By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The first day of the high school sports season is always a big day for the many around Kansas that follow prep sports. Athletes around the state can officially begin fall practices today. Great Bend High School Activities Director Matt Westerhaus is back with the district for a second year and is excited to see some momentum built last year carried forward.
"I think we're ready," he said. "I think we've had a pretty good summer with kids being committed to getting in the weight room and getting better and working on some skill development with our coaches that put in a lot of time over the summer to help our kids improve."
The Great Bend High School football team will be playing on a new surface this year. Installation of the turf is largely complete, and the new track will be finished before the start of the spring sports season. Beyond the bold colors and a new logo at midfield, a new Cushdrain under the turf creates added safety for players.
"When you walk on there now, it's more cushioned than our old field was without the rubber even being in the turf," said Westerhaus. "I think we'll see a different feel. With the track, going to an 8-lane the entire distance around the track, that's going to be a nice added benefit."
Renovations included moving the jumping pit to the north end of the football field, and new runaways for the long and triple jumps, as well as the pole vault.
"We won't have a lot of millings and things in there that get pushed onto the runways and we have to consistently push those off," Westerhaus said. "I think that will be a much-improved area as well."
Elementary students, as well as seventh graders and freshmen, report to class on Aug. 23 and the rest of the students starting Aug. 24. The first varsity action of the fall will feature the Lady Panther tennis team in Lyons on Aug. 24.