Though the recent rains might be deceiving, rest assured that summer is here.
You know why I can tell? Because I find it hard to stay focused when it comes to watching sports during the summer.
I like just about all sports. But sports in the summer don’t quite keep my interest like those in the fall and winter.
I’d much rather be outside on a cool, crisp fall day at (insert random football stadium here) watching a battle on the gridiron, or inside (insert random basketball arena here) watching athleticism most only dream about.
So while the Royals’ recent hot streak has at least helped stem my typical summer sports boredom, I can’t help but look ahead to the fall with the anticipation of spiraling footballs and bouncing basketballs.
• The addition of Nebraska-Omaha to the MIAA starting in 2008-09 is fascinating. When considering the possible ramifications of a school with the resources and the athletes UNO has, it has to make every coach in every sport across the MIAA shudder slightly.
Competing for an MIAA title just got exponentially harder.
But for the fans, it just means the talent coming to Emporia week in and week out just got even better, and that makes for some fun times.
• Summer football camps at colleges all across the country are in full swing now, and from what I understand, several members of the Emporia High football team have participated in some of these camps at area colleges.
That is encouraging news, especially considering how close the Spartans got to the State playoffs last year. Getting some tips and pointers from college coaches can only benefit the young men of EHS, and it should translate into success on the field come fall.
• Would anyone be too terribly surprised if the Big 12 basketball title came down to Kansas and Kansas State this year? How long has it been since that could even be considered?
• One of the best kept secrets in all of sports has to be collegiate volleyball. When played at a high level, there are few sports that offer up such a graceful blend of athleticism, power, finesse and enthusiasm.
• I wonder, will Olpe High School be able to produce another sports season like the one it had this past year? At different times during the year, the volleyball team, the football team, the boys basketball team and the girls basketball team all were ranked No. 1 in the State in Class 1A, and all made the State playoffs/tournaments easily.
Talk about setting the bar high.
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