Mia Aronson, Kendra Sprague and Gabby Richards.
BOYS TENNIS
After losing Rhett Allen and Isaiah Fawson to graduation last season, the Mustangs must find a way to replace both their singles players from this season.
Without those top two players, the Mustangs’ double pairings will be counted on the lead the team.
Iola’s No. 1 doubles team of Bret Plumlee and Jonathan Miller will return a pairing for the second-straight year.
The juniors will assume more of a leadership role as their most experienced players.
Other key returners include sophomores Adryan Nading, Elijah Fawson, Eason Chueng and junior Jackson.
Between those four, they will likely form the Mustangs other doubles team and singles players.
GOLF
The Iola golf team has been through a lot of transition the past couple seasons.
Two years ago, then-coach Doug Kerr had to replace the entire team and then last season as that group of new players was developing, Kerr switched to join the track and field team as an assistant coach.
Allen County Country Club manager L.C. Lacy stepped into the coach’s role, but the job is open again heading into this next season.
Whoever inherits the job will have the advantage of the most-experienced roster the team has had in the past three years.
Key returners are Chloe Hageman, Jeremy Waldman, Parker Smith and Drake Sell.
TRACK & FIELD
The Fillies will continue to make strides this season with its talented sophomore class leading the team.
As freshmen, Elka Billings and Elysia Kunkler were Iola’s lone representatives at the state meet and this season they will attempt to return and bring more of their teammates with them.
Billings was a standout as a distance runner and qualified for state in the 800-meter run last season.
She is also one of the area’s best returners in the 1600- and 3200-meter runs.
Kunkler exploded onto the scene last year by setting the school-record in the 100-meter hurdles in her second meet and ended the year by going to state in the 100-meter hurdles, 100-meter dash and long jump.
Finding Kunkler’s fourth event will be a goal going into next season after showing great promise in both the 200-meter dash and the 300-meter hurdles.
Other top returners for the Fillies are Erin Klubek, Madi Carlin, Kylee Maloney, Christine Helman, Ella Taylor and Ashleigh Nicholas.
The Mustangs must replace top seniors Chase Regehr and Trea Williams, but return a majority of their roster this season.
Senior Nathan Sprague was ill during the regional meet last season or else the Mustangs may have had a state qualifier last year. He will be back this season with his eyes set on Wichita.
Junior Cole Regehr and sophomore Dan Foust are the team’s other top returners on the track.
Seniors Kanyon Beasley and Christian Jackson are the Mustangs’ top performers in their field events.
