NSAA rules allowed for fall sports practices to begin Monday at Blair, Arlington and Fort Calhoun High Schools.
Bears, Eagles and Pioneers began preparation for their seasons in football, volleyball, cross-country, girls golf and softball alongside schools across the state. Classes for all three groups of student-athletes will begin soon, too.
At Blair, Tyler Siecke is the new activities director. Longtime assistant Carson Norine of the cross-country team is the only new head coach, while Bryan Soukup (football), Becca Mellema (volleyball), Ross Udey (golf), Jennifer Fangmeier (softball), Kim Farrar (cheer) and Sara Foulk (dance) return this fall.
The first official BHS varsity matchup of the season is the Aug. 18 softball game at Wayne.
Jamie Schleifer, meanwhile, is the new Fort Calhoun activities director. He welcomes Liz Sevcik as the Pioneers' new volleyball coach, while Adolph Shepardson (football), Kyle McMahon (cross-country), Mandy Taylor (softball), Karli Johnson (cheer) and Miranda Weingaertner (dance) are back for the new season.
The FCHS softball team will play an exhibition game at Tekamah-Herman on Aug. 16 before opening the year officially with a Aug. 18 home game against West Point GACC.
Arlington Activities Director James Shada welcomes three new coaches this fall. Former assistant Stacy Nelson takes over the volleyball program, while Cailyn Johnson is the new girls golf coach. Alli Miller is the new cheer coach, too.
The Eagles' Colter Mattson (football), Michaela Curran (cross-country), Janelle Lorsch (softball) and Emma Krause (dance), meanwhile, return to lead their teams this upcoming season.
The first AHS varsity contest of the fall is 9:30 a.m. Aug. 19 as the girls golf team competes at Indian Trails Country Club.
