There was a lot of big news for area sports fans over the weekend.
The Kansas State University Wildcats notched a big win over the Texas Christian University Horn frogs, thus assuring the football team a bowl berth. The University of Kansas Jayhawks football team won its first Big 12 Conference game in, well, forever. Lastly, and sadly, the Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated season came to a halt as they fell to the arch rival Denver Broncos.
Also over the weekend there were seemingly countless other gridiron and hardwood match ups.
With all this hoopla, it is easy to lose sight of successes closer to home, ones that actually mean something to people we know.
Case and point – the Ellinwood High School boys cross country team.
The is squad made up of: Pedro Montoya and Kyle Oglesbee and Devin Ramsey, seniors; Morgan Feemster, junior; Avery Pike, sophomore; and Jacob Kasselman and Noah Leon, freshmen. They are coached by head coach Lyles Lashley, assistant coach Lisa Phillips.
All were recognized at the Barton County Commission meeting Monday morning after the team won the 2013 2A State Championship. The commission declared Monday as Ellinwood High School Boys Cross Country Team State Champions Day. It was also noted the EHS Girls Cross Country team placed third, receiving their fourth consecutive trophy at the state meet.
These boys ran their hearts out and reaped the benefits of their labor.
They are not alone. In each school in each district, there are student athletes doing great things.
These young people are worthy of our congratulations. Whether they earn state honors or miss out on any post-season play, they embody the true spirit of competition.
Dale Hogg