Future plans

The June issue of HSSTM will feature Diandra Miliner on the cover. Miliner, a freshman at Maize High, competes nationally as a gymnast, training with Folger's Gymnastics. Having placed first in all-around competitions at several national competitions in Kansas, Texas, Pennsylvania and more, Miliner, a level 10 gymnast, placed first at regionals in April, which was held at the WSU Heskett Center.

Also pictured on the cover as insets will top athletes from state competition to take place later this month. I have my eye on several teams and athletes from the area to be on the cover, but I welcome your input. Several outstanding track athletes are arisen this spring, and 6A baseball has been extremely competitive. Let me know what I'm missing out on.

Also, due to the publishing date being so close after state competition, we will redirect readers to the Web site for extended stories on some of the athletes and teams featured.

I received a call today from a parent of an El Dorado baseball player. They won the AV-CTL Division Division III yesterday. The El Dorado boys sports programs have struggled of late, so this is huge for that school. Class 4A regional baseball should be very competitive, as well. Andover Central, Wellington, Andale, Clearwater, Mulvane and Andover are having pretty good seasons, especially Central. They have an outstanding pitching staff, led by Ben French, who hasn't allowed a run in league play. He's also got a no-no this season (see May issue, Picture This).

We ran a feature story on the Web about Steve Eck leading a new coup in the City League. Now coach at Cowley County, which had its best season ever under Eck last year in his first season, Eck has signed the City League's top six players outside Jordan Cyphers to play for him next year: Poland and Holloman from East, Gantt and Barnes from Southeast, Lance Russell from South and Kelton Marshall out of Heights. I'm very anxious to see how these players fare next season at the college level, and on the same team. It will be a great story and joy to watch if these guys can come together and earn a berth in the national juco tournament in 2009.