Fall Practice Begins at Area High Schools

The familiar sounds of whistles blowing, tennis balls bouncing, and feet pounding on concrete will fill the ears of anyone who hears the thousands of hard-working athletes across the state starting today. Some football programs, including defending Class 3A champion Garden Plain and Class 4A champion Andale, began practice in the wee hours this morning, others will conduct two-a-days after school this evening. The beginning of practice means competition is right around the corner. Here are a few area headliners in each sport this fall. Boys Cross Country: The Mulvane squad is the defending state champion in Class 4A and it returns the top runner in the class, senior David Roberts. In addition juniors Nikki Trooien-Smith and Wyatt James and sophomores Evan Landes and Nick Lockwood return for the Wildcats. In Class 6A, Jake Wike from Derby will challenge a host of Kansas City runners for the individual title in his senior year. Girls Cross Country: In Class 5A the Bishop Carroll girls will only have to replace one senior when defending its state championship this season. Sophomore Alisa Sooter and Junior Megan Walden will lead a young but experienced bunch in 2008. Michelle Babb of Clearwater will compete for the title in Class 4A following the departures of Heather Garcia and Laura Nightengale, the top two contenders for the past four years. Girls Golf: Kapaun will try to overtake St. Thomas Aquinas in Class 6-5A under the guidance of new coach Dan Phillips following the passing of legendary coach Ed Kriwiel. Andover will again defend its state championship in Class 4-3-2-1A with much of its depth returning. Girls Tennis: The Maize girls are the top contenders in Class 6A. In 5A, Kapaun looks to repeat last year's championship, but Bishop Carroll and McPherson are not far behind. Boys Soccer: Wichita Heights will work to better its 3rd place finish in last year's Class 6A state tournament. In Class 5A, McPherson, which finished 3rd last season with only one loss to eventual champion St. Thomas Aquinas, will challenge runner-up Kapaun Mt. Carmel for the position of top challenger to the Aquinas dynasty. Buhler will be strong again in Class 4A, where it lost to Independence in the championship last year. Volleyball: Newton and Valley Center will be top competitors in Class 5A, while Goddard is the returning team from the Class 6A tournament. Andover reloads again this season and will look to win the state title again this season with the leadership of senior Sabra Clark. Hutchinson Trinity and Berean Academy will have strond squads in Class 3A and 2A. Football: Many headlines abound this season. Hutchinson, Andale, and Garden Plain look to defend their state titles. Class and district shifts will alter competition throughout the state. Hutchinson moves down to 5A, while Hesston moves up to Class 4A. Andale will be pressured in 4A by competition from area programs like Mulvane, Andover Central, and Buhler. Garden Plain will face rival Conway Springs and transfer Jayden Bird in district play. Hutchinson will travel to Kansas City to face Missouri state champion Rockhurst for its season opener. In the City League. Wichita Heights, Wichita Northwest and Bishop Carroll appear to be the front runners, but they will face pressure from Wichita East and Bryce Brown, Wichita Southeast and Joseph Randle, and the always dangerous Kapaun Mount Carmel. We hope this will tide you over for now high school sports fans! Play begins in less than three weeks!