Volleyball
Bump, Set, Spike, the Lady Owls are back! They started their season with a Jamboree against Halstead and Hesston. (Hesston: 25-20, 13-25, 25-22)(Halstead: 19-25, 16-25, 25-22) Haidyn Thompson, senior three-sport athlete, said,” My favorite part of the Jamboree was actually playing teams and it not counting against us.” Coach Gina Clark’s philosophy for this season is, “No Pressure, No Diamonds, No Struggle, No Strength.” This came from looking at the struggle and pressure that makes you grow as a player and team. Coach Clark’s goal for this year is to compete with other teams. She is looking forward to the improvements her athletes will make, and having a fun exciting journey together. Claire Rolfs, junior three sport athlete, said, “I’m super optimistic about this season, it will be great!’ The hardest part about prepping for this season is the graduation of five seniors, and accommodating forty-five kids in the gym. Coach Clark’s game day routine consists of a little quiet time in her classroom, no music, no lights, and no noise. Before a game, she predicts the ending scores of the match on her clipboard. These diamonds are ready to shine this year!
Football
Fall sports are picking up, and Garden Plain Football kicked off their season with a Black and Gold scrimmage. This year Coach Todd Rice stated that his slogan for this season is, ”Own It.” His goal for the football team is to win a game in the playoffs and see what happens from there. Jaxen Bolinger, senior two sport-athlete, said, “My goal for this season is to be 2A State Champs.” Preseason heat has challenged many teams. Coach Rice has faced this head on with adapting to the heat, morning practices, and after school walk throughs. Aden Stuhlsatz, senior two-sport, stated that he is beating the heat by, “Focusing on the practice so he does not think about it.” Coach Rice’s pregame routine involves eating the same thing, staying in a regular routine, and doing anything to keep the bad luck away.
Cheer
As football is starting, the cheerleaders are staying in tune on what to expect for this upcoming season. The squad made their first game day appearance at the football Jamboree, showing off their hard work from this summer. With no seniors on the team, their junior captains have been adjusting with the big jump into a seniority role. According to Coach Page Arnold, the hardest part of prepping over the summer is getting the freshman up to date with over 60 cheers and 7 dances, as well as learning new stunts. The team is focused on being better than ever and taking the season head on. Coach Arnold was asked if she has a superstition for game days, to which she replied “My game day superstition is before I go to games, I have to put on my left sock, right sock, left shoe, right shoe and everything will be good. When I get to the game I check my bag 3 times to make sure I have the music we need, and take a deep breath because I feel like I am more nervous than the girls.”
Cross Country
Garden Plain cross country athletes are running head first into this season, starting with a meet at Clearwater. Arthur Boyle, sophomore two-sport athlete, is beating the heat by taking frequent water breaks. Coach Steve Rangel’s philosophy for his runners is, “Work Hard and Run Fast.” Another thing he tells his athletes is, “Get out fast with the leaders, do not try to win in the first mile, and win in the second or third mile.” Coach Rangel’s goal for this year is to qualify both girls and boys for state. Adi Stuhlsatz, a senior, said, “I’m excited about meeting new, hardworking people who have commitment, and people perform well!” Cross country runners need lots of strength and endurance in order to compete with others. Coach Rangel says, “It is hard to get an athlete to run to their full potential, if they are not utilizing summer workouts.” Before a meet, runners will focus on a warm up and eliminate telephone conversations. Cross country is ready to run their way to state.
Dance
The Garden Plain dance team is back! After a very successful summer of early morning practices, and UDA dance camp, these girls are back and more excited than ever! This squad consists of no seniors, but has two junior captains taking the situation and making the most of it. Coach Brianna Puetz said that watching her team grow and create a bond together is one of her favorite parts of the season. Before performance time, the GPHS Dance Team always huddles up in a circle while putting one foot in the circle & Praying to God! They pray to the Patron Saint of Athletes (St. Sebastian), to Mary, & many more! After they Pray, they follow it with a team cheer that is special to them. When interviewing captain Jaden Stuhlsatz, she was asked what her outlook on this season is to which she stated that she hopes the team as a whole overall improves by using new techniques learned this year.
