Spring Sports Preview: Girls Track and Girls Soccer Teams hold first outdoor session

​by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


The Grain Valley boys and girls track teams and girls soccer team beat Mother Nature last week by getting in a full outdoor session on the first day of boys and girls spring sports practices.

They shared the track and field at Moody Murry Field Monday and all coaches seemed excited about opening day.

"It went great, especially being outside," boys track coach Eric Stone said. "With the weather we have coming in, we may inside the rest of the week, so it's really special that we could be outside today."

Girls coach Nick Small agreed.

"This is my second opening day this year," said Small, who is also the Eagles cross country coach. "We have a lot of our cross country girls on the track team, so I'm seeing a lot of familiar faces. And they got after it today. It's like we told them, take advantage of the days when we can go outside because the rest of the week looks like snow and freezing temperatures."

Girls soccer coach Brett Playter shared the enthusiasm of his peers at the high school.

"We have a lot of girls back from last year, so we can pretty much hit the ground running," Playter said. "We know that the early days of spring practices can be a crap shoot, so I tell my girls, 'Bring a hoodie. Wear layers. Bring a raincoat and rain gear. Just bring everything, because on one day or another, you're going to need them."

All three teams enjoyed great success last season, but many of the standout performers have graduated, leaving opportunities for newcomers to make a name for themselves.

"It's just so different not seeing Emma (Thiessen) and Megan (Knust) out there," Playter said, referring to two longtime leaders on the soccer team. "Not only did they lead when we were playing, they led in practice and in the classrooms. Everyone - players, coaches, everyone - looked up to them.

"And I saw a lot of energy today when we were working out. It's just the first day, but you can already see the new leaders emerging."

While the numbers are down a bit for the boys track team, Stone does not see that as a problem.

"We're in the 70s right now," Stone said, "whereas last year we were in the high 80s to 90s. But the important thing is that we have the girls who want to be out for the team. And we're all excited about our practices as we prepare for the regular season."

Small is eager to see how leaders emerge on his girls team.

"We lost some leaders who graduated and have some who have returned," Small said. "We're going to have a new throwing area this year that our girls and boys can use - including a new throwing area for the javelin. It's an exciting time to be a member our track teams. We're all ready to go."

Top photo:​Coach Brett Lewis visits with his Grain Valley girls soccer team following Monday's first day of spring sports practices. The Eagles were able to get in an outdoor workout before snow kept the Eagles inside later in the week. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

Bottom photo: Grain Valley's head girls track coach, Nick Small, left, and boys coach Eric Stone visit after their respective teams practiced Monday on the first official day of spring sports practices. Photo credit: Bill Althaus