There Goes the Sun

The sun has gone and hid, and we're left with an imminent April. Showers.

They're coming. How much and how often will determine the depth of the spring sports season. Last April and May got soaked; we'll wait and see how many games and meets get in this year before Memorial Day weekend, when state track, baseball, softball and soccer take place. It will also be when I shelve my notebook and gear up in my cut-off flannel, jean shorts and netted, bucket-topped ballcap and drive to Indianapolis for the 500. Really, I'm not pumped.

I hope baseball and softball get to play complete seasons. Local talent in these sporting arenas overwhelms me. In baseball, you've got multiple NCAA Division I talents at three schools: Logan Watkins and Dalton Banwart at Goddard going to Wichita State; Jake Marasco to KU and Nick Cocking to K-State - both out of Maize; and Tyler Grimes to WSU and Matt Applegate to K-State - both out of Wichita North. On top of that, there are tons of guys who have signed with jucos, and we know where Kansas juco players often end up: DI.

Softball's no different. Talent is everywhere. The most intriguing of them all could a sophomore at Independent, Haley McGregor. She moved to Wichita from California with her family before her freshman year at Independent, and she brought with her the eyes of recruiters nationally. She is supposed to be high on everyone's list as a shortstop. I watched her last year as a freshman. She's outstanding - fundamentals and talent combined.

On the Sports Daily radio show this morning, I spoke with Bruce and Paul about spring sports. Keep an eye on Kortney Clifton out of Andover High soccer. She had scored 188 career goals through Thursday night. She and her twin sister Kelsey will play at KU next year. A story on the two of them and their sister Emily Hammond, a third senior-sister on the Andover soccer team, appears in the upcoming April issue of HSSTM, due out this week.

We also touched on the track season getting under way. Keep an eye on three of top javelin throwers in the state from the area: junior Matt Byers of Wichita East; senior Chris Ronen of Newton; and senior Roman Belden of Mulvane. None have won a state title but all three are in the top two among returning state qualifiers. It could be a huge year for the area in the javelin throw. Also, three area pole vaulters will look for their first state titles: Will Wright of Augusta; Nathan Arnold of Bishop Carroll; and Kyle Horsch of Andale, already a two-time football state champ.

Spring sports offer so many opportunities to athletes. I can't keep track of them all. Come to me with ideas. Post on the blog or in the forum.

TW