Eyeing a highly coveted first gold medal at the state track meet, or another baseball state championship — Seniors Elysia Kunkler and Cal Leonard looked to close out their Iola High athletic careers with a bang.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, neither were able go for the gold in their respective sports this spring.
And even though weeks have passed since the spring sports season was canceled, the pain still resonates.
Last year, Kunkler qualified for three events in the state track meet. The Filly track and field star medaled in two events, finishing second in the 100-meter hurdles and fifth in the long jump. She also was part of the 4×100-meter relay that finished 15th.
This spring, Kunkler was eyeing gold, but never got the chance.
“I cried for a few days,” Kunkler said. “But if the coronavirus stuff ends, at least I will have my summer track stuff to do. I’m still not over it. Whenever I get on Instagram and see pictures about track and stuff, I cry.”
Kunkler’s track career is far from over. This winter, she committed her future to Fort Hays State. During the COVID-19 social distancing, she has been doing bodyweight workouts from home and is hoping to work with her high school track coaches in the near future.
Kunkler said her college decision came between Fort Hays and the Naval Academy, but western Kansas was the right fit for her.
“It was really nice, and their coach seems to know what he is really doing. He really cares about his athletes,” Kunkler said. “I will be doing the heptathlon, and I believe they have me down for the hurdles and long jump as well.”
While Kunkler was itching for her first top prize at state, Leonard was gearing up for another run to bring a baseball state state championship to Iola. The Mustangs achieved the feat in 2018, but fell short in the regional championship game last season. 
“I was really looking forward to the season, and thought we were going to be pretty solid. Now, I don’t really get to have that last hoorah with my buddies,” Leonard said. It is just disappointing, but we have still been talking with each other. We are saying that we all still need to get out, and work on simple things like batting, and playing catch to keep your arms in shape.”
Like Kunkler, Leonard is also preparing for competing at the next level, having signed with Washburn University. While his college future looms, Leoanrd’s time at home has been spent playing catch and video games with his younger brother while adjusting to the classroom from home.
“It is alright,” Leonard said. “It is definitely different because it is hard communicating with teachers without not being right in front of them.”
Out of all the games and moments missed with their teammates, graduation still means the most to this pair of seniors. The seniors are hopeful for a graduation deep in the summer or perhaps next year, according to Kunkler.
